by Varsha Dixit
Noah walked out to the movers and handed them the keys his mother had shipped him. “Okay you guys go in. Just put the stuff in any room, anyhow you want.”
“Noah Abe Collins!” His mom's voice was loud in his ear.
“You got me the house. Your work ends there. I refuse to decorate the ruin.”
His mom, sixty-two years old Victoria Collins, had raised her two sons and one daughter with patience and thick skin. Negotiating was in her blood. “Give it six months. If you still don't like the ruin, sell it back to me. I will tear it down and build three houses in that area and make a ton of money. Now do you still want to talk to your father?”
Noah smirked, revealing a dimple in his cheek. “No, I think I'm good.”
“Met any neighbors yet?”
“Nope!” Walking out to the pavement, Noah glanced around. He saw a slim, tall woman talking on her phone, walking away from him. Her walk was jaunty. Noah watched her till she turned the corner and disappeared. Then he glanced around to the other side. The street, lined with yellow and gold sugar maple and dogwood trees, was quiet.
“So whom did this house belong to?”
"Some old hag who died suddenly and her kids wanted to get rid of this monstrosity.'
“Talking of old hags, mom-“
“Perish that thought, Noah!” His mother hung up on her oldest not before Noah heard the dry grin in her voice.
A woman in her late thirties or early forties, thin as a reed with bird like features and a stiff bob, stepped out of the house next to his new lodgings. She was holding a plate covered with tin foil in her hand.
“Hi!” She walked toward him, smiling. “I’m Simi Dheer. Welcome to the neighborhood!”
They shook hands.
“Noah Collins.”
“New to the city?” Simi asked.
“I moved from Baltimore.” Noah replied, subtly eyeing the foil covered plate. He had skipped breakfast this morning.
“I love that city. Have been there a few times for work. Anyhow, Philly is great too! My husband, my twin girls and I stay there.” She pointed at her two-story brownstone. “This is a lovely neighborhood and most of the families have been here for a while. Do you have kids?”
“No, it’s just me!” Noah shook his head.
“Oh!” Simi extended her plate toward him. “These are for you. Chocolate chip cookies.”
“Thank you!” As Noah bent to take the plate, a white envelope flew down from the pocket of his leather jacket.
Simi retrieved it for him. “Oh! That's the hospital my husband works at."
“Thanks.” Noah stuffed the envelope back in his pocket. “He's a doc?”
“A cardiologist at Jeff.”
“Small world!” Noah crossed his arms, his smile quizzical. “I just joined the cardiology department. What's his name?”
“Dr. Hans Dheer.”
“I remember Dr. Hans. Sorry I forgot his last name. I met him yesterday!” Noah scratched his chin.
“Collins?” Simi narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “You are Dr. Collins, the new Chief Surgeon?”
"Yes! The very same. What a small world. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other!” Noah said, breaking a warm cookie in his mouth. “Sorry missed breakfast today.”
“No worries! Can I get you something else to eat?” Simi shared an easy laugh with him.
“No thank you, these are really good!” Noah picked up another cookie.
Simi lost some of her smile. “My sister-in-law made them.'
Just then a burly mover appeared on the side.
“Excuse me!” Noah said.
“Sure! If you need anything feel free to stop by.” Simi waved.
“Will do. Thank you for the treats.” Noah hurried inside his new house.
Simi Dheer watched the young doctor and her husband's new boss jog in. A plan was already forming in her mind - a matchmaking sort of plan.
Chapter 12
Danika pushed open the glass door that had several stickers on it, promoting everything and everyone from Pope to plumbers.
“Hey sister!” A beefy young man with tattoos of skulls and ladies covering both his arms from shoulder to forearm called out.
“Hi Param!' Danika came around the counter and joined him near the cash register. “So Dad and Uncle are not in today?” Danika asked, sliding her simple black purse in a slot under the register. She wasn't really asking. Param put his 18-inch biceps and tats on display only when his father and Uncle were not coming to the store.
