Chatting with Gen Z cousin

My mom came to my room. She had come with an agenda, "get in touch with Ruhi. She wants to go on shopping with you".

My energy and enthusiasm dropped by 40%. I hate shopping. Especially if I have to go to malls or local market to shop. I hate the insisting shopkeepers. I had no idea why my cousin Ruhi wanted to shop with me instead of my sister who extremely loves shopping.

I texted Ruhi, knowing very well that she hates speaking in the phone. "Hey, mum told me you want to go shopping. When and where?" It is good with Gen Z cousins that they do not want to receive full sentences. Just intent is sufficient for them.

Ruhi was online and was prompt to respond, "Saturday evening. Want to visit that closed market for drip".

I read "drip" and I read it twice. My heart was racing. Someone is unwell and they have to placed on drip. But why are they waiting till Saturday?

"Who needs the drip?" I asked my cousin.

"Me I am the main character," Ruhi was fast to reply.

"Why? What happened? Are you okay?" I replied and waited for her response. By this time I had left my desk to tell my mom that Ruhi was unwell.

"No I am not okay. I am getting married in 4 months and I still not have a fit for sangeet. How can I be okay deedz" she replied.

"Why are delaying the drip till Saturday. If you are not okay you should get the drip today rather right now," I insisted. I was already imagining my young cousin unwell enough to need the drip.

"Chill deedz. No rush saturday is fine, besides I have a lot of things for today," Ruhi was very casual about her condition but I was worried. I remembered how weak I was when I needed the drip. I could not understand why she was not serious about her health.

"But why do you go to the market to get the drip? You do not need to wait that long. You can order online and get it delivered to your home," thinking of the quick shopping platforms who can deliver the medicines.

"I do always but not this time," Ruhi instantly replied. I was getting worried each minute. Does she always need a drip? That means she has some chronic illness. It is unusual she had never shared it with me. I was really worried for her health.

"Are you really okay Ruhi? You can tell me," the fear was taking over.

"Gosh deedz I am fine. Worried no cap" Ruhi replied.

"Then why do you need a drip? Why do you always need a drip? Tell me Ruhi," I was almost about to cry with worries.

"What is that question? Without the drip what will I wear?" Ruhi sent the text with angry emoji.

"Who wears a drip?" I fired back.

"Everybody", she sent a few more angry emojis.

Now I had lost my patience I called her, "Ruhi tell me what is with drip? I am getting worried. You are young, you should not require IV so often," I asked her.

"IV? What are you talking about? I don't need the IV," Ruhi was irritated with me.

"But you said drip. That is IV" I was still worried and confused.

"OMG you oldies understand nothing. Drip means clothes. I need clothes. So skibidi," Ruhi hung up.

I stood still, holding the phone in my hands. I was unable to believe how I misunderstood the whole situation with one word. At the same time, I was relived that my cousin was healthy.

My phone buzzed. There was a text from Ruhi, "sorry I called you oldie. You need to learn the new lingo".

I smiled at the text and replied, "I sure do".