Settling down on the bench (Shwetha had told her it was made of expensive Italian marble) that rimmed a large circular gazebo, Anu handed Pooja a muffin and helped herself to one. That gazebo was so beautiful; the dark black granite flooring, the sloped roof of Mangalore tiles and wooden pillars with carvings holding the roof up. That entire structure sat bang in the middle of a lush green lawn.

‘Aunty, I spoke to Akash, that guy who invited me to the party. And I am joining them today afternoon for a movie.’ Anu saw Pooja that excited for the first time.

‘That is so fantastic, Pooja! Is that why you wanted to go shopping?’ Anu exclaimed.

Pooja bit into her muffin and nodded. ‘Yeah! But they are starting at twelve. So I don’t I have the time to shop. The problem is, all of the girls there dress very differently from me.’ She looked at herself. ‘They wear tiny shorts and tank tops. Not full jeans and round-neck T-shirts like me.’

Anu hummed and hawed and let Pooja continue. The girl had more to pour out. ‘My mother is quite conservative. Also, I grew up in Muscat. So I don’t dress like the others here.’

‘Different is fine,’ Anu packed up the rest of the muffins for Pete. ‘You look great any way.’

‘No way. I am so dorky.’ Pooja sounded convinced about what she said.

‘Let me see.’ Anu gave Pooja a deliberate and slow once over. ‘You stand at five feet seven inches. Slim. Your designer jeans and D&G top fit you like a second skin. You can model for hair and skin at any time of the day. So yeah, you are very dorky.’

Pooja laughed. ‘You are so funny, and you are quite cool for your age.’

Anu smiled at her. ‘Thank you. Next time compliment me without the age bit. Also, Pooja, all our lives, women are told to fit in—fit into a pretty dress, fit into a good-girl group, fit into a family. Instead of sawing your edges off to fit in, search for what fits you

Pooja sighed. ‘That is so true. Thank God for you and Pete!’

They saw Pete jogging towards them. Anu had asked him to join them after half-an-hour. Given how little Pooja talked, that was more than enough time for their girl talk.

‘There goes my jogging,’ Pete sat down and picked up two cupcakes. ‘Go on with your discussions. Don’t mind me.’

Anu turned to Pooja. ‘Here is what you can do. Get your hair and face done by eleven. Then start trying outfits from your super-filled closet. By eleven-forty-five, panic starts hitting you because you are running out of time. That will force you to settle for something comfortable and head out. Your mom will yell at you for messing up the room, but you can handle that after you are back.’