Page 90 of 12 Years
‘No, you’re not,’ Anand said, blocking the door with his arm, as if that would stop me. I could snap his arm like a twig. And given my mood, I was about to.
Anand called the building security again. They told him the guards were on their way up. Fine. I could take them on too, if needed. Rage seethed in me. I wanted to see my girl. I couldn’t let a weak, fat man who only ate carbs stop me.
‘I’ll call Payal,’ I said, dialling her number from Mudit’s phone. She didn’t pick up.
What was she doing inside? Talking to that asshole Parimal? Hadn’t she noticed the commotion at the door?
The lift doors opened in the corridor outside the Jains’ apartment. Three puny but self-important-looking guards came running towards us, as if this were a hostage situation.
‘Take them away,’ Anand said.
‘Let’s go, Saket,’ Mudit said, eyeing the guards. ‘We can deal with this later.’
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ I said.
‘Take them, I said!’ Anand shouted.
One of the security guards came towards me. He seemed intimidated by my size and signalled another guard to come up behind me.
‘Don’t touch me,’ I said, raising my hands as they tried to hold me. I clenched my fists, ready to punch.
One of the security guards pulled out a walkie-talkie. He asked for backup like he was Tom Cruise inMission: Impossible.
‘My girlfriend is inside. Payal Jain. I’m only here to meet her. This man is preventing me from going in. Takehimaway, not me,’ I said.
The guards hesitated for a second, confused.
Anand was livid. ‘This is my house. What are you waiting for? Take him away! I’m calling the police.’ He dialled a number. ‘Patil, send a few men, please. Yes, the same rascal. He’s landed up at my daughter’s engagement and is creating a ruckus.’
Engagement? What the fuck did he just say? This wasn’t a family get-together or even a roka? It was afreaking engagement? Did Payal lie to me?
‘The cops are coming,’ Anand said. ‘You won’t leave otherwise.’
Mudit shook my shoulder, realizing things had escalated while the Old Monk was wearing off. ‘Let’s go, bro, he’s called the cops.’
‘Fuck the cops, man. They’re getting Payal engaged,’ I said.
The entrance door opened and Payal emerged. She was wearing a pink lehenga with delicate red flowers embroidered all over it, each flower centred with tiny gold and silver stones. Even drunk, I noticed the intricate details. She looked like the most beautiful bride in the world. And even though I had sworn off marriage for a while, I could’ve married her right then and there.
‘Payal,’ I said, my voice softening. ‘I just need to talk to you.’
‘Payal, go back inside, now!’ Yashodha said.
‘Saket? Mudit?’ Payal looked at us, shocked.
‘Two minutes, Payal. Please, Mr Jain, Mrs Jain … I want to talk to her for two minutes, then I’ll leave,’ I said, my voice breaking.No, I wouldn’t cry. Staying angry was better.
‘Go inside, Payal,’ Anand said firmly. ‘We have guests. Yashodha, take her inside, and attend to the guests.’
‘No, Dad, let me talk to him,’ Payal said, her eyes locked on mine.
I could tell she still loved me. I couldn’t bear to be away from her for even one more minute. No, I would take her away with me, right now.
‘Go inside, Payal,’ Anand said. ‘The police will take care of him.’
‘Two minutes, Dad?’
Before her father could respond, Payal ducked under his arm, which was still blocking the door, and stepped outside.
