Page 14 of 12 Years
‘Nothing, Mummy. Can we speak later? It’s hard to balance in a moving train with the phone in one hand.’
‘Can’t you take a taxi to Parel?’
‘I have a train pass. Why waste so much money?’
‘You gave Raashi a palace in America. And now you have to take the local train?’
‘I can take a taxi, Mummy. But trains are faster. Besides, I want to live like a struggler. Which I am, in comedy.’
‘I can’t bear this. Come home, Saket. If you want to live in India, that’s okay. But come here. Do this comedy-vomedy here. All your uncles are here. They’re all so funny.’
‘There is no comedy scene in Chandigarh.’
‘At least move closer to us. Delhi?’
‘No. Mumbai is where the comedy action is. Mudit is also here; he’s a huge support.’
‘What comedy-comedy you keep doing? We never had all this in our time. We had Johnny Walker, Keshto Mukherjee, Mehmood—’
I cut her off mid-sentence. ‘They were all comedians in movies. I’m a stand-up comic.’
‘You can get a good job in India also.’
‘I’m fine, Mummy,’ I said. I gasped as a man stamped on my foot while getting off at the Mahim station.
‘Raashi signed the papers?’
‘Not yet. She’ll do it soon.’
‘See, she still wants to save her marriage. No woman wants to break her house, beta. You should reconsider. I’ve always thought of her like a daughter.’
‘Mummy!’ I shouted. ‘Stop it. Do you even know what’s going on?’
‘What?’
‘She’s not signing the papers because she wants more money.’
‘How much?’
‘Eighty per cent of everything.’
‘Eighty per cent? Has she gone mad? I knew she’s a complete evil witch. Chudail.’
‘I have to go. My station is coming up.’
‘I feel really bad, beta. I pushed you to agree to this match. I thought they were simple people. They live in the next sector …’
‘It’s okay. I agreed to the wedding. It’s my fault. I messed up. I’m paying for it now.’
The train entered the Lower Parel station.
‘At least don’t be angry, beta.’
‘I’m not angry, Mummy. Did I say anything to you?’
‘Do you need anything? Money?’
‘No, I’m fine. Have to go, Mummy. Bye.’
