Chapter 10

A divorced reception

“I have two interviews lined up this week, next week I have none” he exclaimed on the phone,

His Amma Pramila Rao worked in a BPO as a Office Manager, his Dad Somesh worked as a Director in BESCOM. 

“Neevi mun dina vaara bharteera?” 

“No Amma  Nanu Maanik manege hogteedane”

Tch”

“Sorry Ma” he begged

“Adu chennagide” she sighed

“Bye Ma?”

“Bye putta”

He hung up and walked to the window in Mendy’s flat

And stared out

He wanted a job in Bangalore, but that would mean staying with his parents, his father was very very strict

Strict to the point, he didn’t really like it at all that, his son married and divorced within twoish years, 

very orthodox and simple though landed and propertied he was uncompromising when it came to values

Deeply disappointed by Aatreya’s hasty marriage and divorce

His mother supported him

They both had different goals in life, he wanted to return to India

His Dad had suffered a Heart attack at 40, at 55 now he was doing OK

But he did not want to live overseas permanently

His Amma was supportive

Thought she wanted a grandkid from her son really badly as well

His sister Apurva was married to a Mihir Bhat, they wanted to “wait” so no grandkids over there either

In fact, his mother’s only worry now was not even her husband’s health but why couldn’t she have any grandkids

Mendy saw him staring out at 6 AM

“Soya nai?”

“I have an interview-ish”

“Do hai na?”

“I have somewhat of one today

“Who?”

“Someguy I met when we were hanging out in Wadala”

“Who Linked In waala?”

“Hmm”

“Good lead?”

“U know” Aatreya shrugged

“What does he do?”

“He is the head of some telecom engineering company, the Linked In guy”

“At his company?”

“No I think he said his ex boss is looking to hire”

“Linked In waala sent u on a wild goose chase behind ur blue eye beauty haan? Jyaada senti mat ho rey”

“Hahaha”

“Job bhi aisa koi time paas hoyega”

“I just want to meet him for 30”

“Kidhar hey?”

“Bandra…”

“Abhi itta door jaayega?”

“I am unemployed remember” Aatreya laughed

Mendy looked at his friend fondly

His heart wanted to be in India but his mind missed wall st

He was good at what he did, he was VP of a large mutual fund company, gave it up after divorce and headed back to Bangalore

Lick ur wounds and go back dude! Mendy urged

“My parents didn’t go to my wedding, they wanted me to return for a big reception, I returned with a divorce instead” he laughed self disparagingly

“Abhi ek aur se banane ka na” he patted his friend on the back

“Divorce?” Aatreya laughed picking up Iris and swinging her up high in his arms

“Atty chachu….” She was holding a toy pink remote from the car Aatreya had bought for her

“Chachu MAIN hai… Atty kya bole who?” 

“I know in Kannada” Aatreya smiled mischievously

“You are making me old man”

Lyn was ready to go take a shower

“Banayega omelette Mendy?”

“Jee madam, he went in to the tiny kitchen in the two bedroom apartment

Aatreya was a block from Amaltas to meet with a Soham Patil, he got off the black/yellow cab and checked his phone

Mumbai rush hour was worse than Bangalore he felt

He looked up from his phone wondering how to cross the road dodging cars and buses

Right BY him… in a blue Honda Civic… Mrunalini Ghatge drove by looking straight up not paying him any attention