Page 54 of Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar

I smile, feeling a slight prickle in my eyes. I don’t know why this conversation is making me so emotional, but Mummy always manages to make things better, or at leastseembetter. “Thank you, Mums.”

“Tch, don’t thank me. Now go. Priti must be waiting for you.”

“Probably not, but yeah, I’ll go.”

“Take care. And please, at least text me anI’m alivemessage whenever you can. Is your passport with you?”

“Safe and sound,” I say, patting my fanny pack, feeling the shape of the document through the material of the bag.

“Good. Love you, beta.”

“Love you too, Mummy.”

As we wait near Xion Mall in Hinjewadi, where the rest of the trekking group will be picked up, I text Amrit again because I need to get my feelings in check. That, and there’s something that’s been on my mind ever since we left the Sinhas’ house.

@notkrishnakumar

Hey

It takes a few minutes for him to reply, and while I wait, my leg bobs up and down urgently.

@amrit_ka_achar

Hey, I was just thinking about you

I read the message once, then again, and a hot flush creeps up my face, making me duck my head down to the phone. Charu’s busy talking with the others, so she’s not looking, but I feel like I’m sexting Amrit; I’m so giddy and embarrassed.

This feeling can’t match having an unrequited crush on Rudra. Like, it’s not even comparable, right?

I glance over at Rudra, who’s leaning back with his head tipped over the headrest of the seat. His face is turned up, and his eyes are closed, headphones propped against his ears. With his neck arched like that, his jawline is razor sharp and pronounced, and his Adam’s apple sticks out in his throat. I have the sudden vision of pressing my lips to it, before I fling the thought away at lightning speed.

Okay, maybe not, Krishna.

I can’t believe how quickly I’ve gone from resolving myself to crushing on one guy to thinking aboutkissinganother! Something is severely wrong with me.

@notkrishnakumar

Stop. Also I wanted to ask you smth real quick.

Are u free tho? It’s the mehndi right?

@amrit_ka_achar

No I’m sorry I’m getting my palms painted rn

I’ll ttyl

I roll my eyes, a smile tickling the edges of my mouth.

@notkrishnakumar

LOL anyway... before Mulund you used to live in Powai right? And this cousin’s wedding you’re attending. Do they live in Powai too?

@amrit_ka_achar

Um yeah. Why do you ask tho?

@notkrishnakumar