Chapter 3
Act I, Scene III: Hotel Verona, London
Kalina
‘W ho’s downstairs? Anyone tried to strangle each other yet?’ Savi asked. She dabbed some red lipstick on her lips with her ring finger and stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror.
She was my best friend and my favourite cousin. She was also the most beautiful, having inherited our grandmother’s striking green eyes and her father’s deep brown skin.
‘It’s a little chaotic, but in a good way. No one has started a fight. Yet.’ I was seated on one of the luxurious occasional chairs in the suite of Hotel Verona as we readied ourselves for her—for all intents and purposes—engagement party. I’d made a quick stop at the ballroom on my way up to see her. ‘Your mom has everything under control.’
She smoothed her hands down the front of her skirt. ‘I trust you more than anyone in this building. I don’t think anything could ruin my mood.’
‘You look stunning and the happiness shows.’ I beamed at her.
‘Want to know a secret?’
I nodded.
‘We’re having a girl.’ Her smile spread wide and I couldn't help but follow.
‘A little girl. She’s going to be so loved.’ I gave her arms a squeeze and studied our reflections in the framed mirror. Hers in a heavily beaded seafoam and gold-coloured lehenga, and mine in a dusty pink saree. Her eyes were green like sea-glass, while mine were brown. She’d inherited the daintier features of our grandmother, while most of mine stemmed from my mother’s side.
‘Thank you. Could you help with the back, please?’ She pointed to where the laces were done up halfway.
I tightened and looped the strings. ‘You’d think Ted would know how to do this by now.’
‘He’s great at undoing them.’ She smirked at my reflection.
I dry heaved. ‘Thank goodness I didn’t have to walk in on the two of you…again.’
She giggled. ‘It’s certainly not the last time. He wanted to bring his mother, so you’re off the hook. For now.’
‘One day I’ll get you back.’
‘Can’t wait,’ she said a little too enthusiastically.
I perched my chin on top of her head and gave her a warm smile.
Our skin was about three shades apart, hers a warm rich brown and mine a honey gold.
The most similar thing about us was our dark hair. While Savi's cascaded down her back like a waterfall, mine fell straight between my shoulder blades. It took a lot of work on my part to get the volume she was naturally blessed with.
‘Are you excited?’ I asked.
‘I’m happy our parents are excited about it, and we get to celebrate with both of the families.’ Ten months ago; the Rays and the Montagues would not be seen in a room together.
All it took was one masked ball to change everything.
‘You two deserve all the celebrations of love.’
Her hand flattened against her abdomen, where her belly was still hidden, and her face turned a shade closer to her outfit.
‘Can I get you anything?’ I asked.
She shook her head and took steadying breaths. ‘It’ll pass in a bit.’
Her morning sickness had turned into any time-of-the-day sickness.
‘Let me find your mom and make sure everyone is where they’re meant to be. I’ll see if your husband is around too.’
‘Husband,’ Savi repeated, a dreamy smile spreading across her face.
They’d been married for a few months, and she still said it with such reverence.
She fell back into the chair I’d vacated and lifted her legs onto the footrest. ‘What would I do without you?’
‘You’ve already eloped. The least you could do is show up to your post-marriage engagement? I don’t know what to call any of this.’
A peal of laughter escaped her, and I had no choice but to join in.
‘See you soon.’
I took a deep breath as I left the room and aimed for the lifts. It steadied my racing heart as I anticipated coming face to face with the BAA’s—Busy Aunty Association.
The older women in our family were fuelled by gossip, scandal, and unsolicited advice.
My situation with Jesse nearly eclipsed Savi and Ted’s union, but Savi’s parents and our grandmother put out the fire before it’d begun. It didn’t stop my body from recoiling as the lift doors opened in the foyer of the main ballroom. Their cackling laughter and loud voices spilled down the passage as if they were trying to outdo one another.
