Should I Go?
“Hi Adya,” a familiar voice greets me as I toss a roti on the tawa in one hand and press my phone to my ear with the other.
“Hey Khushi,” I grin, already settling in, determined to make this call last at least an hour. “How is life as a newly married woman?”
“Stop. Not you too! Everyone treats me like that’s all I am—a wife,” she lets out a long sigh. “—Oh wait, you didn’t really mean that, huh? Trying to bait me?”
“Yup.”
“Huh. That’s not going to stop me from ranting though. Do you know the questions I get? How was the first night? How was your honeymoon? Are you leaving your job? Do you do all the housework? Have you thought about having children?” The way she mimics those typical aunties’ voices is insane.
“Ayyo,” I grimace, sitting down with five rotis and aloo sabzi.
“Anyway,” Khushi continues, “I called to check if you’re coming to the reunion this evening? It’s Saturday, so you’ll be free.”
“Yaar, I don’t know if I’m up to it,” I say between mouthfuls.
“Why not? It's a summer weekend. All our friends will be there—Asha, Yasmin, Karun, Naman, Anusha, Shivani, Aya—”
She pauses. Just for a second.
“Ayantika,” she finishes quickly.
I raise an eyebrow. “Who’s Ayantika?”
“Oh—uh, I forgot you don’t know her,” Khushi says, a little too fast. “She left the school the year before you joined as a transfer student.”
“Uh-huh,” I say slowly. “How come I’ve never heard of her?”
“Never really came up, I guess.”
There’s a small pause. Huh. Weird.
“Alright,” I huff, getting bored. “I’ll text you if I change my mind. Give me time till… noon.”
“Fine,” Khushi agrees grudgingly.
