Too Good To Be True

20 September 2023

Aman

I must have done something right.

‘I’ll pick you up after class then?’ I said as my car halted outside the bookstore.

‘Spending that extra hour studying with Dhruv after my last class today, don’t forget,’ she replied as she stuffed her phone back into her bag and turned to look at me.

‘Oh, yes. How’s the tutoring going?’

She shrugged. ‘As well as it can, I guess. His notes are really helping me, I have to say.’

‘Be good. See you later.’ I leaned in to kiss her cheek. ‘9 p.m. it is.’

She kissed me back and stepped out of the car, saying, ‘Best of luck with your meeting today …’

‘Avani?’ I called.

‘Hmm?’ She peeked in through the window.

‘I love you,’ I said, smiling.

‘Whatevs.’ She rolled her eyes and smirked playfully, and swayed her hips a little extra as she turned and walked into the store. Oh, she knew I was looking.

I sat back as Ashok turned the car in the direction of the office. I was about to open my e-mail app to check how my day was planned when the phone rang. It was Ma.

‘Babu!’ came her voice.

‘Ahh, you know how much I love that name, Ma!’ I said, faking annoyance.

‘That’s why I call you that every time I miss you a little too much,’ she responded cheekily. ‘Are you at work?’

‘Just dropped off Avani at the bookstore. Heading to the office now.’

‘Oh, which reminds me, I hope you’re getting her to the party next weekend. It’s been too long now … We have to meet her.’

‘I haven’t asked her yet.’

‘Why? We won’t judge you for dating a girl with eight eyes and three noses. Aliens are in this season.’

‘Ha ha. Rich of you to assume it’s her that I’m embarrassed of,’ I teased.

She laughed heartily in response.

‘I’ve just not had the chance, Ma. Maybe I’ll ask her later today.’

‘Nothing doing. You are getting her with you, and that’s that.’

‘All right, Ma’am. I’ll talk to her today. I’ve got to go now. Love you.’

‘Love you, sweetheart. See you soon. We miss you.’

I hung up with a smile on my face. I missed them too. Their thirty-fifth anniversary was around the corner and Ma had been planning the celebration for weeks.

It was to involve only close family and a few friends, and it was to be a surprise for Papa. Except that she’d not been able to keep it a secret from him.

She’d confessed to me that one evening last week, when Papa had casually asked her what she was doing up late in the study, she’d replied, a little irritated, ‘I’m planning a surprise wedding anniversary party for you, Anil.

Stop interrupting me.’ So the party had gone from being directed by one crazy party planner to two crazy party planners—which is why I’ve had nothing to do with the planning.

The happy couple had gone all out, I was sure, and I was looking forward to it because my folks had always been excellent hosts and knew how to ensure their guests had a great time. And I was looking forward to spending some time with Gagan too.

As for Avani, Ma had been asking me to invite her over to meet everyone, but I’d been hesitating about bringing up the ‘meet the parents’ thing. I’d met her Aaji, of course, but she hadn’t spoken much about her parents.

There was something there, I guessed. I noticed the way she went quiet and pensive at any mention of my folks.

‘Morning, baba.’ Sheryl smiled as I walked by her desk and entered my cabin.

‘Morning, beautiful. What’s happening? What’s on the cards today?’

‘I’ve set up your meeting with the ConsciChic guys in meeting room 2, for 11.30 a.m.’

‘Yes, I read the e-mail.’

‘Oh, so you dressed like your meeting was on the beach on purpose then?’ She raised an eyebrow at the shirt I was wearing.

I pursed my lips. ‘Avani’s idea—and to answer your question, yes,’ I smirked.

The meeting went well. I loved it when the room was filled with minds that were receptive to new ideas.

The only downside of becoming the CEO of a company with a wide range of operations at the age of thirty was that you’d probably be the only one who was thirty in most boardrooms.

On most days everyone around me was close to twice my age, so this meeting had been quite exciting for me. The conversation was productive, and I saw a lot of potential in ConsciChic joining hands with Raina Textiles.

‘Make sure we set up a follow-up call in a week, once the contract is sent,’ I told Sheryl. Then I nodded at the two young entrepreneurs as I stood up to leave the meeting room.

‘Thank you for your time. Please get in touch with Sheryl if you have any questions at all. I’m an e-mail away too.’

