Meenakshi was on the edge as she waited for Tanvi. It was not surprising that Tanvi was running late - she sure knew how to pick her moments. What Meenakshi couldn't understand was Tej's insistence on wanting to speak to both of them. Meenakshi would have been more than happy for Tanvi to be the point person on this topic!
Deep down, Meenakshi had a nagging suspicion that it was Tanvi (not Tej) who had added the clause about wanting to speak to the two of them. After all, Tanvi had let Meenakshi do the talking the previous day - clearly, she didn't want to handle her brother alone.
It was frustrating. Despite asking various probing questions the previous night, Tanvi's answer had remained the same - she didn't know what her brother wanted from them.
"Probably just wants to gloat and glorify his importance."
That had been the most (un)helpful response Meenakshi had gotten.
"Enna aachu (what happened)? Why do you look so stressed?"
Mrs. Sundaram had managed to watch Meenakshi's tense pacing without any questions for a full five minutes (though it had felt like an eternity).
"Nothing. Just annoyed that Tanvi is running late."
"It's a weekend. Let her be."
Meenakshi scowled. "I come home five minutes late and you give me a lecture, Amma."
Meenakshi's mother did not appreciate the biting tone. "Meena.."
"Sorry."
With a sigh, Meenakshi sat down. She could feel her mother's eyes burning into the back of her skull.
"I wanted to ask you.." Mrs. Sundaram's start of the question seemed casual, nonchalant, but, Meenakshi knew better, "Did Tanvi manage to speak to her brother?"
And there it was - the question her mother had been itching to ask her since the previous evening. "Yes. He is trying to see how to manage his schedule."
"I see."
Meenakshi turned to look at her mother. "Amma, are you ok with her brother coming with us?"
Mrs. Sundaram looked addled. "Your father seemed to think that it was a good decision to not leave the two of you alone in an unknown location."
Meenakshi waited. She knew there was more but, she didn't want to seem pushy. Baby steps. Momentary silence filled the room. For the first time that day, Meenakshi was glad that Tanvi hadn't arrived. Her mother tended to bottle up her true feelings and they manifested as last minute angry outbursts (which left people confused).
"It's just that we don't know the boy, kanna. To be honest, I am not so sure about sending you with Tanvi. She's a little reckless, no?"
"Hi, aunty."
Lo and behold. Tanvi Singh had arrived and Mrs. Sundaram blanched at the unexpected entry.
"I was talking about a different Tanvi, dear."
Meenakshi was sure Tanvi had no doubt about who they were talking about but, thankfully, she played along.
"Good things, I hope, aunty. My namesake, afterall." Tanvi beamed and Mrs. Sundaram looked uncomfortable. "Yes, yes," she hurriedly replied, glad that she didn't need to explain any further.
"I will be back before evening, Amma."
Mrs. Sundaram was more than happy to let them leave. Meenakshi was sure that if she had a ridiculous request just then, her mother would have been willing to comply. The women in the Sundaram family didn't like conflicts and awkward situations. Meenakshi was worried that her mother hadn't been able to speak her mind. Was she not going to be okay with this trip?
Tanvi said her good-bye and walked alongside Meenakshi. A pleasant smile was plastered on her face and Meenakshi wondered if her mother's words had angered her.
"Little reckless?" Tanvi spoke finally.
"Look - don't take offense. You know how my mother is." There was a note of apology and pleading in Meenakshi words.
"Of course I took offence! I'm ridiculously reckless. 'Little' is insulting!"
Meenakshi had started to apologise some more but stopped as Tanvi's words finally sunk in. "Wait, what? You're not angry?"
Tanvi rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Didn't you hear me just now? I feel insulted!"
Meenakshi cracked a smile. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure I pass the feedback on."
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that." Tanvi said loftily.
"Tu bandar hai (You're a monkey)."
"Now that is true for all of us. Evolution, baby."
"Unfortunately, the rest of us have evolved. You, on the other hand," Meenakshi looked at Tanvi square in the eyes with a broad grin. "Not so much."
Tanvi rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. It was then that Meenakshi was reminded of where they were off to and the anxiousness from before returned. Was her brother going to call her out on the snooping? That seemed like a remote possibility, but, what if? Yes, that was the part that made Meenakshi the most anxious.
