1
The Not-So-Meet-Cute
Ananya
‘Keep your arms up,’ Maa instructed as she carefully wrapped the sari around my waist.
I obeyed, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.
My hair was straightened and lightly curled at the tips. Concealer covered the purple smudges beneath my eyes, kajal and mascara accentuated them, and a touch of blush and lip oil added warmth to my face.
I made a mental note to put on my bindi and jewellery after I was fully dressed. Even half-ready, I looked good – no,great. I dared them not to give me a job today.
Grabbing the most delicious cup of chai (the one made by Maa) from the dressing table, I took a sip. My eyes slid shut.So good. For a brief moment, nerves, pressure and everything else faded away.
My gaze slid to the mirror again. Maa’s brows were furrowed in concentration as she pleated the sari. A sudden knot of emotions formed in my throat as the realisation hit me: I missed this. Missed her. Missed home.
Six years ago, I had left behind everything – my family, friends and Banaras – to build the life of mydreams. The price I paid lay somewhere between lonely mornings and missing out on celebrating festivals with family. And spending some girl-time with Maa was right in the middle of it.
And now, she was here, in Mumbai, helping me get ready just like she used to when I was little.
‘Did you know that your cousin is finally getting married?’ Maa asked, but as usual, didn’t let me reply. ‘The man Seema’s parents found for her is just a bank clerk, but if you ask me, she lucked out. Initially, she had extremely high standards, but what else can you expect when you set out to get married attwenty-eight? All the good guys have—’
‘Maa!’ I exclaimed.
I had been wondering why Maa had made such an impromptu trip to see me when she had never done it before. Between managing the household and the volunteer work she did at the Shiv mandir down the street, she didn’t have the time to take trips, let alone spontaneous ones. Now, it was obvious.
‘What? It’s the truth.’ She shrugged. ‘She was such a beautiful girl and had so much potential. If she had listened to her parents and gotten married at the right age, she could have easily been the daughter-in-law of a good, well-respected family. It’s truly a shame.’
I suppressed the retort bubbling within me. I’d rather swallow rusted nails than have this conversation again. ‘How does this affect us in any way? It’s her life, she can do as she wishes. Accha, tell me how Bhaiyya and Bhabhi are doing. I haven’t spoken to them in a couple of weeks.’
She paused, then looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. ‘Of course, it affects us. It’s an example ofwhatnotto do. You’re already twenty-five, Ananya. It is about time we—’
My patience snapped. ‘I thought you came here because you missed me, but all you care about is marrying me off. There is so much I want to do before I eventhinkof settling down. I’ve told you this over a thousand times, but you just don’t stop. I’m sick of it!’ I pulled the pleats from her hand. ‘I’ll wear this sari myself.’
‘Okay, I’m sorry, I’ll drop it. Let me help—’
‘Oh. My. God!’Rhea, my flatmate and best friend, walked in holding her atrocious grass milkshake, aka matcha, and plopped down on my bed. ‘You look so hot,’ she said, fanning herself dramatically.
I relaxed, and a small laugh slipped out. ‘Thanks, babe.’
Rhea and I had been living together for the past two years in this cramped two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat in Bandra. Despite minor disagreements and often clashing bathroom schedules, we’d loved it. This flat – with its chai-scented kitchen, fairy lights strung across the ceiling, walls dotted with Polaroids, and my cramped design corner – was our home. And we were each other’s family.
Maa’s eyes trailed down Rhea’s cropped top and shorts-clad figure, her disapproval veiled behind a forced smile. Life in Banaras hadn’t prepared Maa for the city’s fashion. It was a shock to me at first, too, but I’d gotten used to it and even adopted a bit of it (just not in front of my family). I gave Maa a look, and she pursed her lips.
She took the pleats from my hands and resumed the draping. I let her because, to be honest, she’s better at it. ‘How come you have to go to workon a Saturday?’ Maa asked. ‘I thought you had those off.’
I bit down on my lip. ‘I … I’ve got some meetings.’
Rhea and I exchanged a glance. ‘Didn’t you tell her about the interview?’ she mouthed, and I subtly shook my head.
‘I didn’t know you had to go to work this dressed up.’
Did Maa suspect something?
‘They’re with big clients,’ another lie tumbled out of my mouth.
‘Sounds very important.’ Maa’s face brightened with a smile as she secured the sari with a few safety pins. ‘You’re doing so well,beta. I’m very proud of you.’