I entered my cabin and sat down as my phone rang. It was Avani.

‘How was it? Shit. Are you still in the meeting? Okay, call me when you’re free.’ She hung up.

I smiled at my phone and called her back.

‘Hello to you too!’ I said.

‘Hi! It’s over, na? How was it?’

‘Went very well. They might come on board by the end of next week.’

‘Oh great. I knew it would work out. I think it was the shirt I picked that did it.’

‘Oh, definitely the shirt.’ I smiled. ‘Where are you?’

‘On my way to the next class.’

‘Okay, have a good one. I’ll see you later tonight.’

‘Aman?’

‘Yes?’

‘I love you.’

‘Whatevs,’ I said, and we both laughed.

The rest of the day in office was busy, as always. We’d been working on some interesting projects with the government and the internal teams had been driving themselves hard to deliver. Papa’s credibility was at stake here, so I’d taken it upon myself to look into every detail.

Before I knew it, it was 8.30 p.m. and most of the office had cleared out. I finished sending the last few e-mails and shut down my laptop for the day. I stepped out to see Sheryl still at her desk.

‘It’s late,’ I said.

‘Almost done. I was just getting a present for your parents’ anniversary.’ She smiled.

‘You don’t have to, you know. They’ll be glad to just see you.’

‘I know. But they are very special to me. I’ve knitted a tablecloth for them—you know how much your mother likes handmade stuff—and just ordered a painting from a Pichwai artist she loves.’

I gave her a quick sideways hug. ‘Shall I drop you home?’

‘Oh no. I’m meeting a friend for a drink at the bar down the street,’ she said as she got up to leave. ‘I’ll walk over.’

‘Goodnight. See you tomorrow,’ I said and walked to the elevator.

I was sitting in the car outside Avani’s university campus thinking of ways to bring up the Mussoorie trip when I heard the door open.

‘Hey, gorgeous. What do you feel like having for dinner?’ I placed a kiss on Avani’s cheek as she settled beside me in the car.

‘Can we just go home—yours—and eat ramen?’ she asked, kissing me softly. She settled her head back on the seat and turned to me.

‘Of course we can.’ I tucked her under my arm and asked Ashok to drive us home. I loved how Avani felt when she was close to me. Her hair smelt of coconuts and jasmine and her body was always warm. Her jhumkas made a faint chiming sound every time she moved and her fingers absent-mindedly drew invisible circles on my forearm as she told me about her day.

In the elevator, she tugged me into a hug and rested her head on my chest. ‘I’m so tired today,’ she said, sighing.

‘A shower will help,’ I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my chin on her head.

A half-hour later, I was standing at my kitchen island pouring her a glass of wine and fixing myself a green tea, when Avani walked down the stairs from my bedroom in my bathrobe, her hair dripping wet and smelling like a million bucks. I watched her walk towards me, like that was all she had been created to do. Be mine.

I swallowed. My throat was dry.

‘Your robe was just hanging there. I couldn’t help myself. It’s so soft. What is it made of? Clouds?’

‘I think you should wear only this every day.’ I turned away reluctantly. ‘Wine?’

‘Yes, please.’ She settled into my couch and folded her legs under her. ‘What are we eating?’

‘You said ramen,’ I replied, ‘so I ordered ramen. And sushi.’

She took the glass from me and raised it high, saying, ‘Cheers to Japan!’

‘Cheers!’ I laughed.

‘So,’ I began as I sat down next to her, ‘what are you doing next weekend?’

‘Not sure. Why? Do you want to fly me to Paris in your private jet and feed me escargot on top of the Eiffel Tower?’ She tilted her head and smirked.

Okay. Time to take the leap.

‘Close,’ I said. ‘I want to fly you to Mussoorie for my parents’ wedding anniversary party.’

Silence. Then, after what seemed like ages, she asked, ‘For real?’

‘Yeah. It’s a special day and I want you to be there with me.’

‘Do your parents know I’m coming?’

‘They want you to be there. But it’s your choice. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable if you think it’s too soon.’

‘Is it too soon?’

‘Not for me. I’ve wanted you to meet my family for a while now.’

‘And what about Gagan?’

‘What about him? He’ll be happy to see you too.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Are you going to only answer in questions?’ I laughed. ‘Baby, I’m sure I want you to be there. But it’s up to you.’

