three

“Sweetie, what’s the matter, you look frazzled.” Richard looks up from the martini glass in his hands. He looks tense as he puts down the glass on a table and reaches out for me.

I give him a quick kiss on the lips. He doesn’t respond which surprises me but I assume he’s probably just nervous about his speech. I give him a tight hug to relax him and I shift my hands through his hair. I feel his entire body loosen up. I fix his tie.

“Richard, your toast…don’t forget you are supposed to introduce the musicians. Fix your hair in the bathroom and do some breathing exercise.”

“I thought that wasn’t until…” He looks at his watch. “Yeah, that’s not for another twenty minutes. Are you okay?” It's his turn to notice my anxiety - is it obvious that I was just with my lover, am I out of breath?

“Yes, yes. I’m fine… maybe just tired from all the party preparations.”

Richard makes me sit down and insists on preparing Tanqueray and tonic for me. I don’t deserve him. This is not the type of man that one cheats on.

Why, why is it then that I don’t break things off with Zachary? Why do I need him? Oh, no, here comes Supriya. I didn’t want to invite her to the party but her husband is a business associate of Richard’s and…

“Sitting alone, at your own party?”

“She’s been up since 5 a.m. getting ready for the party,” says Richard and hands me the gin-tonic. “Can I fix you anything?”

Supriya nods ‘no’ and gestures towards the blue drink in her hand. Richard is approached by a man with a German accent. Richard looks at me and winks and they walk out together towards the terrace.

“You are so lucky, no? Such a nice man for a husband even though he’s not Indian…”

She goes on… I nod and listen to her talk about her new BMW and her trip to Bora Bora and her son’s prospects for marriage and her daughter’s promotion…

Exactly how old is she? I wonder as I look at her. Her son is 27, her daughter 23. But her botoxed face offers no clue to her life. Who is she?

“No? Doesn’t he want any?”

What was that she just asked. Oh. Children…

“Uh, well, it’s… well, we haven’t…” I stumble. It’s none of her business. Why is it that it’s okay in the Indian culture for people to ask others about their plans for having children? It’s a private matter.

“Let me make you another one.” I take her empty martini glass. I hear applause.

“Oh, it’s Richard… let’s go and look.” I steer her towards the podium where Richard’s is about to introduce the musicians.

His speech is humorous and charming. The crowd applauds as the first beat is struck by the drummer.

As the music pervades the mood of the crowd, I go outside for some fresh air. Where’s Richard?