When I return home about midnight, Emaye doesn't ask a lot of questions. She, my sister, and Aunt Brenda prepare tea for me.93Please respect copyright.PENANA9MbNxWBqNn
"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.93Please respect copyright.PENANAYlq5P05X6K
"I don't want to go through with the betrothal, Emaye." I don't make eye contact. "I don't love him." 93Please respect copyright.PENANAJQePjs1xgU
Emaye clears her throat with a mischievous smirk. "You loved him last weak, eh?"93Please respect copyright.PENANAsgPREVK1AH
"I thought I did."93Please respect copyright.PENANAkC0So0Wjoo
Nandita lowers her tea slowly, her mouth slightly agape. 93Please respect copyright.PENANAYW64Gq1nMO
"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..."93Please respect copyright.PENANAeqpfClzbAv
I meet the gaze of a very wise woman, licking my lips and trying to keep my composure; but she sees right through me. 93Please respect copyright.PENANA73HtJy23NL
"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."93Please respect copyright.PENANAT9V7kuVpXZ
I turn to my sister. "Abhi?"93Please respect copyright.PENANAMqV2lnQZgP
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."93Please respect copyright.PENANAV3Jgb5LhHl
"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."93Please respect copyright.PENANAEmRouUDz8r
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?"93Please respect copyright.PENANAYU7biO3Ha7
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. 93Please respect copyright.PENANArCQI2jQWKM
"Child, what is wrong with you?"93Please respect copyright.PENANAMJpZG52w3N
Aunt Brenda cleans up the mess while Nandita grabs a rag to wrap around my quivering hands.93Please respect copyright.PENANAyf3DHTYQxN
"Answer me!" Emaye huffs. "What is your problem."93Please respect copyright.PENANAPylMTEdJVI
"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."93Please respect copyright.PENANACa2mvVmcXe
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."93Please respect copyright.PENANAFJkyYr2Qa4
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.93Please respect copyright.PENANA6P3OAkwiaS
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. 93Please respect copyright.PENANA1u2P8mZJKC