Shades of Life

Indian parents- meddling

 Past few months have been weird for me in so many ways. I feel like something has changed within me. I smile more often and I am in good mood more than I was before which was never. I visit my dad more and trust me he is more shocked than I am. I look forward to taking Archie on a walk a bit more than I should maybe because certain someone would join us sometimes and it is really refreshing for me.

Do I like her?

At least, that’s what Aakash says but I am not sure.

I mean I have never liked anyone in my life and for a long time I was convinced that I was wired that way. There has been a lingering threat of my so called sister-in-law on our heads. My brother has not contacted us since and surprisingly she hasn’t either. We don’t know what is happening and no matter how much we tell ourselves that we don’t care, we do--- a lot. When I say we, I am talking about my dad and I.

He is worried about my brother and the unborn baby, if it is my brother and in general too because we know she would be a shitty mother for sure.

I was mad at my dad for ambushing me into going on a blind date with his friend’s daughter Ria. She is cool but I have no interest in her at all. I have never been a kind of person who would get interested in a girl just because of her looks. I have always stayed away from people in general except for the business purpose.

I have far too many demons to let anyone in my life.

But.

But when I saw Akshara with a guy in that restaurant, my heart did something very different than it has ever did. For a second, I considered consulting a doctor.

I had this sudden urge to talk to her so I went to greet her, only to see Alok with her. Alok, Rose’s son. We have been good friends for a long time now. We are not particularly close but we are good friends. Seeing him with her, didn’t sit well with me.

For a fact, I hated it.

Seeing her laugh and joke with him made me we feel uneasy. When I insinuated that they were on a date, he confirmed it and she never denied making me feel numb.

All my life, I have never felt like this and I am being honest. I never really cared about others but my family and Aakash. Why was I so disappointed to know that they were dating?

She is just my employee.

No matter how quirky she is or how weird she is, she is just my employee. It doesn’t matter how she makes me smile or she is my source of entertainment, she is just my employee.

Is she? Isn’t she?

Arghhh!

It’s frustrating af.

I politely made conversation with Ria but kept myself from directly saying that I am not interested in her or want nothing to do with her. I have to talk to my dad first.

When I got home, I waited for whom? Or for what? I had no clue but late at night when I heard someone’s voice on the terrace as I was sitting in my balcony, I knew it was her.

Before I could think, my feet were dragging me to the terrace.

When she told me that they were not dating, I felt like this invisible boulder rolled off my chest. That’s how light I felt.

My mind and heart was going crazy. This is the first time I was this frazzled by someone. I just needed a break from all these emotions I was feeling.

I bid bye to her and went back to my apartment to get some sleep.

Next day, I went to dad’s place to talk it out with him.

“Hey dad” I said entering his study. He was sitting on his chair reading a book.

“Hey Varun, what a nice surprise. I didn’t know you were visiting” I thought he was expecting my visit after the stunt he pulled yesterday. He called me for dinner and when I reached there I saw Ria. When I called him, he said it was a blind date and I should treat her right.

Huh, so annoying.

“It isn’t much of a surprise after the stunt you pulled yesterday” I said giving him a hard stare which he easily ignored. This guy, I tell you.

“Oh come on, she’s a very good girl and both of you are single so what’s the harm” he said shrugging his shoulders.

“Just because we are single doesn’t mean we have to date dad” I said irritated.

“Oh, so you have someone on your mind? Do you like someone?” He asked raising his eyebrows.

I got stumped there.

“Uh-uh I mean No, I don’t but that doesn’t mean I have to date Ria. Dad I am not interested in her alright so just stop it” I said pressing my fingers on my temple. I just want to get out of this situation.

“But Varun, she is interested in you. She told her father that she likes you and might want to date in the future. She’s educated and good looking. She comes from a good family. What’s the problem?” He asked looking at me like I’m the crazy one.

“Dad” I said sighing.

“Look, if I was interested in her I would have asked her out but I am not. All that specifications you just mentioned doesn’t mean I have to like her. You know I’m not good with socialising when it came to my personal life. I’m still young, just let me be” I said tight lipped.

“That’s the thing Varun, you don’t meet other girls. You spend most of your time either in office or at your place. You are 27, you are not young. I know you are not good with socialising and that’s why I am giving you the push that is needed” He explained calmly.

“I don’t want to argue on this dad, just stop this match making. That’s it” I said getting irritated and walked out of the room. I heard him call my name but I never stopped.

I don’t get why he is suddenly interested in my love life.

Indian parents, I swear.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------