Page 69 of 12 Years
‘I’m sorry,’ Payal said. ‘I didn’t mean it like that, Mom.’
‘Black your company name, black your tongue. Is this how you talk to your mother?’ Yashodha said.
I let out a sigh as I took a sip of my black coffee and continued to listen in.
‘I don’t think I’m needed here,’ Vansh said.
‘No, stay. I’m coming to what I really wanted to say,’ Payal said.
‘What?’ Vansh said. ‘Say it fast, sis.’
‘I met someone,’ Payal said.
‘Met someone?’ Yashodha said. ‘What do you mean?’
‘A person. Someone I like,’ Payal said.
‘Who?’ Anand said in a suspicious voice.
‘A boy. There’s a man in my life. I like him.’
‘What?’ Yashodha screamed as if Payal had confessed to being a Pakistani spy.
‘What man? Who is he?’ Anand said.
‘Sis, you have a boyfriend? Well done. Smashed him already?’
‘Shut up, Vansh,’ Payal said.
‘Calm down, sis. I love this. For a change, I’m not the one disappointing our parents.’
‘Maybe you should leave, Vansh. Get out,’ Payal said.
‘Nah, now I want to stay and watch. Maybe get some popcorn too. My sister isn’t a little girl anymore. Mom, what are you going to do?’ Vansh chuckled.
‘Oh my God. What is happening?’ Yashodha said. ‘That’s why I told you, ji, girls should get married soon.’
‘When have I disagreed?’ Anand said. ‘God has already sent us the perfect son-in-law in Parimal. You’re the one who’s not making any progress.’
‘Mom! Dad! Listen to me,’ Payal said in an exasperated voice. ‘I can’t marry Parimal. Or anyone else other than Saket. Okay?’
‘Saket?’ Anand said. ‘Now who’s Saket?’
‘I told you. I have a man in my life—Saket.’
‘Saket what? What’s his surname?’
‘Saket graduated from IIT Bombay,’ Payal said, hoping my degree would rescue the situation.
‘What’s his surname, Payal?’ Anand said. All Indian parents care about religion, community and caste first, the CV later.
‘He built his own tech company and sold it in the US. Then he worked at Yellowstone, another top private equity firm.’
‘US? Where did you meet him?’ Yashodha sounded like she was in pain, as if someone had died in the family. Or their cable factory had burnt down.
‘He lives in Mumbai now.’
‘What’s his last name? This is the third time I’m asking,’ Anand said impatiently.