I was met with a flurry of kisses and hugs as I greeted the seven aunties—four from Savi’s mother’s side and three from our fathers’—in turn.
‘Lina, you’re looking well. So healthy.’ One of the auntie’s said. Her statement was laced with underlying meaning I knew was code for, “You look like you’ve gained weight but I don’t want to say it.”
As if I hadn't noticed the changes in my own body every morning. In the way my shirt buttons puckered ever so slightly, or my skirt required an extra tug on the zip. It didn’t bother me, at least not until she’d said it.
‘Lina, my nephew is in town. I invited him tonight to meet you,’ another aunt said.
It’d only taken thirty seconds.
Which was actually a record.
Older Indian aunties were always trying to set you up with one of their cousin’s sons, best friends, brothers.
‘Thank you, Aunty,’ I said between gritted teeth. I wanted this conversation to end. The large table near the doors was laden with gifts for Ted and his family and I needed to do something with my hands, so I took to re-organising the layout. First by colour then size. It drowned out the voices around me as they planned my future without so much as a question directed at me.
‘Let her be,’ Radha Aunty said, coming to my rescue. Savi’s mother was as beautiful, and as feisty, as her daughter. It’s often why they clashed heads.
‘Thank you, Aunty.’
‘Besides,’ she whispered, ‘her nephew is about as interesting as a toilet brush. Don’t worry about them.’
I did a terrible job of trying to stifle my laugh. My aunt was like a mother to me, and she knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.
‘Let me check the setup.’ I made my way out of the firing range and into the ballroom.
The space was filled with guests and had been transformed into something Tinkerbell would be proud of. I’d tested the string lights about a thousand times, and gave backup batteries to anyone who’d had pockets.
‘Could you make sure those,’ I pointed to the gauzy fabric hanging overhead, ‘don’t touch any of the lights?’
‘Yes,’ one of the wait staff replied.
I walked through the rest of the room, and tried not to look back or I’d be stuck all night trying to fix every imperfect detail. The light din of conversation turned into cheers and gushes as Savi walked into the room with her mother and father at her sides. She glowed and smiled widely as they walked her over to the cream and gold chaise.
My phone buzzed and I was surprised to see a text message from Titan.
Hey dimples, you here? I have something to tell you.
18:35
Of course, who do you think’s running this ship?
18:35
You know I like a woman in charge.
18:35
You can’t see it, but my eyes rolled all the way back into my skull and now they’re stuck
18:36
Well, turn around so I can see.
18:36
I spun, almost tripping over the pallu of my saree, but Titan reached out and grabbed my arm to steady me.
‘Careful, don’t want you falling for me.’ His smile made the corners of his eyes wrinkle in amusement. ‘Again.’
I straightened and he let go, but didn’t step back, which left little room between us.
‘Why are you dressed like you’re in mourning?’ I asked as I eyed his all-black ensemble accessorised with a shiny silver watch.
‘It’s classic.’ He adjusted the lapels of his jacket as if it needed fixing. Nothing he’d ever worn had been ill-fitting or creased. Ever.
‘It’s depressing. You need some colour in your life.’
‘What you’re there for.’ His gaze skimmed down my frame, and I couldn’t stop the heat pooling in my cheeks.
He looked about ready to do a victory dance.
‘Relax, dimples. How was it?’ He glanced towards the foyer where the sounds of laughter and chatter increased in volume. His question needed no elaboration.
‘Horrible. Aunty Sima set me up with her nephew.’
Titan had been around my family long enough to see them setting me up with some nephew or cousin’s son.
‘What?’ His question was followed by his arched brows. When he lifted both then you knew you’d truly shocked him.
‘Apparently, he’s here tonight.’
‘It’s a family event. Tell him you have to do something for the bride.’
I considered his suggestion. ‘Not a horrible idea. Thank you.’
‘If all else fails, you could signal me over.’ He crossed his arms over his chest.
‘While it would be entertaining, don’t waste your energy on me. I am a single woman, nearing the end of my childbearing years—according to them at least.’
