Chapter Thirty #2
Ravi hesitated, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. Then he nodded, keeping his tone calm. “I hope you do too.”
Priya offered him a grateful smile before gently closing the door behind him. She stayed there for a moment, one hand on the doorknob. That’s two down.
Turning around, she watched Dinesh with her parents on the balcony. One more to go.
Before she could gather herself, the balcony door slid open and her mother popped her head inside.
“Has Ravi left?” she asked, her voice laced with an almost too-sweet curiosity.
“Yes, he has,” Priya said, nodding.
“Rakesh!” Mumma called. “I could use your help in the kitchen.”
The second Puppa reentered the apartment, Mumma nudged Priya onto the balcony. “You keep Dinesh company,” she said.
Priya rolled her eyes before stepping out. Her mother slid the balcony door shut behind her and disappeared into the kitchen.
“Quite the view, huh?” Dinesh said, trying to break the ice.
“Mm-hmm.” Priya sat on the folding chair beside him. “One of a kind.”
They stared at the back lot of Moksha—two industrial dumpsters, a worn-out parking lot, and a fence that had seen better days. The spindly trees lining the perimeter did little to improve the scenery.
After a beat, Dinesh turned to her. “You’re very pretty, Priya,” he said. “I was hoping to see you at your uncle’s, the first time our families met.”
Priya sighed. “Yeah…The thing is my parents kind of took matters into their own hands with this whole setup.”
Dinesh raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re not interested?”
“No offense, but I really don’t want any part of this.”
Dinesh studied her in silence, and Priya cringed, realizing how harsh that had sounded. “It’s nothing personal,” she added. “You seem like a great guy. I’m just not looking to meet anyone right now.”
A slow grin spread across Dinesh’s face. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”
Priya blinked. “Wait. You don’t want this either?”
“Nope.” Dinesh chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ve been dodging these setups for years. But lately, my parents have stopped accepting my excuses. So now I’m going along but making sure none of my dates work out.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, just minor sabotage,” Dinesh said, his eyes twinkling. “One time, I took this girl to a high-end restaurant, then made a scene about the prices. Another time, I typed out a list of expectations and read it out loud.”
Priya grinned. “Okay, I have to know. What was today’s strategy?”
Without missing a beat, Dinesh pulled a magnifying glass from his pocket and peered at her through it. His eye looked absurdly large behind the lens.
“Well, you see, I have a particular fondness for feet. Would you mind if I take a closer look?” He patted his lap.
“Oh, that’s priceless!” Priya laughed.
Dinesh placed a hand over his heart. “I do my best.”
“So, let me get this straight. Meeting my parents at Vinod Uncle’s, asking for my number, showing up today…?”
“Parents. Parents. And, you guessed it, parents!” Dinesh checked off imaginary boxes. “They want me hitched yesterday.”
“And you’re not interested in getting married?”
“I am. But my parents would never approve.”
“She’s not Gujarati?”
“She’s not a she,” Dinesh quipped.
Priya’s eyes widened. “You’re Gujarati and gay? Oh, Dinesh.”
“Right? But it’s okay.” Dinesh smiled. “I’m dancing to the beat of my own dandiya stick.”
“Well, I, for one, am glad your dandiya stick swings to a different tune.” Priya chuckled. “This went much better than I imagined.”
“For me too,” Dinesh replied, sitting back relaxed. A comfortable silence settled between them.
“So, what are you going to tell your parents once I make my grand exit?” Dinesh asked. “We should get our stories straight.”
Priya thought about it for a moment. “The truth,” she said. Catching his panicked expression, she quickly added, “Not your truth, don’t worry. Just mine.”
“Oh my god! You’re gay too?”
Priya shook her head, laughing. “No, but I’ve been keeping something from them.”
Dinesh nodded in understanding. “Ah. I know the struggle well. So, what is it? Or do I have to sit here and guess?”
“It’s not exactly a mystery. My truth is already out there for everyone to see.”
Dinesh’s brows furrowed, trying to piece together her statement. Then, like a light bulb coming on, it hit him. “Wait…hold on…Are you telling me that you and Ethan Knight…that those headlines were actually true?!”
Priya gave a simple shrug.
“Baap re!” Dinesh slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Tu ne Ethan Knight! Excuse me. What?! My parents weren’t keen on a divorcee to begin with and immediately crossed you off the list after the rumors broke.
But when Ethan shut them down and your parents swore it was a misunderstanding, boom—you were back on the matchmaking menu. ” He let out an incredulous laugh.
Then something else clicked, and his eyes widened all over again.
“Wait. Oh my God. You’re the girl behind that photo.
” He gasped, pointing at her. “Ethan Knight, looking like he was sculpted by the gods themselves after a night of…well.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“I zoomed in more than once. Honestly? I’m feeling personally betrayed right now. ”
Priya smiled wistfully. “There’s nothing to be jealous of. That chapter of my life is closed.”
Dinesh sighed, shaking his head. “Life is wild, isn’t it?”
“I have a feeling it’s about to get even messier when I tell my parents the truth.”
“Yikes. Wishing you all the luck with that.” Standing up, he gave her a nod. “Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough to do the same.” He opened his arms. “This was a surprisingly great conversation.”
Priya grinned. “Likewise.” She hugged him.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Puppa approaching the door, only to immediately retreat to the kitchen. Great, she thought. He’s definitely reporting the hug to Mumma, and the two of them are high-fiving over their matchmaking plan.
By the time she walked inside with Dinesh, Mumma was already beaming. “Tea is ready!” she declared, her voice humming with joy.
“Thank you, Seema Auntie, but I really should get going,” Dinesh said, offering a polite smile. “Goodbye, Rakesh Uncle.”
Puppa’s expression faltered, his smile slipping as he watched Dinesh move toward the door.
“But Dinesh, beta, bhajiya…” Mumma hurried after him, with a plate of potato fritters.
“I wish I could stay.” Dinesh gave her an apologetic smile as he slipped into his shoes.
“Chai?” Puppa lifted a cup of tea.
“I really have to go, but thank you so much for everything. I had a wonderful time.” He shot Priya a warm smile before closing the door behind him.
The room fell into a charged silence. Priya didn’t need to turn around to feel her parents staring at her, waiting for an explanation.