With You

Harvested Dystopia

Before I could further our conversation, Viraj is already way ahead in the line. I try and squeeze myself amidst the crowd of passengers but these restless aunties and potbellied uncles cannot accommodate my tiny frame. He does not have any luggage with him, and I have to collect mine from the belt. The visiting card is still in my hand, slightly crumpled. I stare at it. His phone number tempts me to call him, but I hesitate. I slip in the visiting card into my back pocket and get going. My parents are fast asleep by the time I reach home. It is almost 2 in the morning, and I cannot expect them to welcome me. The living room is pitch black and I have to turn on the flashlight on my phone.

"How did you get so late?" my mother is in the living room, tying her hair into a bun.

"My luggage was delayed, and the cab guy took the long route. You did not sleep yet? you have to wake up in three hours," I say, jokingly.

"Your poor sense of humor has stopped making me laugh long ago. Go and get some sleep. You have to wake up early too. Don't forget the pooja tomorrow," she heads back to her bedroom.

"What pooja?" Why did she never tell me about this pooja?

"The housewarming pooja at Rashi aunty's house. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, that. Okay. I have to talk to you about something tomorrow as well. Good night. I love you"

She is already inside her bedroom. I feel the air from her air conditioner soothe my feet.

"I love you. Don't stay up," she reminds me and closes the door behind her. I have two things to talk to my mother about. One is about Karthik. My mother almost never goes wrong about judging my friends. So, should I talk to her about Karthik? should I tell her that I love him? and what about the fact that I am not a virgin anymore? how will she take it? and the next thing is about me moving out. I have been wanting to ask her about moving out for a long time now. I think tomorrow will be the best time. I need to get some sleep and prepare myself for tomorrow, for, there will be a lot of drama. Rashi aunty's house is way beyond my imagination. My mother and aunty have been friends for over two decades now, and there is almost no secret between the two of them. Rashi aunty supports me almost every time my mother and I have an argument. The house warming pooja goes on forever. In the meanwhile, I try to call Karthik, but he does not answer. It only redirects to his voice mail.

"Hi this is Karthik and I am on a vacation. If you are jealous and want to rant about it, please leave a message after the beep," I am sick of listening to this repeatedly over and over again. But I at least get to hear his voice.

"Oh, Anu. How have you been? have you put on some weight?" what is wrong with people of today? all they care about is how fat I am or how short I am or how many pimples have I developed since they last saw me. It is Rashi aunty's sister, Meenal. She always worries about what she looks like, and this is not the first time that she asks me this question.

"Hello aunty, how are you? I have, actually. My boyfriend takes me out on dinners all the time," did that shut her mouth or not? I get a death stare from my mother. But I stick my tongue out, lowering her BP to normalcy. I have got to confess very soon. A few hours after lunch, all the guests leave Rashi aunty's house. The empty house feels a hundred times bigger and brighter than what it already is. I sit my mother and Rashi aunty down in the master bedroom. The air conditioner is set to a perfect temperature, and I give them both desserts to eat.

"So, guys, I have something to tell you," my voice is calming, slow, and my words are clearer than ever.

"Is it about your boyfriend, Karthik?" my mother asks. My eyes widen in anticipation. How the fuck did she come to know of this? I did try my best to keep it a secret, haven't I?