Chapter 26 - Tuesday 8pm

The car pulled up to a large blue and cream apartment block, with palm trees surrounding it and a brown sign stating “FLORIDA” in yellow capitals. Aarti and Jas lived in the coveted district of Breach Candy. Many affluent people had now moved to bungalows in the area because of the stunning sea views. It had taken forty minutes in the awful Mumbai traffic for the family to arrive. Raj’s grandparents were in the other car with his father, while Raj, Varun and his mother had travelled with Salim. Raj’s mother sat at the back with Raj, and Varun sat up front with the driver.

“How many people have they invited Aunty?” asked Varun, half turning in his seat to look at Raj’s mother.

“I think there will be a fair few families. Their duplex apartment is bigger than our entire house in London, so it shouldn’t be too busy. At least there will be other people to talk to, so I wont have to spend the entire evening having to speak to that Mrs Chaudhury, she always looks like she’s swallowed a lemon!” 

Raj ignored his mothers comment “But isn’t it a bit much for a Tuesday night? Can you imagine having a dinner party midweek and then having to go to work the next day in London?” Raj interjected.

“It’s not like in London, the food will be either catered or made by the help, and then there will be a crew that will clean up afterwards. It’s the same as going to a restaurant for them. She wont even serve, what effort is she really making? We are a lot more ‘hands on’ in the UK.” The driver stopped in front of the entrance of the building and ran around the car to open Mrs Gupta’s door, while the boys let themselves out.

“To be fair mother, we usually get our parties catered, and the cleaner cleans up, but we would never have people over in the middle of the week, Dad would go mental.” Raj said as they entered the elevator and pressed the number 9 on the keypad. “Oh they’re in the penthouse. Fancy. Ok Mum, best behaviour. Please don’t offend anyone.”

“Raj I don’t know why you feel the need to warn me against being rude, I’m never rude!” she said huffily.

“You’re right Mum, you aren’t rude, just passive aggressive sometimes. Please just be nice.” he said in a gentler tone.

The elevator doors opened onto a large foyer with white marble flooring, and glass floor to ceiling sea facing windows on one side, and large brown double doors on the other framed with white walls, and square frosted light fittings. Raj’s grandparents and father were waiting for them, they stood looking out at the night sky, the skyscrapers and the sea.

“Have you been waiting long?” asked Raj.

“Literally just a minute.” replied Dr Gupta, he turned to his wife “Best behaviour please.”

“I’m always polite!” she said sharply, while Raj and Varun tried not to snigger.

Dr Gupta pressed the door bell, as everyone adjusted so that Dadaji and Dadima were at the front of the pack and the boys were at the back. Mrs Gupta stood in the middle. Raj leaned forward and whispered in her ear “You look good Mum, Dad better be careful, you might get a better offer!” Mrs Gupta smiled at her son, and straightened as her husband took his position beside her.

A maid opened the door to a luxurious entry way which again was white marble flooring and bright white walls. Dr Chaudhury and Mrs Chaudhury stood just behind the maid, they politely greeted each of them and ushered them into the main entertaining space which was a colossal room with six over sized white leather sofas arranged on one side creating a hexagon, and on the other side was a giant glass dining table that could seat up to 30 guests comfortably, behind the dining table there was a row of tables set up as a buffett. 

Across from the sofas there was a man in a white tuxedo playing a grand white piano and double doors that led out to a large terrace which had been decorated in small white lights. There were a few people already seated outside, and a number of people milling around the room. 

A maid carrying drinks came over to them as they were taken over to the indoor seating area by Dr Chaudhury while his wife mingled with another set of guests that had just arrived. He offered them each a beverage from the tray, while another server brought over canapés.

“Dude, is it me or is this less “two for Tuesdays” at Dominos, and more Dinner with the Queen?” Varun said to Raj in a low voice.

“It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” Raj looked stunned, he was not expecting such an extravagant evening. He had expected it to be a simple meal shared between his family and Aarti’s immediate family.

“Your in-law’s seem to have some serious bank, there’s a pianist over there, and I wonder what time they’re releasing the doves?!” Varun joked.

 “Bro where are the doves?” Raj asked panicked, looking left to right.

“No doves, I’m just kidding! Why are you so stressed?” Varun asked Raj while taking a bite of a tiny vegetable samosa.

“This party suggests that they have very high expectations of where this is going. Also who lives like this, is this normal?”

Mrs Gupta had been eavesdropping, she leaned in and whispered “Raj this is normal. This whole hoopla isn’t for you, they’ve invited some high society guests and are probably trying to ‘outdo’ the last party they went to. You know what a social climber that Mrs Chaudhury is. Relax Baita. No pressure. Personally I prefer Priti, you know her mother and I were best friends in college. She studied in England and is a lot more your “type”. Trust me, Aarti is too career focused.”

“Hey mum have you tried the chaat, it’s delicious.” Raj picked up a puri filled with lentils and directly put it into his mother’s mouth.

“Nice save.” Varun whispered into Raj’s ear. “Dude, look, she’s here, to your right.”

Raj turned in the direction Varun was looking, and noticed Aarti and Jas descending a glass stair case. “She looks amazing!”

“Jas looks good too, right?” Varun commented approvingly.

Jas spotted Varun and smiled. She turned to Aarti and gestured towards the boys. Aarti turned her head and looked straight at Raj and then looked away. She promptly changed direction and walked out toward the terrace. Jas paused before shrugging and following her out.

“What was that all about?” Raj was shocked and a little hurt. Her behaviour was beyond rude. She had actively avoided eye contact with him, and then walked away, despite seeing him and knowing that he wasn’t familiar with any other person in the room.

Varun was also a little perplexed “Did you guys have a falling out?” he asked.

“Not that I’m aware of. You were there the last time we spoke. It was all sunshine and roses! Apparently Aarti doesn’t believe in greeting her guests.” 

Mrs Gupta had seen the whole thing and gently nudged her husband with her foot. He was deep in conversation with Dr Chaudhury and his own father. She looked pointedly out of the glass doors at Aarti and then at Raj who was sitting beside her. Hoping her husband would get her subliminal messaging. Dr Gupta nodded his head once and continued his conversation.

“I really fancy getting out of here.” Raj whispered to Varun, being careful to make sure he wasn’t overheard by any of the adults.

“Where would we go? Also it’s rude. They’ve invited us here, we need to mingle. Stop being a wet blanket and get up.”

Raj and Varun, both stood up and made their way over to the buffet, the selection of food was endless and every thing was presented flawlessly. On a silver sequin encrusted tablecloth there were large silver and glass serving dishes, filled with bright curry’s, pizzas, pastas, and other food from around the globe.

“At least the food looks good!” Varun commented. 

Raj heard a familiar booming male voice behind him and turned to see who it was. By the door he spotted Mr Singh chatting animatedly to Mrs Chaudhury. Behind him he saw Mrs Singh and Priti looking stunning in a pearl embellished beige saree. “Well my evening just got more interesting!!!” he said, while smiling at Priti.