When I return home about midnight, Emaye doesn't ask a lot of questions. She, my sister, and Aunt Brenda prepare tea for me.91Please respect copyright.PENANAHlcxWfbyQz
"You know that your father and Jay's father are going to try to get you to go through with the betrothal nonetheless." Emaye lets the steamy smoke from her coffee find its way to her nostrils as she sips.91Please respect copyright.PENANAOBDkSTkc3Y
"I don't want to go through with the betrothal, Emaye." I don't make eye contact. "I don't love him." 91Please respect copyright.PENANA4U9dmWrO26
Emaye clears her throat with a mischievous smirk. "You loved him last weak, eh?"91Please respect copyright.PENANAxTBYFyXxOl
"I thought I did."91Please respect copyright.PENANASV1koulIsV
Nandita lowers her tea slowly, her mouth slightly agape. 91Please respect copyright.PENANA3UeDEZYxt8
"And what has made you so sure you do not love him anymore? He has hurt you, but that would not have stopped you from loving him last week...unless..."91Please respect copyright.PENANAwyDU49syFt
I meet the gaze of a very wise woman, licking my lips and trying to keep my composure; but she sees right through me. 91Please respect copyright.PENANAkL5i4XBqG8
"Child, you don't have to say anything. We all knew." Aunt Brenda chuckles a little. "The way he looks at you, even from behind the camera lense and how you look at him---can't hide it from people that know you."91Please respect copyright.PENANAzYerKa2Af5
I turn to my sister. "Abhi?"91Please respect copyright.PENANAOT1e8z03XM
She shrugs. "I suspected, but I never believed it. Julie asked me right after lunch about you two, and I just shrugged it off. I thought you loved Jay."91Please respect copyright.PENANA8djVPeTD4q
"I do!" I argue. "But it was my duty to love him, and that's not fair. He and I---we never had a chance to decide."91Please respect copyright.PENANAadrG4fhY05
Emaye places her cup in the sink, then leans back against the cabinets with both hands splayed along the countertop. "So, what are you going to do? Can your duty and love be combined...or...what?"91Please respect copyright.PENANAhibb6WNUOr
Angrily, I slam the cup down on the table until the porcelain shatters in my palm, and warm liquid slightly scalds my hand. I squeak a little as Emaye rushes me to the sink. 91Please respect copyright.PENANAV4GHu9QCpp
"Child, what is wrong with you?"91Please respect copyright.PENANAGRNjUb9YJ9
Aunt Brenda cleans up the mess while Nandita grabs a rag to wrap around my quivering hands.91Please respect copyright.PENANAVsYVrbsKY4
"Answer me!" Emaye huffs. "What is your problem."91Please respect copyright.PENANAfVtgCrFDci
"I want love Emaye..." I whisper. "I don't want what you and Bapi had. I don't want what Bapi wants for me----I always did everything he wanted, and he abandoned me. I want nothing to do with him, Emaye."91Please respect copyright.PENANAxtoQrBf64V
Aunt Brenda stands quietly behind the counter, watching as Emaye quivers, shatters, then lets the tears fall. "Be strong for me, babygirl. You mama is trying, okay? I'm going to make things right. We're gonna be alright."91Please respect copyright.PENANANj1Ndxx9e3
She starts humming, "OOOO, child, things are gonna get easier..." as she cups my hand in hers, and Nandita grabs me and twirls me around the room.91Please respect copyright.PENANA3Az0KvEfPU
Aunt Brenda turns on the stereo real low, and we have a whispering karaoke night to end my promtastrophy. But still...in the very back of my mind and very softly on my lips...my mind replays Rizzo's tentative kiss. 91Please respect copyright.PENANAeC2bH8LYTW