One Indian Girl(47)

‘Don’t move, Radhikaji,’ Puran said.

Neel continued with his messages.

‘I have a lot to tell you.’

‘Been meaning to reach you sooner.’

‘Are you going to reply at least?’

I can’t, I screamed in my head as Puran Singh drew an intricate circle on my right palm with henna paste. The messages kept popping up.

‘You know what. This can’t be done on chat.’

‘Or even on a call.’

‘Some things are just better discussed face-to-face.’

‘So maybe I should do that.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Okay then. You are reading my messages but not responding.’

‘So yeah. Face-to-face.’

I sat there, exasperated and helpless.

‘Bhaiya, can you hurry up?’ I said to Puran.

‘It is shaadi ki mehndi. How can you hurry it up? You saw your left hand? I have to make this equally beautiful.’

I saw my phone flicker every few seconds.

‘Damn,’ I mumbled to myself. I had to respond before he did anything crazy. I had enough on my plate already.

‘There you go,’ Puran said after two hours.

‘Thank you. Thank you so much. Can I go now?’

‘Yes. But you won’t give me any special gift?’

I gestured to my sister. She gave the mehndi guy a 2,000-rupee tip. He smiled and folded his hands to say thanks.

‘Don’t wash your hands for four hours. Will make the colour last beyond the honeymoon,’ Puran said.

‘Did you say four hours?’ I said.



I told my cousins I needed to use the restroom. I ran up to my room. Aditi didi followed me there.

‘How will you use the restroom with your hands like this? Come here,’ she said.

Aditi didi unfastened my salwar drawstrings.

‘I will come in with you?’ she said, pointing to the bathroom.

‘Fuck it. I am washing my hands,’ I said.

‘No, wait. . .’

I ran into the bathroom. I placed my hands under the running water at the washbasin tap. The mehndi stains were dark orange rather than the deep dark brown I could have achieved had I shown more patience. However, I needed my fingers. I had to respond to Neel and prevent another layer of chaos in my life.

‘Hey. Sorry. Couldn’t respond earlier,’ I hurriedly typed a reply.

‘It’s okay,’ Neel replied in an instant.

‘What’s up?’ I said.

He called me. I picked up the call in the bathroom.

‘Hi,’ I said.

‘It’s been so long since I heard your voice.’

‘What’s the matter, Neel?’

‘How are you?’

‘Can you hurry up, please? What is it?’

‘I have something important to tell you.’

‘What?’

‘Like I told you, it is better in person.’

‘Not possible. Just tell me.’

‘You are in Goa, right? Which resort?’

‘Neel, I am with 200 people here. Can this wait?’

‘Which resort? Or should I call your office to find out?’

‘Just tell me what you have to. I am at my wedding. You are on due diligence.’

‘Yeah, at some remote copper mine in the south of Sri Lanka. Don’t ask. No flights from here. Wait, let me check my computer.’

Aditi didi knocked on the bathroom door.

‘Seriously, Neel, I have to go. Bye.’

‘Okay, bye. Congratulations,’ he said.

‘Oh well. Whatever. Bye now.’

I came out of the bathroom.

‘What? You washed away the mehndi?’ Aditi didi said.

‘It’s still a strong colour,’ I said. I began to change into my workout clothes.

‘It’s your wedding mehndi. You couldn’t be patient for a few hours?’

‘Sorry, didi. I am not as nice a girl as you. Okay?’ I said, irritated.

‘Arey? Why are you snapping at me? And why are you changing into these clothes?’

‘Sorry for being rude, didi. I just need to get some air. I am going for a walk on the beach.’

‘With whom?’

‘Alone.’

‘Why? I will come with you.’

‘No, didi,’ I said, my voice firm. ‘I want to be alone. No Brijesh. No you. No mom and dad. Can I get an hour? I need to clear my head.’

Aditi didi came and patted my cheek.

‘What happened?’

‘Nothing. All this wedding stuff is just too much. I need an hour.’

She gave me a hug.

‘Go. I will cover for you.’



I walked on the beach outside Marriott. I continued further north until I had left the hotel behind. I saw that Brijesh had messaged me. I decided not to open it. I couldn’t deal with anyone. I focused on the orange sun, which sank deeper into the water every minute. My mind was filled with thoughts. How did Neel find out? Oh well, it isn’t difficult if you work in the same firm, even if in different offices. What’s he doing in Sri Lanka? Making even more money, I guess. Why did he call me? Why didn’t he tell me what he wanted to? What’s with all the suspense?