She took a large sip of the wine and looked into the glass. I could see the wheels turning in her head, since she did little to hide it.

I told myself that I would settle for whatever answer she gave me. I couldn’t choose how fast or slow she wanted to go in this relationship. That was not my place.

‘Take your time … if—’

‘I want to go!’

‘You do?’

‘Yes! I do. I’ve heard so much about your parents. Also, you have dogs there. Ha ha.’

‘I do!’ I exclaimed, relieved. ‘Wow, cool. They’ll be really happy.’

‘What am I going to wear?’

‘Baby, you could wear this bathrobe and you’d still be the most beautiful girl in the room.’

I kissed her on the neck, with just one thought in my head: I’m one lucky asshole. I must have done something right.

29 September 2023

Avani

Nothing to wear.

‘What kind of party is this?’ Rhea asked as she lay on my bed, popping butter-smothered popcorn into her mouth.

‘The fancy kind, I gather,’ I said. ‘From the sound of it, everyone Aman knows is going to be there. Ugh! I have zero fancy clothes! Where the fuck is Maya? Was she not supposed to be here like an hour ago?’

‘Calm down, Ani,’ said Rhea. ‘She said she’s right by the corner. Should be here any minute.’

It was Friday afternoon and I had exactly three hours before Aman picked me up for the airport.

Rhea and Maya had promised to help me pack for this Rich People’s Royal Ball, and, characteristically, Rhea had arrived with tequila and popcorn while Maya was on her way with designer clothes from her wardrobe.

The bell rang as I was about to plunge into my minuscule closet one more time for an appropriate ‘private airport OOTD’.

‘I’ll get it,’ Rhea announced as she sprung off the bed and bolted to the door.

‘Good. That way you’re of some use here,’ I muttered under my breath. All she had done for the past thirty minutes was chug tequila shots and freak me out about how difficult rich people were to be around.

‘I heard that,’ she yelled from the living room.

I rolled my eyes and held my head in my hands as I stared at the pile of clothes lying at my feet. Crumpled T-shirts, faded pjs, shorts I would never fit into again, a frilly peplum top … Was this for real?

‘Who robbed you?’ Maya said, walking in with two suitcases.

‘This is all I own, Maya. Please tell me you’ve got your expensive shit.’ I exhaled loudly.

‘Calm down, Ani. Here,’ she said, carefully setting down her suitcases and unzipping both. She proceeded to swiftly pull out coats, sweaters, belts, bags and dresses one after another, and carefully lay them down on my bed, organized by colour and size, quite unlike my jigsaw-puzzle wardrobe situation.

The next hour was a classic rom-com montage. The one in which lively music plays in the background as the dorky girl’s besties give her a makeover while chugging alcohol directly from the bottle and she walks around modelling outfits and making goofy faces.

I have to admit that in reality it was a lot more of me saying ‘OMG I can’t wear this’ or ‘You paid how much for this again?’ and ‘I’m sure it’ll fit fine—I don’t need to try this on’.

One hour later, we were finally there, all outfits selected and planned, and packed neatly into my suitcase.

‘Umm … that’s what you’re going to wear to bed?’ Rhea asked as I held up my raggedy Superman tee in one hand and an oversized white kurta in the other when she announced ‘nightwear’.

‘Yeah. Why?’ I asked, looking from one to the other.

Rhea ignored my question and turned to face Maya. ‘Maya, could you please …’

‘Ani, I think you should pack something cute,’ Maya said, her lips pursed, holding back a smile.

‘Why?’ I retorted. ‘Who’s going to care what I wear to bed?’

‘Umm … Hopefully Aman?’ Rhea said with exaggerated sarcasm. She always got so squeaky on tequila.

‘Why will Aman ca—’ I started protesting and froze mid-sentence.

One second.

Hold on.

Did they mean sex was on the cards? Was I going to have sex with Aman? Aman, who was sculpted by the Greek gods and possibly slept only in his hot boxer shorts?

Me, who slept in old, oversized clothes with holes in them, hair tied into braids, and possibly snored like a generator? I had NOT thought of that!

Okay … that’s not true.

I had thought of that.

A million times.

The time it had rained so hard I’d had to stay over at his place, the time we’d napped on my living room couch after watching La La Land , the time he’d spilt ketchup on his white shirt and changed out of it into my old, ratty tee …

But it had never got so close to becoming real.

