CHAPTER 14
VIKRAM
After Maahi leaves, I get dressed and pick up my phone. I need to speak to Mom. She’s been upset with me for not calling her in the past few days. She’s worried Daadi has convinced me to stay here forever. I don’t want to prove her right, so I dial her number.
“Mom,” I say.
“Goodness,” she gasps. “I thought you wouldn’t call me at all.”
She can be dramatic at any time.
“You didn’t sleep well?” I ask, checking the clock. It was barely 4:00 am in the USA. I wonder what kept her awake.
“I had a bad dream, Vikram. Someone was taking you away from me.”
I laugh. “How old was I in the dream? Because at this age, I don’t think anyone can snatch me away that easily.”
“You know what I mean, Vikram. Stop pretending.”
“And you need to stop filling your head with such thoughts. No one can influence your son—not even you and Dad.”
“What’s up with you and Dad? He’s been disturbed the past few days.”
I sigh, unable to frame a reply. Dad and I are currently fighting a cold war. He wants Devki Estate, and so do I, but not at the cost of crushing Daadi’s dreams or Maahi’s plans to fulfill them.
“It’s business, Mom. You wouldn’t understand,” I say, instead of giving her the real reason.
“Huh. I won’t understand? I have spent my entire life understanding you and your Dad. I can read you both better than you can read yourselves. If you don’t want to tell me the real reason, fine. But don’t give me such f*cking excuses.”
“Language, Mom,” I tease.
I know she’s smiling now. We’ve always been informal with each other. She knows about my teenage crushes and has tried to set me up with many of her friends’ daughters. She’s the only one I can go shopping with or accompany to spas and salons. But what I can’t share with her is my growing obsession for Maahi, knowing she wouldn’t approve.
“What was that girl doing in your bedroom?” she asks, as if reading my mind.
“Her name is Maahi,” I reply.
“I don’t care what her name is. What was she doing in your room? How can you let someone like her even touch your phone?”
That infuriates me.
“Someone like her?” I snap. “What does that mean?”
“She’s a nobody, Vikram. Your grandmother may have taken her in, but she’s still a nobody to our family.”
I’m already hating this conversation.
“Don’t entertain such people around you,” she continues. “And stay away from her.”
“I’m mature enough to make my own choices, Mom,” I reply harshly. I don’t mind if she picks up on my tone. But she can’t insult Maahi.
“I hope I don’t have to worry about what’s going on at Ratna Mahal. Why do I feel you’re being dragged into their mess unnecessarily? Your dad told me Maahi’s engagement broke off, and you were behind it. Am I right?”
“That man wasn’t right for her.”
“That’s their problem. Why did you get involved?”
Phenomenal.
“Mom, as I said, I know what I’m doing here and why. You and Dad can’t make those judgments from the USA. Anyway, I have to go. Sleep well. We’ll talk soon.”
I wait for her to acknowledge, but she asks something else.
“I thought your grandmother was the reason for your extended stay in India. I think I’m wrong. You’re not there just for her... but for Maahi too.”
I swallow. Moms always know. No one can hide anything from them, even from thousands of miles away.
“Is she beautiful?” she continues to grill.
“Bye, Mom. I’m in a hurry. I’ll call you later. Bye.”
I disconnect and sit on the bed, trying to regain my composure. Now that Mom has a hint, I don’t think she’ll let this go easily.