Page 30 of Knot So Romantic

“I have recommended the park’s restoration as part of my company’s CSR initiative. We can sponsor the event and provide the necessary resources. And your fashion show could be the perfect event to kick it off. I think holding the event in the park would not only raise funds for your building but also attract more attention to the cause and hopefully inspire others to join in our efforts,” Neel says.

My heart leaps with joy. “That’s an incredible idea, Neel!” I gasp, hardly able to contain my excitement. “I was actually hoping to use some of the proceeds from the fashion show to help restore the park as well. Having your company’s support and collaboration on this project would be a dream come true!”

I can’t help but feel a surge of happiness and hope, thinking about having Neel by my side.

Grandma and her friends exchange smiles, clearly caught up in my enthusiasm.

I twist my hands as I remember something else. “I’m having a slight issue with the show, though.”

“What issue?” Grandma asks.

“I’m going to need a few older models for the vintage theme. And I don’t know how to find them.” I look at them. “Would you all be interested?”

They turn to each other, puzzled.

Then Rimli Aunty laughs, “Is this a joke? I mean, I did dream of getting into theater back in the day, but a ramp walk?”

“No, I really mean it. I would love it if you could wear my designer saris and walk the ramp to save the old, beautiful building and park. To save our heritage.”

Grandma’s eyes mist. “I can understand how it feels to lose everything so familiar—the land, the memories. It’s heartbreaking.” She wipes her eyes. “If I can help, I’m in.”

“We’d love to,” Rimli Aunty says.

“If you teach us how to,” Kajal Aunty adds.

“We’ll practice,” I laugh, relieved that they’ve agreed. I’m so lucky to have so many people pitching in to help.

It’s getting late. Grandma and her friends have to leave.

“Oh, this is too much!” Grandma says, frowning at her phone. “My driver can’t be reached. I’ve been calling him for the past two hours to take us home, but he seems to have disappeared. He’s probably having a good time himself with the music too loud to hear the phone ring. What am I going to do now?”

“I can drive you home,” I say.

Grandma shakes her head. “But you’ve come by your scooter, right? What will you do about that?”

“I can drive you,” Neel says. “I came in my sister’s car. And they’re still having a good time somewhere in there.”

Grandma smiles. “That’s sweet. But are you sure you don’t want to go have some fun instead of driving us old ladies home?”

“I’ve had enough fun for one night,” he laughs, pointing to his knuckles. “I’m happy to drive you.”

Soon, Neel is driving Grandma’s car with all the women piled into it while I follow the car on my scooter.

He stops at their homes, steps out of the car, and drops each woman off. Enthusiastic waves and loud thank-yous later, we finally stop at Grandma’s house, and Neel parks the car.

I get off my scooter and park right next to the large tree in front. “Well, I guess that worked out alright,” I say as I walk over to them. “Can I give you a ride home now?” I ask Neel.

“No, I’ll be fine,” he says. “I’ll book a cab.”

“Absolutely not!” I say.

“That’s right,” Grandma agrees. “We can’t leave you here.”

“Okay then. I’ll take you up on that offer,” he says, hands pushed into his pockets.

After saying our goodbyes, he walks me to my scooter.

Just as I near my scooter, a car speeds toward us, honking so loudly that I jump in fright. With headlights glaring and music blaring, I can see it’s a bunch of kids. “What the—”