I had never less than looking forward to coming back home. But this time I was desperate. 

That afternoon I was once again treated to Mrs Patil's exclusive menu. I was facing the ten course Indian meal table after almost twelve weeks. It's not true that good food makes everything great. But atleast, it makes awful things seem better.

My dad was out and so it was just me and my mom at that huge table. It didn't feel strange though. We were used to this.

Mom was in one of her chatty modes.

"I am sorry we couldn't plan a trip dear. Last time, at least it was Diwali. But now you have nothing to look forward to".

"It's okay mom", I said, as I tucked into the rasagullas on the table.

"Did Ishaan text you ? Have they reached Amritsar?" she asked.

How did she know? Oh of course she knew. The business partners!

"Umm..no", I debated whether or not to tell mom that Ishaan had stopped talking to me in person about one month ago, let alone text me.

"And Kimayra? What is she upto?"

Great. Let's go from talking about your long time best friend who ditched you to your new friend who's giving you the cold shoulder.

I'd never felt more unloved, all my life.

"Uhh..I guess she's staying home. Mumbai itself is a long way from here and I don't think she'd want to make a trip anywhere else" I spoke quickly.

"Coming all the way from Mumbai. The poor thing", my mom sighed.

I said nothing. I was usually more chattier with mom. But now I just didn't feel like talking. I didn't want to let slip anything about Yuvan, even though my parents had never disapproved my hanging out with guys. So I could tell them about him just as a friend. But I didn't want to. Not yet.

"When is the farewell night again?" my mom asked.

"The night before Makar Sankranti", I said.

"Great. When shall we go saree shopping?"

Duh! I'd completely forgotten about that! And the saree Yuvan had got me!

Now what should I tell mom? That there was no need to buy a saree because my new boyfriend had already bought me one?

Instead I just pretended to think and said, "Tomorrow?"

Mom raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Tomorrow? Really? You finally seem to be excited about a social event at school. Well done Hina!".

I managed to smile.

Mom continued vivaciously, "I have work in the office tomorrow morning. Let's go in the evening. Five thirty, fine?"

"Yes mom", I nodded with as much enthusiasm as I could feign.

The next day at five thirty, me and mom waded through the shopping mall at the centre of the city.

It felt like I was coming here after forever. The mall was overly crowded because of the holiday season.

The place was decked up for  Christmas. A ginormous Christmas tree with hundreds of colorful lights was set up at the centre of the mall. The nativity scene was put up in front of the tree and people were hoarding around it taking selfies. Golden stars hung from the ceiling. There was a festive mood in the air.

The saree shops were heavily crowded. Families had come together to buy silk saree for Christmas. Nobody looked like they were shopping for farewell night. The salespeople were hurrying up and down with packets in their hands. In this atmosphere, it seemed like it would be difficult for me to find a good saree.

"Mom shall we come back tomorrow?", I asked.

"No, Hina tomorrow the crowd will be more. Let's finish the job today", my mom said determinedly.

So we waded through the mall hopefully but eight shops, three floors and two hours later, we came out disappointed.

We hadn't been able to find the perfect saree.

Before leaving the mall we stopped at Burger King.

"Let's go in. I'm hungry", I told mom.

We went in and placed our order for two double cheese chicken burgers and two strawberry sundaes.

I was still processing all the drama at school.

"What happened? You seem distracted", mom waved her hand in front of me

"Umm..I was thinking of the farewell night. It's slightly creeping me out", I wanted to pout but it turned into a smile as I took a bite of my burger and marveled at the perfect blend of cheese and chicken.

"Now don't get worked up about it. It's not even your farewell night. It's for your seniors", my mom said, "And even if it flops, you'll find that it won't matter".

"Mom!" I cried in apprehension, "Why are you talking about flops now?! Say something positive na!"

My mom laughed a bit, "I'm not trying to dampen your mood. I'm just saying what might happen. Plus I have to tell you this. My farewell night was a big flop".

"What?". Now this was an untold story.

"Yeah. When I was in 12th grade, we were allowed to take partners and we even had a dance."

"Go on" I said, very interested.

"As always there was a lot of food. We had the dance after dinner. And I guess I ended up eating too much".

"And you burped during the dance in front of your partner? Is that right?" I asked, grinning.

"No. Much worse. I threw up on him"

"What?!" I almost fell off my chair, "Mom, are you serious?"

"Yes", she smiled and bit her lip.

"Oh my God! The poor guy! Did he ever talk to you after that?" I asked curiously.

"Oh yes. He did."

"Really?"

"Yes and in fact", she added as she checked her phone, "He's calling me right now".

Now I was insanely curious and I leaned over to see Mom's phone.

And OMG!

"Dad?!" I cried, "Dad was that guy?!"

My mom chuckled and nodded.

Mom finished talking to dad and said, "So you see Hina. A flopped farewell doesn't mean a flopped life".

I could only smile. I wondered whether I should tell her about Yuvan. But somehow I knew she wouldn't approve of it. There would certainly be some drama about it. I wasn't ready for that right then. So I just kept quiet.

It was way past dusk when we came out of the mall. As we took the ride home, I was debating whether to tell mom that we should give up the saree hunt because I already had a very beautiful designer chiffon saree wrapped up in my room at home.

But I didn't want to let her down.  So I agreed when she said she would get me the perfect outfit for farewell night before the holidays ended.