Page 79 of 12 Years
‘Stanford,’ Payal said.
‘Whatever. Stanford. Send her to those white colleges in white countries. She’ll come back with corrupted morals, isn’t it?’
‘But I’m the one who’s saying speed up the process with Parimal. Imagine if Jignesh and Supriya find out.’
‘Oh my God, no.’ Yashodha looked horrified. ‘We can’t let that happen. Get rid of him. Payal, get rid of this fellow and never mention any of this to anyone.’
‘Mom, I can’t just—’ Payal said but her father interrupted her.
‘He’ll be thrown into jail, I’ll make sure of it.’
‘A police case will make this come out in the open. People will talk about it. Please, Anandji, no police. Let’s just deal with it here,’ Yashodha said.
Anand thought about things for a few seconds. Thankfully, his wife’s suggestion saved me some Ghatkopar Jail time.
‘You, I’m talking to you,’ Anand said, wagging a finger at me. ‘I’m giving you one last chance. Get out of Payal’s life and our life and this house. Now and forever.’
‘Uncle, but—’
‘I’m forty-five, you’re thirty-four. What are you calling me uncle for?’ Anand said.
Because you look like an uncle with your pot belly.
‘Okay, I’m sorry, Mr Jain, but—’
He interrupted me again, ‘My age difference with you is less than your age difference with Payal. In that case, Payal should also call you uncle, isn’t it?’
I figured his question was rhetorical. I remained silent.
He continued, ‘For the sake of my family name, and because Payal has a good rishta, we’re letting you go. Else, you would be in jail.’
‘In jail for what, Unc … I mean, Mr Jain?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘What have I done wrong? Is it wrong for two consenting adults to have a relationship?’ I said.
‘This is entrapment,’ he said. ‘And I have contacts in the police and everywhere. I’ll destroy you and your career.’
This was Jain rage going unchecked, dude.I looked at Payal.Say something, girl.
‘Dad, you can’t do this. I want you to meet him properly. Saket is important to me.’
‘You’re under his spell. He’s too old for you. And he’s divorced. What were you even thinking?’
‘I was thinking that I’d finally found a real person who loved me for who I am. Unlike this family, where everyone pretends all the time and everything is fake,’ Payal said.
Thwack!I heard a sound as Yashodha deposited a tight slap across Payal’s face. ‘Ungrateful girl! So much your father has done for you, and you call all this fake,’ she said, her face red with anger.
Payal held her face in shock, unable to believe what had just happened.
‘Get out,’ Yashodha said to me.
‘Patil’s men will be here in five minutes,’ Anand said.
I looked at everyone in the room, all of them as still as the bronze statues around me. I figured nothing good would come if I continued to stay there.
‘Okay, fine. I’ll leave, Unc … sorry, Mr Jain. Bye Mrs Jain. Thank you. I hope to see you again. Let’s resolve this when we’re all calmer.’
