Page 42 of One Indian Girl

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I stepped out of the train. I climbed up the stairs and came out to Chambers Street. My house was a six-minute walk from here.

‘How’s dad?’ I said.

‘Waiting for his tea. He still has to figure out what to do with his retired life.’

‘Did you get the money?’

‘It was too much, beta.’

‘Just tell dad to change his car, please. At least get a Honda City. That Maruti belongs in a museum.’

‘I will tell him. We feel bad taking money from our daughter.’

‘Why? If I were your son it would be okay?’

‘Yes. But you are not, no?’

‘So what? I am your child. Why can’t I help improve your lifestyle?’

‘With sons it is different. It’s like your right.’

‘Mom, you know all this stuff irritates me a lot. I have had a long day. I was in office for thirteen hours. Can you please say something nice?’

‘We miss you.’

‘I miss you guys too.’

‘We feel bad. Our daughter is working thirteen hours a day and sending money home. We may have limited means after dad’s retirement, but things are not so bad.’

‘Again, mom,’ I said, my voice upset, ‘you have to stop. Let me do things for my family.’

‘Don’t shout at me. It’s early morning here.’

‘Well, you have to stop irritating me.’

‘I am not irritating you. You keep saying “family”. If you don’t get married how will you have a family?’

‘Bye, mom. I don’t want to lose it. Please go have tea with dad.’

‘Did I say anything wrong now? It’s a fact, no?’

‘I have reached home. I have to take the lift. I will talk to you later.’

‘As you wish. All you kids behave in this hi-fi manner now. Call whenever. End whenever. Shout whenever. I am just your mother.’

I took three deep breaths.

‘I am sorry for shouting at you,’ I said.

‘You are becoming too aggressive. If you stay like this who will...’

Before she could say that my aggression would hamper my chances of getting married, I had to end the call.

‘Sorry,’ I said, ‘I am sorry.’

‘Go rest. Don’t work so hard.’

I entered the apartment. Debu sat in the living room watching football on TV. He wore a loose grey T-shirt and a pair of black shorts. He held a can of beer in his hand.