Chapter 25
I know when I’m not wanted. -Brian
Brian
Something is up with Reina, and I’m guessing Amit too. They’re talking in hushed voices in the corner and they both seem irritated with each other. Despite the fact that I know he’s only her friend, I’m also a little weirded out by how much they casually touch each other. I’m trying very hard to not be jealous of their bond to each other. It’s hard because he gets to have her around all the time, while I just get little pieces.
It takes me forever to untangle myself from conversing with a very sweet, but nosy woman who claims to be Nani’s poker buddy. I tell her I have to use the restroom, hoping that she won’t notice I’m actually headed toward the corner where Reina is currently gesticulating to a seemingly aggravated Amit.
“Reina, is this your friend Amit you always talk about?” I come up behind her, only hearing the last word of the conversation. Intriguingly, the word is secret so now I’m really wondering what I’ve missed.
She nods briskly. “Yes, Brian, this is Amit, my best friend since childhood. We were just discussing, um…well,” Reina appears flustered for an unusual moment, and I watch her closely.
“We were just discussing how great it is that you’re finally in the states again,” Amit jumps into save her. I look back and forth between them.
“Yeah, I’m happy to be back. Happy to finally see Reina again too.” I send her a blinding smile and she gives me a weak one in return. “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you, man. I’ve heard a lot about you.” I hold out my hand, and instead of a weak shake like I received from Reina’s mother before, I’m engulfed by a hand that pumps mine heartily.
“Same, man, same,” he responds. Amit is tall and thin. He’s handsome in a way that I’ll never be. He seems polished and at the same time, exudes an air of innocence that I wouldn’t normally associate with a guy his age. He’s got to be at least six-foot-two, and I feel a little lacking. I stand up taller and try not to look at this man as too much of an adversary. He’s Reina’s best friend, therefore it is innately implied that I’ve got to be on my best behavior.
“Everyone, it’s time to eat.” Reina’s mother claps her hands and indicates the wide hallway to her right.
Appetizers abounded in the living room, so I’m anxious to see this spread. It was weird the way that Reina’s mom hovered around everyone while they ate though, looking as if she may faint if they spilled anything on her precious furniture. Why have all these people over if you’re going to worry the whole time?
“Wait until you get a load of this food, man. You’re about to think you’ve died and gone to heaven,” Amit says in a low voice as we cross the hallway to the dining room.
He is so, so right. I’ve never seen anything like the buffet before me. I glance over at Reina. “You’ve been holding out on me, princess. I want to attend all your family functions from now on.”
Reina gives a small giggle. “If all I had to do was eat the food, I would absolutely adore this holiday. Too bad, I also have to be social,” she whispers out of the side of her mouth.
I grin because I get it. I’m a social guy, but there’s like forty of us here. The dining room is absolutely the size of a banquet hall, but all of it still feels overwhelming. In here, Reina’s mom has decorated with color and the vibe everything gives off is one of celebration. Red candles, yellow flowers, pops of brilliant colors that drown out some of the white. I shake my head. Nope, this wasn’t Reina’s mom. I would bet anything this was the work of Nani and Reina.
The feast of food in front of us is massive. Reina’s mom walks over to me, and I feel anxiety strike at the cold look in her eyes. She seems to be constantly assessing me and finding me wanting. “I hope you enjoy the food, Brian.” She turns to Reina and Amit, who look as uncomfortable as I feel. “I see you’ve met Reina’s best friend, Amit. These two have been thick as thieves since they were little.”
Reina waves her hand in the air in dramatic fashion. “Yep, Amit is my bestie. Always has been.”
“Yes, if that’s what you want to call it.” Ms. Bhagat smirks and something ugly unfurls in my stomach.
“It’s what we are, Ama,” Reina says sternly.
“Sure, sure.” Ms. Bhagat waves off Reina’s words. “So, Brian you’re in the military, right? Gone a lot? I’m sure that must be hard on your family.” Her words may sound like they are meant to be warm and comforting, but they’re the complete opposite. They’re calculated. And she’s still examining me like I’m a piece of lint on her shirt that needs to be flicked away.
“Yes, ma’am it can be. But they’re pretty understanding,” I respond and shift my feet. I look over again at the food laid out. My stomach is rumbling. It’s obvious Reina’s mother doesn’t like me, but I really need to eat.
Ms. Bhagat’s eyes narrow. “Amit is going to Emory, you know? Going to be a doctor. He’ll be able to provide for a family very soon. And he’ll be around when Reina needs him.” She tosses the words in the air casually, but I feel like I’ve been struck.
Reina glares at her mom. “Ama, stop, that’s enough.”
Ms. Bhagat shakes her head. “No, he should know. He should know that the profession he chose kills families, that it creates problems for everyone involved.” She turns to her daughter. “And you shouldn’t trust every soldier you meet, Reina. You should know better.”
Suddenly, my need for food is outweighed by the anger in Ms. Bhagat’s words and my fear that some of what she says is true. Reina reaches for me, but I’ve had enough.
I jerk my arm away from Reina and turn on my heel to leave. “I don’t think I’m feeling well enough to eat. I’m exhausted from my trip.” I turn to Ms. Bhagat. “Thank you for inviting me into your home, but I think I should go.”
I stalk down the hallway towards the front door. I can hear the tap tap of Reina’s shoes behind me, and I finally turn. I harden my jaw as I look at my beautiful Reina. She’s even more precious to me than she was the last time I saw her, but I feel so…inadequate.
“Brian, don’t go,” she says softly, and walks towards me. “I’m sorry about my mom. She’s been hurt before, and she just…she just…” she groans in frustration and covers her face. “I’m so sorry.”
I place my finger under her chin and lift her face up. She looks up at me with tears shining in her dark eyes.
“It’s okay, princess, but she’s not wrong about some of the stuff she said.” I sigh. “And I need to get to a bed pronto. I’m worn out. I promise I’ll text you later.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it. I can tell she wants to argue with me, but I probably look pretty freakin’ tired. “Okay, text me,” she says.
I nod silently.
I grab my pack from the front entryway and walk out the door. I stand there staring up at the sky in frustration. It’s about to rain, and I don’t have a fucking way to get out of here. Of course, I don’t. Because this is my shitty luck in life, apparently.
I haven’t even made it to the corner when it starts to pour down hard. I clench my fists and run faster. Yep, today officially sucks balls.