Page 162 of One Indian Girl

---

A chef next to us fried a kilo of onions on full heat.

‘You went in?’ I said, aghast.

‘I pretended to be lost. Another guest in the hotel.’

‘Never do that again, okay?’

‘Sorry. We only have one more day, Radhika. I called to tell you I spoke to my parents.’

‘About what?’

‘About us. About everything we had. And the situation we are in now. I had a two-hour call.’

‘Debu, I am not exaggerating this. But my head is a big mess and might explode right now.’

My phone rang—my mother was calling.

‘I have to take this,’ I said. My mother shouted at me as soon as I picked up the call.

‘Are you mad? Where have you disappeared? Your cousins are looking for you all over the hotel.’

‘I am here only,’ I said.

‘Where?’

‘In the toilet.’

‘Why are you taking so long? Is your stomach okay? Eat carefully, don’t get loose motions on your wedding day. You need medicine?’

‘Mom, I am fine. Two minutes. Okay, bye.’

I hung up and looked at Debu.

‘You heard that?’ I said. ‘See how everyone is looking for me?’

‘I am sorry. Anyway, my parents protested a lot, but I convinced them. They want to come here.’

‘Please, Debu.’

‘I just need your decision. I am your first love, Radhika. First and only. You don’t even know this guy you are getting married to.’

I have more choices now, I wanted to tell him.

‘What do you want me to say?’ I said instead.

I tried to walk past him. He blocked me with his arm.

‘Stop this wedding. Tell your parents. I will come with you. It’s now or never.’

‘Can I,’ I said and paused, ‘can I think about this, Debu? Really? I have practice now.’

‘Yeah,’ he said and lowered his hand.

‘Thanks,’ I said.

‘I will love you until the last day of my life,’ he said from behind me.

38

---