‘Go fast, the paneer will get over. And tell your friend to eat.’
I waved at Ananya to come eat with me. She panted as she walked with me to
the buffet. I put black daal, shahi paneer and rotis on my plate. Ananya took
yellow daal and rice.
‘That’s it?’
‘That’s all I like,’ she said.
There was a commotion at the bar. Duke and his friends were fighting with the
bartender.
‘What happened?’ I asked.
‘They are not making the pegs large enough. Duke’s friends are upset,’ an
onlooker said.
Rajji mama intervened. The hotel staff had foreseen that the whisky may run
out and so had started doling out smaller quantities. There were no extra bottles
of that brand even in the hotel. Rajji mama took out a wad of notes and gave it to
the hotel staff. A waiter was sent to the Delhi border to fetch the whisky. Like
always, money soothed nerves and everyone became cheerful again.
‘This is a wedding?’ Ananya said.
‘Of course, that’s how all weddings are. Why, your side has it different?’ I said.
‘You bet,’ Ananya said.
We bade goodbyes to Rajji mama and Kamla aunty. As I walked out with my
mother and Ananya, Shipra masi called me.
‘Yes, aunty,’ I said.
‘Listen, you are our family’s pride. Don’t do anything stupid. These Madrasis
have laid a trap for you.’
‘Good night, aunty,’ I said.
‘See, I am saying it for your benefit. Your mother has suffered, make her
happy. You can get girls who will fill your house with gifts.’
I bent down. If all else fails with kin, touch feet.
‘What did Shipra masi say?’ Ananya asked me.
nora
(Nora)
#1