Page 176 of One Indian Girl
‘You invited them?’
I shook my head. In brief, I told him what had happened to me all of last week in Goa. He listened with full interest, and had a shocked expression at the end of it.
‘That is some story,’ he said as what I had told him sank in.
‘Yeah, that’s my week.’
‘What did you decide finally?’
‘I told them to leave. Get out. Out of Goa and my life, forever.’
‘Good. Then what’s the issue? Your past is gone.’
‘But I am not in the present either. I am nowhere, really. I need to find myself.’
‘Find yourself?’ he said, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. ‘You have told me you had two relationships. As long as they are in the past, I don’t care.’
‘No, Brijesh. This wedding stands cancelled. I am sorry,’ I said and stood up.
He looked at me. He could see from my expression that I offered no scope for negotiation. He remained silent. I turned around and left the coffee shop.
41
My room in Goa resembled a funeral scene. Despite the five-star luxury and the gold around my aunts’ necks, people had a sombre expression. I had communicated my decision. My mother had displayed her hysteria. Dad sat stone-faced, unable, as usual, to react to any conflict situation. My aunts had gathered around my mother, offering fake sympathy and condolences. I could sense their glee. I was providing family gossip for months.
Kamla bua had still not given up.
‘Brijesh said anything to you? Be honest,’ Kamla bua said.
‘I told you several times, he has nothing to do with it. He is quite sweet.’
‘So what is the problem, you mad girl?’ my mother screeched at the top of her voice.
She came and stood in front of me.
Slap! Before she could deliver another slap Kamla bua held her down. I didn’t react.
‘No, Aparna, no. Keep control. Sai Baba will make it all okay,’ Kamla bua said to my mother.
‘What will be okay? We are ruined. Look at her, still glaring at me.’
‘There’s no need to hit me, mom,’ I said, my face red as I fought back tears.
‘So what should I do to cure you of your madness? Look at Aditi. In third year of college she was engaged. Married after a simple graduation.’
‘I am not Aditi.’
‘This is what happens when you educate girls too much,’ Kamla bua said in a low, consoling voice.
‘It’s her father’s fault,’ my mother snapped. ‘He never said no to anything. Ahmedabad, New York, Hong Kong, wherever she wanted to go, he would let her.’
‘Can you keep dad out of this, mom?’ I said, my voice muffled. I turned to everyone and folded my hands.
‘All of you, I have a request. You are all my extended family. Yes, I take full blame for the debacle that happened. You can judge me all you want. But can you please not judge my parents for this?’
My aunts and uncles looked at each other.
I continued, ‘Treat it like a Goan holiday. That’s it. My treat. I need your support. My bigger issue is Brijesh and his family. They will be hurt much more. I need grown-ups from my side to be with me when I tell them.’
