Ma was sitting in the living room, watching TV. Lunch had been a chaotic affair with both Aunty V and Nani trying to force Ma to eat what they had cooked.

‘He wanted to discuss something,’ I said as I tightened the laces on my sneakers. I snuck out before Nani could give me knowing looks or the third degree.

When my auto reached the restaurant where Raghu was interning, I looked around nervously. It was a single-storied structure that looked like a bungalow in a posh lane.

There was a young man outside, standing at a desk, guiding people and checking their reservations. There were not too many people as lunchtime was nearly over.

I tried to march inside but he stopped me. ‘Lunch hours are over,’ he informed me.

I felt my face flush. ‘ I’m here to meet Raghu,’ I said.

He frowned.

‘He works in the kitchen,’ I added quickly.

Understanding dawned. ‘If he’s in the kitchen, he won’t be free for another half hour at least,’ the man said.

Shit. I was really early. I could text him and tell him I was here already but I didn’t want to hurry him up. Let him finish whatever it was he had to do.

‘Can I wait for him inside, please?’ I asked.

The man hesitated, but then nodded.

The darkened interiors of the restaurant smelt so good. The many different aromas floating around here clawed at my stomach. I found a low settee to sit on near the entrance.

Most of the people were finishing and leaving. I pulled out my phone and played a game.

One of the waiters asked me courteously if he could help me. He was tall and well-built and quite cute even though he didn’t seem much older than Raghu.

I looked up at him self-consciously. ‘I . . . um, I’m here for Raghu.’

‘I’ll tell him you’re here,’ he said and wandered off to a door at the end of the corridor to one side.

Because the restaurant was nearly empty and quiet, and the volume of the music had been lowered, I heard him loud and clear as he called out:

‘Raghu, some fat chick’s here to meet you.’

36

I was twelve all over again.

I sat frozen on that settee for the barest of moments and then I sprang up. My heart was pounding painfully as I walked towards the door.

I heard Raghu call out my name and I turned around. The waiter I had spoken to sauntered out after him, smirking.

Maybe it was because of the look on his face, I decided not to run away. I was going to stand my ground, I thought, and glared at him.

‘Hey! I thought we weren’t meeting for another half an hour?’ Raghu said, a little anxiously.

The waiter came up and put an arm around Raghu’s shoulder.