Raj walked out of his suite toward the large open plan living area, his grandfather and father were seated facing his grandmother and mother at the dining table which was situated in the middle of the long room. On either side of the dinning area were essentially sitting rooms, on the left was the living room suite near the french doors, this was usually used during the day, as the light beamed in. On the other side was the formal living room, although it was still open, it was on a raised floor and was sectioned off by screens to create the illusion of an english drawing room.
The glass table had been set with black place setting and white china. HIs father and grand father, both dressed in bright white kurta pyjama, were reading their papers while sipping chai. His grand mother was draped in a mint green saree, and his mother was clothed in a muted cream saree. Raj on the other hand had donned a pair of black linen trousers and a yellow polo shirt.
“Good morning family, you are looking lovely this morning.” he said as he took his place beside his mother.
“Someone's in a good mood.” Dr Gupta, placed his paper down and addressed his son with his classic smirk “Anything to do with the pretty girl you met yesterday?"
“It’s everything to do with the girl uncle” said Varun as he walked into the room “I say we skip all the formalities and schedule the wedding for Friday!” Varun sat down beside Dr Gupta and opposite Raj. He leaned over to shake hands with both men before he continued. “I heard it was love at first sight!"
“Maybe for Raj, but Aarti may need some convincing” laughed Dr Gupta.
“I disagree, my son was very charming. Raj beta you were wonderful. I’m not sure about Aarti to be honest, she wasn’t quite the way I expected. Very modern, no?” Mrs Gupta asked Raj’s grandmother.
“I like her, if Raj likes her” said Dadima dismissively. “Modern is what the boys want now a days.”
Mrs Gupta looked to her husband for support “You think she’s a good fit? I think my Raj needs someone less career orientated, someone taller, prettier.”
“Raj, do you have anything to say?” asked Dr Gupta smiling.
“I liked her a lot. Enough to marry her tomorrow? Probably not!” Raj sat forward and poured himself a cup of tea. "She is definitely career oriented and that was refreshing. My concern initially was that you would introduce me to someone who wouldn’t understand my ambition.” He saw his mother frown from the corner of his eye, but decided to continue anyway. "I like the way she looked and have no concerns about her height or prettiness. I just need to get to know her better and then you can all go out and buy your wedding outfits!”
“Raj beta don’t jump into anything blindly. It’s better to call things off now rather than later, once she’s enamoured with you.” Mrs Gupta said frantically.
“I don’t think your listening to your son, he said he likes her and wants to get to know her better…” chastised Dadima. “I let my son pick his own bride, I think you should do the same."
Mrs Gupta, sat back in her seat deflated “Really Raj, she was nothing to ride home about!”
“WRITE home about, mother” Raj corrected while everyone around the table chuckled. “On the contrary mother, I think she was special. You asked me to come and meet her, despite my reservations, I did. Now I’d like for you to give her a chance, or at least avoid giving me a hard time for getting to know her."
“Ok ok, no need to bite my head off, what plans did you make with her?”
“We are meeting today at a coffee shop, at around 3pm.” Raj turned to his grandfather and asked “Dadaji, may I please borrow a car and driver this afternoon?”
Raj’s grandfather, lowered the newspaper he was reading and glanced at Raj “Of course beta, you don’t need to ask, Salim has been employed to take you anywhere you please.”
“Thank you Dadaji.” Raj said respectfully.
“What about me Dadaji, is there a Salim for me also? As I feel I’m going to be spending a lot of this week alone…” Varun said cheekily.
Dadaji laughed out loud, Varun and he always got on like a house on fire. When Raj’s grandparents came to England, Varun and Raj would often fetch them from the airport together. “You don’t need a Salim Varun, I will drive you myself puttar!"
Varun laughed out loud “That’s what I wanted to hear!” he turned to Raj and asked “What time are you heading off?”
“Around 2. Dadima, are you planning to feed me anytime soon?” Raj said changing the subject.
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