A pwomise ...

I woke up with my head hurting to the core, as if somebody was nailing my head to the wall, it made me wonder if Jesus felt the similar pain while being crucified… but the thought was blurred out by the overly irritating sound of my mobile phone. What the fuck was this? My ring tone had suddenly changed itself to a Gujrati song. I closely tried to hear what it said before picking it up, I couldn’t believe it, the words were actually ringing in my ear Phone aapado phone aapado, phone aapado ni hani, phone aapado, incoming free e hani. Phone aa- “Hello?!” I said with annoyance in my voice, I hadn’t even bothered to check who was calling, the song really did it. This had to be Rehan’s lame way of playing a prank at me.

“Babe! Where are you? I’ve been calling you for the past half an hour.” Said Leo on the other end. Leo was a flame of success in the industry; people envied him to the core. He started off as an assistant stylist at Shoppers, and then became a senior stylist at Shoppers, got an offer to style for Miss India, and today he’s got half partnership of Miss India with Ms. Sima Brio, as well as his own brand and he’s still a senior stylist advisor at UCB, where none of the designs in India get sent out without his approval.

“Sir! I’m sorry… I took a nap…” I said quickly getting out of bed to switch the light on. Shit. Nap?! It was 8 o’clock in the evening! I’d slept for 6 hours! This was ridiculous… who sleeps for 6 hours on a Friday evening?!

“Rose, stop calling me Sir. You make me feel so unprofessional for calling you babe all the time,” He said, for what seemed like the 20^th time this week. I quickly apologized, tripping over the clothes on my floor. The room was a mess, and I bet it was all Rehan and Simba’s doing. One day I take a nap, and look at this place…

“Its alright, I’m sorry for waking you up, but I need you here, I cant decide on a few designs. How long will it take you?” Me? Help with designs? Couldn’t he find anyone else in his big world of loving buddies and acquaintances to help him pick a design? Why do I have to go all the way to Bandra for it?

“I can get there in an hour,” I replied, cursing myself. I should have said two! Leo must have noticed the regret in my voice, because he said I could be there till 9.30pm, that’s an extra half an hour! I hung up and saw 4 miss calls from Rohani, and I quickly dialed her number while picking out something to wear from my wardrobe. Something casual, yet good for a Friday night.

“You called?” I asked, multi tasking my mind into talking to her, picking out an outfit, and wondering how to deal with Rehan once I was done with everything else.

“Yeah… you slept huh? I’d called the home phone and Rohan said you were sleeping,” She said giggling. “Your little cousin seemed pretty loud though, I don’t want to know what all he got up to there with you dreaming away!” I shut my eyes in regret.

“Me neither babe… I don’t want to know.” I added, “What’s the plan?”

“We’re thinking China House, meet up around 11pm?” China House was one of the most sophisticated club’s out here; it was classy, cool and had a much better crowd then many other places. I looked at my black spaghetti and skinny-legged jeans with a second thought – nah, not for China House! “Why don’t you meet me near Leo’s studio at 10.30 and we’ll head out there together?”

“Alright, I’ll see you then,” Ro said sounding pre occupied herself, but I couldn’t ask why. I had to quickly hang up, pick out another outfit, have a shower and talk to Rehan before I left.

* * *

It was 8.50pm when I walked out of my room in my gray silk rap around skirt, and a Ritu Kumar pink satin spaghetti, I’d picked it up from her show last month. Not literally ‘picked it up’… I paid for it, of course. The whole outfit went perfectly with my diamonte pencil heels and a simple black Gucci Bag. I never liked designer bags until this one; it was so much simpler and less flashy then the others that I had to buy it!

Rehan was watching Cartoon network in the hall, while Simba silently meowed at me from his lap. I’m telling you, they are so a team! Whenever I’m home or I walk in, Simba makes a sound to let Rehan know… it’s very sly indeed, but pity, I’ve finally caught onto it now! Ha, the game’s over buddy! I walked over to the remote control, put the tv on mute and took Simba in my hands, leading him to the kitchen for his food, he was purring louder then ever. I quietly sat him down on the floor as I opened one of his tans of fish. My final decision to dealing with Rehan was giving him the silent treatment, and it must have worked because he walked over to the kitchen too, looking up at me guiltily. He looked so adorable, I just wanted to pick him up and tickle him! How naughty can an 8 year old be after all? And anyway, it’s their age… but Rohani always says I need to make him realize the thin line between having fun and behaving ill mannered.

“Ro had called,” He said finally, sitting on a chair in the kitchen. I didn’t respond. “I’m hungry too,” Why did I know that was coming? And what made him think I’d forget? I took the corn flex out of the cupboard and kept it in front of him.

“You seem big enough to do other things yourself, I’m sure you’ll manage this too,” I said, leaving Simba’s food in his tray and left the kitchen. Even after having Rehan here with me for almost 2 months, I didn’t know him well enough to know what he would do now… I was hoping he would just go eat something and not stretch this further, not only because I was in a hurry, but also because I didn’t need unnecessary drama. I went back in my room to grab my mobile phone.

“I’m sorry, it was just a joke. I didn’t think it would make you angry,” He said, entering behind me. A joke? My headache still hasn’t gone completely!

“What was? Messing up the house? Or the ring tone? Rehan you have to realize I too need my rest. I want to be able to sleep with my peace without having to worry about all this… I work from…” I noticed the sad look on his face and stopped mid-sentence. Aw. I cannot leave him looking like this! I walked over to where he was and kneeled down on the floor to look straight at him.

“Alright then big guy, you have one more chance to prove yourself! I’ve got to be somewhere in less then 40 minutes, and then I will be seeing Ro, so I want you to eat some pasta for dinner and make sure you give some milk to Simba, and be in bed by midnight. Okay? No TV after midnight. Can I trust you?”

“Yes you can, I pwomise I will behave…” He said with a spark in his eyes, and his chin up high. I let out a laugh and gave him a big kiss. He still hadn’t gotten over the Pwomise. I think he’s said it that say since he learned the word! It’s too cute.

"Good. If you stick to your pwomise, I'll have a good surprise for you tomorrow!" I whispered and gave him a mischievous smile before I got up. Perfect. Rohini also said that when a child shows interest in changing or being good, lure them... lure them with something they like, as a treat for being good - it show's them that if your nice to other people, their nice to you. I sort of argued it for awhile, I mean that's what you do with pet's, but according to her, pet's and kids are very similar. I feel so too at times. Anyway, it was already 9:00pm and I was just leaving. God help me! There better not be too much traffic tonight... even though, it's... uh... Friday!