Page 67 of 12 Years
‘Not right now. Why give them more than they can handle at one time?’
‘So you’ll lie about my age and previous marriage? And when they eventually find out, what then?’
‘I won’t be lying. I just won’t be revealing a few things yet.’
‘Fine.’ I thought about what else could go wrong. ‘They’ll know I’m Punjabi, right?’
‘That, yes, they will. But it can be handled. Will you be okay pretending to be vegetarian?’
‘What?’
‘In front of them.’
‘That will be a lie.’
‘A small one. This much lying is allowed for the sake of love.’
‘Fine, fine. When are we doing this?’
‘Well, first, I have to unblock my mother.’
‘Please do, Payal. She’s your mom.’
‘Fine,’ Payal said reluctantly. She opened her phone and unblocked her mother’s number.
‘Good,’ I said. ‘Talk to your parents, and tell me what they say. Then we can plan things accordingly.’
I went to the kitchen to heat up dinner.
‘I won’t just tell you. I’ll make you listen in,’ she said.
‘What?’ I said, arranging all the dinner items on a tray.
‘Yes, I’m going to keep you on call while I have this conversation.’
‘How?’
‘I’ll ring you just before I go and I’ll keep the phone in my handbag, which I’ll keep next to me.’
‘What will that achieve?’
‘You’ll know exactly what transpires. And what I’m dealing with. That way, you can’t accuse me of not trying my best.’
‘I’ll never accuse you of that.’
‘Still, I want you to listen. It’ll help us plan the next step.’
‘You sure you won’t get caught?’
‘No. Just put yourself on mute. Don’t worry.’
‘Hi,’ I said as I picked up Payal’s call.
‘So, am at my parents’ place. I’m going to talk to them. Where are you?’
‘I’m at Starbucks, in Khar.’
‘So late? It’s 10 p.m.’
