Page 68 of Red Flags and Rishtas
This, whatever it was, would have to wait.
I was entranced with Kavita Aunty’s cocktail gown. It was a brilliant shade of sapphire blue, with ruffle sleeves and a deep, sensual back. For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine my mother in a garment like that. But then again, our mothers couldn’t have been more different. Mine was a stay-at-home mom who had always put her family above everything else, while the woman in front of me was hugely successful and fiercely independent. My mom was warm and comforting, while V’s mother was a figure of intimidation and respect. That’s probably why they’d never struck up a friendship, even after having known each other through their daughters for two decades.
‘Hey, you,’ V said, having discovered my invisible corner. ‘What are you doing?’
I was strategically avoiding the thoughts screaming for my attention by thinking about nugatory things and guzzling down glasses of champagne. So far, it was working.
‘I’m enjoying the party,’ I lied.
It had been over an hour since I’d arrived at the boutique, and instead of socialising with the guests and taking feedback on the decor, I’d planted myself in a corner, hoping that the frown on my face would kill any shot at friendly exchanges with strangers.
‘Come on, I want to introduce you to some people,’ V said as she tugged on my arm. ‘They’ve been gushing over what you’ve done with the place.’
When I refused to budge, she creased her forehead with concern and asked, ‘Is everything all right?’
I waved her away, swaying slightly. ‘I just need to get another drink.’
She lowered her chin, tilting her head to one side. ‘You’ve had a lot already, Annie. You sure you’re okay?’
‘I’m fiiiine,’ I said, forcing myself to hold her gaze for a few seconds. ‘I’m just celebrating.’
She nodded at that and gave me an apprehensive smile. I thrust my phone into her hand and left to fetch my fifth glass of champagne. Away from the safety of my corner, I had no choice but to smile at the people who acknowledged my presence. V’s mother pulled me into a conversation with a group of older women, introducing me and crediting me for the work I’d put in. Spaced out as I was, I could only manage a few pleasantries before excusing myself from the lot.
When I returned to V, she was reading something on my phone, engrossed.
‘Hey!’ I said, snatching it from her.
A new message from Aadar was waiting for me on the screen.
‘Don’t do that,’ I said crossly.
She narrowed her eyes at me and asked, ‘What happened last night?’
I sighed and said, ‘Nothing.’
‘Seriously?’ I could tell she was beginning to get upset. ‘Tell me or I’ll DM him and ask myself.’
‘Jesus Christ,’ I said, throwing my hands up in the air. ‘I slept with him, okay?’
My voice shot up in the end, and from the corner of my eye, I saw a lady in a red sari look briefly but curiously in our direction.
‘Slept with whom?’ someone asked from behind me.
V’s wide-eyed expression confirmed the voice I was too scared to identify on my own.
When I finally gathered the courage to turn, Madhav was already making his way through the crowd towards the door. I rushed after him, almost spilling my drink on an uncle who was walking in the opposite direction.
The air outside was thick with humidity, making it stuffier to be in the open than in a room with thirty people.
‘Madhav, wait!’ I had to raise my voice to be heard over the commotion of the street.
He stopped walking away and turned to face me but refused to look me in the eye.
‘What?’ he demanded.
‘How … uh what are you doing here?’ I asked, rubbing my forehead with my free hand.
‘You weren’t texting me back and I was worried,’ he scoffed, shuffling his feet. ‘So I asked your friend if I could come here.’
