Chapter 28
Later that afternoon, Manisha stepped into Chandan’s Indian Clothing Shop a few steps behind her mom.
The shop was the go-to destination for Indian clothes in Little India and usually packed with customers, but on this Tuesday, it was surprisingly quiet.
Manisha took a deep breath and began sifting through the various ready-made garments on display.
Her phone pinged with two texts from Deena that came through one after the other.
I can’t believe you confronted her like that.
I’m proud of you, but I kinda wish I had been there.
“Manisha!” Her mother’s voice beckoned her from the changeroom. She’d already tucked away to try on a few garments that had caught her eye.
I’ll tell you more later, Manisha typed back before hurrying over to her mother.
“I love this pink one,” Manisha said, picking up a bright outfit along the way and draping it over the top of the door to the tiny changeroom.
“I think it’s time for you to change this boring brown colour scheme you have worn for decades.
” When her mom didn’t immediately respond, she asked, “Mom, did you hear what I said?”
“Yes. Boring brown. That is all I heard from you.”
She heard her mother bump her elbow as she swore her way through trying on the clothes she had picked.
“I just meant; you know…maybe Dad wouldn’t mind seeing you in something a little sexier.”
“Oye. Don’t say sexy inside Indian stores.”
“Fine. How about foxy? You’re a foxy lady, Mom. You don’t look like an auntie. Stop dressing like one.”
When her mom didn’t respond, Manisha gave up. She leaned against the wall and pulled out her phone.
There was a new message from Sunil.
I’ve been chatting with someone and, dare I say, I think we’re hitting it off ? I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m hoping this’ll lead to an actual date!
An unidentifiable knot of something formed in Manisha’s gut.
Envy, perhaps? That Sunil had so quickly found someone he was getting on with, in just a matter of hours?
The thought of him going out on a date with this woman made the knot furl even tighter.
Whatever the feeling, Manisha knew she had to be supportive of him, the same way he’d been so supportive of her.
That’s great news! I’d love to hear more about her. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled if you ask her out.
She pressed send and immediately felt antsy.
“Hey, Mom, you ready?”
“Yes. I got one foxy outfit just to please you.” Her mother emerged from the changeroom.
With a warm smile, she handed Manisha the pink Indian suit.
She playfully gave her a little pat on the backside on her way to the counter.
Over her shoulder, she said, “I don’t understand you.
You are on a break from work, but all day, type, type, type.
Must be someone very special you are typing to. ”
Manisha frowned at the thought. “You sound like Dad. That’s how people keep connected now, Mom.”
They were interrupted by the store owner. “Any new bangles?”
“No bracelets,” her mother replied swiftly. “Just suit.”
“How about for your sister?” He gestured at Manisha.
“My daughter,” she corrected him with a scowl on her face.
“Only suits, then.”
Manisha moved to the front of the store, not wanting to linger too long and be tempted to spend money she didn’t really have.
“Another Indian wedding coming up?” a voice called from the store entrance.
Manisha instantly recognized it—Rohit. She turned to see him standing there, holding a steaming cup of chai, a friendly grin on his face.
“What brings you here?” she asked, flashing him a quick smile. “And yes, isn’t there always a wedding around the corner in Baskin?”
“You’re right. And I was just picking up a few things for the Indian community festival next week,” he replied, glancing at her mother.
“Oh, Rohit, hello!” Manisha’s mother said, her voice warm as she joined them. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you! Look at you, always doing seva. How kind of you.”
Manisha could feel the subtle judgment in her mother’s words. It was almost as if she were saying Why aren’t you doing more seva, Manisha?
“Hello, Auntie-ji,” Rohit greeted, smiling at her mother.
Her mom, always a fan of a good hug, embraced him with a long one. “My goodness, look at those strong muscles! Rohit, whenever you’re free from all your seva, you must come over. Uncle will make you his famous aloo paratha.”
His face lit up. “Aloo paratha sounds amazing, Auntie, but…can he make mooli paratha, too?”
Manisha couldn’t help herself. “Yuck,” she exclaimed louder than she meant to.
Rohit laughed. “Not a mooli fan?”
“No one is!” Manisha shot back. “Except maybe you, clearly.”
Her mother quickly chimed in. “Manisha also said you’re making cheesecakes now?”
Manisha raised an eyebrow. “It was a grilled cheese, Mom. And don’t burden Rohit—he’s really busy.”
“I’ll try to come by soon, Auntie-ji,” Rohit said ambivalently, turning the wattage up on his smile.
“By the way, the permit applications are all submitted. I’m hoping we get approval soon,” Manisha added.
“Thank you so much. I’m crossing my fingers.” His relief was near palpable.
“Me too,” her mother chimed in, crossing her fingers with enthusiasm—though Manisha had a feeling it was for something other than permits.
Rohit nodded, glancing at his watch. “I should get going. Suzy’s waiting in the car. But…I look forward to seeing you both soon.”
Manisha watched him leave, her mother still standing in the doorway, waving until he disappeared down the street.
“Geez, Mom, drool much?”
Her mom shot her a playful glance. “Drool? Where? It must be this new toothpaste your Uncle Parm suggested.”
Manisha rolled her eyes. “Sure, Mom. You were practically salivating over Rohit. Your eyes were about to pop out of your head.”
Her mom chuckled. “My eyes are naturally big, like a cat’s. They used to call me billi eyes when I was young.”
Manisha raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, somehow I doubt anyone actually called you that. You’ve got a wild imagination, Mom.”
They stepped out of the shop, the soft breeze of the quiet street momentarily easing the tension.
But her mother’s tone shifted as she looked at Manisha with a hint of concern.
“You know, Rohit’s family has been through so much.
But look at him—still giving so much to the community.
Helping at the temple, organizing events…
Who else from your generation is doing seva like that? ”
Manisha’s sigh was heavy as she stopped walking for a moment. “I get it, Mom. But Rohit’s not the only one who has a lot going on right now. I’ve got my own stuff happening, too.”
Her mom paused, glancing at her with surprise. The strength in Manisha’s voice had caught her off guard.
Manisha immediately softened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just…since Sanj’s wedding, I feel like there’s always this pressure on me to be the perfect daughter. I just need a little space.”
Her mom looked at her, eyes full of understanding. “Okay, beta. I just care about you so much, and I want you to be happy…but I worry.”
Manisha wrapped her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “I know, Mom. But I’m doing my best. I promise, I’ll figure things out. Dating is important, but…so is my career. I need to find something I love.”
“You love law,” her mother replied, taken aback.
Manisha sighed. “I do, or at least I used to. I don’t know. I could just really use some breathing room, please.”
Her mother smiled knowingly, though concern still touched her eyes. “Breathing room, huh? Fine, I get it. Breathing room.”
Manisha perked up, sensing an opportunity to change the mood. “How about we get some breathing room at Thali Express?”
Her mother smiled. “Chal, we breathe together there. I could use some good food and some time with my good daughter.”
As they got into the car, Manisha’s phone buzzed. She couldn’t help but hope it was Sunil.
She took a second to check: Deena, who really wanted the details on her run-in with Lucky. Manisha tamped down what she could no longer deny was disappointment.
“Come on, let’s grab something to eat,” Manisha said, trying to sound casual.
Her mom grinned. “Okay, I’ve never seen you this excited about food.”
Manisha smirked. “All that typing, typing, typing makes me want to eat, eat, eat!”
They both laughed, and the weight of their earlier conversation faded as they headed for some well-deserved comfort food.