‘My energy could never be wasted on you.’
I shook my head. ‘Always flirting.’
‘Not flirting. Facts.’
I laughed. ‘Sounds like a line. Does that usually work?’
He smiled like he was the keeper of all the secrets. ‘You tell me?’
‘What are you two whispering about?’ my grandmother interrupted. and I jumped about a green turtle length away from Titan.
‘Dadi.’
She appeared out of thin air, dressed in a beautifully beaded champagne saree. Her green gaze darted between us and a look filled with mischief crossed her face. ‘Am I interrupting something?’
‘Of course not,’ I stepped closer and leaned down to touch her feet before I pulled her into a long hug.
‘Aditi,’ Titan said. He did the same.
‘Titan, my my, have you grown? You seem taller and more…muscular.’ She patted his arms and craned her neck to meet his gaze.
‘Nope, still the same six foot four.’
‘So healthy and strong,’ she said, directly to me, then turned to him again. ‘I told you to call me Dadi.’
‘I would like to earn the title.’ He flashed her a cheeky grin.
She looked over at me. ‘When are you going to put him out of his misery?’
‘Dadi, please.’
‘I’m ready as soon as Kalina says the word.’ Titan wiggled his eyebrows at me.
He could charm the pants off anyone. Well, almost anyone.
‘Let’s find you a seat,’ I said and wrapped my arm around my grandmother. I needed to escort her away from Titan. The two of them together spelt trouble. Dadi and Savi were about the same size and this often led to people assuming our grandmother was demure and meek. She was anything but, and when Titan was around, she was cheekier than usual.
‘You keep denying it beta, but that boy is good for you.’
‘Dadi, we’re friends,’ I said as I deposited her in one of the soft seats. ‘Barely.’
‘I want to see you happy.’
I smiled at her. ‘I am happy.’
She squeezed my hand, and the creases in her forehead deepened while her eyes drooped downward. ‘I worry about you. When I’m not around anymore, I want to be sure you’re being taken care of.’
‘I’ve been looking after myself for some time now. Besides, you’ll be around forever.’ Thinking about a time without her in my life made my throat tighten.
She shook me from those thoughts as quickly as they’d begun. ‘I don’t mean money. You may not look like us, but you have your father’s heart. You need someone who lights a fire in you.’
My heart stuttered in my chest. I’d grown up without my mother in my life, but I’d always been reminded I was the spitting image of her.
‘I love you, and don’t worry about me. I’ll find someone.’ I kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the room before she could see my glossy eyes.
I’d made it halfway through the foyer when Titan caught up to me, his long strides ate up the distance between us.
‘Don’t,’ I said. I didn’t need his witty or snarky remarks right now.
‘I wanted to make sure you were okay.’
I steadied my breathing. ‘She only says those things because she has a crush on you, and you won’t date her.’
Titan beamed. ‘If she weren’t like a grandmother to me, I might’ve considered it…’
‘Stop.’ I shook my head and laughed.
He chuckled. ‘Mission accomplished.’
‘Talking up my grandmother?’ I tilted my head to the side.
‘Getting you to smile,’ he said and brushed his finger against my cheek.
Heat spread up my neck until it reached the skin under his fingertips. My mind replayed the kiss from the expo and the gentle way he’d cupped my face.
‘Lina.’ My aunt bustled towards us; a tall, dark-haired man in tow. She squeezed herself into the space between myself and Titan.
He backed off toward the ballroom while mouthing, “sorry”, at me. He was weak.
‘Aunty Sima.’
‘Lina, this is Arun. Arun, this is Radha Aunty’s niece I was telling you about. She’s thirty, single, and works in the family business.’ Of course, my aunt had to start with my credentials.
I offered him a tight-lipped smile, unsure of what more could be added to the list.
‘Nice to meet you, Lina,’ he said.
‘I’ll leave you two alone.’ Aunty Sima disappeared before I could protest.
