Baby Does a Runner by Anita Rani

Author:Anita Rani
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zaffre Publishing

Fabricating the perfect life for myself has really worn me out, and I gladly bundle into the car with everyone else. Squished next to Ruchi, I lean on her as we leave the outskirts and head back towards the city.

I fall asleep in the cab and don’t wake until we’re back near home. My head is spinning. I shift myself closer to the open window for some fresh air, and notice we’ve already dropped off Sid’s friends, and he’s in the back with me, Ruchi giving directions in the front.

Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick! I breathe in deeply and notice a bottle of water appearing in front of my face. Sid. Helpful Sid, not Annoying Sid anymore.

His voice is a low, deep whisper as he says, ‘Don’t worry, happens to the best of us. But seems like us Easterners can drink you under the table, eh, Baby?’ I get immediate chills at him saying my name, his mouth pressed close to my ear, but he needs to give the East v West thing a rest. I don’t laugh, I’m tired and woozy.

‘Thank you for the water,’ is all I manage to say.

Sid looks a little put out, and rightly knows he’s pushed just a little too far tonight. I’m tired and already hungover, and don’t want to be reminded again of how I don’t fit in here, either. I want to be able to call my dad. I want to want to call my mum.

‘Baby, I . . . I’m sorry if I upset you.’

I blink away the one small tear that has surprisingly appeared on my lower lashes and turn towards him with a smile. ‘You didn’t, I’m just tired, and emotional. I didn’t know if I would miss home, but I definitely didn’t think I would bring so much of my . . .’

My what? My baggage? My mess of a life?

‘My grief. For my dad.’ It hits me in that moment. ‘He would have loved this, he would have loved to have come with me. We lost him two years ago and I miss him. Very much. He would have been the best chaperone for little old British softy me.’ I smile to show I’m teasing. ‘He would have been the greatest at showing me around, at explaining our history. He would have known where we came from and helped me get where I’m going. I wasted so much time and now I can never ask him what I really want to ask: about his family, about our experiences here, in India.’

I realise I’ve been monologuing at him while Ruchi snores gently in the front. She’s nodded off, but Sid is looking right at me, right into my eyes, and puts his hand on mine.

‘I’m so sorry about your father, Baby. I am sure he would have been proud of you for coming all this way. I didn’t mention it earlier, but I think you are very brave.’ He notices his hand has been on mine for

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