Diya Rai – Diya, Mike and Some Drama

Diya dressed herself in a high-neck pink cocktail dress and gave finishing touches to her make-up. Mike had promised to pick her up from her apartment. Picking up her stone embroidered pink clutch bag, she stepped out from her flat, after enabling the automatic lock system. As she travelled down the elevator, her mind wandered to thoughts about where Mike would probably take her. She didn’t have any high expectations. Even a quiet and peaceful walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens would suffice her. She came out of the elevator with a huge smile and was met by Mike in the reception.

“Hey, Diya.” He embraced her. Diya hugged back.

“You look good.” He commented. He was wearing a purple closed neck slim-fit t-shirt with black jeans. He had also spiked some of his hair in the front, which made him look stunning.

“Thank you. You look good, too.”

“Thank you. Shall we move?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“What about breakfast?”

“We can have it on our way, if you prefer.”

“You choose the restaurant, lady.”

Diya had a sudden idea to take him to the Indian restaurant where Karan and she had breakfasted together.

“Ummm, can I take you to Bhoj, an Indian restaurant? Would you taste Indian food?”

“I am game for it, Diya. By the way, I love Indian cuisine. I have tasted a few dishes and they are absolutely scrumptious.”

“Then, let’s go!” Diya locked her right arm with his left arm.

The duo walked till the restaurant and settled themselves in a corner table.

“You order, ma’am.” A waiter came up immediately and addressed Diya. Since he had already attended to her at the restaurant, he threw an acknowledging smile, which she returned.

“Diya, this is all Greek & Latin to me.” Mike declared, taking a look at the elaborate menu.

“Okay, I’ll order for you. We’d like to have some Keema Naan and Roti with Chicken Tikka Masala.”

“Okay, ma’am. Just give us ten minutes.” The waiter replied.

“Sure.”

“So, what did you tell at your office today?” Mike asked.

“I just told them I need an off, since I’d be going for sightseeing with a friend.”

“What did you tell Hannah?”

“Well, I told her the truth. She was happy that I was finally going out with an Australian.” Diya let out a small chuckle.

“Ha ha. That’s cool. What about Karan and Brian?”

“I told Karan, too. I didn’t have a chance to tell to Brian.”

Before her thoughts could wander to Brian, she popped the next question, “What about you? You must have cancelled some appointments today.”

“No. Actually I didn’t have any appointments today. That’s why I asked you whether you are free.”

“Okay, where are we heading to?”

“Diya, I didn’t have any definite plans, to be frank.” Mike looked down and averted Diya’s eyes.

“Hey, why would you feel bad for that? I like people who don’t have any preconceived plans. You know, things should happen just like that. In an instant.”

“What? Are you okay with it?”

“Damn okay with it, Mike. You can even decide now. I’ll tag along wherever you take me.”

“Cruising on Yarra River?”

“That’s awesome!”

“We can have a peaceful time and also we get to have good views of the city.”

“Then cruising it is.” Diya replied with a smile. Their dishes arrived and she began explaining about them.

“This tastes yummy. Keema Naan with Chicken Tikka Masala. Never tasted anything as delicious as this.” Mike gesticulated with his hands.

“I am glad you love them. If you come to India, you’ll get to taste better dishes than these.”

“I’ll surely come someday. Take me to your home. I wanna meet your parents and sister.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, serious. I’ll also take you to my home. Only my mom is alive. Dad passed away a few years before. I have a brother who is settled in New Jersey, US.”

“Oh, I would love to meet your mom and have some strictly-women chat.”

“Ha ha ha. She is a jovial woman. I adore her.”

After finishing their dishes to the last morsel, Mike decided to pay the fare, ignoring Diya’s protests.

“I am taking you out today. So all the bills are on me. Okay?”

“Okay.” Diya replied reluctantly.

*****

It was 10.30 a.m, when Diya and Mike reached Southbank Promenade to collect their tickets for the cruise. It was a 2-hour cruise that would take them through the Docklands and River Gardens. After the formalities, they boarded the cruise boat and seated themselves. The boat took off at 11 a.m sharp.

“Thank God! The weather is pleasant today.” Mike commented.

“Yeah, I thought I’d need my coat and sweater. But, it’s kinda sunny and warm. I like this. Perfect for a peaceful cruise.”

“We get to see a lot of tourist spots in a single cruise. That’s why I brought you here.”

“I love it, Mike.”

They cruised through various important tourist spots. They even clicked pictures together. Exactly after 45 minutes, Diya’s mobile phone rang. She attended the call, even though it was an unknown number.

“Hey, Diya. What’s up? Heard that you are going out with Mike today.”

Diya felt anger seething through her nerves.

“Brian! What do you want?” She almost whispered.

“I need you, Diya. What made you go out with Mike today? How did you accept his invite?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Of course, it’s my business. You are refusing me, but you are going out with some random guy whom you met only a week ago.”

“He’s not a random guy. He’s my best friend. I know well about him. You can keep your mouth shut.”

“Are you dating him?”

“What if I date him? What does that have to do with you?”

“I care about you, Diya. I just can’t leave you alone like that.”

“Jealous, eh?”

“Yeah, you can say like that, too.”

“How the hell did you get hold of my Australian number?”

“I pestered Karan. He had no choice. I promised him I won’t torture you.”

“Shit! Why can’t you just keep quiet? Look, it’s my right to decide who I should be going out with. You need not interfere in my decisions.”

“I am not interfering. I am just-“

“Disturbing?”

“What?”

“Are you disturbing me? If so, it’s a bad attempt, Brian. Neither will I get bogged down by your nasty remarks nor will I patch up with you. I am way ahead of you.”

