Page 80 of One Indian Girl
He held my hand; I didn’t protest. How could I? We were getting married. He clasped it tighter, and although it felt a bit weird, I held his hand too, not merely leaving my hand in his. I wanted support, perhaps, to decide what I needed to do.
‘You happy?’ Brijesh said.
I looked at him. His smile was childlike. He was visibly thrilled to hold my hand.
‘Yes, I am happy, Brijesh,’ I said. To make others feel better, women lie about their feelings all the time. It’s amazing how easily it comes to us.
‘So I told you about Menlo Park, right? I thought we could take a place there or near the Goldman office. That way, at least one of us can be home quickly if necessary.’
‘Sounds good,’ I said absently.
‘Although, if my start-up happens, I don’t have to be in Menlo. We could be near your office in that case. If I ever take that step, though.’
‘I am sure you will,’ I said.
He shrugged his shoulders. The morning sun was on our faces. I had worked hard to remain on a plan of regular diet and exercise before the wedding. I hoped I didn’t look fat in my tight workout clothes.
‘You are beautiful,’ Brijesh said, as if reading my mind.
I don’t know why, but I laughed. I suck at receiving compliments anyway, and laughing in the compliment-giver’s face is another way of deflecting them.
‘Did I say something wrong?’ Brijesh said.
‘No,’ I said and smiled. ‘Thank you.’
‘I have never said this to a girl. Ever,’ he said.
I looked at him. He looked like an earnest schoolboy, even though he could work the world’s most complicated computers.
‘Well, I should be flattered then,’ I said.
We walked in silence. After a few minutes I checked my phone. It had a message from Debu.
‘Good morning, beautiful.’
‘Who is it?’ Brijesh said.
‘Huh? Nothing. Didi woke up and is looking for me.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, let’s go back,’ I said.
‘I thought we could have breakfast outside. At a beach shack. Just us,’ Brijesh said.
My phone buzzed again.
‘I love you,’ Debu had sent another message.
I released Brijesh’s hand. I couldn’t hold my groom-to-be with one hand and use the other to check love messages from my ex.
‘We better get back,’ I said.
‘Anything happened?’
I nodded. Brijesh didn’t say anything after that. We walked back to the hotel. I kept a little distance from him, so he couldn’t hold my hand again. I held my phone tight and ignored any incoming messages.
We reached the hotel elevator for my wing. I turned to him before I stepped into the lift.