A few beats of silence passed over us before I spoke, ‘Are you in town on business?’
‘Yes, I’m in town for a conference. Aunty Sima insisted I come here tonight.’ He didn’t seem enthusiastic about it.
‘Oh? Great. I love conferences. I mean, obviously,’ I said and gestured to the foyer.
‘You work here?’ He crossed his arms over his chest. On him it was almost condescending. When Titan did it, I knew it was for comfort.
‘I do. I’m the conference and events manager here. I have a lot of insight into conferencing. Where is your one being hosted?’ Since my boss had taken up the position of managing the new Cape Town Layla hotel, I’d taken over the entire department.
‘The, um, BDC.’ He looked over my shoulder at the ballroom where loud music emanated.
I wracked my brain for the venue information until it came up. ‘Ah, they were one of the first venues to implement an event app and website for virtual seminars. Pretty cool you wouldn’t need to fly in for the conference and you could log in from home.’
His lips parted slightly then closed again. He cleared his throat. ‘Yeah. It’s, uh, cool.’
‘I mean, given how things are changing and you can find everything online, it does make it accessible for those who don’t want to miss out on work or family responsibilities.’
I watched his face in apt fascination as he chewed the inside of his lip and tapped his finger against his arm. ‘Most people like the break,’ Arun said.
‘I guess, the option is nice. Like, the family and friends who couldn’t make it tonight get a live-streamed version of the event straight to their phones or laptops.’
‘Seems impersonal.’
I scoffed. ‘What’s more personal than being there for the ones you love?’
‘Through a screen?’ He tilted his head to the side.
‘It’s better than nothing. Before it was all about recorded lectures and seminars which were then edited, and uploaded to a drive weeks later. This cuts out all the work and time.’ It amazed me how far the industry had progressed.
‘You seem really excited about all of this.’
‘I am. I can show you some of it if you’d like?’ I added a casual shrug.
‘Maybe some other time. I think my aunt is looking for me.’
I turned toward the passage, where she’d disappeared earlier and when I turned back, he’d spun on his heel and made a beeline for the lifts.
Great. I’d scared another potential date away.
Savi waved me over through the open doors and I hurried to her, putting aside what’d happened with Arun.
‘Hi.’
‘Could you get me something to drink, please? All this talking is draining. Are you okay? You seem off.’
She never missed anything.
‘Do you want a snack?’ I asked.
She lit up like a Christmas tree. ‘Would absolutely love one.’
‘Be right back.’ A task to keep my mind and body busy. It’s like Savi could sense my unease. I made my way to the sleek bar and sidled up its edge.
Titan slid up beside me, leaned his elbow on the black countertop, and sighed. ‘It’s not good for us to be apart.’
‘Are you going to bother me all night?’ I motioned to the bartender who walked over. ‘One sparkling and one still water please,’ I said before looking over at Titan.
‘Can I get a Fiodh Hybrid, neat. Thanks.’
‘Still like your whiskey, I see?’ I’d accidentally taken a sip of his drink the night we’d met. I could still feel the burn of the liquor.
‘Sweet of you to remember, dimples.’
‘It’s my job to pay attention to details.’
‘What else have you noticed about me?’ He leaned closer.
‘You never take anything seriously.’
‘Nonsense, I take you very seriously.’ His green eyes shimmered as they reflected the fairy lights above.
‘That is the cheesiest thing you’ve ever said to me.’
‘It worked, didn’t it? How did things go with that guy?’ He wasn’t one to beat around the bush.
‘He seemed more interested in getting away from me.’
‘I’m sorry.’ His face softened.
I shook my head. ‘It’s okay. Nothing new.’
A peal of laughter came from the doorway and we turned to see Jesse and Lexie standing on the threshold.
‘Great,’ I muttered under my breath. ‘Their smug grins rubbed in my face all night.’
They greeted Savi’s parents and schmoozed their way through the crowd until they reached Savi.
