18. Miley
I open my eyes Sunday morning to the bright sun shining through my window. It might be late morning based on the angle of the sun. That’s a physics problem I’m glad I don’t have to solve anymore.
The clock tells me I have wasted away my entire morning sleeping. Not the biggest tragedy. I didn’t have anything major planned for the day, except helping at my parents’ bubble tea shop later.
It’s a good thing my phone was on silent all night, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to sleep in like I did. I see missed calls, missed FaceTimes, and countless missed texts. I start scrolling.
RUBY
I cannot believe you didn’t tell me about Rohit
He is hot!
And you two are so cute together
I can’t wait to see him again
Mom and Dad are going to LOVE him
Ugh. It’s too early in the morning to even contemplate that train wreck that is happening before my eyes.
ROHIT
I hope you had a good night
Thanks for bringing me. I had fun
Meeting Ruby was a surprise
Not sure how you want to handle the mixup
I’m sorry I invited myself into a bunch of events
I’m sure we can find a way to tell Ruby the truth
If you want
MOM
Ruby is coming in today as well to help out, so take your time. Would love to see you both
DAD
Do I have to kill your boyfriend?
Why can no one in this family keep a secret?
DYLAN
How was your night?
Did you have the best time ever?
Did Rohit try to cop a feel?
You are hot stuff, but I did tell him I would cut off his dick if he tried anything with you
Call me when you get a chance!
I want the tea!
I snort out a laugh, leave it to Dylan to tell it like it is.
I ignore Ruby, Mom, and Dad. They are just going to have to wait, because what do I even say? I can’t keep up this farce. It was just a simple miscommunication, a simple rumor mill gone mad.
I don’t yet know what to say to Rohit, so I do what any girl in my position would do. I FaceTime my best friend.
The distinctive ring ring ring of FaceTime goes off and then Dylan’s face pops up on the screen.
She squints at me. “Are you still in bed? Isn’t it noon in New York?”
I groan. “Yes and yes.” I roll my eyes because she has more than likely been up since 6 AM and has probably worked out already, even while on vacation, in the hotel gym. God, who does that?
“You must have had a good night then,” she says conspiratorially. “Tell me everything.”
I start by telling her that Rohit picked me up even though I suggested we meet there.
She raises both eyebrows up and down suggestively. “I see, that’s not sus at all…”
“Just you wait,” I say.
She rubs her hands together in glee. I do not tell her how good he looked when he opened the door. That will give her too much ammunition.
I continue, “You won’t believe who was at the gala.”
“Uhh, one of your attendings?”
“No, shorter, more annoying,” I reply.
“Luna?” She laughs jokingly.
Luna is Dylan’s sister who she loves more than the world itself.
“Closer…” I trill. “Ruby.”
“Ruby? What was she doing there?”
“Apparently, Planned Parenthood is one of their clients!”
Dylan has leaned in close to the screen. “Oh shit, so she saw you with Rohit?”
I groan. “Dyl, it gets exponentially worse from here. She immediately assumed Rohit was my boyfriend. Apparently she heard it from Aunt Sue—don’t even get me started on that. I went to get a manicure before the event and she asked me who I was going with, so I told her Rohit, and now the whole family thinks he’s my boyfriend! My dad texted me this morning asking if he needs to kill him! Rohit is going to die for a crime he DID NOT EVEN commit.”
Dylan throws her head back and cackles.
“No, don’t laugh. I’m not even close to being done. You know those raffles we have never won? Of course, I won one last night, but it was a raffle I entered by accident. Long story. But, the cliff notes version is that I won four tickets to the U.S. Open Women’s Final! And guess who invited themselves, you guessed it, Ruby and Charlie, and they’re all like… well… Rohit loves tennis, so it will be a perfect double date. What the actual fuck.”
Dylan is now wiping the tears from her eyes from laughing so hard.
I continue since she clearly can’t get a word in from all her laughing. “Listen, there’s more. Then, Ruby invites Rohit to all wedding activities and the wedding itself . She said Harrison was going to be at the wedding and she asked Rohit if he’s the jealous type because my ex was going to be there! Do you even want to know what Rohit said? He said something like I’m going to make Harrison regret breaking up with me or something equally asinine. What is happening to my life?”
Dylan finally composes herself. “I think there is only one solution. You just tell Ruby the truth and then you can stop the whole charade.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I reply with a sigh. “I am seeing her later at the shop. I can do it then.” Better to save face before Rohit and I both get into this too deep.
We chat for a few more minutes. She tells me to say hi to Ruby and my parents for her. They love Dylan, obviously. She updates me on Quinn’s award and how nice the ceremony was. They fly back tomorrow night and I can’t wait to see them.
We hang up and I am resolved to tell Ruby the truth. It’s just so much easier this way. Poor Rohit doesn’t need to be dragged into all these family functions with strangers he doesn’t even know.
And I’m strong enough to face Harrison at Ruby’s wedding alone. Or I’ll be busy enough as the maid of honor to never run into him. Avoiding problems always solves them, right? No courage required.
I skip lunch and instead go straight to the shop. There are many great food options in Chinatown, so I will grab something after I get off the subway. I shower and get ready quickly and head out the door.
The train is relatively quiet for a Sunday afternoon and I am able to find a seat.
A text notification from the family group text pops up at the top of my phone.
CHEN CHAT
RUBY
Look at these cute photos I took last night
I scroll through the photos and roll my eyes at the number of selfies Ruby took in the library bathroom. Next, a cute photo of Ruby and Charlie makes me smile. The smile fades when I see the last photo that Ruby sent.
Rohit. Looking devastatingly handsome, leaning in to whisper a joke in my ear when he thought I was being too serious last night. And me, head tilted back, laughing.
My parents must have finished looking through the photos at the same time I do because the chat is blowing up.
MOM
Miley, you really do have a boyfriend.
DAD
I may actually have to kill him.
RUBY
They are so cute together
MOM
I’m happy for you Miley. I’ve been hoping you find someone. But I have to meet him soon.
DAD
He looks tall, but I could still kill him.
I don’t know how to get out of this anymore. It would have been one thing explaining everything to Ruby. Blame Aunt Sue for the rumor. But now? I have never been able to disappoint my mom. Maybe I can play along for a while. What’s the harm in a few placebo dates?