The Best Mistakes

7. Kayra

"Is this all for me? Aww, you're so sweet, Maa." I said when I went to the dining table full with every kind of dishes. It looked like a feast and I was drooling over the delicacies in front me. It had been a long time since I ate Indian food and my mother's at that. Nothing beats a mother's cooking.

"In a way, yes, but we are also expecting guests today," she said, stuffing a gulab jamun in my mouth. Mm-mhm. I truly missed these. She chuckled when my face scrunched in absolute delight.

"Guests? Who?"

"Sharma, Baba's old friend. He's coming over with his family." I nodded, hearing her.

Sharma Uncle was Baba's only friend. He often came to our house with his son when I was young. But they stopped after a few years, because they'd moved to Delhi. This was the first time I will see them after all these years.

"I've prepared an outfit for you, go and change into those. And hurry, they'll be here soon," she pushed me upstairs in a rush. What a hassle! I seriously didn't want to entertain any guests. I just wanted to spend time with my family but guess nothing goes my way.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

What the fuck! I grimaced, looking at my reflection in the mirror. The outfit Maa prepared was a traditional salwar suit. I have long worn them before going to Vancouver but this is way too far from normal. It was so shimmery, I thought I'd go blind if I looked at it a little more.

I was supposed to have dinner and not attend a wedding, for god's sake. Why does Maa always had to go overboard with my clothes? If I wear this to dinner then I will surely die of embarrassment and discomfort. I can't wear this, I'll have to ask Maa for something else.

"Maa, isn't this dress a bit shimmer-" I yelled from the stairs but my voice trailed off at the end as I saw six pairs of eyes staring up at me. The guests had arrived. Sharma Uncle, his wife and their son. The tall, handsome one. With whom I was currently holding eye contact. He had a gentle smile tucked on his lips along with amusement in his eyes. I stood frozen on the staircase, unable to move.

“Karu!” I passed an awkward smile when Maa called out to me. I cursed under my breath before walking down the stairs, still wearing that heap of glitter.

Fortunately, it seemed like no one heard me earlier. Good. After greeting the guests, we all sat down for dinner. Half of the dinner passed by hearing Mrs. Sharma bragging about her son and Maa doing the same thing.

Welcome to the classic brown household dinner, where everyone brags about their children.

Well, I gained a lot of information about the young Sharma. I got to know that Ved graduated summa cum laude from Delhi University, landed a 80 LPA package, received early promotion, and was now settled with his own apartment at the age of twenty-five. Impressive.

I looked over at him. He had an awkward smile plastered on his face and pink tinted his cheekbones. He was embarrassed too. If I remember correctly, he was a nerdy and shy kid but looking at him now, he seems like a different person.

He grew up to be a fine young man. His manners were excellent, he was polite, humble and respectful. Complete opposite from a certain someone. Now that I remember, Nolan had sent me several texts which I forgot to check. Who cares anyway! They must be the same bullshit as always.