"Why are you crying, Ma?" asked a confused six-year-old trying to keep his tears from falling. 

"Nothing Beta," the woman said wiping furiously at her eyes. 

Her voice wavered but he didn't understand why she was lying to him. Hadn't she taught him lying was bad?

Sounds of shattering glass made the little boy flinch as he cowered behind his mother. Why did Baba always get so angry? Was he why his mother was crying? He wanted to protect her but that angry face always terrified him. 

He didn't understand why Baba made Ma cry. There was a lot he didn't understand. 

He hugged his mother tightly as the sounds of shattering glass continued in the distance. 

***

Siddharth sighed and leaned against the Jharokhas in the balcony. Seeing his uncle and aunt had dug up old memories of his father. He had perfected the art of shoving those memories deep inside him and now it was all bursting forth with a fervour. 

He almost flicked the butt of his cigarette but then realized he should probably not mar the beauty of this place so he looked around for a trash can. 

He thought of how seeing his father's relatives would affect his mother. She had experienced that trauma first hand so it would definitely be worse than what he was going through right. 

He walked into their room so he could tell her that he had met Tauji and Taiji. 

He found her sleeping soundly though so he decided not to wake her up. The guests had been invited to High Tea on their arrival day and then dinner in the great hall. It wouldn't be a big deal if she skipped the first event if she made it to the dinner. So he figured a few more hours of sleep would prepare her better for it all. 

He had half a mind to stay behind but he knew his mother would be angry enough that he didn't wake her up that he better go for a little while and show his face. 

He took a shower and placed his all-black outfit in the corner with a small smile on his face. He pulled out a navy shirt and buttoned it up. No confusions now he thought to himself and walked out towards the garden where the event was scheduled. 

It was a pleasant Jaipur evening and about a hundred or so guests milled about the garden area with cups of tea and plates of snacks in their hand. Waiters dressed in traditional attire swarmed the crowd and served intricate pieces of Indian snacks. 

Siddharth had a strategic plan that would help him stay for as little amount of time as possible. He would show his face to his aunt and let her parade him about for a few minutes. Then he would talk to his cousin who was getting married. Then finally he would meet any remaining relatives and leave. 

All his plans were derailed when Chetna of all people blocked his way as soon as he stepped foot in the garden. 

"Hi?" he said, a little confused. 

"Hi, can I do anything for you?" she said in the same monotone. 

"No thank you," Siddharth said amused and taken aback. 

"Great," she said curtly and turned around. 

Then she paused. Siddharth followed her line of sight and found an older woman giving her a pointed look. Chetna sighed and turned back around. Plastering a fake smile on her face she asked,

"Oh please I insist. Tea, coffee, a snack?" 

"I am good. Thank you," he replied. 

The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement. This girl clearly was being forced to serve him.

"Look, I know you don't want to keep talking to me any more than I would like talking to you. Just let me get you tea or something so my parents stop taunting me. Smile at me graciously, that would help too," she said coming right down to business. 

He paused, contemplating whether or not he should tell her he didn't mind her company but decided against it. Then he gave her a gracious smile,

"Yes, Chetna, nothing would delight me more than a cup of coffee. Black."

"Perfect," she said and asked a waiter for a cup of black coffee. 

"Now keep that smile on your face till your coffee arrives and I can leave you alone." 

"What if I need something else? Maybe I should keep you around." he mused playfully. 

Chetna looked like she was about to snap at him but stopped herself. She took a calming breath,

"Anything you like. It is, after all, my duty to make sure you have everything you need." 

Siddharth realized he wasn't having a terrible time at a place crawling with his father's relatives. He decided Chetna would be a welcome distraction from the memories that would be unearthed during the next week and a half. 

The waiter came back with a cup on his tray and served it to Siddharth and he thanked him. Chetna also picked up a glass of juice and sipped. 

"Since you're gonna spend the next week in my servitude I should introduce myself. I'm Siddharth, Veer's cousin," she said and extended his hand.

Chetna gave him a once over with narrowed eyes at the 'servitude part',

"I know that. I am Chetna, Chaarvi's sister." 

"Well, it is nice to meet you Ms Chetna," Siddharth said with a smile. 

Chetna returned it with a fake one of her own as she shook his hand. Oh she was cute with her pouty lips and narrowed eyes. 

"Siddharth Beta," a shrill voice caught his attention as Chetna let his hand go.

His aunt walked towards him, decked in bling and her son in tow. Siddharth had to tear his eyes away from the huge necklace hanging down her neck. 

"There you are," she said, "Veer has been looking all over for you."

Veer seemed to be very preoccupied with the samosa in his hand to back her lie up. Siddharth nodded and watched with dismay as Chetna used this distraction to make her escape. 

Veer and Siddharth were the same age, only a few months apart. Yet they had as little in common as could be imagined. They had interacted only a handful of times as teenagers and as adults they were virtually strangers. 

"Yo," said Veer as a greeting and acknowledgement, barely looking up from his food.

"Veer, you had something to say to your brother didn't you?" she said with a warning undertone. 

Siddharth cringed internally at the 'brother' but maintained a neutral expression.

"Siddharth bro I would love it if you performed at my wedding." he parroted. 

It was pretty apparent that Veer couldn't care less about this. His parents, more specifically his mother, were behind the request. 

"Oh no," Siddharth began politely, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? It is your brother's wedding," asked his aunt. 

"I don't think my songs would be appreciated here at a wedding."

"Arey sing some hindi song na," she said glibly. 

Siddharth was both irked and baffled at the entitled way his aunt was demanding a performance. They obviously weren't close but even if they were this would not be a very convincing exchange. 

"I don't know any," he said neutrally.

"Then learn. You are a rockstar. Not that difficult for you huh?" she said and then grabbed Siddharth's arm pulling him in one direction, "Now come, meet everybody else."

Siddharth let himself be guided that way and put his fakest smile on. 

***

The past hour had passed in greeting his long lost relatives who were all surprised at how much  he had grown up. 

If he had a rupee for everytime he had to explain why his mother wasn't present here or what is it he did for a living and the fact that music wasn't just a hobby anymore; he had made a career out of it now, he would be a millionaire.

"So is it true you are performing in Jaipur next week?" asked one of his cousins.

"Yes, Riya." he said sipping on his coffee wishing it were tequila. 

"Can you get us in?" she asked getting excited. 

"I don't think that's a place for a 12 year old." he sighed.

"I'm 13!" she cried testily.

Siddharth wished he was anywhere but here. He kept mum till he saw Chetna walk by. 

"Hey, Chetna," he called. 

Chetna turned his way and plastered her fake smile on and asked,

"Yes, Siddharth Ji, what can I do for you?" 

"Guide me to a washroom please," he smiled at her. 

"Of course." 

She walked towards the hotel and Siddharth followed her. She turned into a corridor and pointed to the doors. 

"Here you go," she said and started walking away.

"Wait, where are you going?" he called out.

"Back," she answered. 

"You have to take me back. What if I get lost?" Siddharth asked innocently keeping a straight face. 

"But it's--" she began but stopped, "Fine. I'll wait," she sighed and crossed her arms. 

Siddharth walked into the washroom trying not to laugh. This was truly fun.