The puppy yet again came back to Anu and so did its possessive owner. Anu tried smiling at the boy, who only frowned. ‘How come that boy isn’t charmed by me?’ Anu asked puzzled. Usually, people warmed up to her when she smiled.

‘Wait till he hits puberty.’

‘I will be too old by then.’ Anu giggled. This was phase two of drinking where they both started talking nonsense and giggled over nothing.

‘How is Sanju?’ Shwetha asked taking a long swig.

‘However he is. I will assess when he is back,’ replied Anu. Somehow, Sameer assuring her that nothing was wrong with Sanju had put her at ease.

‘I think we should stop drinking,’ said Shwetha tentatively.

The problem with buy-one-get-one deals was one always over drank. So did the girls. ‘Got to hit the loo,’ Anu got up.

She felt her stress from having to clean the house melt away. She could now go home to Gilmore Girls. Cleaning could wait till tomorrow. A perfect day so far—Anu smiled contentedly.

As she moved by the poolside to get to the restroom, she saw the puppy follow her wriggling its nonexistent tail. Anu couldn’t resist anymore. She bent down to pet it but the springy creature in its excitement started to climb all over her, finally succeeding to grasp her feet firmly with its paws. Anu shook her leg trying to pry her foot free and the weightless little thing landed straight inside the pool!

Anu gasped—had she killed a little dog? When her breath returned, she squealed for help looking at the puppy struggling to stay afloat when a nearby swimmer set him on the ground. Sighing in relief, Anu tried drying the little moaning bundle. The next thing she knew, someone thudded into her and a moment later she was the one sinking to the bottom of the pool. Anu wiggled and tried crying but the words wouldn’t come out. What had just happened? Was her death going to be in this manner? Vicky! Was she never going to hold her little Vicky again?

Then someone yanked her to her feet. ‘Madam, it is three feet here. Just stand.’

Anu looked at the amused faces gathered around the pool and then at Shwetha who was about to burst out laughing. Anu looked at herself. Her pink bra showing through her white shirt. What was she thinking when she wore it? Her jeans, now soaking up all the water, weighed a ton. How did these things happen only to me? As Sameer often said, I am a disaster magnet! Shwetha gave her a hand to get out of the pool. As Anu stood dripping water around her, a hand that carried a robe came towards her. Jake, aka, Jagannatha! ‘Return it tomorrow.’ The man handed the robe and walked away.

‘How did I land in the pool?’ Anu asked with her head now light inside and heavy outside.