“Oh! Is that so?”

“Yeah. Stay out of my life.”

“Fine.”

Brian ended the call abruptly. Diya heaved a huge sigh and turned to face Mike. He wore a confused look.

“What happened, Diya? Any problem?”

“No, it’s just-“

“I heard Brian’s name. Anything going on between you both?”

“Hey, nothing’s on. Chill, Mike. It’s all in the past.”

“You can tell me, if you wish. As your friend, I would like to know everything about you.”

“It’s a long story.”

“I love stories, Diya. Anyway, it’s a long cruise. We stop only for the tourist spots. Meanwhile, you can tell me your story.”

Diya’s apprehension left her at that moment. She began telling him how she was a stubborn girl who was against love and marriage. She then went on to tell how she had met Brian, how friendship blossomed between them, how she had fallen in love with him, and how he had broken her heart.  Mike listened to her patiently and even held her hands when she felt driven to tears.

“I am sorry, Mike. I am spoiling our day together.”

“No, that’s okay, Diya. You are not spoiling it. You are making it better by opening up. It’s good to vent out your frustration.”

“Thank you for listening, Mike. Usually I don’t speak about these things much. But Brian’s reappearance has made things worse.”

“Yeah, I can sense that. Well, I am here to help you. We can hang out together and dump all our sorrows by going out. Okay?”

“Okay. I am game for it.”

Diya wiped her tears with her handkerchief and smiled at him, feeling lighter than ever.

The next half an hour they spent in silence, just gazing at the scenery and stopping for some tourist spots. However, when bad things are supposed to happen, they will happen, no matter whatever caution you take. Diya’s mobile phone rang again. She smirked and picked it up, hoping to see Brian’s number. But it was a call from India. 

“Hello.”

“Diya beta, how are you?” It was Mamta Rai.

“Ma, I am fine. How are you?”

“I am good, too.”

“How’s Papa and Anjali?”

“Both are fine.”

“How come you are calling me all of a sudden?”

“I just wanted to talk to you, beta.”

“About what?”

“Well, don’t get tensed, okay?”

“That depends on what you are going to talk to me.”

“Okay, listen. There’s a very good marriage proposal. His name is Sankalp. You know, he works in Australia only. Sydney it is. After marriage, you can settle with him there. Your horoscopes match perfectly. And you-“

“Ma, can you shut up?!” Diya shook with anger.

“What, beta? Why are you speaking like that to me?”

“Ma, it’s high time you shut up about this marriage thing. I thought you are such a modern mom and you’ll understand my feelings. But you are toxic, Ma. You know, marriage is also one of the reasons on taking up this Australia assignment. I wanted to escape from your repeated taunts. Why can’t you just let me be? I said I want to stay single. I’ll get married when I feel like it. Till then, please leave me alone!” Diya hollered. Her co-passengers in the cruise boat turned around and looked at her.

“Diya, how can you speak like this? I am your mom. Remember that.”

“Yeah, you are my mom. And that’s why I have the right to speak whatever is in my mind. Do you understand?”

“Look, if you don’t listen to me, I am going to disown you.”

“Are you threatening me, Ma? Fine, you can disown me. I don’t have any qualms about it. After I return to India, I’ll stay with Mahima till she gets married. Then I’ll buy my own house and move in. It’s better to stay that way, than being with you, Ma.”

“Diya, how could you?” Mamta Rai’s voice broke and she began shedding tears.

“Ma, the problem lies with you. You have never even tried to understand me properly. What do you know about me? My best friends know me better than you. You need not cry for this. You need not disown me. I’ll just leave the house after I return to India. Then you can be peaceful. Forget that I was ever born to you.”

“Don’t be so rude, Diya. Please.” Mamta was still crying.

“I will stop being rude, only when you stop being such a pain, Ma.”

But all Diya could listen was the engaged tone. Mamta had hung up.

“Diya, are you okay?” Michael asked slowly.

“Yeah, I – I am okay, Mike. It’s just my mom. She has turned mental. She is pressurizing me into getting married to the person whom she chooses.”

“That’s mad, Diya. You stay true to your heart. Your life is yours. No one has the right to decide what is good for you.”

“Thank you, Mike. At least you can understand me.”

“Well, you are so worked up. Can I get you some coffee?”

“Yeah, that would make me feel better.”

Mike moved to the on-board cafe to get two coffees. Meanwhile, Diya pondered on the day’s happenings. She felt more sick than before, though Mike desperately tried to make her smile.

“The coffee is really good, Mike. I can feel my spirits coming back. And I am really sorry. I screwed up our date.”

“You did not, Diya. I repeat. You did not. These things happen.”

“I won’t bring my phone next time. Maybe that would ease things.”

“You can bring your phone. Turn it off or turn on the airplane mode. No one will disturb you then.”

“Yeah, I should probably do that.”

For the last half-an-hour of the cruise, they talked about positive things and whiled away the time by clicking more pictures.

“You look lovely in the photos, Diya.”

Diya blushed from cheek to cheek. She did not reply a thank you, since she’d said too many thank yous for the day. 

They had lunch at a posh lakeside restaurant and spent the evening by taking a walk through the streets of Docklands. Diya felt good by the end of the day. 

“You are my saviour, Mike. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Where will I go? I will stay by your side, always.”

Diya hugged him in response and he returned the hug. He then walked her home and left for his place by bus. Diya reached her flat. As she was opening it, she felt a hand on her shoulder. A chill ran down her spine, as she didn’t know anyone at her apartments.

She spun around to see who it was.

**********