Party And Prejudice

24. To The Rescue

"One minute", Riya said as she turned and retreated back to the cell. Was she crazy?

"Can I just have a word with them?", she asked the policewoman, referring to Sanam and Ameesha. The policewoman nodded curtly and opened the door.

Riya stepped into the cell. Zoya and I automatically followed her. Before I knew it, Riya had delivered her famous slap on Sanam's cheek. Sanam's face turned sixty degrees to the right.

I've always been envious of Riya's slapping skill. I wish I could slap people around like that too. But I couldn't even slap a mosquito properly, forgetting slapping people.

"May I join?", Zoya asked going upto Riya with an outstretched palm. I noticed her hand shivered slightly.

"Be my guest", Riya said.

Zoya slapped Sanam's other cheek. Her face turned sixty degrees to the left. Riya repeated the procedure on Ameesha.

"Enough, you can leave now", came the police woman's stiff voice.

"Rot in hell, you two", Riya cursed at the duo before leaving the cell. Zoya and I followed her. We scampered out of the building, hoping to never set foot inside this or any other police station ever again.

•••

"We won't tell your parents, don't worry", Riya's mother said as we stood outside the police station.

I did something I had never done before. I fell at Saba Aunty's feet.

"Are you mad? Get up Mishti. You both are my daughters too", Riya's mother said. Zoya broke into tears behind me.

Riya's parents had managed to find a contact in Ooty who knew the commissioner. After few phone calls, endless apologies, some money and Riya's mother agreeing to design the inspector's new bungalow for free, we were released. Sanam and Ameesha were still under arrest. Good for them.

We reached Bluepeaks after an embarrassingly long ride. Riya's mother pulled me aside.

"I think it's all because of that boy Mishti", Saba Aunty said.

'All because of that boy' is an all-time favourite line of Indian parents but for once it did not fit the situation. I couldn't understand which boy Riya's mother was talking about. In fact, it had been two girls who had got us into so much trouble.

"Er...who aunty?", I asked.

"Reyansh, who else?"

I was baffled.

"What?"

"Yeah we all know he is not so proper."

"Aunty what are you saying? He is a friend.."

"Oh, I know very well what kind of friend", she said smiling kindly "No need to be so clandestine with me. Riya has told me many times that you both are going out. But he was caught with drug peddlers at fifteen beta. I know his mother. She told me he wouldn't have got into St Xavier's if his stepfather hadn't made a big donation. I've known you for longer than you know Reyansh. Of course I have no authority over you, but I do have your best interest at heart, that's why I'm saying this. Think about your parents too. You're better off without him".

I could not believe what I was hearing. Saba Aunty was one of my favourite adults in the whole world.

But even the remarkably sensible woman couldn't help but judge Reyansh's past.

Taints really do not vanish easily.

"Aunt he's a nice guy", I said feebly.

"I liked him too in the beginning. He seemed like a good kid. But now I'm not so sure. Think about what I said, okay?", Saba Aunty said. I was too pissed to even nod my head. She moved towards her husband who was lecturing Riya.

"Why do you roam around with such characterless girls?", Riya's father was saying "Can't you stick with Zoya and Mishti? What is the need to mingle with unknown people? Now go and pack your bags".

All of us looked up at the last line.

"D..dad?", Riya said.

"What? Did you think we would let you stay here after all this?  The others can stay if they want to, but you are going straight to your room to pack your bags. We're going back to Mumbai tomorrow".