Too small for shoes(part 2)

No one ever talks about journalism colleges. In fact my family thinks I'm a bit of an airhead for having gone and gotten an admission in one. So you want to be Barkha Dutt? They ask me.

I don't want to be Barkha Dutt.

And so I spend my days doing the most un-Barkha Dutt like things. I am 21 She fumes Obviously I am going to write about love and friends and sex. Give me a break She holds up her assignment sheet, covered in red pen marks.

This is a journalism college you know- I remind her.

But she's RIGHT. We are 21, we sit on the terrace at the villa and mull over whiskey and coke. Sure its barely legal to drink right now, but let's face it guys- we are old.

My girlfriend wants to get married, He tries to slip in offhandedly. Doesn't work.

We all scream, WHAT?

We'll probably just get engaged once college ends, I dunno. We've been together for six years, he reminds us defensively and then curls up to hear our wrathful judgement.

Instead, S cries gleefully, Invite us to the engagement, I want to DANCE

Alcohol- A says slowly, like she can't stress the point enough. I want lots of A-L-C-O-H-O-L


My wedding, I tell them, Will have BUCKETS of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Clearly neither of us is growing up soon.

I don't want to grow old I tell A and S in a half whisper. I'd make a really batty old lady They agree with me.

Probably wont feed your child, they remark.
I will buy him his own food. GOD. How many times do I have to remind you I am not selfish. I just don't share. There is a difference.

We laugh.

The best years of your life, my mother reminds me over the phone, You will never look like this again. Enjoy it. She tells my Dad.

And my dad's no agony aunt. He sends me an email the next day- Stop pitying yourself, he types in caps lock, if it bothers you so much, do something about it.
He cites examples too. Like Raveena Tandon. I am bitter but impressed with his knowledge of Bollywood

Yeah. Gotta start putting anti-wrinkle cream once we are 23 , A reminds me. We are only half joking.