16. Miley
W hat the fuck is happening?
Did Rohit get himself invited to Ruby’s wedding? Did I thank him for it?
This was supposed to be a one time thing. He’s my replacement for Dylan… a stand-in so I wasn’t alone tonight. I don’t know anyone at the event, it’s why I didn’t want to come by myself. But Ruby’s wedding is a different story because it’s a family event. I know people there. I don’t need a date.
But when Ruby said Harrison would be there, I was surprised. Sure, his family is good friends with my family and our parents have known each other since they were elementary school children in China, or something, but I just figured his parents would go and he would bow out gracefully after everything that happened. Why would he risk seeing me after he ghosted me all those years ago? Why would he suddenly show up at my sister’s wedding of all places? Perhaps he’s coming to gloat; it seems like something he would do. Maybe he’s engaged, maybe he has a trophy girlfriend he wants to show off to get a rise out of me. I’m sure whatever it is, he just wants to make me jealous.
I’m actually really grateful Rohit is stepping in. I was caught off guard, but he seemed to know exactly what I needed. I glance at him. He’s still talking to Ruby, and he looks content. Perfectly at ease, actually. He seems to look comfortable in every situation.
He faces me. “What should we do with these raffle tickets?” he asks, arching one eyebrow up.
I groan. “I never win. It’s a useless endeavor,” I sigh.
He hums a reply as his eyes dart away, and I follow his gaze. The servers are in the periphery of the room, setting up trays to start serving the appetizer course. I glance around the room and see there are still plenty of people milling around.
Rohit must have the same thought as he says, “If we’re quick, we can enter the raffles. Come on, I could be your lucky charm.” He pulls out all the raffle tickets from the depths of his pocket and hands them all to me.
“If you are going to be a lucky charm, you’re going to take half the tickets,” I say.
“okay deal,” he agrees. “Let’s split up.” He then holds out his hand to me and says, “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
Instead of shaking his hand, I hold up my three middle fingers in a salute like wave and he barks a laugh that forces my lips into a smile too. He can’t out Hunger Games me.
The high level sponsors not only donate boatloads of money to this event, but they also supply many of the exorbitant raffle prizes as well. The other prizes are donated directly from Planned Parenthood. After many years, I already know what most of the items are going to be. They change slightly year to year, but the main ones usually stay the same.
Stepping up to the table, I start tearing the tickets into individual pieces. I never know if I should bid all my tickets toward one prize or split them up and put one ticket in each drawing.
I look around and see a few familiar favorites that I always bid on but have never won. I put a few tickets into the New York City Ballet, and a few for a private tour of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I save my last four tickets for my favorite New York City activity, the New York Philharmonic. When I was younger, I even thought I wanted to be a concert pianist. Ultimately, I decided to be more practical and go with medicine instead. I’m every Asian parent’s dream.
Rohit sidles up to me as I drop my last tickets into the fishbowl with a small sign in front of it that says “Two tickets, New York City Philharmonic.”
He bumps my shoulder and says, “I didn’t know you like tennis.” He is equal parts surprised and happy.
I furrow my brow and look up at him. “I mean, it’s fine, but whatever.”
“So… why did you put so many tickets into the bowl for the U.S. Open Women’s final?” he asks, pursing his lips.
“No, that’s for the…” I don’t finish my sentence as I realize my mistake. The signs had shifted a little. What I thought was the New York Philharmonic bowl was actually the bowl for the U.S. Open tickets. “Oh shit,” I say.
I reach my hand into the bowl and Rohit gasps, “Miley! What are you doing? You can’t do that!”
“Why not?” I ask incredulously. “I don’t want to go to the U.S. Open. I mean, it’s fine, but ugh, you know what I mean!” I don’t want to offend tennis-crazed Rohit, but I have never had an interest in sportsball.
“You can’t just take your tickets out. First of all, you don’t even know which ones are yours.” Rohit’s smug smirk is slightly irritating.
“Probably just the ones at the top!” I am exasperated now, obviously they’re just the top ones. On closer look, I now see many tickets at the top.
“And second of all,” he continues, gently pulling my hand away, “your hand is going to get stuck in the bowl!” He starts laughing like he can’t believe me.
I blow out a heavy sigh. “Okay, fine,” I say dejectedly. “Not like I ever win anyway, so it’s a moot point what bowl my tickets go in.”
He’s still holding my hand and it’s warm and comforting against my skin. If he notices me glance at our touch, he doesn’t say so… but he doesn’t let go. He’s probably afraid that if he does let it go, I’ll shove my hand back into the bowl. I wonder if he finds holding my hand comforting as well.
“Let’s just head back to the table before the raffle police come after you.” He chuckles, halting my meandering thoughts.
As we walk back, I lean in towards his tall frame so Ruby can’t hear, even though she is nowhere near us. “You know, you don’t have to come to the wedding. It was nice of you to offer, but you are under no obligation. I will just tell Ruby—”
“Miley,” he interrupts me. “I am so sorry I invited myself. I am happy to explain to Ruby that this was all a mistake. I definitely don’t want to impose on you and your family.”
I feel torn, and I’m not really sure why.
“But,” Rohit continues. “If you need some backup at the wedding, I am also happy to be there for you as a friend. I can definitely take some acting classes between now and then.” He jokes, but his eyes look almost hopeful.
I’m not sure what spirit has possessed the speech center of my brain, because it’s like an out-of-body experience when I hear the next words come out of my mouth. “If you’re sure you’re okay with it...”
Rohit gives me a half-smile with a slight nod. Since we are nearing the table, we both stop talking so that Ruby and Charlie can’t hear us.
Instead, I can hear Ruby say to Charlie as we approach, “Aren’t they just the cutest couple ever?”
Ruby is going to be so disappointed when she finds out the truth.