Father looks pointedly at me, and I turn to the window. It is my turn to take some sun.
I’m finally able to read between the lines of his reluctance. The wedding celebrations are high on the list of reasons he is so at odds with leasing the property. He has made elaborate plans in his head to get both his children married in pomp and style. And scaling down isn’t him.
‘Aaditha and you are all over social media after the interview, brother,’ Navya says. ‘Everyone is swooning, saying “how sweet”, “how cute”, “how into each other they are” and all the rest of it.’
‘Yes!’ Father is finally smiling. ‘I saw that, too!’ His laugh is a roar. ‘And here I’m worrying that Vedveer has lost his charm!’
‘You are blushing, brother!’ Navya is pointing at me and laughing.
I turn to the door, looking to make haste.
‘I have a favour to return,’ I tell Navya.
Father taps his fingers on his desk, calling the attention of the room.
‘Yuvraj,’ he says slowly. ‘Choti Holi is yours. You will light the first Holikanext week.’
‘Why?’ This is unexpected. I turn right back and return to the room.
‘I will take your place on the dais and do the watching. I want you to take over,’ he says and takes a deep breath. ‘You are the maharaj all over again. It’s time you start taking over responsibilities.’
‘This is a huge responsibility,’ he adds, his hands around his head, motioning the crown. ‘The best way to do it is slowly, when I’m still around and able to help you take over.’
‘Why don’t we invite Aaditha for Holika Dahan?’ Navya is on her feet and looking at Father.
Mother walks into the room as Father gets on his feet, applauding his daughter. ‘What’s happening?’ she asks, looking pointedly at me.
Father has already discussed my lighting the first Holikawith his wife, and so he tells her about Navya’s idea of inviting Aaditha.
‘We must invite the whole family,’ Mother says, ‘all four of them, that’s if Alia is in the country.’
‘Goes without saying. She’s hardly going to arrive here alone,’ Navya says.
Mother is insistent that we share the dress code with them.
‘We don’t want a repeat of the polo game,’ Navya says. ‘They took itin their stride, but it’s not fair;TittleTattleis mean.’
I agree. There’s no harm in loose guidelines.
Father shakes his head. ‘We should let them be, invite them and not issue a dress code.’
‘Suit yourselves,’ Navya says. ‘I’m inviting Aaditha for the Indian League game, which is the day after Holi. Hopefully, she can stay for an extra day. I’ll tell her to bring an extra dress or two with her.’
‘That’s a good idea. She packs frugally. You’d think they’re weighing her bags!’ Mother rolls her eyes.
‘Mother! No judging!’ Navya is right on cue.
‘She packs like the CEO she is, Mother!’ I back my sister.
The remaining Rathores in the room roar.
12.
Aaditha
Holika!
I inform the Lakshmi Bar Devotees (aka LBDs) about my Jaipur trip only after we touch down in the Pink City.
