Party And Prejudice

6. To Impress Zoya

"You know Mishti, I have a people problem", Josh said.

I had never had a full proper conversation with the guy so far. So I was reasonably surprised when he said he wanted to talk to me.

I smiled, "Me too. Most people hate me and I hate most people too".

"Well..my problem is a bit different. I'm a good one to put a foot in my mouth. You know I can just say all the wrong things sometimes".

"Hmm", I said "I can't really relate to that. But why are you tell me this anyway?"

"I want you to help me with Zoya".

Dude, the girl is not interested in you at all, she's still not over her singer boyfriend, I wanted to say. But I didn't. It was Riya's bullshit to match up these two. And I knew very well that she wouldn't take any responsibility for any of this if it screwed up.

"Uhm..okay?"

Josh brightened up, "Okay, see", he said seriously, "I never really got to speak to Zoya.."

"Wait, didn't you go on some date last week in Mumbai?"

"Yeah, but we barely spoke on it", Josh said. The guy sounded crestfallen.

"Um, so what's your plan now?"

"I just want you to help me get on Zoya's right side. You know, just be next to me and point it out if I screw up somewhere".

"Okay..", I said sounding more encouraging than I felt.

"So whenever I say something wrong....I don't know, just pull my shirt or something?"

"What? Pull your shirt?", I repeated. And I had thought Josh was not a wacko.

"Yeah, just a slight tug...to let me know that I should tread carefully. You can sit next to me".

I sighed. "Okay deal".

•••

The next morning we were finally introduced to what we had come to Ooty for. The kids.

We were going to work in an area called the activity room which sprawled across the first floor of the main resort.

There were about forty kids in total. They were a charming bunch and they all stood there giggling and chatting. Even though I wasn't specifically fond of little children, I found myself smiling. Riya and Zoya had gone all out and were pinching their cheeks, lifting them up and playing with them.

It was only when I went to pinch their cheeks too that I realised none of them were particularly plump. Something which I had totally been when I was their age. I saw a tinge of malnourishment behind their excited faces. The cheerfulness evaporated from me. The scene suddenly seemed overwhelming. These kids could barely manage to go to school and they had come here so they could experience some sort of recreational activities. While kids of the same age in rich families would be going to painting and zumba classes.

My profound moment of enlightenment was interrupted by Lakshan's entry.

"Hey", I prodded Riya in the back as I saw him coming into the room, "It's your friend.."

Riya shrugged nonchalantly and pretended to look the other way.

We were going to work with the kids on different activities like aerobics, art and music. We were going to start with vegetable printing art. Capsicums, potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, tomatoes and shallots were laid out infront of us.

There were three long tables put out for all of us. So split the children into three groups sat down. Lakshan joined Sanam and Ameesha with the first group of kids. The slightest look of disappointment flashed on Riya's face as she took the second table with Reyansh.