Not Likely

Parental Advice

Do you remember all those times, in childhood, where a wrong answer in front of the class, or your Principal calling you out during School Assembly, made you think to yourself 'God, this is the most embarrassing moment in my life, I can't get over this.'

And then, adulthood comes and kicks you in the place where the sun doesn't shine, and suddenly, everyday is an absolute embarrassment.

Catch me for example. There I was, drunk as a skunk, clad in my boyfriend's big-ass shirt and baggy shorts, fresh off a dark confession, and all of a sudden, the boy's entire bloody family is staring down at us.

Dhruv, bless his reflexes, quickly threw the discarded blanket over me as he sat up, blinking at his parents in a casual manner. I saw his Mother's eyes roam over the food, the booze, and then settle on the two of us. She had no expression on her face, but honestly, if she wasn't judging us a little, I'd be very, very surprised.

His father, on the other hand, was not looking at the surroundings at all. In fact, he seemed to give no care for our less-than-polished appearance as he stood, hands in his pockets, with a polite smile on his face. In fact, he looked no different than the way he'd stand by a door, waiting for someone to pass through.

Nishant had the most human reaction amongst the three. I saw his expression make the journey from shock, to surprise, to embarrassment, and when his eyes caught Dhruv staggering slightly, it gave way to amusement.

His eyes were teasing as they swept back to mine, and I knew that both he and Kavya were going to make life very difficult for me with their teasing.

Finally, Dhruv decided that this non-verbal air was too much for his drunken self, so he said, "Why are you all here?" as both of us sat up on the sofa.

Mr. Razdan smiled at his son, before his eyes turned to me. "I was just wondering if you'd be up for a chat in the balcony, Dhriti. Alone", he added when I looked up.

"She would not be up for the chat", Dhruv said firmly.

"Yeah I am nu- not up for de chat", I agreed.

Mr. Razdan grinned. "Don't worry, I won't ask you about work."

"I'll be better i-fi-if you ask me about work", I said hopefully.

"Dad she can talk later", Dhruv said impatiently, while his father continued to wait for me to stand up.

"It won't take 5 minutes." he assured. "Your mother and Nish have something to tell you as well."

Dhruv looked at me uneasily, seeming displeased to have our bubble disrupted. Sure, it was not the best of time for me to be in the presence of his family, but when the cat's out of the bag, the dog can't be like 'Bro, that's not my cat that fell out of the bag! I don't even like cats!'

I am still drunk, okay?

Anyway, I tottered after Mr. Razdan, and when I passed Mrs. Razdan, she placed a wam, steadying hand on my shoulder as I stumbled.

"Do you need some coffee?" she asked kindly as I stiffened.

"Uh...I...don't...think...so?" I said uncertainly.

She smiled, her dark eyes roaming over my face in a speculative manner. "Ok, be careful."

Stealing another quick look at an equally puzzled Dhruv, I walked to the balcony. The mid-afternoon sun had lit up the space with bright golden light, and the sea air was chilly despite the cloudless sky. Mr. Razdan was seated in one of the benches.

Carefully, so not to test the extent of my terrible balance in my current state, I slid into the seat opposite to him.

There was silence as the two of us looked at each other.