‘Please, Aditi,’ I repeat, my voice tight with warning.
‘She’s right!’ chimes in Shilpi.
‘Come on, Shilpi,’ I say, my patience wearing thin. ‘You were smart to stay back when I asked you a year and a half ago and now you’re making the same mistake. Why?’
‘I was dumb, okay?’ she retorts. ‘You were right! The moment you left, they zoomed in on me. Now they wanna micromanage everything I do and I’m done!’
‘Listen, listen,’ I say, holding up my hands. ‘This can still be managed—’
She cuts me off. ‘I don’t want it to be managed. If you can’t back me, that’s cool, I’ll figure something else out!’
‘I’m not saying that!’
Just as I say it, Shilpi bursts into tears, and the sight of it breaks something in me. I follow her as she rushes to the balcony.
‘Hey, listen . . .’ I begin softly.
‘Bhaiya, I don’t wanna—’
‘We don’t need to talk about this right now. Let’s take our time, okay? All I was trying to say is that maybe we shouldn’t take decisions so quickly. Keep things open, okay?’
Shilpi nods, sniffling.
‘Will you eat now?’ I say.
‘I’ll come in; just give me a sec,’ she says.
I look at her, wipe her tears, and then turn back to go inside. The moment I step in, three pairs of eyes are turned on me.
‘What?’ I say.
‘That’s pretty hypocritical of you,’ says Aditi, her arms crossed over her chest.
‘Did I ask for your advice?’ I retort.
‘You should,’ says Aditi.
‘Please shut up,’ I snap.
‘Don’t talk to my friend like that,’ Tejal warns, her voice sharp.
‘She has no right butting in like that.’
‘Calm down, bhai,’ Sumrit says.
‘You know what? Fuck all of you.’
And I turn and walk to my room, slamming the door, but a foot’s jammed to keep it from closing. It’s Sumrit. Of course. Sent to rein me in like I’m some kind of animal.
‘Bhai,’ he starts, closing the door softly behind him. ‘Bhai?’
‘I’m not interested in a lecture,’ I say, not turning from where I’m staring at my wall. ‘Maa chuda, and fuck off from here.’
‘I’m not here to lecture you.’ He waits. I don’t say anything. ‘This is hard to watch, man,’ he finally says.
‘Then don’t watch. Who the fuck asked you to come?’
He sighs, a sound heavy with frustration. ‘You’re pushing her away, Raghav. You’re pushing everyone away, bhai. Can’t you see that? You’re acting like we are the enemy.’
