The Ideal NRI Couple mistake

24: Ishani's POV

Talking to Neil was very unsettling. He did not seem his usual self. But then neither was I. And as usual, he did not have a clue as to what was going on. I decided to change and wore a deep red sweater I found in my closet but it was loose. Damn my old clothes, with a huff I threw them all on the floor. I opened my bag and wore a pink tee-shirt with a black leather jacket on top and bell bottom pants. I wore my boots and opened my hair. I needed to look confident even if I was shivering inside. What if his father thought I was not right for Neil.

I picked my MK and added a deep pink lipstick before going out and picking the car keys. I planned on going to the mall and probably meeting Andy too. But then I wanted to be home with my parents too.

"You are wearing this to meet your father in law? Ishani? You realise this looks like something you would wear to meet Neil!," my mom's reaction was explosive and funny. "Maa my old clothes don't fit me, anymore." I replied and she snorted, "the way you are loosing weight you will have to shop from the kids section!" I smiled and waved back.

I met papa ji at an all new and apparently contemporary Indian food place. He selected it and I just sent an okay. I was so not looking forward to the cheese naans and dal makhni makeovers. I mean I was home, I hoped for more chole bhature and chaat than these shiny foods.

I touched his feet and we entered the place together. "You drove?" He asked. I nodded. "Then just one glass of wine for you and a beer for me," he told the waiter. "You decide the food beta ji these flashy places make me a bit uncomfortable." I nodded and mentally replied. Same papa ji same!

After ordering the chicken tikka with foam chutney and a tamarind flavoured mutton seekh. I gulped. My confidence was wavering. I was worried. When the glasses came, I could have drowned it in a go but I couldn't. "So Ishani. Do you like Singapore?" I nodded. "Are you happy with Neil?" He asked and I nodded again. "Beta ji I know things aren't perfect between you two. But I want to help." I looked at him. "How?" I said before realising that my one word just confirmed everything he needed to know. "Ishani I always wanted Neil and you to go out and understand each other before coming and living in a joint family. You both are great as friends but sometimes we need more than just friendship to make a marriage work. In fact being friends means that you two can't really evolve into being partners. And that's what's happening. He treats you like a doll and I know you aren't ready for that treatment." I gulped my wine in a go.

"But papaji his insecurity and tying me to the house is killing me. I learnt cooking for him and I don't even like cooking." I replied. "Aahh I have heard of the biryani," I laughed and told the waiter for a refill of my wine. I laughed till my eyes started tearing up. "I don't make that anymore. Not after I learnt real cooking from mom. That was something I brought from the streets. Heck I did not even know how to make eggs properly," I felt lighter confessing it. And he laughed hard.

"Serves him right. But this shall be our secret. But what will you say at home? Everyone has wants you to make biryani." He said in a hushed tone. "Papa ji your househelp is already gathering ingredients. No one knows the taste of what Neil and I had. So anything would work. Right?" I smiled.

"Ishani there is the topic of you both becoming partners. I want you to start working at my office there too along with Neil. Also I would suggest you both take the honeymoon trip now. God knows Neil's also lost his plot with so much work." I smiled and ate the food. Not that it wasn't good. But damn I wanted my butter chicken and garlic naan. My father in law understood. "I'm paying let's go to Pandara road and have some genuine food." I smiled and we both walked out. His driver brought my car as I took his and over butter chicken he and I bonded as father and daughter.

That's when Neil's message shocked me. I turned the screen to my father in law. "how do I not react when this is what he messages me?" And suddenly he also looked serious. "Rianna doesn't like him I know. But why call her there when I leave?" He nodded his head and replied, "I'll sort out this but you do not react. In fact let me handle it. If you trust me as your father," I smiled and  nodded. As we were parting he said, "Ish beta, stay tonight at ours. We will also get a feel of family. God knows how much we miss you both. Also don't pick Neil's calls."

I went shopping and brought an elegant pastel pink and dark green suit and I brought a cream coloured one with a flashy red dupatta too. Back home I had chai and packed my overnighter and went to my other house to make the food for dinner tonight. Neil would become my Neil soon. The Neil I spent my entire life sitting in the balcony with. But it was his parents who stole the show and for the first time ever. I was happy and sure of Neil and me.