ONE NIGHT (20 page)

first time since she got married. ‘What message were you going to send this

Payal?’

‘Radhika, honey. Listen this is a prank. Max? Max?

‘There is no Max. it is Vroom here,’ Vroom said in a black voice.

‘You bastar—‘ Anuj began before Radhika –stood up and cut the line. She

set back down on her chair, stunned. A few seconds later, she broke into

tears.

Vroom looked at Radhika. ‘damn, Radhika I am so sorry,’ he said.

Radhika did not answer. She just cried and cried. In between, she lifted

the half-knit scarf to wipe her tears. Something told me Radhika would never

finish the scarf.

Esha held Radhika’s hand tight. Maybe the tear bug passed through

hands because Esha started crying as well. Priyanka went and brought back

water. Radhika poured out a glassful of tears, and drank the glass of water.

‘Take it easy. It’s probably a misunderstanding,’ Priyanka said. She

looked at Esha, puzzled about why Esha was so upset over Payal, I guess

Esha’s ‘real pain’ was back.

Radhika rifled through her bag looking for her headache pills. She only

found an empty blister pack. She mouthed some curses and threw it aside.

‘Radhika/’ Priyanka said.

‘Just leave me alone for a few minutes,’ Radhika said.

‘Girls, I really need to talk,’ Esha said, a she wiped her tears.

‘What’s up?’ Priyanka said as she looked at Esha. They exchanged

glances: Esha used the female telepathic network to ask Priyanka to come to

the toilet. Priyanka tapped Radhika’s shoulder and the girls stood up.

‘Now where are you girls going?’ Vroom said. ‘I caused this situation.

Can’t you talk here?’

‘We have our private stuff to discuss,’ Priyanka said firmly to Vroom and

left the desk.

‘What’s up? What’s the deal with Esha?’ Vroom said to me after the girls

were out of sight.

‘Nothing,’ I said.

‘C’mon tell me, she must have told you in the conference room.’

‘I can’t tell you,’ I said and looked at my screen. I tried to change the

topic. ‘Do you think Bakshi experts us to prepare for his team meeting?’

‘I think Esha is sad because she regards saying no to me,’ Vroom said.

I smirked

‘If not that, then what is it?’ Vroom said, looking at me with a puzzled

expression. I shrugged my shoulders.

‘Fine. I’ll use our earlier technique. I am going to the toilet to find out,’

Vroom said.

‘No Vroom, no,’ I said. I tried to grab his shirt, but he pulled away and

went to the men’s room.

I did not chase after him. I did not care if he found out. I figured he

ought to know what his live interest was up to anyway. I called systems and

told them the calls had not resumed yet. They promised to come to my desk

with the new cable within ‘five minutes maximum’. I guess systems guys are

busy. Computers are supposed to help men—but enough computers need help

from men as well.

With no one at the desk and systems down, I decided to take a walk

around the room. I passed by Military Uncle’s raised his head. I looked at his

face: his wrinkles seemed more pronounced, making him look older.

‘My son replied to the mail I sent,’ he said. ‘I think the file was too big.’

‘Really? What did he say? I said.

Military Uncle shook his head and put his head back on the desk. The

message on his screen caught my eye. It was an email from his son.

Dad... you have cluttered my life enough, now stop

cluttering my mailbox. I do not know what came over me that I

allowed communication between you and my son. I don’t want

your shadow on him. Please stay away and do not send him any

more emails. For literally or otherwise, we don’t want your

attachments.

‘It’s nothing,’ Uncle said, as he closed all the windows on his screen. ‘I

should get back to work. What happened? Your systems are down again?’

‘A lot is down tonight, not just the systems,’ I said and returned to my

seat.

#2

2

‘Did you know?’ Vroom whispered to me as he returned from the men’s

toilet.

‘What?’ I said.

‘Esha’s big bad story.’

‘I’d rather not discuss it.. it’s her private matter.’

‘No wonder she won’t go out with me. She needs to romp her way to

the ramp doesn’t she?’ Bitch.’

‘Mind your language,’ I said, ‘and where are the girls?’

‘Coming back soon. Your chick was consoling Radhika when I left.’

‘Priyanka is not my chick Vroom. Will you just shut up?’ I said.

‘Okay, I will shut up. That is what a good call center agent does right?

Crap happens around him and he just smiles and says how can I help you/

Like, someone just slept with the one girl I care for. But it is okay right? Pass

me the next dumb customer.’

‘The girls are coming,’ I said as I saw them return. ‘Pretend you know

nothing about Esha.’

The desk was silent as the girls took their seats. Vroom was about to say

something, but I signaled him to be quiet. The systems guy finally showed up

with new kick-proof wires and re-installed our systems. I was relieved as calls

began to trickle in. sorting Americans’ oven and fridge problems was easier

then solving our life’s problems.

I looked at Priyanka once; she was busy with a caller. ‘My
chick,
’ I

smirked to myself at Vroom’s comment. She was no longer my chick. She was

going to marry a rich, successful guy—someone who had no competition from

a loser like me. Certainly not after Bakshi backstabbed me with his website, I

thought. But had I given up?
Did I still feel for her
? I shook my head at the

irrelevant questions. How did it matter if I still felt for her? I did not deserve

her, and I was not going to get her. That was reality, and as is often the case

with me, reality sucks,

Esha was still quite subdued after returning from the toilet. Priyanka

was trying to cheer her up.

‘Get a flowing lehnga for the engagement. But what will you wear for

the wedding? A sari?’ Priyanka asked Esha between calls.

