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He steps closer and I step away, but not with alarm because people catch onto that kind of movement—and I know people are watching. No, I’m attempting to glide back so we don’t look like a couple or a potential couple, or really, even friends.
Veer doesn’t take the hint and follows. “You never say what I expect you to say. These parties can be so dull when everyone talks the same.”
This is a bit of a conundrum because, in theory, I agree with him about desperately boring parties, but also, all this effort is for my birthday. It’s a token of love from my mother and itshouldn’t matter if it’s not the exact token I wanted, because not everyone expresses love the same way—and truthfully, I’m not sure what I actually want out of my birthday… and life...
Especially since my mother sees me as her younger reflection, and I let it happen. Not because I hate disappointing expectations—even though it’s some of that—but because I haven’t figured out whoelseIshould be. It’s easier to go along with what’s already planned for me because so much thought has gone into it. Like, this party isextensive.
“My mother—” We both angle and find her in the distance in her siren red dress. “She spent weeks planning this and everyone is enjoying and drinking.”
“Shreya could make people celebrate wet socks.”
This makes me genuinely laugh. He’s not wrong.
Encouraged, Veer leans even closer. “Smile more openly. It makes you look like a heroine.”
Casual misogyny. Always waiting in the wings, aren’t you?
“You should talk less”—I pause, allowing myself this moment of sharp-tongued vengeance before remembering, sadly, how I need to behave—“because mystery adds to your charm.”
“The broody hero. That’s a good character.”
“I look forward to watching that film whenever you make it happen.”I don’t.
“How about you? Have you thought about what you want to do? Because you’ve got a platform to do whatever you want with your mother’s built-in audience. Pollywood loves supporting a dynasty.”
“Nepotism.”
“That’s a dirty word.” He snags two champagne glasses from a server that walks past us and hands me one. “I’ll have you know that my first job didn’t happen for months because producers don’t like taking meetings with fitness models.”
“Wow, you’ve truly struggled.”
I’m scanning the crowd looking for anyone to approach us, but people are giving us fake privacy. You know, when they linger in the background, but don’t get close enough to join. Where did my friends go? They would definitely save me.
I down half the champagne, hoping bubbles travel to my brain and float my conscience forward in time to when I’m alone and watching my favourite show in bed. A fictionalized dramedy about the monarchy in Britain where the crown prince falls in love with a dancer of the night.
“How about you?” he asks again. “You must have some sort of life plan.”
“Well,” I say, trying to find the words, but realizing I’ve not got a proper answer for him because I don’t know it myself. “I know we’re very lucky to live this kind of life… and that’s why things will come together for me soon.”
“What are your options?”
“It's too much to get into them right now.”
“But tell me some,” he whines.
Veer is not letting the topic go.
And for some reason, I can’t think of a decent lie. “Um, they are unexplored.”
Veer’s mouth slips into a judgemental shape.Privileged Daughter Has All the Money and Time But Hasn’t Figured Out Her Life Yet.
That would make a great headline.
His eyebrow raises.
In response, I want to stick my middle finger out at him. Then again, I can’t. My mother has pressed upon me an important lesson:Be likeable to everyone around you because you never know what opportunities they’ll offer you in the future.
“I’m eager to work hard,” I insist, keeping my voice calm. “When I find my path forward.”