My chest suddenly felt tighter.

‘Guys,’ I said, ‘I’m not ready for this.’

‘Of course you are. Stop acting like you didn’t anticipate it or haven’t had sex with anyone before,’ Rhea squealed.

‘But … you don’t have to do something you aren’t ready for. It’s up to you. It’s your choice.’ Maya, giving me the birds-and-bees talk like I was a teenager. Right. ‘I mean, yeah. It has to be consensual. And—’

‘Oh my god, guys!’ I erupted. ‘When I say I’m not ready, I don’t mean mentally. Of course I want to … I mean, it’s Aman. What I mean is … physically.’

They stared at me like I was speaking French. My eyes bounced between my two confused friends. ‘I’m not ready! I haven’t prepared for this. Physically,’ I repeated, gesturing wildly at my body.

‘You wanna stretch?’ Rhea asked blankly.

I gave them a few seconds to get what I was saying. Then I sighed. ‘Dear friends, this is to inform you that I have not manicured the garden in a while. It’s all quite … bushy.’

‘Ah,’ both said in unison.

Maya giggled. ‘We’ve still got about two hours before Aman picks you up. I can book you at my regular place. Or just mow the lawn when you get there.’

‘I think I’ll do just that.’ I nodded and went on to pack my trusty razor.

‘Or leave it be,’ Maya added. ‘Who cares? It’s Victorian.’

‘Right?’ I laughed.

We giggled as I added my make-up pouch and my hair-styling tools to the suitcase and zipped it close.

We moved my luggage to the living room, and the girls settled on my couch and turned on the TV, while I walked back into my room and shut the door.

I had some time till Aman got here, but my nerves were getting the better of me. I decided to take a quick shower and then sat on my bed blankly with dripping wet hair and a towel draped around my body.

I hadn’t been to a family event in quite some time.

I’d left my parents’ home when I was still a teenager and Aaji had hardly ever hosted family at her house.

It had always been her and me.

I had attended a few birthday dinners with Rhea’s family over the past few years but nothing of the scale that I assumed Aman’s parents’ anniversary party was going to be.

I wasn’t a textbook introvert, but families weren’t my strongest suit.

I took in a few deep breaths and told myself that Aman would never make me feel uneasy. I could count on him to read my mind if I got into a sticky situation with his family.

Overthinking as usual, Avani. These are just your demon thoughts clouding what could be a fun and easy weekend away.

True. No place with six dogs could be anything less than pure heaven, right? This could actually be great. I would have Aman to myself, and then maybe I wouldn’t have to worry about how cute or sexy my clothes were in bed if I didn’t see a reason to wear them.

I smiled to myself.

I might or might not have rehearsed my seductive door-to-bed walk before getting rudely interrupted by rapid knocks on my bedroom door.

‘He’ll be here any minute, Ani! Are you ready yet or not?’ Rhea’s voice came from behind the door.

‘Coming!’ I yelled and picked up the outfit Maya had left hanging for me on my wardrobe handle.

I quickly slipped on the classic blue jeans and white shirt, carefully folded the sweater I was instructed to wear before landing in Mussoorie and put it inside my oversized handbag.

I checked on my air-dried hair and touched up my minimal make-up. I picked up the tan trench coat that Maya had brought for me—the one that made you look instantly rich—and threw it over my forearm as I opened the door and stepped out into the living room.

‘So chic!’ Rhea exclaimed. ‘Maya, I think you should style Avani every day!’

Maya whistled. ‘You look great, cutie!’

‘Thank you.’ I let out a heavy breath and looked at the girls with grateful eyes.

‘Please, please, PLEASE don’t forget to water my plants over the weekend, Rhea.

Shanta Tai is on leave till Monday,’ I said as I took my phone off the charging port and stuffed my charger into the handbag.

I wore my white sneakers and was just about to call Aman to check on his ETA when my phone lit up and his name flashed on the screen.

‘You ready, baby? I’m here,’ he said as soon as I answered.

‘Be right there.’

I slung my handbag on my shoulder, turned to give my besties a hug and rolled my suitcase to the door.

Maybe it was that I trusted Aman and was looking forward to learning more about his life or maybe it was that I knew what I was going to wear while I did that. Either way, I was ready for Mussoorie.