Margarita, with a Straw Page #3

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You must come.

Yes.

Where's Monu?

In the bathroom. As always!

Here you go. Your receipt's in the bag.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Don't move anything around.

When did you figure out...

that..

You know..

...you're gay?

Your body is perfect.

You could be a model.

Have you ever seen a model who's blind?

I've known I'm gay

since I was fourteen.

Wow.

I wish I could be that certain.

You know I was okay

with the realisation.

But the main problem

was parents and relatives.

You have to lie all the time. And then

spend hours feeling guilty about lying.

Just wasn't my thing.

So I told them.

Then? What happened?

My mother kissed me...

...and hugged me!

No way!

Of course not.

There was a full scale drama!

First there were slaps...

...then emotional blackmail...

...counseling...

...howling...weeping.

Then?

My mother took me to a doctor...

As if I had some disease

that could be cured.

Oh god.

When all her efforts failed

she finally

...stopped talking to me.

Is she still angry with you?

Last week after

she'd had a fight with my Dad...

...she phoned me and said...

Thank God you will never ever have to

deal with men!

My parents would have a heart attack!

For me I just like to be

who I am all the time.

This is scary for me.

It's wonderful...

...but so scary.

It's tipping down with rain!

You can do some

work too you know!

No. Now that I know you can type so well...

and were conning me all this while...!

It's because I...

...I thought you were cute!

So you don't think I'm cute any more?

Now I have a...

...I'm with someone.

30?

Can I use your bathroom?

Yeah, ifs just on the left.

Oh. I should help you.

Okay.

Okay. I'm done.

Can I straighten your leg?

Yeah.

Just relax okay?

I'm feeling sh*t scared.

Scared? Don't worry.

Yeah.

I have bad news for you.

What?

The Indian government

has denied my visa.

I've got the visa and the ticket!

Here Comes the Bride.....

Maharashtrian eggplant!

Again?

So what?

Nothing.

No. Go ahead.

Just say it!

What should I say?

It might even be possible

to see a lion eating grass...

But to see a Punjabi

eating this stuff everyday...!

Can't show my face in the community!

So you should have

married that Punjabi girl...

Can't remember her name.

Harneet.

Yes. Harneet!

She could make you

your roti and butter chicken!

Khanum my child.

Tell me - what's wrong with this?

It's really yummy.

Heard?

Did you hear?

Yes. I heard.

You should have made something else.

Are you sure?

Yes. She is.

That's great.

Evolved choice.

How will you have kids?

Get with the century, dude!

If Aunty finds out - there'll not just be

bomb blasts but serial blasts!

Mom's not like that at all!

I've known Aunty for 540 years!

Don't under estimate her.

Mom is a 'rockstar'

She is way ahead of my own ammi.

And I came out to her.

Mom. I'm Bi.

Am I any less of a maid (Bai)?

What?!

No matter how educated Indian men are,

at some level women are just maids!

Look at your own father.

Come what may -

he just wants my cooking.

They should be lined up

and made to wash clothes!

Really Lailu.

I'm not joking.

I know!

Mom!

I love you, Mom.

Love you too.

Mom...

You look like a heroine

with your short hair.

You know that thing I was

saying about being Bi...

Now you're well and truly a maid.

Because of me.

Give.

I meant...

Bisexual.

Bi...what?

What does it mean?

I love Khanum, Mom.

Yes. We all love her.

She's so nice.

Khanum's my girlfriend!

Yuck.

Not done Mom.

You're being a hypocrite.

Who's put this in your head?

There's nothing hypocritical here.

Of course there is!

Don't argue Laila.

This isn't normal.

That's what the world said

about me too.

What's your problem now?

Ask!

You ask.

No. You.

Monu's insisting on being taken

to the cricket match!

If we don't buy the tickets today

there'll be none left.

Ask your mother.

What can I say!

Mom. Please!

I've even finished studying.

This is Khanum's first trip to India...

How can we let her go

without watching a cricket match!

Mom!

Papa. Now you handle it!

What can I do!

Monu. Play gently.

Play-

Go Khanum!

-Play.

Where's Mom?

She's inside.

The doctor said we can see her soon.

Why has she been admitted?

Your mother has colon cancer.

Second stage. Relapse.

Your mother's a fighter.

She will definitely beat it.

One of you has to wait outside.

Okay.

Sorry.

Nothing will happen.

Go back to America.

How's Khanum?

Okay?

-Yeah.

I'm sorry Khanum.

You're not coming back

to New York right?

I am. Definitely.

One day...in New York

At Jared's house...

While we were working...

I had sex with him.

What do you mean?

When we were together?

Once.

How could you?

I wasn't thinking.

I was confused...

I know what I did was wrong.

So by f***ing you, Jared

gave you a certificate of normalcy?

No.

It happened in the moment.

-How convenient .

Jared could see me.

That's why.

You used me!

To take care of you...

...Fill your loneliness.

So I was a stopgap till

you could find a boyfriend right?

No Khanum.

That's not fair.

After doing all this you have the

f***ing balls to call me unfair?

You should have told me then

and finished it off.

Why carry on a Charade all this while?

I didn't want to lose you.

Now what?

You think I won't leave because of Mom.

I don't want secrets anymore.

Laila...

What?

Lailu. My feet are feeling cold.

Nurse. Can we get

some woollen socks please?

The blanket should suffice.

Nurse. Socks! Now!

One minute, Mom.

No. Just let it be for a little longer.

Please.

Good girl, Mom.

I'm sorry. She is gone.

Papa. Can you play this for Mom?

Laila, my child,

let the rituals be over first.

Monu, get the CD.

Panditji, one moment please.

Was it really necessary to tell me?

Yes.

Khanum, Laila, hurry up!

Its getting late to go to the airport.

Your straight hair is great.

Tony, please try

something different today.

Of course!

Hi.

-Hi.

Hey listen. We're going for a movie.

Do you want to come?

Some other time.

Why?

I have a date.

Helloooo! With who?

Come

Bye.

Ma'am. Your Margarita.

Pour it into this please.

Thank you.

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