Page 16 of Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar

“Yeah.” Rudra shrugs. “I’ve had it for months. I’m moving in August.”

“Wow. Juilliard. You must be really good.”

“He is, but that’s not the point,” Priti says. “Ruds, you can do your work on the way. In fact, you could work the whole time if you’d just let me drive.”

“That’s not happening,” Rudra says.

Priti glares at him, and I mentally give up. I couldn’t have expected it to go any other way. Because besides this being the Wildest IdeaTM, it also involves Rudra, who doesn’t owe me anything. No one would be willing to drive someone they hardly know to another city just so they can fulfill some silly fantasy.

Then why am I so disappointed?

“You know we’re going to split the petrol prices, stay, tolls, et cetera.” Priti is still arguing. “I don’t expect you to pay for everything just because you can afford it. I can—”

“Priti,” I interrupt. “Leave it. It’s not that big of a deal.” I sigh, turning to Rudra. “I’m sorry we looped you into this stupid plan.”

Rudra looks at me for three whole seconds before letting out a breath. “Fine, look. Maybe—if you do something for me, I’ll drive you there and back.”

“Oh-kay?” What the hell canIdo forhim?

“There are some care packages I was going to take for my family in the States, along with my luggage. But if you could take them for me when you get on that flight this Wednesday, that would leave me more space for my actual belongings.”

“You mean some of the recording equipment you were planning to leave behind?” Priti asks.

“Yeah. The problem’s not really the extra charge. I just don’t want to lug around too much on my first trip there.”

I debate the proposition in my head. “That’s doable, I guess. How much do they weigh?”

“Five kilos.”

I do the math, converting from metric to imperial system. “Um, that would be around eleven pounds?” Eleven pounds would meanpreciousluggage space removed from the fifty-pound weight limit for my flight. Ugh.

Can I afford to leave some stuff behind?

Do I really want this that much?

Is it worth the effort?

I shut my eyes tight, the questions swirling through my brain. It’shonestly the least I can do for Rudra, considering he’s going to be sacrificing internship time to drive us. If I were in his place, I probably wouldn’t be so willing to help out.

I can afford to leave some stuff behind.

I do want it that much.

And yes, it is worth the effort, especially when so little is being asked in return.

“Okay,” I say. “I’ll take your care packages for you.”

Priti whoops, which is something I haven’t seen her do before. Not in a decade, at least.

I guess we’re going, then.

5

I Have the Most Basic Indian Bitch Name Ever

Mumbai, Friday

The three of us decided to meet up at R Galleria since it has a bunch of eateries alongside the salons and shops. Surprisingly, it doesn’t take much time for Priti and me to pick a place to eat while we wait for Rudra: Chaayos, a popular chai café chain with cozy interiors and passable tea.