Chapter 20
A couple of hours later, Deena and Manisha arrived at the temple, where Manisha’s mom had asked them to deliver some items for the kitchen.
The Khannas had built this beautiful sanctuary as a gathering place for the Baskin Indian community, and it truly felt like a home for all.
While it was designed with traditional Indian temple architecture in mind, it also had a contemporary touch that made it feel welcoming to people from all walks of life.
The tall white marble spires of the temple stretched into the sky, each one delicately carved with intricate patterns that sparkled in the afternoon sun.
“So Rohit just took off? I did notice he looked a little stressed today,” Deena said, breaking the silence as they grabbed the grocery bags from the trunk and started heading toward the entrance. “I could see him at the counter while I was supervising your dates.”
“Ugh, those dates,” Manisha groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
They made their way up the broad stone steps to a pair of grand wooden doors flanked by vibrant floral arrangements.
Manisha took a deep, appreciative breath.
The air here always smelled faintly of jasmine and incense.
The lush green gardens surrounding the temple were filled with fragrant flowers and towering trees that offered plenty of shade, making it a peaceful spot for reflection.
“But you’re right something was off with Rohit today,” she said after some thought. “Selfishly, I just want to get this paperwork done, and then I won’t have to see him as much—or talk to him as much. God, are you hearing me?” She lifted her gaze skyward.
Deena giggled, but the sound came to an abrupt stop. “Well, you might want to pray a bit harder.”
Manisha followed Deena’s gaze and saw Rohit standing near the back of the temple kitchen, chatting with Meena Auntie. Her eyes widened, surprised to see him at the temple.
“What’s he doing here?” Manisha blurted.
“Talking to Meena Auntie,” Deena said, sounding more puzzled than anything.
“Yeah, I can see that, but why?” Her brain was running in overdrive. “We need to leave. Now.”
Deena raised an eyebrow. “What’s the big deal? We’re just here to drop off flour and milk. I’m not trying to mess with God’s plan, okay?” Deena insisted, looking up at the sky like she was asking for divine guidance.
Manisha grinned. “Deena, I’m pretty sure God’s plan doesn’t involve us being stuck in a room with those two. Besides, you don’t want Rohit to know we know Meena Auntie that way. What if she spills the beans—”
“Seeds,” Deena corrected.
“Right, seeds,” Manisha let out a half chuckle.
“So what? Half the brown town is probably on her list, anyway. But I get it—you just don’t want her blabbing about it in front of Rohit. Okay, let’s just unload the groceries, say hi to a few aunties and uncles, show them how well-behaved we are, and get out of here.”
Manisha thought for a moment and then nodded reluctantly. “Alright, I guess we don’t have much of a choice. But I have a feeling this isn’t going to go as planned…”
They entered the kitchen and immediately, Rohit waved them over with a smile. Manisha was equal parts surprised and confused—after all, he’d practically kicked her out earlier at the café.
“Deena, Manisha! Over here!” Rohit called out.
His smile was wide but anyone looking closely enough would see that it didn’t reach his eyes, which seemed to carry a hint of something.
Not the usual mischief or annoyance Manisha was used to seeing.
Sorrow. “It’s really good to see you both here today. It means a lot to me!”
“But we just saw you and, well, you were trying to shoo me out of the café,” Manisha couldn’t resist pointing out.
“Sorry,” he muttered, hand shooting to the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. “I just couldn’t be late. Not today.”
“We’re glad we could be here. And it’s nice to see you, Meena Auntie,” Deena said with a knowing glance at Manisha as they started unloading the grocery bags onto the table.
Meena Auntie wrapped them both in a warm embrace. “I was just telling Rohit how incredible the women of Baskin are,” she said, her voice full of affection. “It seems like God has answered my prayers by bringing both of you here.”
Manisha was appalled. A quick peek at Rohit showed her own horror mirrored in his expression. How did Meena Auntie not know about Suzy?
“Thank you, Meena Auntie,” Deena said, fixing Manisha with a look that said “We’re being extra nice now.”
Meena Auntie took a deep breath, placing her hand on her chest. “This moment, with all of us gathered here, feels truly magical. We are planting seeds of good friendship, my dears. Seeds that will blossom in time.”
Manisha and Deena exchanged wide-eyed looks at the mention of seeds. Even Rohit seemed to flinch, but he quickly recovered, his expression neutral.
“I’d better store the milk before it spoils,” Rohit interjected.
Meena Auntie watched him go with a wistful sigh. “He is such a kind-hearted person,” she said, almost dreamily.
Manisha smartly chose to keep quiet.
“Life’s been challenging for him lately,” Meena Auntie continued. “But it’s so comforting to see both of you here supporting him and his family.”