“Uhhh!” Param smirked, his tanned left cheek bunched up. “So, how is your day going?” He rested his elbow on a crate of fresh fruit.
Just like every other day since the accident, juggling and struggling! “Too early to call!” Danika remarked with her usual calm smile.
Param adjusted his dark brown beanie. “You remember how I saved you last month from those goons Sis?”
Danika raised a brow and replied slowly. “Yes!”
Param was referring to some drunken idiots who had noticed Danika from the adjoining gas station as she waited at the bus station, late at night, trying to catch a bus to her apartment. It was post that incident that Danika had decided she needed a car. The drunken boys who seemed to be in their late teens had crowded her, making obscene gestures and shouting suggestive crude comments. One of them had snatched her cell as Danika had been about to call the cops.
Param had heard the loud voices and come down from his apartment above the store. He was accompanied by his three cousins and they weren't empty-handed. Thick baseball bats and their stocky appearance had rid Danika of her rowdy admirers. “I do remember that night! Thank you again!” Danika said, changing the paper roll in the printer.
Param waved his arm dismissively. “But you did say next day that you owe me big.”
“Okay!” Danika bit her lower lip, trying to hide her tension. Param’s like a younger bratty brother. He better not hit on me. The thought terrified her even though Danika hid it well.
“So, sister, there is this cousin of my mine. He just got divorced and he is moping around like a girl.”
“Like a girl, Param?” Danika raised her brow.
“Sorry! It's just that he is very sad all the time. His mother, my aunt, she’s tired of him. She says his wife was the first woman to kick her son out of the house and she will be second.”
Danika smiled, relieved. Param was looking for some empathy for his cousin. “Sure, I can talk to him. I get it, I'm too am divorced. Everyone gets over it, some sooner than others.” Danika sat down on the stool behind the register. “I'll talk to him, no worries!”
Param tugged his ear lobe and smiled cheekily. “Can you talk to him over dinner? Maybe wearing a nice dress? Maybe in a restaurant? Maybe-“
Danika blinked her eyes rapidly. “Hold on! Are you asking me to go on a date with your cousin?”
“Please sis! Please! Just one date. He is really nice. Please!” Param folded his hands in front of her.
“He's a crybaby!”
“To his mom!” Param faked some indignation by puffing out his chest. “Every kid cries in front of their mom. Didn't you?”
Danika tried using logic. “If he hasn't got over his ex-wife, how would going on a date help him?”
“He can see for himself that there are other options. More divorced fishes in the sea. He is a vegetarian though. Just saying!”
“Param, I don't think it will really help.” Danika rushed to change the topic. “Did you shelve the boxes of noodles and flour that came in last night?”
Param grabbed her hand. “Please sister, just one date! Please just take that dude out for dinner. I'll pay! Please!”
Danika puckered her mouth and tugged her hand free. “I don't think I can.”
“Please, please. I helped you get this job too, remember?” Param persisted, his expression like that of a puppy begging for a bone.
Danika felt some reluctant gratitude. She swallowed her denial. “He's not
a pervert or something like that right?”
Param chuckled at that. “Pervert? I would be surprised if he knows how babies are made.”
Rolling her eyes, Danika slid off the stool.
“So, will you?”
Danika exhaled noisily. “Fine! Just one date and that’s it.”
Param clapped his hand. “Just one. Thank you. Thank you.”
“And then you and I are even?” Danika's tone was firm.
"Even steven!” Param flexed his bicep.
“Gross!” Danika smiled in spite of herself.
“Then can I confirm for this Friday?”
“Sure, why not?” Danika walked to the back office. She saw the boxes of flour and noodles stacked, unopened.
“Coolio! I will talk to my cousin and then get back to you. His name is Kiran.”
Danika nodded, tackling the first box.
“By the way, he's really hot.”
“That’s some consolation.” Danika slit the seal of the box open with a stubby knife.
She did not hear Param's muttered words under his breath. “To his mother!”
“Yeah don't choose an expensive restaurant.” Param rubbed the back of his neck.
