Page 55 of 12 Years
‘Whatever. She talks like that.’
‘Has this happened before?’
‘What?’
‘Matches coming for you …’
‘Yeah, a few times.’
‘You never told me.’
‘Some were even before I knew you. Like Akanksha’s husband’s best friend.’
‘And?’
‘I dismissed it.’
‘What about since we started dating?’
‘There’ve been a couple of them. From within the Jain circle. Someone’s parents saw me at the Jain temple and approached my parents. That sort of stuff.’
Payal got off the ledge and placed her laptop on the coffee table. Then she went into the kitchen to heat up dinner, which the part-time cook had made earlier in the day. A minute or so later, the microwave went ‘ting’ as it finished reheating the food. Payal brought the dinner out and set the table.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ I said.
‘Nothing worth telling. Come, let’s eat.’
We ate in silence.
‘Say something. Why are you so quiet?’ Payal said, mopping up the chole with a roti.
‘I can’t lose you, Payal.’
‘Huh? What are you even talking about?’
‘Well, I don’t know how kamaal ka this rishta is …’
‘It’s kamaal ka for my mother. Not me,’ she said. ‘Can you pass me some more chole? I’m so damn hungry.’
‘Payal, be serious.’
‘About what?’ she said, adding the chickpea curry to her plate with a serving spoon.
‘Your parents are looking for rishtas for you. Sooner or later, they’ll expect you to get married.’
‘I won’t agree to them.’
I put my spoon down and stopped eating. ‘Tell your parents about us. You and me.’
Payal laughed.
‘What’s so funny?’ I said.
‘Are you crazy? I’ve told you about them, have I not?’
‘It’s the truth though. You and I are together.’
‘My family isn’t designed to handle the truth, Saket. We don’t do truth.’
