Chapter 6 - Saturday 1pm

The landing had been calm, but the airport and customs had been busy. Raj’s parents visited often, so baggage pick up and finding their driver had been quick. As they walked out of the airport toward the car, Mrs Gupta inhaled deeply “Hmmm. The smell of home, I’m so happy to be back.”

Raj inhaled and wasn’t quite as impressed with the smell of Mumbai as his mother, but the bright sunshine more than made up for it. 

He helped the driver Salim load the luggage into the white Hyundai, and settled into the backseat with his parents. He’d slept until the plane landed and felt surprisingly refreshed. 

Raj admired the view from out the window. The city had changed since his last visit, the roads looked newer as did many of the buildings, but there was still a  quaint feel. The traffic wasn’t awful but the roads were still chaos with noisy rickshaws and the people crossing wherever their heart desired. The journey was short and within half an hour they had arrived in West Bandra. His grandparents lived in a 1600 square foot apartment with three bedrooms on the top floor of an exclusive apartment building on Perry Cross Road. 

As Raj got out of the car into the parking garage he could vaguely smell the sea as well as the perfume of fresh flowers. As he began to open the car's boot, Salim the driver shooed him away and informed him that the luggage would be brought up later. His parents led the way into the ground floor lobby which was floor to ceiling mirrors and white marble tiles underfoot. The front door was framed by large orchid arrangements on either side. They greeted the door man and walked into the waiting elevator. Dr Gupta, pressed the number 7 on the keypad and the elevator shuddered awake, closed its metal doors and moved up swiftly.

“When was the last time you visited?” asked his father.

“It’s been at least six years” Raj replied “I usually just catch up with the oldies when they come to visit us in London.”

Mrs Gupta made a face “That’s a very long time. I’m glad you have come. It’s about time you get in touch with your roots!”

Raj smiled and walked through the opening doors and there in the hall, were his paternal grandparents. His grandfather, a tall, slim man, with short white hair was dressed in a traditional Indian kurta pyjama, a long collared white shirt which ended at his knees and a pair of pleated loose white trousers. His grandmother, a small, chubby lady with obviously dyed dark hair knotted in a bun was wearing a bright yellow saree and a huge smile.

Raj walked up to his grandfather and hugged him “It’s been a long time Dadaji” and he turned to kiss his grandmother “Dadima, you look smaller”

“That's just because you’re bigger than everyone!” Dadima laughed “Come in, freshen up, and I’ll put the dinner on the table"

The maid led Raj through the open plan living area to a large bedroom suite, where his luggage had already been waiting for him. The bedroom had large windows with panoramic views that over looked the joggers park and the ocean in the distance. The floors were tiled in white marble, and the walls were also white. But the curtains and the bedspread where both a deep shade of midnight purple with gold embroidery.

Raj walked into the ensuite bathroom, undressed and had a leisurely shower. On a silver metal rail sat a number of folded clean towels. He helped himself and made his way into the bedroom. Upon the bed a cream kurta pyjama had been laid out for him and his clothes had all been placed in the wardrobe. His mother must have added a few pieces to his luggage, as he definitely hadn’t packed any traditional clothes! Raj grabbed a pair of fresh underwear from the wardrobe, and changed into the lightweight cotton shirt and trouser. He hated to admit it, but he was a lot more comfortable wearing the outfit in the hot humid weather.

Raj made his way to the living area. The sun beamed through the french doors lighting up the whole room. His mother and grandmother were sitting on a two seater cream leather sofa perpendicular to his grandfather and father who were each sitting on a single seater and were in deep conversation with one another. Raj sat himself down in the middle of a three seater opposite his mother and grandmother. Just as one of the maids rolled in a serving cart laden with tea, samosa's, a selection of pasties and miniature cakes. She placed the high tea platters on the large cream glass coffee table, it was shaped like a huge hula hoop, with a large flat top. The maid then handed out white square side plates and poured each person a cup of steaming Indian tea, put each cup in a saucer and placed the cup and saucer in front of each person, on the table.

Raj’s grandmother began filling everyone’s plates generously with the savoury food.

"That’s more than enough Dadima, we can always help ourselves to more.” said Raj.

“We need to fatten you up!” said his grandma “you're wasting away. doesn’t your mother feed you?”

Mrs Gupta ignored the gentle jibe and smiled, “It’s not that I don’t cook, it's that he doesn’t eat!”

“I eat plenty Dadima, she just doesn’t cook as well as you!” Raj winked at his mother.

Raj’s father picked up his loaded plate and laughed “Have you guys started already?”

Raj looked at his father with smiling eyes “I have no idea what you’re talking about Dad!”

“Son, you should have been a lawyer. You manage to get these two to pander to your every need. I have to wonder, how flat is their learning curve?”

“It’s not a flat learning curve Dad. I’m just giving the people what they want, and what they want is to make me happy!” Raj laughed.

“Donkey!” chuckled his grandmother and his mother in unison!

“Ok, serious business time.” Raj’s grandfather spoke. Everyone stopped what they were doing and faced the head of the family. “Raj, Dr and Mrs Chaudhury and their daughter Aarti, are due to arrive shortly. I don’t know if your father has mentioned, but they are very good friends of the family.” He took a sip from his cup and continued. “Aarti is a very nice girl. I would like you to consider her seriously as a potential marriage partner.”

“Yes Dadaji." Raj responded.

“If you are not enamoured with her, please make it clear to us as soon as possible so that we can save any feelings that may get hurt.” Raj’s grandfather explained.

“Yes sir.” repeated Raj respectfully. 

“Raj, there's no pressure son. You can be honest. If she’s not your “type” you can tell us, we won’t push you into anything.” clarified Dr Gupta gently to his only son.

“I know Dad.” said Raj solemnly.

“Ok. Good.” smiled Raj’s grandfather and resumed eating, and everyone else silently followed suit.