“I love drive-throughs.” Danika smiled
“He doesn't have a car.”
In for a penny, in for a pound. “Well, then I love vending machines I guess!” Danika replied taking packets out of the box.
“Would a sandwich shop or a fast food Chinese work?”
Danika batted her eyelashes. “My dream restaurants!”
Param chuckled. “Oh yeah, FYI Kiran has a medical condition.”
Danika paused, her arms loaded with yellow and red colored packets of flour. “What medical condition? Is it contagious?”
“Thankfully not!” Param chuckled and disappeared in the back of the store.
Danika stared at the packets in her hand. “An evening with a handsome whiner and cheap food. What more can a girl ask for?”
Chapter 13
Close to seven in the evening, Danika used her key and entered her brother's house. The first person she saw was the one she was most fond of in the world, after her nieces of course.
“From the Indian store?' Hans asked as he sat on the dining table, scribbling something on the file in front of him. An open packet of potato chips lay on the table next to him.
“Indian store was morning, evening is the dentist gig!” Danika flopped on a chair next to him and yanked away the chips. “Hasn't Simi B put you on a diet?” Simi B was short for Simi Bhabhi.
“Don't come between me and my food.” Hans said, pulling a bar of chocolate from the pocket from his green scrubs.
“Where are all your girls?”
“Look at your watch!”
“Aha! Kids bath time.” Danika pulled a chip and stuffed it into her mouth. Simi was a stickler for routine. Sometimes when thinking random thoughts, Danika was sure Simi must have been a watchmaker or a timekeeper in her past birth.
“Shouldn't you be up there helping her, Bro?”
"I'm working!” Hans winked, unwrapping more of the chocolate. “You look tired. Why don't you crash here tonight?”
Danika stifled a yawn. “Thank you for the offer but I'm just going to make some dinner and head home.” She got up, stretching.
“You don't need to come every other night and cook dinner for us Dani. Your eating or crashing here is not a burden.” Her brother was back to scribbling on the papers in front of him.
“Pshh!” Danika wrinkled her nose. “I basically cook for myself. You guys get the extras.” She got to her feet. Sure, I didn't borrow any money from them but since loosing the full time job and car I have been eating here and using a lot of their stuff. “It’s only fair!” She murmured.
“What's that?”
“Nothing! I better start cooking. Simi B will be done soon.” Danika began with washing and peeling potatoes. Her brother was not the only one fearful of his wife. So was Danika. Simi with her perfect hair, perfect mannerisms, an ideal mom and a thorough professional, who still found time to be active member of several committees and charities, gave Danika a complex.
Simi had tried to convince Danika to either go back to the cheater of her husband or India. However, her brother had, probably for the first time, resisted his wife for which Danika could not thank him enough. Hans was the only family Danika had.
“So guess who is visiting us this weekend?” Hans muttered grabbing back the chips.
“Does her name start with the letter A?” Danika efficiently cut the potatoes and sprinkled them with olive oil and rosemary.
“Yeah. My lovely sister-in-law Anya!”
“She's sweet!” Danika said. Anya was Simi B's stunning twenty six year old sister. She was a happy-go-lucky woman who only lived to please herself. However, her heart was in the right place.
Currently, Anya was working as an event planner in New Jersey. The only reason Simi did not pick on Danika's lack of a real career was because of her own sister's habit of dropping jobs like they were yesterday’s newspaper. Fortunately for Anya, she and Simi had rich parents who could afford their daughter's extravagant ways.
“Simi and her matchmaking habits! She has set Anya up on a date.” Hans grumbled.
“Nice!” Danika put the potatoes in the oven and then took out the rice. She saw the lights on in Mrs. Schneider's kitchen that was obscured partially by the overgrown foliage between the houses. “Did you see, you have new neighbors Bro?”
Hans sauntered into the kitchen, his gut coming in before him. “I know. And guess bloody who it is? My new boss!”
Danika paused, her mouth open. “The guy who took the position that rightfully should have been yours.”
