Chapter 1

Koeli

@Koeli

The breakfast scene in the house was like this. Imlie's mother was making breakfast while she was busy filing her nails. "I have made you your favourite pancakes." Imli's mother is a part-time job in a bakery. Even though they have enough money for the next four or five generations, mother likes to work instead of going to kitty parties and pampering herself in the Spa. Imlie, on the other hand, likes to party with friends. She loves to pamper herself in the Spa at least once a week. She is very particular about what to eat because she is very health-conscious, unlike her mother, who has type B diabetes.

"Plain pancakes, mom?" Imli held the pancake with the fork and showed it to her mother, who was still preparing the breakfast.

"Bachha, today I will go to the supermarket and get your chocolate chips. I promise." her mother came and sat beside her.

Imlie widened her eyes looking at the Aloo Ka Paratha on her mother's plate. "Mom, what you are having is poison for you. How many times I have told you to avoid oily food. And Aloo, for God's sake, mom.

"Dont you dare mom me, ek hi to zindegi milte hai. Ahbi nahi khaungi to kab khaungi?" her mother dipped a slice of paratha in mango pickle.

"Mom, you have to live to enjoy the food. Remember? And if you don't listen to the doctor..."

"Mar Jaungi...aur kya?"

"Stop it, mom." Frustratedly she kept the fork.

"Okey Okay fine. Aaj khaa leti hoon. Kalse I will eat your gaaspus."

"It's not gaaspus, it's called eating healthy."

"Okey meri doctorni. Ab Khaa bhi lo warna college ke liye der ho jayegi. You don't want to miss all the fun on the first day.  Do you? Aur Suno, us balon ki dukaan se door rehna. I won't accept him as my jamai."

"Mom, Guru is just a friend, you know that. And, he is gay."

"Hey bhagwaan, aaj kal ke bachhe bhi na. Duniya mein ladkion ki kami hai kya?"

"Mom, it's his choice with whom he wants to spend his life. Zaroori nahi hai ki ek ladki hi ek ladke ko khush rakshakegi."

Imlie's mother suddenly stopped eating and looked at Imlie as she narrowed her eyes. "Are you a lesbian?"

Imlie couldn't help but snort. She choked on her food and ended up having fists of cough. "No! mom, I am very much heterosexual. But I have not met someone interesting who can blow my mind off. Anyways..." Imlie excused herself, discarded the leftover food in the dustbin, and put the dish in the sink. She was washing her hands and was shocked to hear her mother wail. She quickly came towards her mom and held her. "Mom, are you okay? What happened? Why did you shout?"

"What the hell are you wearing?" she tugged on her micro mini skirt. "You will wear this and go to the college?"

"When will you grow up, mom? Cant, you see, it's so hot these days? And anyway, it's cool." Imlie thrilled around to show the mini frills.

"Everyone will be able to see your panty if you bend. It is what I have taught you?"

"Please don't start with your Sanskar now," Imlie told her mom while tying her shoelace.

The Bell Rang. "That must be Mishika."

Imlie opened the door and bend to tie the other shoelace. "Blame my mom Mish, she was lecturing me about Sanskar. I know we are already late.... let's go."

Why is Misika wearing jeans, she wondered. "You messaged me in the morning that you will be wearing a skirt..."

"Ummm. Hi!"

When did Mishika change her sex?

"Is this 35, Gardner Lane?"

"I am sorry?" who is this handsome guy and what is he doing at my doorstep?"

"Is this Katty Malhotra's house?"

Imlie was about to answer him when she heard Mishika's shrilled voice at a distance. "Sorry Imz, I am late. Jaldi chal."

"Mom, someone is asking for you," Imlie shouted as she rushed to meet Mish.