"Tanvi.. I need to tell you something." Meenakshi said haltingly.
"Uh-oh. Sounds like you're about to confess."
"Sort of." And Meenakshi proceeded to
tell Tanvi the full story of the meeting with her brother - this time, she included all the gory details. While they had been friends for long, Tanvi was a very private person who did not appreciate people poking their noses in her affairs. Because of this reason, what she said next was unexpected.
"So? What's the big deal? Not like I haven't done something like that before." More surprising was the slight relief that gleaned on Tanvi's face on Meenakshi's admission.
Somewhere in her brain, a jigsaw puzzle clicked into place. "What have you done?" Meenakshi asked suspiciously.
"Ok.. don't be mad and remember how cool I was about you invading my privacy and personal space."
"Right."
"I might have read your emails a few times."
Meenakshi blinked. "My emails?"
Tanvi looked a little embarrassed. "Yes. Remember that pen pal you had a big crush on?"
Meenakshi frowned as her brain worked feverishly to catch up and then her eyes widened. "The guy from the US? Michael?" It wasn't too long ago, so it was easier to remember.
Tanvi nodded sheepishly. "I used to love reading your correspondence with him. You were so eloquent and maybe a tad cheesy and I enjoyed it like my mum enjoys Mills and Boons novels."
Meenakshi blushed crimson. "How-how could you! That's.. that's a serious violation of my privacy."
"So is snooping in my bathroom."
"That's on a different league all together!"
"It's all the same and falls into the 'breach of privacy' category."
Meenakshi was fuming, too angry to respond. Tanvi had the wisdom to keep mum and let the dust settle. In silence, they once again embarked on the journey to Tanvi's house. The row with Tanvi had abated Meenakshi's discomfort (as had the confession). But, she felt embarrassed at the fact that Tanvi had read such intimate letters (the only romance in Meenakshi's almost 25 years of existence).
-----
Tej wasn't home when they arrived. It was a little anticlimactic for Meenakshi, who was expecting to dive right into the topic and get it over with.
"He says he'll be home in fifteen minutes."
Meenakshi nodded. "We can hang out in the hall or go up to my room."
Meenakshi shrugged indifferently. Tanvi was watching Meenakshi carefully, as if expecting her to rehash the topic from earlier. The tension between them had cooled off during the drive home but things weren't cordial yet.
"Hall it is. I'll get us something to drink." Tanvi said cheerfully. Meenakshi knew that Tanvi was good at handling problems and was cool headed in a personal crisis (unlike Meenakshi, who would fumble, flee or meekly give in). While she had admired the grit in the past, it made her feel resentful just then. She wished Tanvi would at least be a little flustered.
Tanvi placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of Meenakshi. The fact that she used a coaster surprised Meenakshi.
"You're being proper. That's not you."
"I've always been proper and lady like. Thank you very much."
"Is this your plot to make me talk to you?"
Tanvi looked innocent. "I think you give me way more credit than I deserve."
Meenakshi shrewdly studied her friend, trying to detect any trace of deception. Finally, she rolled her eyes and looked away. It didn't matter. Meenakashi knew she couldn't stay mad with Tanvi for long. Tanvi was her oldest friend and part of Meenakshi was already fighting in Tanvi's defence. How infuriating when one's own mind couldn't stay on course?
Tanvi misunderstood Meenakshi's silence as anger. "Don't be like that. You used to tell me all about him anyway. I'm not saying what I did was OK, but please don't be upset for too long."
Meenakshi scowled in response and crossed her arms across her chest. It was just the embarrassment that remained and Meenakshi wished she could escape into the quiet solace of her room.
"You could become one of those 'Letter to Juliet' sort of person."
"I thought you said Mills and Boons."
"I also said eloquent."
"You also said cheesy."
"OK. I think I'm only making the situation worse. I'll shut up now."
Meenakshi would have liked to argue some more and was disappointed. She had the urge to pick a fight with Tanvi - not a very serious one, of course, but just enough to forget the embarrassment she felt.
As a spell of silence was invoked, they busied themselves in drinking their respective beverages. Tanvi was lost in her phone - she was grinning looking at something and Meenakshi pursed her lips. The silence bothered Meenakshi and despite knowing that giving up so easy wasn't helping her stand, she spoke.
"Where's your brother?"
