Page 64 of 12 Years
‘She’s lost the plot. Completely.’
‘What happened exactly?’
‘This Parimal thing.’
‘That’s still an issue?’
‘I didn’t think it was. But, unfortunately, it is.’
‘What happened?’
‘Parimal’s parents called my mother. They told her that Payal has told Parimal she’s not keen.’
‘Okay, then what?’
‘My mother then told them, “What does Payal know? She’s never even spoken to a boy properly. She’s just shy.”’
‘Are you?’
‘Stop it, Saket.’
‘I don’t know why you’ve created this impression of being a naive, innocent girl at home.’
‘What do I tell her? That their daughter does call-girl role-plays at night?’
‘No, that may not go down well. What happened next?’
‘Parimal’s parents got encouraged again. They now want to take the next step.’
‘Which is?’
‘Do a roka? Formalize the rishta? I don’t know. I’m telling you, my parents have gone bonkers.’
‘Stop this, Payal.’
‘I’m trying. I fought with my mother again today. I’ve literally blocked her on my phone.’
‘How is that a good idea?’
‘You have a better one?’
I remained quiet. I went to the kitchen and brought a glass of water for Payal.
‘I need stronger stuff,’ she said.
‘Later. First drink this and calm down. Let’s talk about what is to be done.’
‘My dad’s obsessed. It’s not that he has found the perfect son-in-law. No. He’s found the perfect heir to his business. Parimal and he share a passion.’
‘What is that?’
‘Cables.’
‘They’re passionate about wires and cables?’
‘Well, yes. Parimal gave my dad some ideas about new PVC materials and told him how to cut costs and improve margins.’
‘Then he should hire him as a business consultant no? Why does he have to get his daughter married to him?’
