“Raj, come here!” Mrs Gupta’s voice carried through the apartment.
Raj was hiding out in Varun’s suite, hoping to avoid his parents. He hadn’t moved all morning, knowing that the conversation with his father would not be pretty.
“Dude, do you want me to go with you? He might go easier on you if I’m there.” Varun asked, fervently hoping Raj would let him stay where he was.
“Nah man. Appreciate the offer, but I made my bed. Better go lie in it!” Raj stood up and started walking towards the door. “On second thoughts, if I’m not back in fifteen minutes, then come rescue me.”
Raj walked towards the dining table. Apparently everyone had decided to wait for him for brunch. His grandmother and mother sat opposite one another, while his grandfather sat at the head of the table. Dr Gupta on his right and an empty seat for Raj on the left.
“Where’s Varun?” Mrs Gupta asked.
“In his suite, I thought you wanted to speak to me.” Raj responded as he kissed his grandmother on the forehead.
“Yes but Varun hasn’t had breakfast.” She turned to the maid and asked her to go and call Varun.
Raj shook hands with his father and grandfather and kissed his mother on the cheek as he sat in his seat. “So how is everyone this morning?” he asked breezily.
“A little embarrassed.” Dr Gupta said, without missing a beat. “My son decided to make me look a fool in front of one of my best friends last night.”
“You told me it was normal in India to meet several girls. So that’s what I was doing.” Raj responded frankly.
“I didn’t say it was normal to go for dinner to someone’s home and then leave without having a bite to eat or saying goodbye to your host!” his father said, with a substantial level of irritation now evident in his voice.
“In all fairness Dad, Aarti didn’t even bother to greet me. I felt like an unwanted guest. Your friend’s daughter lacks basic manners.” Raj’s grandmother handed Raj a plate brimming with food.
Varun walked in and kissed the ladies, shook hands with the men and sat himself next to Raj’s grandmother.
“Good morning Varun. Look Raj, I know she was rude, but she isn’t my problem. I have no expectations of you with regards to marrying her. In fact I no longer think she is suitable for this family. But the way you behaved does reflect badly on us.” Dr Gupta said.
Raj’s grandfather interjected “Son, don’t make such a drama about it. It wasn’t a formal dinner, it was a dinner party. Guests come and go. No harm done.”
“When you say she’s not suitable, do you mean that you would have a problem if I were to say i still liked her?” Raj asked shocked. He didn’t understand why his parents became so autocratic whenever they set foot in India. In England, like most Indians of his generation, he was quite independent and that was the way he liked it. He took a bite of his breakfast, trying his best to maintain a nonchalant exterior, while seething on the inside.
“I’m saying that I want you to have nothing more to do with Aarti. I don’t understand why you’re asking this question anyway we both know you are seeing the Singh girl, you’re both plastered all over the society pages.” Dr Gupta passed the paper to Raj.
There, in print, was a pixelated image of Raj on Priti’s doorstep with her hands on his shoulder and her lips on his cheek. Beneath the picture there were a few lines which Raj read out loud. “Priti Singh and Raj Gupta, a match made in financial heaven. Priti of ‘Singh Group’, is betrothed to Raj Gupta, sole heir to the Gupta property empire. Our sources say an engagement announcement is due this week after a whirlwind courtship that has swept Priti off her feet and right into this international hero’s arms!” Raj was stunned. “You realise this is completely and totally fabricated!”
“Of course the article is, but the picture looks pretty real…” his mother said with a smile on her face.
“She was giving me the brush-off, mother!” Raj tried to explain.
“So why was she kissing you?” asked his grandmother, confused.
“This is so awkward! It’s a kiss on the cheek Dadima. She was saying goodbye don’t call me! She softened the blow with a kiss on the cheek.” Raj gave a dirty look to Varun who had turned bright red with the effort of not bursting into laughter.
“Well that’s funny because her mother called me this morning, inviting us for dinner this evening. If she didn’t like you then why would she ask her mother to call?” Mrs Gupta looked like the cat who had swallowed the canary - she was positively beaming!
“Please tell me you said no.” Raj was desperately hoping he wouldn’t have to endure another night like last night. “Plus what about Atif Khan?”
“Her mother mentioned this actor she’s been linked to. She said he has employed her to do a few of his parties, and the media had an absolute field day. You yourself have now had a taste of what the media can be like,” she said pointedly.
“We will be having dinner at the Singhs’ tonight at 8. Varun you will come too.” Dadaji interjected. There was no arguing with Dadaji.
Raj felt frustrated. He glanced across at Varun, who looked crestfallen.
