Tewari & Sons, 23, Chandni Chowk

Chapter 12: Hide & Seek

Payal looked around as the guests had just begin to come in. It was half past seven so not too many people had arrived. She complimented Shruti from the event company on the arrangements. The place was colourful as was fitting for this festival and yet at the same time it was not garish. Which was exactly what Payal's brief to Shruti was, fun, yet elegant. Truth be told, Payal absolutely loathed this rowdy festival, but it was always a good idea for people to loosen up and she had to agree that Holi fitted the bill perfectly. Plus, this year the festival was even more important because of all the divisive factions within the ranks of the INP and the brewing conflict. Before the elections, this was the final chance to consolidate things by bringing people together. The accident that she and her dad had been in had helped to garner some sympathy within the party, which is why all the warring sub-groups had decided to put their differences aside and make an appearance. But the Holi party was also about getting together the New Horizons Class of 2004. She stifled a giggle at this thought. Who would have imagined that she Payal would be the one who would try to engineer this reunion.

Which brought her to big trouble of the day at hand. But before that, there was another problem - Raghu Singhal.

"Raghu, what is the problem now?"

"Madam, venue bahut chota hai."

Payal had deliberately convinced her dad and Shruti that the party should be at their home and not a farmhouse or venue. For one, it made the place accessible for everyone. And more importantly, it also meant that they could all run back into the house should they need a break. She knew that she would need to take a break from the party. Or like if her dad got tired of socialising, he could even go in and take a quick power nap.

The home party idea was also very convenient for people like Arnav. He had been the first to arrive, as early as six in the morning, with a laptop in tow. He had a video call with a client in the US which he could not reschedule. He had taken a pinch of gulaal between his thumb and index finger and carefully placed a dot on her forehead and had said rather earnestly, "Happy Holi, Payal. What is your wifi password?"

Though she wanted to warn him about the impending storm that might come their way, she could not bring herself to. With a little bit of effort, this might not even be a real problem to worry herself about. She intended to make sure nothing untoward happened. Which is why she needed to get rid of Raghu Singhal right away and escape his constant whining and the I-told-you-so face of his.

"We have put a shamiana in the front too, Raghu, I think it will be okay. Plus, people won't stay for long, they will keep circulating. Can you please go with Shruti and check if the food and thandhai arrangements are adequate. Space is not a problem, but we should not run out of food."

Once she got rid of a reluctant Raghu Singhal, she decided that it was time to tackle the other, but bigger problem at hand - Poonam Raizada. She needed to find NK to help her. As more guests had filled up the place, it was difficult to spot NK. She finally found him, inside the house, explaining to Sonu, their house help something.

"NK, what are you doing here?"

"Hey Payal, do you know there is no bhaang in the party. I am trying to persuade Sonu to source some, but he is unhelpful. If he were half as a resourceful as Hari Prakash, he would have been more useful."

"Shut up, NK. Sonu is wonderful, don't mock him."

She then got rid of Sonu asking him to go and check on the water supply outside, so that guests would be able to wash up if needed.

"Wow! That is the nicest thing you may have said about anyone. Why not marry Sonu?"

"Shut up, NK. I need a favour from you. There has been a problem."