Shades of Life

Honey Trap

I sat down on the sofa beside my dad giving others a polite smile. I hate making small talks with strangers but I don’t think I can escape from this one.

“Varun, Atul here is an old friend. We worked together when you were younger. Later he settled in US. He’s a successful businessman there” Dad said with a proud smile.

“Oh come one Vir, you raised your company to the next level. My work nothing compared to yours. But Varun, he is right. We were great friends back then but lost contact after I moved to US. Few months back I met Vishal in a conference and had to come here to meet your father” Mr. Singhania said patting dad’s hand smiling reminiscing their friendship.

Suddenly I’m missing Aakash. Woah.

“That is amazing Mr. Singhania” I said with a polite smile. I’m awkward that way.

“Please call me Atul or uncle. No formalities Varun” He said smiling waving dismissively.

I nodded with a small smile.

“Varun, this is Ria. She has completed her Phd in computer science in Princeton University. She started working in her father’s company a year ago. She’ll be the CEO soon after she learns everything there is to learn” Uncle introduced Atul uncle’s daughter who gave me a wide smile.

I gave her an awkward smile back.

“Impressive” I commented.

“She’s learning on how to handle the company. Since you took over the company few years ago you can give her some tips” Uncle said smiling widely.

“Sure, anytime” I said getting uncomfortable.

Dad sensed my hesitation and started talking about something that happened years ago and Atul uncle and my uncle joined in. Aarav sat there with a big fat smile, I gave him a confused look to which he winked.

He is all kinds of weird.

“Hey, you guys carry on. Us young people will take the party to the balcony” Aarav said standing up rubbing his palms together.

“Hey! We are not old” Dad said grumpily.

“Whatever you say old man” Aarav winked at him and pulled me towards the balcony calling Ria to join us. I saw Carla following her.

I sighed. I’m sure I’ll be having a massive headache before this dinner ends.

We all gathered at the bar near the pool.

“Do you guys want anything?” I asked trying to play a better host role.

“No thanks” Ria said smiling while Aarav and Carla were fine with beer.

I opened three bottles of beer and gave it to them.

“So Ria, is this your first time visiting India?” Aarav asked giving her a friendly smile.

“Yes, I’ve been here for 2 months and it’s been a very nice experience” She said smiling at me. I gave her an awkward smile.

“What all places did you visit?” Carla asked looking at her with a weird smile.

“I have been to Delhi, Mumbai and Kerala. South-India is much better than North-India though. I’m in love with Bangalore city” She said shrugging.

It was insulting to us as Aarav and I are from Mumbai. My parents are from Mumbai itself. When my brother was younger they stayed there and when my mom got pregnant with me, they moved here.

Don’t think about past Varun.

“True, it’s a beautiful city. Settling down here is a best decision but the only thing I don’t like here is traffic” Aarav said chatting happily.

“Oh yeah, I’ve been in this traffic. It’s horrific but the city is beautiful so I can adjust. So, Varun how is to be a young CEO?” She answered Aarav politely and turned her questions to me.

“It’s tough. Have to work very hard but if you have your principles and if you are determined it might get easy” I gave my honest opinion shrugging my shoulders. I don’t know she was expecting from me but by the look on her face, she’s okay with whatever she heard.

“So, any tips?” she asked raising her eyebrows.

“Um, make sure you are completely ready to take each and every responsibility on your shoulder cause let me tell you it’s not a piece of cake. Have to work late, you will be under a lot of pressure but when you get a hang of it, it might get easy. Also go with your guts when you have to make any important decisions as stress and peer pressure will be abundant” I said truthfully sipping my beer.

“Wow, now I’m scared” She said with a nervous laugh.

“Don’t worry, give it some time. You will get used to it” I said to calm her nerves. She is my house guest after all.

“Awe thank you. If I need any advice, you will help me right?” She asked smiling widely.

I nodded with a weak smile. I’m not good at being cheery with new people or just people. Period.

“Look at both of you bonding, you guys do make a good couple” Aarav said with a chuckle making me look at him like he has lost his mind.

What the hell is he talking about?

What is wrong with him? Who makes those kinds of comment on someone they just met?

Idiot.

“Aarav” I said in my serious voice.

Ria chuckled and smiled widely.

“He is not wrong though” She said smiling like she has hanger stuck in her mouth.

I looked at her confused. Am I missing something?

Chill Varun, they are just goofing around.

“Um, I need another beer sir” Carla interrupted glaring at Ria.

I took another beer from the cooler and gave it to her. She smiled too sweetly and took it.

Maybe I’m overreacting but I’m feeling like I’m sitting here with Aarav and two Carla’s.

I cleared my throat.

“Hey, it’s time. Let’s go have dinner” I said showing them way to dining area. Aarav knows it but these two girls don’t. After that I slipped away from there and moved to kitchen to check on Rose.

The dinner was ready, I helped her set it up on the dining table. I could easily hire other maids but I like my space. I don’t want strangers at my place. I do have a maid who comes once in every week and cleans the house rather than that I help Rose in kitchen. Over the years she has taught me how to cook.

It’s not just women’s work, cooking is not gender specific.

That’s what she says and I totally agree with her.

I believe that both partners should know basic household work. Stereotyping one person to do all the work at home is not something I believe in.

I invited elders to the dining room. When dinner started dad, uncle and Atul uncle were the loud one’s. They had conversations flowing involved us sometimes. Dad kept keeping Ria and Carla in the conversations. At certain, I felt awkward when those three would insinuate Ria and I as a couple. I gave dad a hard glare when I finally understood what is going on here.

The rest of the dinner was very uncomfortable for me when Ria would smile widely at me whenever elders would say both of us having something in common. It was tedious after I got to know the whole reason about this dinner. I sent a glare Aarav’s way who smiled cheekily raising my blood pressure.

That bastard knew this but didn’t give me a head’s up.

I’ll won’t spare him this time.