‘It’s okay, uncle,’ Rohan said.‘I just do it to make my mum happy
and proud.That’s all.’
Riya’s mother stood next to her husband throughout. Like me, she
had not said a word.
‘So, at just twenty-four, running six hotels in London with four
hundred rooms, and planning the seventh. So proud of you, son.’ Mr
Somani repeated, finally ending his tribute.
I put on an expression of extreme awe and appreciation, as seemed
to be expected of me.
‘Not that my daughter Riya is any less. Let me tell you...’ Mr
Somani said. Riya interrupted him.
‘Dad. Stop,’ she said, somewhat rude and abrupt, considering she
was speaking to her father. Mr Somani smiled and let Riya speak.
‘Dad, I want you to meet Madhav, a good triend of mine from college,’
Riya said.
Mr Somani looked at me. He paused for a second before saying
hello. I had worn Shailesh’s best blazer and shirt, but it still didn’t
match the clothes of the other guests. Mr Somani, with his impeccable
taste, had noticed my less-than-designer outfit.
‘Hello, Madhav,’ Mr Somani said. He shook my hand in an
extrafriendly way, as if to compensate for the doubts of a few seconds
ago.
‘Good to meet you, sir,’ I said, my insecurities forcing me to say
‘sir’.
‘Madhav what?’ he said. Indians have to know your last name to
place you, ‘Madhav Jha,' I said.
‘Jha,as in...’
‘Bihar. I am from Bihar,’ I said, familiar with the upcoming
question. Mr Somani didn't answer.
Riya broke the awkward silence.
‘And that's Mom,’ she said.
Riya’s mother smiled and folded her hands. I wished her with a
namaste too.