The Old Lady

For the past one year, Ria had to study hard at home. Her parents did not let her go out as much as they used to before. Unlike her, Leela could go out on a trip with some of the people at the school. She had gone to Las Vegas for a month and enjoyed her stay at a resort. The photographs they uploaded on I*******m made Ria jealous.

As soon as she uploaded the photographs, there was an uproar in the family. Many condemned the action of her parents. Sending Leela to a place like Vegas was the biggest mistake they had done particularly, after the prank on Anil. Vegas was a place known more for drinking, gambling and parties. To almost everyone, this place was not right for girls. Their relatives were already livid when Ria and Leela were permitted for prom. This trip made them more upset. Aunt Anita told them to bring her back instantly and keep her grounded like Ria but Leela's mother stood up to them. 

According to her, the entire prank was planned by Ria and Leela even tried to stop her. This made Ria's parents angry. They told Leela's mother in front of everyone that both planned this and both wore costumes to scare Anil. They clearly told everyone that both did not plan to hurt Anil. They also told that they are making sure that Ria becomes a better person and they have decided to send her to Mumbai for MBBS.

Leela's mother, who was upset with their revelation continued to argue with them. There was a discord now between both the families. After Leela came back from the trip, she was made to delete Ria's number from her phone. Her parents also made her unfollow Ria on various social media accounts. Ria was deeply hurt as Leela was the only person among all the cousins with whom she could connect. However, the rest of the year passed without meeting any of her relatives. Thankfully, her studies became an excuse this time to not meet them. Even if Ria had gone to any event, she didn't know how she would be treated.

Finally, it was the day when she had to go to the airport. Her ticket was booked and confirmed in advance a few days back. Her flight to Mumbai was scheduled for the early morning. Ria wore a Violet jumpsuit and sat in the car along with her parents. They hugged her before she went inside the airport. They looked very sad and unhappy. Ria said goodbye to them and went inside.

At the check-in counter, she went to Air India Section with her ticket and passport. They scanned and measured the weight of her suitcase and handbag. After this procedure, she was given a boarding pass. It was a small document which had flight number and seat number on it along with the right gate where she had to sit along with passengers of the same flight before leaving the country. Before going to her boarding gate Ria first proceeded to the immigration counter where her passport was checked.

It was still an hour before her departure and Ria went around the shops at the airport. She drank her favourite hot chocolate coffee from Starbucks and even bought a funky scarf that went along with her outfit. Half an hour later all the passengers from the same flight had to leave the country.

Ria looked around as she stepped inside the Air India Boeing 787. A pretty flight attendant in a red sari stood in front of her.

"Good morning, can I have a look at your boarding pass ?"

Ria gave the lady her boarding pass.

"Oh, business class! Your seat is in the third row on the right side." said the lady pointing to a seat in a corner

"Thanks."

Ria went ahead with her suitcase to her designated seat. She first opened the luggage compartment above it and tried lifting her suitcase.

"Damn! I shouldn't have filled it with so many clothes," said Ria.

She remembered how her mother told her not to stuff all her clothes because in India on street, particularly where she will be staying, crop tops and shorts were not a norm. She would look like an outcast and many would stare at her. She also told her that most medical colleges do not allow western clothes.

People were now standing in a line waiting for Ria to move but no one helped her. A male flight attendant spotted her and rushed forward to help her. He lifted her suitcase and pushed it inside the luggage compartment very smoothly.

Thanking him, Ria sat down holding her small handbag in her lap. She looked outside the window as realised that she will be soon leaving her birthplace. She felt sad and angry.

The thought of staying in India made her very nervous. Many people have told her that life in India is very tough. It was a country with a huge population and poverty. Most Indian people had a mindset similar to Anita aunty. She was so used to her freedom in America but now she will have to live in India and then again give a medical council exam in California.

"Hello, are you Indian?"

Ria turned and saw an old woman in a white sari.

"Yes," replied Ria.

The woman sat down in the seat beside her.

"Why is your hair brown? Is your mother American?"

"No," said Ria, annoyed.

"Then why is your hair brown?"

"It is brown because I like brown hair."

"You don't black?"

"No."

'Who the hell is this woman? Can't she mind her own business?'

"Your parents allowed you to have brown hair?"

Ria looked at her shocked.

"No. They love me and give me the freedom to do anything," said Ria, keeping her anger in control.

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen."

"Oh good. Do you know how to cook?"

"Yes, I make pasta, bologna, chicken, lobster rolls and many other dishes."

"Lobster? Ram! Ram!" said the old woman keeping a hand on her chest.

For nearly five minutes, they did not speak to each other 

'Thank God. She finally shut her mouth.'

"Do you cook anything Indian?" the old lady asked.

'Maybe I need to be more aggressive.'

"Oh no, I can't do that. I always faint while making any Indian food. There is also so much spice that the smell goes straight in my nostrils and most of the time I start sneezing."

"Don't worry you will learn with time."

"Sorry?"

"Look, you are eighteen already. That's the right age to get married. You are very pretty. My younger son is very good looking also. He earns a lot. He will be perfect for you. What does your father do?"

Ria immediately got up and called a woman flight attendant.

"Excuse can I sit somewhere else? I am very uncomfortable here."

"We have only one seat left and that is next to a woman in the last row."

Ria turned back and looked at the woman. To her shock, this young woman was holding a crying baby in her arms.

'Argh!!! What headache is this? How will I manage this journey now?"

"It's alright, can I get the earphones please?"

"Sure. I will just give them."

Ria stood until she got the earphones. She plugged it into the socket, beside her seat as she sat down.

"You didn't tell me what your father does? How much money and jewellery can he give?"

Ria ignored her and watched the video which just began to play on the screen in front of her seat.