Hey there!
Welcome to Unfazed - the story of people who deal with life every day and still look at adversity in the eye and give it a wink and a smile. Sometimes, when no one is looking, they cry too.
Join Deeksha Bhalla - AKA Dee - a girl with si...
A little after the shock of seeing Harsh with the little girl Diya, in his arms, Alana, I assumed, joined us. Walking straight up, with one of the prettiest faces I have ever seen a girl sport, I knew we'd be great friends the minute I saw Harsh stiffen when he saw her. 'Is my brother bother losing his charm?' I asked myself and couldn't help but grin.
Without sparing Harsh so much as a second glance, Alana, Sneha's step sister whom I had never met before, came up to Sne and myself and gave us each a hug. Smiling at me, she said, "You must be Deeksha, right?" When I nodded, she said, "I've heard about you guys from Varun and even Sne here."
A little confused, I didn't know what to say when she said, "Oh – I'm sorry. I am Alana. Your Uncle – Varun, married my mom, after she got a divorce from my dad, about 8 years ago. So technically, I'm your step-cousin." Her enthusiasm and openness extremely contagious, I said, "It's so nice to meet you too! Where are you from?"
"I was born and schooled in Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi – but when my grandparents and bachelor uncle fell ill a few years ago, I had just finished my high school. So I took up college in India" she explained. Sneha laughed and joined, "See Al? I told you we'd get along!" nudging Alana.
"Haha – yeah. But though I like these peeps, we still have a long way to go with the rest of our respective relatives!" Alana exclaimed. I liked the vibe she gave me – smart, open and sure of herself.
"Ally – carry", a little voice interrupted my thoughts as Diya reached from Harsh's hands towards Al and I could see Harsh panic. So did Alana. She immediately reached out to Diya and took her out of Harsh's hands. While she played with Diya and Harsh relaxed a little, I noticed that he seemed still on edge.
"Come on – the rest of the elder adults are going to kill us if we hang around here any more", said Sneha and taking me by the hand, started walking towards where the parents had already spread out a pink and blue blanket that could seat 50 people easily. Alana, with Diya in her hands, joined us too – but before we could take two full steps, Harsh called out, "Dee – I need you to help me with the bags."
Grumbling, I let go of Sneha's hand and said, "You guys go ahead. Dobby is no free elf. Master calls."
Laughing at my incredulous response, the three girls carried on, while I said to Harsh, "I am not your slave." But I realised something was wrong from the creased brow my brother sported.
"Harsh, what's wrong?!?" I asked, now with gravity in my voice that I was sure he would recognise.
"Dee.. This is bad news. This is really bad news", he said. My turmoil getting worse, "Just tell me, will you?" I snapped because I was getting impatient with him.
"Do you remember I had begun a small restaurant outlet in my final year of college here?" he asked me, slowly. "Of course!!" I practically screamed, "Where did that come from?"
"Do you remember how there was a raid by the food authorities because of some post that went viral on social media by a blogger, saying that she fell ill after eating from the joint?" he urged.
"Yes, Harsh. I do – now I give you ten seconds to explain why you are so serious and talking about all this – or I am calling Ma and you'll have to explain in front of everyone", I threatened.
Paying no heed to my words, Harsh took in a deep breath and said, "The blog is called 'AlSpeak' and it is run by a girl. A girl called Alana Peterson. Yes. This Alana." Oh no. MAJOR Oh no!
