Independence was a rarity in Meenakshi Sundaram's life. Strict, orthodox and conservative upbringing meant that she rarely had the opportunity (or permission) to participate in some of the adventures her friends got up to.
"Come on, it'll be perfect! It's your 25th and we can celebrate, have some fun!"
The suggestion had initially come from her friend Tanvi Singh. "Sure. I'm game. Are you going to be the one talking to Mr. Azhagu Sundaram?" Meenakshi retorted, the irritation clear in her voice. Perhaps she also felt jealous that her friend didn't have to face all the problems that she did - i.e., face the scary Adam's family.
"Axe, man up." Axe was a name Tanvi had come up with. Meenakshi would have preferred Ace or something cooler, but, there was little one could do to change Tanvi's mind once it was set.
"I was asking you to do the same."
"Uncle loves me. I don't want to use that trump card on something this small. What if you had to marry a Punjabi? Wouldn't you rather I save it up for that?"
Meenakshi scoffed, though her eyes filled with mirth at the prospect.
"Planning to set me up with your weirdo brother, Vi?"
Tanvi aka Vi frowned. The nick "Vi" was intended to get back at Tanvi for refusing to call Meenakshi by her full name (or at least stop calling her "Axe"), but that ploy had backfired since Tanvi grew to love the name. "Hey! You could do a lot worse."
To the world, Tanvi and Meenakshi's friendship didn't make much sense. While Meenakshi was a stickler for rules and every bit of goody two shoed her parents expected her to be, Tanvi was outspoken, spoilt and didn't really value authority figures. Even their appearance was a contrast - while Meenakshi was dusky, petite with expressive large eyes and long dark curls, Tanvi was curvy, tall, fair and had mid length brown hair, accentuated by burgundy highlights, all of which completed her brazen look.
"Ok, seriously though. I don't think my parents are going to go for it."
"Sell the story, babe. Make it strong. Woo them."
"Wow. That's some amazing pep talk. Only problem though - DOESN'T HELP ME!"
Tanvi sighed and plopped herself on the bed ("At least remove your shoes, Vi! I sleep on that bed, you know!" followed by "Ugh!"). Meenakshi continued to pace the lengths of her bedroom. This was supposed to be a prep session before Meenakshi would face the music. Tanvi's eyes followed her as she walked back and forth almost like watching a tennis rally, albeit a frustrating one.
"For the love of God, Axe! Just lie! No harm no foul and everyone's happy. Works for me every time."
"You're on a roll, aren't you? Just full of absolutely USELESS ideas. Do you not know me at all? I can't lie."
Tanvi let out a low growl and a set of profanities under her breath.
"I heard that!"
"Intended you to hear em, babe." Vi sat up, her cat like eyes steely. "Look, can we just go? I think one of my hair turned grey watching you do this tense ramp walk."
"Easy for you to say. Your parents don't give you a hard time."
"Well, it helps that I have an older brother with tattoos and piercings. Makes me look like an angel in comparison."
Meenakshi snorted since 'angel' would probably be the last word anyone would use to describe Tanvi. Maybe if it was the only word in the dictionary? No, Meenakshi decided, not even then.
"Okay. You're right. Time for some action." Meenakshi hesitated. "You'll help?"
"I'm with you, chica."
Nodding, Meenakshi walked towards the door filled with a mixture of determination and trepidation. Her bedroom door opened to a large hall - a large empty hall. The only sound came from the kitchen - someone was playing shlokas (chanting) and singing along - it was Meenakshi's mother.
Theirs was a spacious three bedroom home, tastefully designed (thanks to the architect her dad decided to trust). As the years passed, the extra space had been filled with a clutter of furniture and items. The classy feel had numbed but, it was still home.
Meenakshi wasn't able to spot her father and had come to a stop. Vi, who was blindly following her, almost crashed into her.
"Sorry. He's not here."
"He definitely was here when I came in," Tanvi whispered.
"Too bad. Maybe God's way of asking me to put this off for a bit?" Meenakshi said trying to look disappointed though the relief in her eyes was clear.
"You wuss! Find out where he is." Tanvi hissed. Meenakshi glared and was about to respond to her when her mother spoke, her tone a tad sharp. It startled the girls a little bit since neither of them had noticed Meenakshi's mother walk over.
"Are you going out? I made lunch."
"No, ma. I was actually looking for Appa (dad)."
Meenakshi's mother was severe looking with sharp features which could have made her look pretty if not for the seriousness on her face. She was clad in her usual cotton saree, with a prominent round maroon bindi on her forehead. Her hair was neatly combed and plaited - not a hair out of place. The news that her daughter wasn't going out softened her expression.
"Appa just stepped out to buy some groceries. What did you want him for? If you need to buy something, give him a call. He's carrying his cellphone."
"She's out of sanitary pads." Vi piped in and Meenakshi wanted to crush her friend's feet - she would have succeeded too if not for their long standing friendship which ensured that Tanvi anticipated the blow and neatly stepped away. The look Vi wore on her face was one of innocence and worry for her friend's dilemma.
"Are you on your period?" It seemed to stress Meena's mother. "Tomorrow is Ganesh Chaturthi (Indian religious festival) and I really could have used some help. You stay clear of the kitchen, yeah?"
Meenakshi was grateful that her mother had not caught on the subtle dig of her friend - it would have been a lovely conversation if her mother had understood that Tanvi was hinting that her dad should buy her sanitary pads. Such things were unheard of in the Sundaram family house! You see why their friendship made no sense? Tanvi was a trouble monger.