She cupped her hands around each of their cheeks. “I have to leave now, but I’m so glad you came to show your respect for his mother. She was such a beautiful soul. We miss her every day, but especially today.”
With that, Meena Auntie drifted off, leaving behind a mystical aura.
Manisha stood still for a moment, her thoughts catching up with the conversation. “I think I know why he’s been off today,” she said softly. “It’s the anniversary of his mother’s passing.”
They stood there in silence, staring after Rohit. Any annoyance Manisha felt over Rohit’s earlier behaviour at Chai Time fizzled out. In its place, a mix of guilt and sympathy settled.
When Rohit returned from the fridge, Deena immediately stepped forward, pulling him into a hug. “We’re so sorry about the loss of your mother, Rohit.”
“Truly sorry,” Manisha added, her voice sincere. To her surprise, she found herself hugging him, too. “She was one of my mom’s closest friends…she’s dearly missed.”
Rohit hugged her back, his voice thick with emotion.
“It’s been a tough week. And this kind of came together last-minute.
But all I can do is try to focus on carrying forward her legacy.
Speaking of which, would one of you mind helping me in the back?
I’ve got something I need to do, and I could use an extra pair of hands. ”
“Sure!” Deena immediately volunteered. “Manisha would be happy to help you,” she added with a smile that wasn’t entirely convincing.
Manisha opened her mouth to protest, but Deena shot her a look.
“Me?” Manisha squeaked, but before she could argue further, Rohit was already leading her outside.
“Here, you’ll need these.” He handed her a pair of gardening gloves and a dirt-stained apron as they made their way around to the backyard. “I hear the Patels have a green thumb.”
Manisha eyed the potted plants that lined a small garden area. “My dad,” she said, glancing at the greenery with a hint of admiration. “He’s the one with the real green thumb.”
As she slipped on the gloves, she couldn’t help but wonder how much more unexpected this day could get.
“Manisha, would you mind helping me plant these in honour of my mother?”
Manisha was stunned for a moment, but as Rohit got to work, she tied on the apron and dropped to her knees to join him.
There were marigolds, carnations, roses, and all kinds of plants Manisha had never seen before. She and Rohit worked together to plant each one with care, gently unpotting and nestling the assortment of flowers and foliage into the earth.
Manisha snuck a glance at his face and noticed how serene Rohit looked. The sorrow in his eyes from just before seemed to have quieted.
“Did your mom have a passion for gardening?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“She definitely did. In fact, a few years back, your dad came by and helped her get rid of those annoying weeds.”
Manisha was surprised to hear her dad had helped out Mrs. Khanna. “Yeah, my dad has a knack for that. What about you? Do you find gardening peaceful?”
Rohit exhaled deeply. “You know, I’m really trying to find peace in gardening, in the temple, in the café, in future plans,” he said, his voice heavy with frustration. “It’s just…it’s hard when you’re the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.”
Manisha gave him a reassuring smile. “Just give it some time, Rohit.”
He nodded slowly, the weight in his expression softening. “You’re right, Manisha. My mom found peace here. I just have to believe I can find it, too.”
“As long as you believe, you will,” Manisha said softly.
Her gaze caught on his apron, stained with sweat and dirt.
Her own apron matched his, and the sight transported her back to a cozy morning just a few days prior in her family kitchen.
Her mother and father working side by side in the kitchen flashed before her eyes, a strange parallel to the current scene in the garden.
She physically recoiled from the thought, rocking her weight back to the tops of her feet.
“Alright, I think we are all done.” Rohit rose from the ground and offered assistance to Manisha.
“Wow, this is absolutely stunning!” Deena’s voice echoed from behind them. Manisha turned to see her cousin making her way around the side of the temple. The three of them stood for a moment, taking in their addition to the garden, the quiet hum of nature surrounding them.
Finally, Deena spoke again, interrupting the stillness. “Manisha, we should probably get going.”
“Of course,” Manisha replied. She shed her gloves and apron, handing them back to Rohit.
“Thanks again, Manisha,” he said, giving her a grateful smile. “I really appreciate your help. Suzy won’t get here until later, but I wanted to get this finished sooner so that people can appreciate it in daylight.”
Manisha nodded. “No problem.”
As they walked back toward the parking lot, Manisha turned to take one more look at the garden, at Rohit. Maybe it was the seeds from Meena Auntie, or perhaps the power of the temple, but in that moment, she felt an inexplicable tug on her heart.
“Earth to Manisha…” Deena’s voice called out from up ahead.
“Coming!” Manisha said, whirling back around and quickening her pace to catch up with her cousin.