Priti reminded Raj of Payal - she too had been assertive, verging on aggressive. Their relationship had been tumultuous to say the least. They had met at the end of the first year of university and were inseparable for the next two years. But after they graduated, things changed. He had joined one of the top four accountancy firms and was either studying for his professional qualifications or travelling round the the country on audits. Meanwhile Payal had chosen to do a Masters.
The separation had been hard on both of them. Raj noticed that Payal was spending a lot of time with one of the boys on her course, and when he’d expressed his unease, she had accused him of being insecure and controlling. He suggested they take a break from the relationship as the arguments were becoming too frequent. A week later he had heard through a mutual friend that his concerns had been justified and Payal was now an item with the guy in question.
A month later, Payal had returned with tearful apologies and had begged for Raj to take her back, and that was when the vicious cycle began. They would argue. They would break up. They would reconcile. After a long year, Raj had decided he wanted Payal in his life, but only as a friend, so he had broken up with her for the last time, and things had stabilised. He would always have feelings for her as she had been such a big part of his life, and he suspected she probably felt the same, but it was evident that they were better off as friends.
He didn’t want to be with another woman that enjoyed conflict. He liked the quiet life. However to judge Priti prematurely was unfair, and strong did not automatically mean difficult.
“Dude I did a bad thing… a very bad thing” Raj flopped down on the sofa next to Varun and picked up a controller.
“What?!” Varun didn’t even bother looking up, he was concentrating intently on his game.
“I like one of the girls.” Raj whispered guiltily.
Varun put down the controller and laughed heartily. “Why are you feeling guilty?! You went with the sole purpose of figuring out whether you are more compatible with someone other than the first girl your parents introduced you to. That’s not a bad thing dude. You need to do your due diligence before committing the rest of your life.”
Raj exhaled loudly “This girl doesn’t want forever, she wants right now. She warned me and I still gave her my card.”
“Dude, again what’s wrong with you chatting to a girl who doesn’t want forever. You are only 26. I think you need to remember that you are not in a relationship with Miss India and there is a possibility that you are not ready to settle down. What was she like, the bird that caught your eye?”
“Her names Priti, she’s a party planner!” Raj rolled his eyes.
“So basically it was physical?”
“Yes, completely. She was gorgeous!” Raj laughed.
“Fitter than Miss India?” Varun was shocked Raj had never previously been one to form a relationship based on physical attraction alone. “Aarti’s good to look at man. She’s becoming a doctor too so she’s not completely superficial. I don’t see you with a party planner.”
“She was assertive as well, she literally ushered me into a library… Side note her dad’s house was incredible, he’s clearly loaded, but I digress. So she turns up an hour late, dressed head to toe in designer apparel, and then walks me into the library only to tell me she’s not interested in me! I was pretty disappointed but I kept it friendly and then she warms up to me and now we’re going to meet up for a drink.”
“Well I guess, there’s no harm in it. She’s a party planner so I’m sure she will know all the best places to go.” Varun said as he stood to stretch. “Dude we need to hit the gym, I’m getting fat, your grandad was killing me at badminton today. He said there's a few 24 hour ones about, let’s get Salim to take us. I can’t do any more of this heart-to-heart nonsense!”
Raj laughed as he grabbed his trainers and gym gear. “You volunteered, bro!”
Beep Beep, Raj’s mobile signalled an incoming message. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, and angled it so the message appeared on screen without him having to unlock the phone.
Payal: Hey, how are you doing? So I just bumped into Saq and Abs…
“That was quick, clearly Priti is eager!” Varun said as he sat back down and exhaled.
“It’s not Priti, It’s Payal. She said she met Saq and Abs. What time is it in London?”
“Around 6.30pm, they’re probably in the same bar grabbing a drink. So what if she has bumped into Saq and Abs?” Varun asked.
“Dude I think they’ve told her I’m here. Otherwise why would she text?”
“Is this privileged information?” Varun asked pulling out his own phone. “Do you want me to ask them what they’ve said?”
Raj nodded his assent “I don’t want to unlock my phone or she will see that I’ve seen her message and then kick off that I haven’t replied.”
Varun: Hey, What did you dicks tell Payal?
Saq: Abs thought it would be funny to tell her Raj is getting married and he’s in India with his new Mrs.
Abs: Well that’s not really a lie though is it? Is Raj bricking it?
“Abs told her you’re here and that you’re getting married. He’s such a moron, but a really funny moron.” Varun laughed.
“Why do those idiots insist on complicating my life?” Raj asked, as he sat down on the couch and placed his gym bag at his feet “Ok, so what do I say to Payal?”
“Tell her its none of her business and that she lost all rights to you when she got together with the guy she cheated on you with.” Varun had hated the way Payal had treated Raj. She was manipulative and self serving and Varun was not a fan.
Raj unlocked his phone, and tapped his response.
Raj: Hey, I’m well. How are you? Say hi to them from me.
Payal: Is there anything you need to tell me?
Raj: No
Payal: Cut the crap Raj. You’re in India I hear?
Raj: Friends don’t speak to friends in that manner Payal.
Payal: Are you getting married?
Raj: No.
Payal: Ok, lets do this the hard way. Are you in India?
Raj: Yes.
Payal: Is there a girl that you have gone to see?
Raj: Yes.
Payal: Do you like her?
Raj: Yes.
Payal: Are you marrying her?
Raj: No.
Payal: Why not?
Raj: Because I’ve only been here since Saturday and its not the 1800’s.
Payal: Well I’m happy for you.
Raj: Clearly!
“Hey Varun, get your gym stuff let’s go!” Raj abruptly stood up, stuffed his phone in his pocket, and grabbed his bag. Varun silently followed suit.
No comments:
Post a Comment