‘My navel rig will show,’ Esha said.

I am constantly amazed at the ability of women to calm down. All they

need to do is talk, hug and cry it out for ten minutes—and then they can face

any of life’s crap. Esha’s ‘real pain’ was obviously much better, or she was at

least distracted from it, given she could discuss her dress plans for Priyanka’s

big day.

‘Don’t do anything elaborate,’ Priyanka said, ‘I’m going to tell my

mother I want a simple sari. Of course, she will freak out. Hey Radhika, are

you okay?’ Priyanka said, as she noticed Radhika massaging her forehead.

‘I’ll be fine. I am just one of migraine pills,’ Radhika said as she picked

up a call. ‘Western Appliances, Regina speaking. How may I help you?’

The landline telephone’s ring caught everyone’s attention.

This is my call. Guys I know system is live, but can I take this call?’

Priyanka said.

‘Sure. Call flow is so light anyways,’ Vroom said as the landline

continued to ring.

Priyanka’s hand reached for the telephone. I casualty switched the

option on my screen to listen in to the conversation.

‘By the way, dark blue mice is also a good colour,’ Vroom said as

Priyanka lifted the receiver.

‘What?’ Priyanka said.

‘I saw the Lexus website, dark blue mica is their best colour,’ Vroom

said.

I threw Vroom a disgusted glance.

‘At least that is what I think,’ Vroom’s voice dropped as he intercepted

my look.

‘Hello, my center of attention,’ Ganesh’s beaming voice came over

Priyanka and my phones.

‘Hi Ganesh,’ Priyanka said sedately.

‘What’s up, Priya? You sound serious,’ Ganesh said.

Priyanka hates it when people shorten her name to Priya. This moron

did not know that.

‘Nothing. Just having a rough day...sorry night. And please call me

Priyanka, she said.

‘Well, I am having a rocking day here. Everyone in office is so excited

for me. They keep asking me “so when is the date?”, “Where is the

honeymoon?”’

‘Yeah Ganesh, about the date,’ Priyanka said, ‘my mom just called.’

‘She did. Oh no. I thought I’d give you the good news myself.’

‘What good news?’

‘That I am coming to India next month. We should get married then

only. What say, honeymoon straight from there? People said the Bahamas is

amazing. But I’ve always wanted to go to Paris. Because what could be more

romantic than Paris.’

‘Ganesh,’ Priyanka said, her voice frantic.

‘What?’

‘Can I say something?’

‘Sure. But first tell me, Paris or Bahamas?’

‘Ganesh.’

‘Please tell me where you’d rather go.’

‘Paris. Now can I say something?’ Priyanka said.

Esha and Radhika raised their eyebrows when they heard the word

Paris. It was not difficult to guess that honeymoon planning was in progress.

‘Sure. What do you want to say?’ Ganesh said.

‘Don’t you think it is a little rushed?’

‘What?’

‘Our marriage. We have only talked to each other for a week. I know,

we spoke quite a bit, but still.’

‘You’ve said yes to me right?’ Ganesh said.

‘Yes, but…’

‘Then why wait? I don’t get much leave here. And considering I now

spend my every living moment thinking about you, I’d rather get you here at

the earliest.’

‘But, this is marriage Ganesh. Not just a vacation. W have to give each

other time to get ready for this,’ Priyanka said and twirled a strand of hair

with her finger. I used to love playing with her hair when we were together.

‘But,’ Ganesh said, ‘you spoke to your mother, right? You heard how

happy she is about us getting married next month. My family is excited as

well. Marriage is a family occasion too, right?’

‘I know. Listen, maybe I am just having a rough night. Let me sleep over

it.’

‘Sure. Take your time. But did you think of a color?’

‘For what? The car/’

‘Yeah, I am going to pay the deposit tomorrow. So it is there when you

arrive—assuming you agree to next month, of course.’

‘I can’t say. Wait, I heard dark blue mica is nice.’

‘Really? I kind of like black,’ Ganesh said.

‘Well then take black. Don’t let me…’ Priyanka said.

‘No, dark blue mica it is. I like that colour. I’ll tell the dealer it is my

wife’s choice.

The words ‘
my wife
’ sizzled my inside the way they fry French fries at

McDonald’s. I closed my eyes for a few seconds. I could not bear to hear

another man talk like this to Priyanka.

‘Hey Ganesh, it is 2:25 a.m. here. I have to get ready for a 2:30 meeting

with the boss. Can we talk later?’ Priyanka said.

‘Sure. I might leave work early today. Maybe see some new tiles for the

pool. But I’ll call you when I get home okay?’

‘Pool?’ Priyanka said, as she took the bait.

‘Yes, we have a small swimming pool in our house.

‘Our house? You mean you have a private pool?’

‘Of Course. You know how to swim?’

‘I have never stepped inside a pool in my life,’ Priyanka said,.

‘Well, I can teach you. I am sure there are many interesting possibilities

in the pool.’

The French fries were burnt charcoal black from being over friend.

‘Bye Ganesh,’ Priyanka smiled and shook her head. ‘You guys are all the

same.’

She hung up the phone.

‘What’s up,’ Esha said as she filed her nails.

‘Nothing, same stuff. First tell me, you okay?’ Priyanka said.

‘I am fine please keep me distracted. I heard Paris.’

‘Yes, honeymoon destination. And of course, more pressure to get

married next month. I don’t want to, but I just might have to give in.’

‘Well, if it means seeing Paris sooner rather than later…’ Esha said and