Page 8 of Afterglow
Hey, my hot water isn’t working. Can I come over to shower?
Indi Bhindi
Again? You need to move outta that dump.
If only she knew.
Indi Bhindi
But yes, come over!! You know you don’t have to ask.
Indi Bhindi
I was just gonna text you because we ordered way too much pizza
Me
Be there in 15
Indi Bhindi
Also don’t judge me for the state of my house
I’d be the biggest hypocrite if I did that, considering how I keep my bedroom.
Today, however, Landon and Indi’s place looks like the inside of my brain.
“Don’t say anything,” Indi warns.
I nearly topple over while untying my sneakers at the door and taking in the disarray. The usually spotless living space of their massive penthouse is filled with multiple giant suitcases. They lie open, half-packed with nuts, Costco-size packs of chocolate bars, and diapers. Indi leads the way, navigating through the maze toward an open spot.
Their dining table has become a khajano of Indian clothes: heavily beaded kurtas, sherwanis, anarkali-style gowns, and lehengas drape over the backs of each chair. One chair with Akhila-sized lehengas makes me audiblyawww.
A variety of colorful jooti lie in a pile on the floor beneath the bar overhang of the kitchen island, its countertop smattered with stacks of brocade-covered jewelry boxes and clear-film packed sleeves of bangles.
“What in the name of Bollywood is happening here?”
My friend reclines on the sectional and soundlessly places a palm on her forehead while staring off into the ceiling. “This is called ‘traveling internationally with a one-year-old to celebrate your baby sister’s wedding?—”
Oh yeah, Esha’s getting married this summer.
“But your parents are so obsessed with their first grandchild that they want to throw heranotherover-the-top birthday party in India while all the family is together.”
Reason #549 why I shouldn’t have children. I can’t even remember to pack my own toothbrush, much less anything and everything required for an entire human who is entirely dependent on you for survival.
“So…much…stuff.” My eyes scan the room.
“We’re leaving in two days, and I’m terrified we’ll leave something behind.”
“I’m sure you can find anything you want there.”
She lets out a heavy breath through her nose. “You’re right.”
It’d be the first time.
“India has everything now, right? That’s what I’m told, anyway.”
Her eyebrow perks. “You should go sometime. It’s so different than when I was a kid.”