“The one and the same!” Hans chucked the packet of chips in the trash bin.
“I hate him already!” Danika muttered washing the rice with more vigor than the grain deserved.
“You hate who?”
Danika and her brother turned at the terse voice.
“Hi Simi B.” Danika greeted. “Should I warm the nuggets for the girls?”
“I'm going to kiss my clean babies!” Dr. Hans went up the stairs slowly.
Simi filled a glass with chilled water and took a seat at the dining table, her small sharp eyes steadily following Danika’s movement around the kitchen. “Yes please warm the nuggets. So who do you hate?”
"Our next door neighbor! Bro’s boss.”
“Why hate that poor man. Hans at his work is the same as he is in personal life - laid back, unambitious and prone to bad decisions.” Simi was quick to point.
Danika bit her lip and did not respond to her sister-in-law's diss of her brother. She's his wife. She has the right to slay or support him.
“Can you babysit the twins this Friday?”
Shoot! Danika bit her bottom lip. “Ugh! I actually have some plans.”
“They can't be cancelled?”
Danika chewed the inner lining of her cheek. “Sorry, can't. Not this time!”
“May I ask what these plans are?” It did not sound like a request.
“Umm! I have a date.” Danika whispered the last word keeping her back to Simi.
“You have a date?” Simi sounded incredulous. “Who's the guy?”
“You don't know him.” Danika grimaced. I don't know him!
Danika drowned whatever else Simi was about to say in the sizzle of cumin seeds tossed carelessly in the heated cooking oil.
Chapter 14
Friday Evening
7:00 pm
Noah unzipped his dark blue trousers and tucked in the sky blue shirt. He studied his reflection in the mirror propped against the wall. “Too formal!” He shrugged. “Whatever! It’s dinner.' He ran a comb carelessly through his dark thick hair that had a tendency to curl at the back. “Why the heck did I agree to this?” He shook his head. “I can do this, it’s just a mtter of few hours.”
****
Same time
/> Dheer residence
Is my lipstick too bright? Danika puckered her mouth staring at her lips in the square mirror above the sink. What if the accountant tries to hit on me? Since her experience with Piyush, Danika went out of her way to shun any and all romantic encounters. She dressed drab out of choice and usually wore no makeup. But Danika could do nothing to hide her sparkling eyes with long, thick and curling eyelashes that were the most riveting features of her face and seemed to shine with inner light. Men stared at her admiringly but Danika never encouraged anyone, always snubbing them with her chilly expression.
Danika tore off some toilet paper and dabbed her mouth, reducing the crimson on her lips. She pinned her thick front locks at the back of her head showing more of her eyes and smooth complexion. Danika frowned at her reflection and then drew in a deep breath. I can do this. It’s just for few hours!
**--**
Ten minutes later when Noah came down the stairs in the quiet house, he was wearing jeans, white shirt and a leather jacket. Most of his wardrobe was still packed in one of the many boxes littering the room across the master suite. “Wallet check, house keys check!” He shut the lights off and closed the front door behind him.
“Dammit!” A minute later Noah was back in the house. He switched on the kitchen light and grabbed the wine bottle off the counter and left again.
**--**
Danika came down the stairs and peeked in the kitchen and then the living room. All she saw was her nieces along with the baby sitter. “Hi Danika!”
“Hi Chloe!” Danika greeted the seventeen-year-old girl who lived a few houses away from them.
'Dani!' One her nieces stretched out her arms. Danika did not need another invitation. She picked up her niece and inhaled her baby powder smell as she dropped kisses on the baby’s chubby cheeks.
“Do you think you will be able to handle these two little munchkins?”
“You bet!” Chloe replied smiling widely, her cheeks laden with teenage acne.
“Cool!” Danika sat in between both her nieces and started playing with them. She was dressed practically for the date- Jeans, red and blue plaid shirt and a faux leather jacket. She couldn’t afford the real deal. “I’ll be nearby. You have my cell number?”