Party And Prejudice

11. Gatecrashing The Wedding

"The poor thing", Tara said ruffling her son's hair, "Who makes their own son work in their resort? Had I been here I wouldn't have allowed it".

"Ma, please fight with appa and get me out of here", Laksh begged.

"I tried my best dear. He wouldn't relent. But don't worry, I have your back. You know your father. Behave properly for a few days. Be patient..do whatever you're supposed to do. And somehow, we'll get you back to the penthouse soon".

"Ma! I didn't ask for any advice. Go and give this speech to your husband. You're not actually doing anything to help me!"

"I'm trying dear..."

"No ma. Please go away", Laksh yelled and stomped out of the restaurant as his mother ran after him.

"What a brat!", I commented as Riya, Zoya and I sat down for breakfast, "His mother should've slapped some sense into his thick head".

"I would be upset too if my own father kicked me out of the house", Riya said.

"Laksh and Riya sitting under a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G" I said.

"Shut up".

"Looks like....oh for Godsake!", Zoya groaned as the server placed the spinach rice infront of us in front of our dinner plates, "This stuff is very healthy and all that. But give me mutton biryani and green chillies any day."

"Well, spinach is good for metabolism", I said as I felt my stomach brushing against my linen top. This certainly wasn't the case a few months back. I really needed to start some exercise.

"Oh not your biology class here too, please", Riya said.

"Yeah Mish", Zoya mumbled "I'm not some lingerie model on a keto diet. I don't mind some extra flesh. My tongue is burning for meat, oil and spices".

It was difficult to argue with a red blooded meat lover.

"Zoya is right. I can't have any more rice", Riya complained "Why do these people keep eating rice anyway? I miss the aloo parathas of St Xavier's cafeteria".

"We could order a Chinese takeaway", I suggested.

"And spend half of the entire money in our hands?", Zoya asked.

"Actually I have a simple plan to get good food without spending any money", Riya said.

"Oh no! No more of your simple plans", I said "Not after all the duplicate Keerthana drama".

"No girls, just listen to me..please!", Riya begged.

Zoya and I sighed together and looked at her. Riya sat up straight and squared her shoulders.

"Okay look", she said with the tone of a scientist explaining his new project, "I heard Revathi telling someone about a wedding that's happening here in the resort tomorrow. Tonight's the reception. It must be going on now. Let's go there and have some fun..the food is sure to be good".

Zoya and I looked at each other. How could we say no to Riya?

•••

Each of us had brought only one set of salwar kameez just for the emergency scene. According to Riya, this was an emergency scene so the three of us got into the salwars. Riya draped her dupatta in reverse in an effort to look swag. I didn't want to tell her it was an epic failure.

We reached Hall No 4 inside the resort where the wedding was taking place and stumbled through the gateway. A large number of cars and bikes stood in the parking lot

We walked into the wedding arena. People flocked around dressed in colourful silks and expensive jewellery. Gold could be seen everywhere. Rangolis, mango leaves and the smell of rose water filled the place. The bride and groom's family members stood on either side of the staircase welcoming the guests. Some Tamil song was blaring through the speakers inside the hall. It was clearly two very affluent families coming together.