"Ille (no), ma. I just remembered that I need to restock." No point in trying to now claim that what she had initially intended to speak was completely different from the conversation they were currently having. Meenakshi shot a glare in Vi's direction who was pointedly looking away.
"Oh," relief and then, "well, go and be back soon then!" annoyance had returned. "Take Tanvi with you and carry that jute bag! Don't take some transparent plastic cover." Meenakshi nodded obediently as her mother walked away muttering about hooligans all over the city and the need to be discreet in these matters.
When they were safely back in Meenakshi's room, Tanvi burst out laughing.
"How did that really help anybody, Vi?" But there was no point. Vi was doubled over and clutching her stomach. "Why is this so amusing to you?" There was exasperation in Meenakshi's question but it was hard to keep the annoyance at bay when Tanvi laughed. She had the most infectious laughter and, try as much as she did, Meenakshi couldn't stop the smile that played on her lips.
"Vi.." Meenakshi said warningly when Tanvi's laughter lasted longer than a minute.
"Sorry, sorry. I just couldn't help but imagine your father asking for size L Whisper Ultra (a popular sanitary brand) with wings at the medical store."
Meenakshi snorted. "Hell would freeze sooner. Woman, you really gotta reel it in. The rest of the Sundaram folks are not to be toyed with. I expected support from you when you said 'I'm with you, babe'"
"It was 'chica' actually."
"Huh?"
Vi was fighting it but a grin was pushing through as she replied: "I said I'm with you 'chica' not 'babe'"
"Right." Meenakshi gave up and slumped against the study chair. "This is hopeless. What was I thinking?" She began to shrug and nod after a few seconds, acceptance of defeat clear in her demeanor. "It's fine. I don't need a fun 25th birthday. I can just stay here and maybe go to a temple. That could still be fun."
"Isn't that what you've been doing for the last two decades?"
"Longer than two decades," mumbled Meenakshi.
Tanvi looked critical of her friend. "You're not serious, are you? Because, fattu (coward), that's just bollocks. You haven't even spoken to your dad." Meenakshi threw a dirty and accusatory look in Tanvi's direction. "Fine, fine. I'll behave and I am 100% on your side from here on out. But, come on, it was just a harmless joke."
Meenakshi rolled her eyes. "You're testing my resolve not to strangle you."
"Is my quota for the day over?"
Meenakshi grinned. "Yes."
Vi crossed her heart with a solemn look. "Understood and will be on my best behaviour."
----
Meenakshi's father returned shortly after and Tanvi all but shoved her out of the room when the front door opened. Mr. Azhagu Sundaram had just entered the house and had promptly marched to the washroom to clean his hands and feet - corona virus had nothing on the Sundaram family. During covid, the family had followed every protocol set (and maybe ones that weren't set!). But, we digress.
When Mr. Sundaram met a nervous looking Meenakshi in the hallway, he paused. He was dusky skinned with slightly pockmarked face and a very prominent nose. As per usual, he was dressed in a light blue checkered shirt (neatly pressed) and veshti (dhoti). His spectacles hung low on his large nose and as he peered in their direction, his hands automatically went behind his back. Mr. Sundaram was a retired Headmaster and right then he looked every bit like a strict headmaster. Meenakshi gulped and opened her mouth to speak, but, her father addressed Tanvi instead letting Meenakshi stew a little longer.
"Hello, Tanvi. How are you?"
"Hi, uncle. All great. Meenakshi was just coming to see you about something."
Tanvi's nudge wasn't necessary and while it temporarily irked Meenakshi, her emotions quickly went back to nervousness as Mr. Sundaram's attention returned to Meenakshi.
"Yes?"
"I-I wanted to talk to you about something, Appa."
Mr. Sundaram looked back at Tanvi once more (who smiled brightly - the traitor!) before his eyes settled on his daughter. She knew he wouldn't look away now and she had his full attention.
There was no outward aggression or anger in Mr. Sundaram's face, yet Meenakshi was terrified.
"Go on, Meena."
"My birthday's coming up, Appa."
"Ok. Do you want to buy something for yourself and need the money?"
He sounded calm and almost reasonable. Tanvi was probably already feeling proud of herself.
"No. I actually wanted your permission to go on a trip with my friends."
Silence.
"You know I'll now be twenty five, Appa. I just thought I could do something different. Only if you're okay."
Still no reply.
"Uncle, I will be there with Meenakshi the whole time." It was meant to be reassuring but Meenakshi wasn't sure her parents had the best opinion about Tanvi.
"You don't think it's ok? I don't need to go. It's completely fine." She felt scorching pain in her arm where Tanvi had surreptitiously pinched her. Tears of pain flooded her eyes and Meenakshi had to blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay. She hoped her father didn't misconstrue it to be tears from not having gotten the permission - he would not like that! Tears always angered her father.
"How many of you are going?"
It was Meenakshi's turn to be silent now - more from shock at the fact that her father was even considering this.
"Wh-what?"
"I will need their names and the contact details. I will also need details of their parents so we are able to contact them if required."
"So.. you're ok with me going?"
Mr. Sundaram smiled and it made him appear handsome. "Of course, kanna (dear). It's not an unreasonable request. As parents, we worry but I think you've earned it. Have fun."
"Thanks, Appa."
And before Mr. Sundaram could rethink or change his mind, the girls scampered. They also definitely didn't want to be around to listen him relay the message to his wife (whose disapproval they would hear over the next few days!)
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