Party And Prejudice

17. Falling Again

The day opened like the first episode of a classic Hindi serial. Where everyone goes around with pleasant smiles, greeting each other and doing their thing. Nothing seems wrong. But the cacophony unfolds slowly.

First Maya was stuck in bed with fever. Reyansh had immediately declared that he wanted to stay back and look after his beloved sister. Josh had then gone to get medicines for Maya. Which left me, Zoya and Riya with Sanam, Ameesha and Laksh to do the day's work with the kids.

Zoya was getting increasingly worried and worked by herself with the kids. We found Rahul lurking outside the activity room often. Josh went about minding his business and behaving like Zoya wad his girlfriend. I felt the thing would snowball into something disastrous if Zoya didn't take a stand quickly.

Riya and I only discussed Zoya, of late especially during the activities.

"I think she should just tell Rahul to fuck off", Riya said.

"The guy still loves Zoya. Can't you see that much?", I asked.

"Who loves whom akka?", the boy standing next to Riya asked.

"Oh..everyone loves everyone my dear", Riya said quickly "Everyone should love everyone. Why love one person? That is narrow minded. Loving all is noble..."

I thought my forehead would break with all the slaps I was depositing on it, lately.

The boy's friend too joined him and both of them started to pester Riya to lift them up.

"You're our favourite akka. Please lift us", one of the kids, said holding out his arms, grinning. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't", I warned as I saw a flattered Riya lift one kid onto each side of her waist with enormous effort, "If you break your hip and end up in a wheelchair, I'm not coming to help you pee".

"Get lost Mish. You're jealous because kids don't like you the way they like me".

"Yeah of course", I said, "Wait till the brats push you down".

And that was exactly what happened. Whether accidentally or deliberately, I couldn't tell, but both the guys seemed to have tried to get down. Riya lost her balance and toppled over as they jumped off her.

"Ahhhhhhhh", Riya screamed like a woman in labour as she hit the floor face down.

Laksh, Zoya and I immediately rushed to her side.

"You should've been more careful around these brats Riya", Lakshan said as he gave her a hand, "Boys will be boys".

"If they do that again, boys will be girls...you get my drift", Riya said making a scissors action in the air.

It took a few seconds for all of us to realise that Riya couldn't get up properly. There was something wrong with her left ankle.

Lakshan and Zoya helped Riya stand.

"We should take her to the doctor", Zoya said. Her anxiety about Rahul seemed to have lifted.

I got ready to take matters into my hands, "Who can we consult here Laksh?", I asked quickly.

"We have to take her to Dr Navya's clinic. It's on the next street."

Lakshan's phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his jeans pocket.

"Oh no", he cried "It's Sulochana. I have to leave now. There's work at home".

"What work? Isn't this your holiday time?"

"It's amma's birthday and I forgot to buy her a gift. Sulochana asked to me order the cake and I forgot that too. Mother and daughter will chew my head off today".

"It's okay Laksh", Riya said putting on a brave face "You please go".

"Are you sure you girls can manage? Dr Navya's clinic is the fourth building on the next street. Second floor".

I swear Riya frowned as Lakshan walked out.