All Strings Attached

Chapter Five

"What do you mean you got drunk and kissed Sita?" My father questions, sternly. "And you don't remember the details of it?"

"I— I don't know how to explain this to you—"

"Do you like Sita?" My father questions. "Cause otherwise you have no business kissing her, or even being around her."

"Naanna, this isn't about me liking—"

"No, Dhushyanth. I didn't raise my sons to get drunk and kiss girls. Do you like Sita?"

"I—" I exhale, not liking how this is turning out for me. Is now the moment for me to confront how I really feel about Sita?

"Dhushyanth, I asked you a question. I need an answer now," my father repeats himself. "Do you like Sita?"

"Naanna, can we talk about this later?"

"No, we cannot talk about this later," he answers, his voice raising a few decibels. "What do you mean you were drunk and kissed Sita? Are you saying you won't take responsibility for your actions because you were drunk? Or are you saying being drunk hinders your ability to use your head? What are you saying?"

"Naanna—"

"Dhushyanth," my father says, "you should have known better. She's younger than you, you should've been the more sensible one. Our families have been close for so long. Sita's father left the party he was in out of loyalty to my father- your grandfather. They have been our allies for a long, long time. When you become a minister, it is Sita's father who must have your back in the assembly, in the party.

"Do you have any idea how many people will become enemies to you if you look at Madhav and his family the wrong way?

"Forget all of that. Did I not teach you to be a responsible man in the thirty-two years of your existence?"

"I am not saying I won't take responsibility for my actions," I let him know, calmly, disliking the direction this conversation has taken. I did not think my father was going to be disappointed in me. I thought he would be mad, I thought he might cuss me out a bit, and sort this out for me, but here is Mahendra Reddy surprising me everyday I live. "I need you to understand that I'm trying to fix this for Sita, and I need your help."

"We need to speak about you and Sita when I get home, you better have an explanation. I will see what I can do in the meantime."

"Please don't talk to Madhav uncle or Rani aunty about this," I request my father, cringing as I can hear him restrain himself with a deep breath.

"You and I will have a long conversation about this."

I quickly send a text to Sita, explaining the situation.

I talked to my dad about it, he said he'll see what he can do. The channel belongs to Vishwanath, there's not much I can do myself.

Don't worry, I've told him not to get in touch with your parents.

I hope you're alright.

Dhruv barges into my room, bringing four glasses of coconut water with him, all placed on a tray.

"I only asked for two glasses," I remind him.

"But you listed four headaches," he says, grinning. "Did Naanna get mad at you?"

"He's disappointed," I reply, "he thinks I'm irresponsible."

"Irresponsible for getting caught?" Dhruv asks.

"I said I was drunk and kissed Sita," I tell him, realising my mistake. Dhruv seems to think the same thing, he rubs the top of his eyebrow, an anxiety tick.