Before she could finish, Mr. Chauhan returned, holding a big bowl of soup like it was a treasure.
"Here you go," he said, handing me the plate. My mouth watered instantly at the sight of the delicious soup as steam rose from it and its aroma filled my nose.
"Thank you," I grinned widely, taking the bowl and slurping without hesitation.
"Kav, slow down," Rhea whispered, but I slurped louder, ignoring her.
Saurav paused mid-conversation with his pretty little ex and turned to look at me. I grinned, winked, and slurped even louder.
"Son, join your wife for slurp," Mr. Chauhan said softly, his eyes twinkling.
"What? Are you serious, Dad?" Saurav muttered, baring his vampire-like teeth. "I mean your friends..."
"It's our tradition, son," Mr. Chauhan cut him off politely. "What the wife eats must be eaten by her husband from the same plate or bowl. Since your wife is having soup, why don't you complete this tradition?"
"Are you kidding me?" Saurav scowled, but he stepped closer anyway.
Rhea quickly held out another spoon. "Let's see who slurps louder."
I raised my spoon like a warrior preparing for battle. "Bring it on."
Saurav sighed dramatically, muttering something under his breath, but he dipped his spoon into my soup.
The moment he slurped, I made the loudest slurp in history-so loud that half the guests turned to look at us. Rhea burst into laughter, clapping like a cheerleader.
Tanya, meanwhile, looked like she had swallowed a lemon. Her perfect Miss India smile cracked as she watched Saurav slurping soup with his wife.
I leaned toward Rhea and whispered, "Guess who's the real witch now?"
Rhea snorted so hard she almost spilled her drink.
Saurav scowled, spoon in hand, glaring at the soup like it had personally betrayed him.
"Son, don't just glare at it," Mr. Chauhan said, nudging him forward. "Slurp with love. That's how marriages last."
Rhea giggled. "Go on, Bhaiya. Show us your warrior slurp."
I leaned back, still slurping loudly, making sure every slurp echoed like a trumpet. "Come on, hubby. Don't be shy."
Saurav muttered something under his breath then dipped the spoon again, and slurped so softly it was almost romantic.
"That's not a slurp!" Rhea shouted. "That's a whisper!"
Mr. Chauhan clapped his hands. "Louder, son! Louder! The gods must hear it!"
So Saurav tried again, this time louder. Slurp!
I grinned wickedly and went full beast mode. SLURRRRRRP! The soup splashed, a noodle flew out, and landed right on Tanya's perfect red anarkali.
The entire hall gasped. Tanya froze, staring at the noodle like it was a personal insult from the universe.
"Oops," I said, not sounding sorry at all. "Guess the soup likes you too."
Rhea nearly fell off her chair laughing. "Oh my god, Kav, you just baptized Miss India with pasta!"
Tanya's jaw clenched, her nostrils flared, but before she could unleash her witchy wrath, Mr. Chauhan raised his spoon like a judge. "Tradition demands fairness. Tanya, you must slurp too."
The crowd erupted in laughter. Even the old aunties were whispering, "Yes, yes, let her slurp!"