Aadi was on the steps of the temple watching his mother greet the other aunties. How is it that whenever they meet, they act like they haven't seen each other for ages?
"Hi Shusmita, how is it going? Everything okay at home? Aadi beta just got his results na? How was it?"
"Give me a minute Mera. I will answer one by one. By the way, Aadi qualified JEE exam!!! Everyone in the house is so happy that we don't need to see him being useless at home for the next four years."
Aadi raised an eyebrow at his mother but she did not bait an eye to her son and continued:
"Aadi's dad is grumpy as always but he seems busy just glued to the computer at home all day. Ishika is still busy with her college, her end sem exams are coming up so she seems to go out to study with her study group friends"
Aadi scoffed at the mention of his sister. He knew very well that she was concentrating on her crush rather than her studies.
'I still remember how she kicked me out of the room once when her crush gave her a call regarding an assignment. What was so good about him anyway? I bet Avi, or whatever his name is, is just thinking about the dance club girls in her college. I wouldn't blame him though, my sister doesn't have anything that knows the A of attractive'
"Today we came to Krishna Ji's temple to pray for Aadi's future. I just hope everything goes well and he gets a good job after graduating. How is Esha doing? I heard she also gave the JEE Mains exam? I thought she wanted to be a doctor."
"She had the plan to be a doctor but I don't know why she switched to try to become an engineer. Something about not liking seeing open bodies and fear of blood. Matlab (1), we could have a doctor in our house but she just one day says she doesn't want to anymore."
As soon as Aadi heard the name, he started combing his hair using his phone as a camera and then started looking around. Ishika looks at her brother with a side-eye. After a while, she pokes his shoulder.
"What is it?"
"She is there, in front of Bhagvan Ji?"
"You didn't need to point it out. I already found her."
"I aldredy phaound hed", said Ishika while she made a face at her brother.
Aadi ignored her and started climbing the stairs but Mera stopped him.
"Aree Aadi Beta. Where are you going? Not going to greet your aunties at all?"
"Hello, Aunty! I am doing good. I was just wondering how you got that glow!"
"No no, it's nothing much, just staying at home a lot and trying out different skin products."
"Really which ones are you trying out now?"
"Hmmm, I am currently trying out..."
Leaving his mom and other aunties to talk among themselves, Aadi headed up the stairs towards Esha.
She was wearing a light yellow color kurti with light blue bell-bottom jeans. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she was standing in front of the pujari. She had her up in a messy bun and a few stands of her hair caressing her face ever so slightly with the wind.
Aadi coughed a little, took a little sprits for his mouth freshener, and stood beside Esha. He started praying in front of Bhagwan Ji while sending furtive looks towards Esha. On seeing this the pandit gave him a stern look to which Aadi started praying seriously, or at least he pretended to. But after a while, he couldn't start looking at her again.
"Stop looking at me and pray that you get a good college."
Aadi froze up for a second and closed his eyes again. After hesitating a little Aadi asked:
"How did you know?"
"The coaching institute was asking for our results and gave us a list of people who qualified"
"Oh."
"Which college do you want to go?"
"I am not sure"
"Good for you. At least your parents will give good choices for you"
"How is that good"
"You don't have any passion driving you now. You can do whatever you want. Unlike me, your life has something to look forward to."
"What do you mean? Didn't you just change your parent's minds about becoming a doctor?"
"We are not talking that much at home"
"Oh."
An awkward silence filled between both of them. After a while, the pandit gave out charnamrit to both of them. (2) Once they drank it, they turned around and started walking back toward the crowd of aunties. Trying to get rid of the awkward atmosphere, Aadi tried to start a conversation again.
"So how did your exam go?"
"So so, I got an average rank. My parents most probably will try to choose a college in the same town."
"Where do you want to study?"
"Somewhere outside this place. It's too suffocating here."
"I see"
"Let me know which college you choose in the end"
"Sure"
Just like that, Esha walked forward without looking back. Aadi stood still in place while he went over their conversation over and over again. He could his heart beating fast while he had a few beads of sweat striking down from the back of his neck. He rarely talked to Esha despite their parents being close to each other since childhood. He was feeling elated that he got a chance to talk to her again but at the same time was troubled about her situation. He wanted to help but didn't know how.
At that moment his sister wrapped her arm around his neck, almost choking him.
"Let go Let go Let go!!! cough"
"How was your short date?"
"It wasn't even a date. I just made her feel bad about herself"
"What did you say? Did you comment on her figure?"
"cough! cough!! LET GO DAMN IT"
Oh hearing the commotion, everyone stared at the sibling duo. Ishika immediately let go of Aadi and he in turn wrapped his hands around her shoulder.
"Aadi, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine ma. Carry one with our beautiful aunties"
Giving both of them a look, Shusmita turned around and started conversing with her friends again. After making sure no one looked at them, Aadi pushed Ishika away and said:
"I didn't say anything, just asked her about how her exam went."
"Did she not pass the cutoff?"
"No, it's just that her parents are not happy with her suddenly choosing to do engineering."
"Ah ok. Understood."
"What did you understand?"
"You will not understand. And didn't make plans to meet your friends?"
"Oh shit, yes"
Aadi started running out to which his mom asked:
"Where are you going?"
"Meeting my friends"
"Come back early!"
"OKAY!!!"
With that, Aadi was out of sight. Shusmita gave a heavy sigh when she saw her son run out.
"Sometimes I wonder how he got to know those friends of his"
"Let it be na, this is the time to have fun."
"I just hope this sort of fun doesn't land him in trouble. I wish I had a child-like Esha, never getting herself in trouble and always listening to others"
"Whats wrong with me ma?"
"Get a good CGPA and then talk about yourself"
Ishika gave her mom a pout walked towards Esha and linked their arms with each other.
"I think Ishika is amazing in her way."
"That's very kind of you Esha."
Mera gave her daughter a look and returned to be all smiles with her friends.
-----
On his way to meet his friends, Aadi checked the location shared with him once again and scratched his head.
'Isn't this place a bit iffy?'
He thought for a moment and gave the number saved a 'nashedi' a call.
"Hey, Navneet! Where is this place? Why did you choose this area of all places to celebrate?"
[Aree, don't worry. Mast jaga hai!] (3)
"We are not going to drink are we?"
[Maybe or Maybe not]
"You know I can't return home in a drunk state."
[Its fineeee. We will have only a few drinks and sober up by the time we reach home.]
"If you say so.... Anyone else joining us?"
[You know Kiran?]
"The four eyes?"
[Yeah. It seems he also passed. He and his group are also coming.]
"Tsk. Acha, fine. Let's just focus on having fun."
[That's the spirit. What's your ETA?]
"It will take at least 30 mins to reach the spot. Start ordering without me"
[Okay, come fast]
Aadi cut the call and looked at the scenery outside the metro. He didn't like the place he was heading to since many gangs live in that place. But at the same time, he cannot deny that most clubs are concentrated in that place. Aadi sent a message to mom saying that he will be a little late and let out a sigh.
'Lets hope nothing goes wrong this time.'