The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

6. Ishani

I stirred awake feeling the empty sheets next to me. I also felt the beginning of a headache and our disastrous date last night came rushing in. I couldn't believe Neil stood me up for two bloody hours. I got up ready to fight and saw that he was not around. I gobbled the medication kept on the table and rushed to make coffee and toast. It was close to 9 which meant Neil was already at work. I was about to call him but what would I say. My actions last night were not worth explaining but neither were his, sometimes silence works a lot better.

I ate my food and the coffee helped the headache subside. I wanted to go home to my old life, I was sick of adulting. But would that help? Neil was my partner, for better or for worse. I was about to call my mother and ask for her advice when the phone rang. Neil was calling me. I did not want to talk but not picking would scare him. "Hey" I said softly trying to gauge his feelings. "Ish thank God you picked. I was scared. You okay?" He sounded relieved and that made me feel guilty. "Of course Neil, I'm fine and I'm planning what to do today." I replied rolling my eyes, as if I had work!

"Great. Please take care. Also Ishani if you feel good, make something nice for dinner, we might have company. Someone is coming over." And my heart ran into a frenzy. "Who is coming Neil?" "Darling it's a surprise!" Ohh god.

"Bye Neil." I ran to the freezer to see how much biryani was left. And it was barely enough for the two of us. Crap! I would have to rush and get food. I took a super hot shower and decided to dress down. I would probably wear some desi wear in the evening. For now my distressed, frayed denims and blue shirt would work. I pulled on a pair of sneakers. While tying my hair in a ponytail I realized I looked crap, maybe the hangover did not do any favors to my skin. I pulled out my MAC lady danger and applied the red lipstick to my lips and my huge sunnies to hide my eyes. As I ran out with my bag, I decided a mental list of what all I needed to buy.

Since someone was coming I needed to up the ante. Kebabs and biryani, maybe a bit of gravy and rotis? What would I get for dessert, I made decent halwa, maybe I could make that. But for safety sake I could get some ice cream. When I got up it was still 2 PM. I ate the sandwich I got packed and decided to rest for a bit before getting ready. I made the sugar syrup for the halwa and decided to watch TV on the awesome grey couch, I loved lounging on. It was very comfy the kinds you could snuggle up in and I  surfed the channels. And before long the hangover kicked in and I fell asleep.

The bell was ringing constantly. I got up knackered. I was dreaming of Delhi and Andy. The lights outside had faded and the room glowed with the light from the TV. I had slept for 5 hours straight. Panic set in. Was it actually 7 PM I squinted to check my mobile again. There were 7 missed calls from Neil and messages asking me where I was. There was a call from my mom too. Ohh god!

I ran to switch on the lights and open the front door. Before I reached the door, the knob turned. Neil had used his keys. I stood there as the door opened revealing a grumpy looking Neil and my mother. "Ishani where were you?" Neil asked.