‘Ah, Bhagwan,’ Harish waved his arms melodramatically. ‘It has been a nightmare, bhai – but I am still hoping he will get into Bristol or Bath. Very good universities. He did not get into Cambridge. We believe he is just too bright, also much too sociable and well rounded. He would not be suited to the purely academic lifestyle there.’
‘Ah, yes, I can only imagine how stressful. It was not like this when my girls were young.’
‘No, no it was not. Parents all care too much now. My son is constantly googling chances and predictions based on his son’s estimated grades and to see which university is best. When he was going, we let him make the decisions – we just said work hard, do what is best.’
‘Yes, that is what we told my girls too – they all turned out brilliantly.’
‘I never even went to parents’ meeting. Now, when my son was on a business trip, he video-called his wife so he could be there at the same time and hear what was happening. He bought extra data especially.’
‘Is that a bit over the top, bhai?’
‘No, Mukeshbhai,’ Harish looked horrified. ‘Not any more. This all means so much for our future – for our country’s future now. Our children and grandchildren have more chances now. We have given them that. Neel is going to be a lawyer, you know. He will be the first lawyer in the family. I have high hopes for my granddaughter too. She likes medicine. I hope she will be pharmacist. Probably not doctor. She is very squeamish.’
‘A lawyer – very exciting! We must keep in contact. Never know when you need a lawyer.’ He thought of the only other soon-to-be lawyer he knew, Aleisha, and felt a smidge of pride.
‘I imagine your Priya will be one, ne? Always with her head in a book. If she can read lots, she can be a lawyer.’
‘She is young still.’
‘But she is thinking now about the future, ne?’
‘Priya wants to be a writer or a bookshop worker.’
‘But for a real job, I mean. Not hobby.’
‘They are real jobs.’
‘But I mean what about lawyer? Neel can tell her about the course when it is time for her to study.’
‘She doesn’t want to be a lawyer.’
‘Doctor? Businesswoman? Na?’
Mukesh shook his head.
‘Don’t worry, my friend. My Neel wanted to be a football player and a fireman at her age. They grow out of these things. I’m sure you do not have to worry.’
‘I am not worrying,’ Mukesh said firmly.
They both fell silent, not knowing where to go next with the conversation. Harish rolled his eyes. If he was trying to be discreet, he wasn’t trying very hard. Harish waited a polite three minutes before breaking off to join another group, talking excitedly and loudly about the cricket.
Mukesh was pleased to be alone, and could feel his energy cascading back to him, ready to keep going, to do Naina proud. Before he could speed off, Naina’s closest friend at the mandir, Nilakshiben, trundled over to join him. Naina and Nilakshiben, once upon a time, had been inseparable.
A year ago, Nilakshi had lost both her husband and son in a car accident. Nilakshi’s husband, Prabhand, had been a kind, but reserved man. He kept himself to himself, but Mukesh always remembered his smile – it would light up a room. His son, Aakash, had inherited that same smile but used it all the time – he was a charmer; so intelligent too. Losing both of them, in one go, it had devastated the whole community. The sadhus had known Prabhand very well and led the temple in prayer for him after his death. Mukesh had attended, because Naina would have wanted him to, and because Mukesh missed Prabhand’s smiling face already. Nilakshiben had cried, sitting far back, while men who had never even known her husband or her son sat right at the front, under the gaze of the sadhus. He had felt sad for her, but had never known what to say. When Naina had passed away, Nilakshi and Prabhand had both been a great comfort and support to Mukesh. Mukesh felt ashamed, knowing he had never been as much of a comfort for Nilakshi when she needed it most.
‘Mukeshbhai,’ she walked next to him, smiling – she was keeping a very brisk pace for someone so small.
‘Nilakshiben,’ he smiled back. ‘It is lovely to see you.’
‘Yes, what a surprise! I didn’t expect you to come to this.’
‘Harishbhai persuaded me to walk in Sahil’s place. He has hurt himself somehow.’
‘Ah. Of course. Harish is very persuasive! And persistent.’ She gave him a look that said, ‘you know what I mean’。