Page 36 - Half Girlfriend

‘What do your parents do?’ I said.

A boy should make more interesting conversation with a girl. But a
loser like me had little experience or finesse in this regard.
‘Family business. Real estate and infrastructure.’

‘You are rich, right?’ I said. Idiot Madhav. Couldn’t think of

anything better.
She laughed at my direct question. ‘Rich in money, or rich in

mind? Two different things.’
‘Huh? Rich, like wealthy?'

'Unfortunately, yes.’
'What’s unfortunate? Everyone wants to be rich.’

'Yeah, I guess. It just embarrasses me. Plus, all the obsession with
money and how it defines you, I just don’t get it.’

I realized she and I came from different worlds. Perhaps it was a
futile battle to pursue her. Logically, practically and rationally, it made

no sense.

'Can I try your mince?’ she said.‘I’m hungry.’
I nodded. I asked the waiter to get another fork. However, before
he could get one she picked up mine and took a bite.

She took my fork, does it mean anything?

‘Where’s home for you?’ she said.
1 himraon. A small town, three hours from Patna.’

‘Nice,’ she said.
You will probably find it boring.’

'No, no, tell me more. As you can see, I’m not much of a talker. I
like to listen,’ she said. She seemed genuinely interested. I told her

about my life back home, revolving around my mother, her school and
basketball.There wasn’t much else. My father had passed away ten

years ago. He had left us a huge, crumbling haveli, a couple of fields
and many legal cases related to property. We had some servants, who

stayed in the haveli’s servant quarters more out of loyalty than their
paltry salaries.

My ancestors were landlords and from the royal family of I