Just the Way You Are Read Free

So get whatever you like for him; he will never say no to you.’
    ‘Where is he anyway? I couldn’t talk to him properly. He was quite angry over my decision in the morning. I tried soothing him down but he just rushed out of the room, looking worried and angry. I couldn’t even tell him what going to this company means to me. Bhaiya told me ...’
    ‘Don’t talk about him. You know, last night at the wedding, he spilled dal on his brand-new suit
again
, right in the front. And with the dal all over the front of his suit, he was roaming around meeting people and dancing. I am really tired of this man. Explain something to him when you talk to him. He is seventy years old and does things like a child.’ She had loved him for too long to not complain of the same things again and again. I knew she loved him for these little things only. She would have been disappointed if he had not spilled something on his clothes.
    ‘Mom, did Dad dance?’ I chuckled, trying to recall when that had happened.
    ‘Oh yes! He was on Cloud Nine. And he ate as if he wouldn’t ever get food after this. Now he has settled in the bathroom since morning. There are so many people around and all he can do is stay in the bathroom. I am sure as and when people wake up, they will break the door down to relieve themselves,’ she sniggered.
    I started laughing. This was the woman who had borne everything with a smile to give us a good life, and I was happy she was content now. While I was still imagining the bathroom door being banged by some relative, she hopped on to another topic.
    ‘Beta, listen! Now that you are going to videsh, can you please get me a leather handbag, like the one that Shalini aunty has? She told me her brother bought that bag from Amreeka. But you are going ... where are you going? Oh haan, what should I tell the relatives?’
    ‘It’s Switzerland. And no need to boast about this to anyone.’
    ‘Why not? They show off every time they buy anything. My beta is going to phoren and I should not show off? No way!’
    ‘Mom ...’
    ‘What? You never allow me to do anything.’
    ‘Mom ... Okay, do what makes you happy. And don’t worry, I will bring four handbags for you. By the way, who’s Shalini aunty?’
    ‘You know Shalini aunty, Sharma ji’s wife. That fat lady?’
    ‘No idea.’
    ‘How can you not have an idea? You have even met her twice. Remember when she had made laddoos when her daughter got a job in Bangalore and she came over to make me feel jealous? And the other time when ...’
    ‘Mom ... how does it matter?’
    ‘Haan, that too!’
    ‘I will bring handbags of my choice. And I know you will like all of them.’
    ‘But you are not going to Amreeka. Will you get it from wherever you are going?’
    ‘Yes, my dear Mom. I will get them from Amreeka if you want them only from there. Don’t worry! You take care of yourself and Dad. I will disconnect for now; the announcement will be made any moment.’
    ‘Listen, listen! You asked for everyone. What about Shagun?’
    ‘Oh, what does she want?’
    ‘Huh, she is your wife. You should know about it more than me. And someone was mentioning this morning that she was your girlfriend before you got married. Then I am sure you know it better than me ...’
    ‘Okay, I will see on my own. Is she sleeping? She was awake when I left, I had asked her to take rest.’
    ‘Yes yes, I also asked her to sleep. Nobody will disturb her till she wants to get up, don’t worry! But tell me, was she really your girlfriend before marriage? You never told us.’ Then, as if she had remembered something suddenly, she said, ‘Now I know who you spoke to all night over the phone!’
    ‘Mom,’ I said, ignoring her, ‘I am being called, I am going. Bye for now. And one more thing, my phone will be switched off for long; it’s a very long flight and I will call you tomorrow after reaching Bern.’
    ‘What burnt? Didn’t you just tell me you are going to Swizzarland? Then