Page 54 - Half Girlfriend

‘Yeah, why? There are going to be loads of people there. It’s a

party'
‘Oh, what is the occasion?’ I said, back to spinning the ball ol my
pinkie.

‘My birthday party.’

‘Your birthday is next month. 1 November. See? I remember.'
‘Dad wants me to celebrate it next week. We have family friends in

town.’
I nodded and continued to look at the ball. With one swoop of her

arm she took the ball away from me.
'Hey!' I pmtested.

'Is that a yes?’
'Do I have a choice?’

She threw the ball at me. It missed my face and hit my neck.
'You're making it sound like a punishment. It’s a party invitation,’

she said 'I'll come on one condition.’

'What?’
'Come sit next to me.’
I patted the bed. She rolled her eyes, stood up and came to sit

down next to me.

'Why don’t you let me hold you?' I said and took her in my arms
'Well, you are now.’

You don’t like it?'
'Madhav...' Her policewoman voice was back.

'What is so wrong with it?’
'I have issues with this stuff. I do.'

'Issues? You know what? Forget it.’
'See, you don’t want to listen. Anyway, I am not ready for it.’

'Ready for what?’
She shook her head. I brought my face close to hers. She looked at

me.
'There you go again. What is it? A compulsion, huh?’ she said. I

kept quiet. Her light brown eyes continued to stare me down.