61. The One Where My Trust Is Shaken

"Alina, where were you?"

Placing the glass of water on the counter table, I swirled to look at Meena Auntie, standing at the door of the kitchen, worry etched on her face.

Gulping the water, I answered, "Club and then dhaba. Nisha's party. I forgot to tell you. Sorry. You were busy with work and I was getting late." Leaning against the counter, I stared at her worried face. "Didn't papa tell you?"

"He went to his room after coming back. Your parents fought."

"Oh. Is everything okay?" As if it was something new.

She shrugged her shoulders, stepped forward to settle next to me. "Don't you think it's late for you to come?"

"Got late. Why? Papa said something?" I asked urgently. "But he had said the curfew starts at midnight." I opened my phone and checked the time. "Fifteen minutes are still there."

"Nothing," She replied. "You never stay out this late."

"Blame my friends." I grinned. "They love night outs." And I had to convince Kabir to drop me home before midnight because dad would've