Tanvi looked up and the smile on her face died down. Why did that make Meenakshi uncomfortable? She had just wanted to pick a fight.
Pick a side, woman!
"Um. Let me check."
"No need. I'm right here." As if he had magicked to the spot, Tej stood in the hallway. He was clad in casuals and jeans and his hair was wind swept. Like Tanvi, he was extremely good looking. Meenakshi immediately lowered her eyes.
"Sorry about that. I was expecting you about an hour ago and when you didn't show, I decided to get other things done. Hope you haven't been waiting too long." There was a bite in his voice, which Meenakshi noted was directed towards Tanvi. His smile was warm when he faced Meenakshi.
"Of course, we have!" Tanvi said indignant while Meenakshi mumbled "No, it's ok."
"Well, I'm glad it bothers you. Waiting isn't fun, is it, sis?"
"I got held up with something else."
"So did I."
Meenakshi cleared her throat catching both their attention. Tej's anger seemed to diminish as he directed his attention to Meenakshi. "So sorry. I know this wasn't you."
"How do you know that it wasn't her that was late?"
"It's quite obvious."
Tanvi scowled. "You don't even know her."
"No need. I know you."
Meenakshi wished she was anywhere but here. "S-ss-sorry. Why did you want to see us?"
The smile was back on. It was eerie how his facial expressions could change. "I have been thinking about this trip. It's going to be a bit of hassle. I already had a work trip planned."
"So don't come." Tanvi interjected loudly.
Tej ignored her and continued. "I might be able to work something out though. To do that, I would need you guys's help."
Tanvi was eyeing him suspiciously while Meenakshi was hoping the heat on her face wasn't too obvious. Tej kept steady eye contact and since she barely knew him, she felt discomposed. Through the corner of her eyes, Meenakshi could see that all this was making Tanvi angry.
"Oh spill it already. She's not the chatty, indulging type."
"She might be.. if you ever let her speak."
"I can speak." Meenakashi said feebly. The siblings were again glaring at each other. "What help do you need?" Meenakshi continued, her voice more steady now.
Tanvi scowled and before Tej could reply, she spoke. "No! Why do we need to help you? That sounds like quid pro quo. As my older brother, isn't it important that you accompany us to make sure we are safe?"
"Not really. You don't need anyone to take care of you. In fact, in any situation, I'd be worried for the other person."
Meenakshi probably agreed with Tej, but she didn't appreciate it just then. Her loyalty was too great.
"You're an ass. What do you want?" Tanvi said, glaring at her older brother.
"Go on a date with my client."
"What? You're pimping your little sister out?"
Tej growled. "Not you. You are to remain single and celibate until we find you a suitable match. No, I meant her." And to Meenakshi's horror, she realised he was talking about her!
"Sorry, what?"
He was smiling again now as he looked back to Meenakshi. "I know it sounds strange. But, I was to meet with a client that weekend and I thought I might be able to still do that with an added bonus of a date to offer."
"She's not something you own to offer!"
"Which is why I said I needed a help. It's up to you guys. You can decline and I will honour your decision. It would make it extra hard for me to make it to the trip.. but I'll figure something out."
"Good. You do that - figure something else out, because Axe is sure as hell not going to agree to this."
"Meenakshi?" Tej was looking for an answer and Meenakshi felt flustered and uncomfortable. This was the last thing she'd expected Tej to ask. She looked back at Tanvi who was busy glaring at her brother. It was obvious that she should decline but something inside of her didn't allow her to speak up. Saying no to people was never easy and the beseeching look Tej was giving her made it even more difficult to speak.
"I.. I don't know."
Tej smiled. "You don't need to tell me immediately. Think about it. All I can tell you is that it will be for one evening and it wouldn't be a big deal and then we can go on as if nothing happened."
"I-"
"Axe, there's nothing to think about. Just flat out decline!"
Meenakshi looked pleadingly at Tanvi. It wasn't helping that her best friend was yelling at her.
"You don't owe my brother anything! What's wrong with you? Why can't you just say no?"
"It's not like that! I just.."
"Don't listen to her. You have a think and let me know." Tej said gently. Meenakshi wished it was Tanvi who spoke in the kind voice but her friend decided to storm off instead. Meenakshi nodded to Tej and wished the earth would consume her.
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