‘Lexie asked me to be the photographer for their wedding, by the way. Want me to turn them down?’
‘Why would I care?’ I turned back to the bar, trying to figure out where our drinks were.
‘You and Jesse—’ Titan started.
‘There’s nothing going on between Jesse and me,’ I said, with a little more bite in my voice than I’d intended.
The bartender appeared, placed our drinks on the bar in front of us, and flitted away. Titan downed his in one large gulp, and didn’t even flinch. I remembered Titan’s face from the night of the ball. Behind his black mask his green gaze had twinkled down at me. Much like it was now.
Maybe if I’d danced with him instead of Jesse that night, I wouldn’t be in this predicament now where everyone treated me like a delicate glass ornament.
I shook my head to clear it. ‘Everything okay?’ I asked.
Titan’s gaze was far off somewhere behind me. ‘Yeah. Jesse can’t stop staring at you.’
‘He is not.’ I didn’t dare turn around to check.
‘You can’t see what I can. “ It’s my job to pay attention to details .”’ He looked so pleased with himself I thought he was about to break into a song and dance.
I grabbed the bottles and shoved it underneath my forearm. ‘You are insufferable.’
He leaned down towards my ear. ‘But you like it.’
It sent tiny shivers through my body. ‘Could you be serious for once.’
‘I am,’ he said. His face was clear and not laced with any emotion.
‘You are not.’ I held the bottles against my chest and marched toward Savi.
It took Titan three steps to catch up.
Aunty Sima, Aunty Jiya, and another woman, whose face I couldn’t place, came bustling toward us with determination.
‘Lina, what did you say?’ Aunty Sima all but screamed. Her cheeks were flushed a bright red.
‘What?’ I asked, more out of surprise than an actual question.
Aunty Sima placed a hand on her forehead as she shook her head.
Scarlet walked towards me, heard Aunt Sima’s voice, and thought better of it as she diverted her course behind me. I looked over my shoulder where Titan had taken a few steps away, leaving me to fend for myself. Neither of them would survive the zombie apocalypse.
‘Arun left,’ Aunty Jiya said.
‘Maybe he has an early morning. He said he’s here for a conference.’
‘It was something you said.’ Aunty Sima chastised me.
All I focused on was the condensation from the bottles as it seeped through my saree and soaked my skin underneath. I wanted to cry.
It was happening once again. Something I’d said or done made men run in the opposite direction.
‘Nevermind Arun, beta,’ the strange aunty said. ‘I have someone who’s perfect for you. He’s forty, a little bit older, but he has two kids already, and he’s been divorced for almost two years. A starter family for you.’ She leaned in close and whispered. ‘He’s an Englishman, but it’s okay now since Ted’s in the family.’
‘Sure. Yes.’ I nodded rapidly. I wanted this nightmare to end. ‘Savi needs me. Excuse me.’
I stepped around them and made it to the safe haven that was Savi and Ted.
‘Everything okay?’ Savi asked, looking at my face then at the aunties still huddled around one another.
‘Yes, it’s perfect. This is your night. Don’t worry about anything else.’ I handed her the bottle of sparkling water.
Titan and Scarlet joined us and before either of them could open their mouths I glared at them and shook my head. ‘You left me alone with them. I could strangle the both of you.’
‘You seemed to have a handle on things.’ Titan shrugged.
‘No sweetmeats for either of you.’
They both pouted at me. I was, of course, lying. But I needed to threaten them if only a little.
‘You look beautiful,’ I told Scarlet. I’d left her some options for tonight, and she’d chosen the emerald green lehenga my father had gifted me from his last trip to India.
‘Thank you,’ she said with a little curtsy.
I spent the rest of the evening ensuring Savi and Ted had the best time being celebrated and loved.
Then spent the night crying under a mountain I’d built with my blankets. At least there were no men there to make me feel like I couldn’t hold a conversation or keep them interested long enough to go on a second date.