Unmarriageable(78)

Alys did not eat. She stared at the plain ceiling and plotted Darsee’s downfall. She abhorred him. He was singlehandedly responsible for Jena’s misery. She would never forgive him, no matter how much he begged, were he ever to do so, which she prayed to God that by some miracle he would.



That evening Alys insisted she be excused from dining at Beena dey Bagh’s. Kaleen, seeing how drained she looked, decided it was just as well that she stay behind. If she was coming down with something, he did not want her around Annie’s immune system. When everyone left, Alys went to the living room, wrapped herself in a quilt, and switched on one of her favourite films, The Terminator. She tucked into a plate of her soul-settling comfort food – yellow lentils and white rice topped with cucumbers – and hoped that the machine-versus-man film would at least soothe her for the duration of its running time. Oh, how she despised Darsee. If she ever saw him again she’d—

‘Alys baji,’ the maid, Ama Iqbal, poked her head into the living room. ‘There’s a man to see you. Shall I bring him in?’

‘A man?’ Alys said.

‘He came here once before. Ate all the shami kebabs.’

Alys nodded. Raghav. How sweet of him to come see if she was all right and to say goodbye before he left in the morning for K2. At least he wouldn’t care that she was in her tatty pyjamas and had oiled her hair. Perhaps she should tell him the whole tale and trust that he might tell Bungles the truth about Jena’s feelings.

The door opened. Alys’s smile disappeared.

‘Hello,’ Darsee said.

‘Is everyone all right?’ Alys said. ‘Isn’t there a dinner at your aunt’s place?’

‘All fine. No need to panic.’ Darsee glanced at the plate of half-eaten dal chawal. ‘I came to see how you were doing.’

‘How I’m doing?’

‘Sherry said you’ve had a bad headache since this morning. Raghav said he and you had jogged together and it was humid. Could it be heat stroke? Is that oil in your hair?’

‘Yes, it is. I was not expecting the Crown Prince of Pakistan to visit.’

‘I was worried.’ Darsee sat down. ‘You’re watching Terminator. Is this your first time?’

‘No,’ Alys said rudely.

‘This is one of the only films with an even better sequel. Have you seen it?’

‘Listen,’ Alys said, ‘where does your aunt think you are?’

‘Picking up emergency mountain stuff for Raghav. He leaves tomorrow morning.’

Darsee rose. Then he sat back down. Then he rose again. He cleared his throat.

‘What?’ Alys said, as he looked down at her. ‘What’s wrong with you?’

‘Will you marry me?’

Alys stared at him.

‘I love you.’

This was so preposterous, Alys let out a hearty laugh.

‘My admission is a joke to you?’

‘Is this a prank?’ Alys looked around. ‘Is there a hidden camera somewhere?’

‘Don’t be absurd.’ Darsee crossed the room. ‘I’ve tried to get you out of my head. I’ve tried so hard. I think about you all the time. Of how I want your opinion on this book and that film and this work of art and that play. I respect your opinions.’

‘You respect my opinions.’

‘Will you, Alys? Marry me? It’s not the wisest of matches,’ Darsee said dolefully. ‘In fact, it’s a disadvantageous match for me in all respects – well, except that you’re smart, fun, and have a quirky personal style, which I like. And you are not a gold-digger. This is the biggest plus of all.’

‘It is, is it?’ Alys said.

‘Beena Aunty will take some convincing, of course, but I’m sure I’ll be able to win her over. Annie will help me too. I’m hoping that, once we’re married, you’ll agree with me that we need not meet your family with any regularity.’

Alys had been in a daze this whole time. Now she stood up. Did Darsee think she’d agree to marry him? No doubt he’d been brought up to believe that he was a prince and all the girls everywhere were eager to be his princess and locked away in his castle.

‘Aren’t you engaged to Annie?’ Alys flushed. She had not meant to ask this.

‘Beena Khala would like that – consolidate property and the British School Group and all that – but Annie and I have grown up like siblings. It’s gross. Anyway, Beena Khala’s upset these days because Annie is refusing to break up with her Nigerian boyfriend. They began dating before she got sick. I like him. But why are you asking about Annie when I’ve asked you to marry me?’

‘Marry you!’ Alys said, even as she took in everything he’d told her. ‘Here’s to bursting your bubble – I don’t know what gave you the impression that I would marry you. I would never marry you under any circumstances. You are unmarriageable.’

‘I see.’ Darsee folded his arms. ‘I see. And why would you never marry me under any circumstances? Why am I unmarriageable? Do I stink or something?’

‘Yes,’ Alys said. ‘You do stink. Of hubris. You are a pompous ass.’

Darsee swallowed.

‘You insult my family, tell me to seldom meet them, and then expect me to kneel in gratitude for the chance at being your wife? You think a way to a woman’s heart is by calling her family coarse and crude?’