“I think that was the right speed.” She pulled away for a second and held her hand up to my mouth. “Are you sure that you love me?”
“Well, it depends on the fact that I only know one direction.”
“One direction?”
“Yeah, my heart straight to yours. That's the only direction I know.”
She seemed touched by it. “That's beautiful.”
“That's the truth.”
We kissed once more and I felt much better. Then she tugged on my arm. “Let's go home and face the music.”
“The music. Which won't be wedding music or The Partridge Family.” I joked.
“It was coming, Anwar.”
“I know.” I linked my arm through hers and we started to head back down the path to the parking lot. “I'm sorry for this mess.”
“Enough with the apologies. Just come home now. With me.” She whispered, dragging me with her. Not that I minded. I would have followed her everywhere she went.
It was one of those funny things love did.
Aurora came running up to us when we got back to the house. I couldn't tell how she felt by the look on her face but she gave us both hugs when she approached us. I didn't complain now. I liked it. I liked being hugged by my 'future' sister-in-law. Come to think of it, she was cute. When her lips weren't on her man, she was adorable. And the boyfriend wasn't all that bad. I had been harsh to them for no good reason and it was time to amend this.
“Are you okay?” She asked.
“Yeah, I'm fine. I just got a piece p eace of mind, that's all.” I nodded. “How about you? I hope you guys weren't too worried.”
“We knew you'd be fine , so no. I wasn't that worried.” She admitted, turning bright red. “It's just that...oh, we just...”
I waited patiently. “What did you do?”
“Dylan and I made up.” She began. “After you left, we got to talking and realized how stupid we were being. I realized that, after seeing you and my sister, that our fighting was so pointless. Yeah, we'll have more of them. But at the same time, no matter how angry I get, I don't want to kiss anyone that isn't him. I'd rather work things out.”
“Well, I'm glad to hear that.” I meant that one as well. “You two belong together. I would hate to see you angry at him forever.”
“Yeah, I don't think I could live like that. I need him just as much as he needs me. It's better when we're together. But what about you? Did you make up with my sister?”
“Yeah.” I said. “We've made up and we've come to terms with our feelings. I think that now it's out in the open, we can act more like ourselves in front of people.”
“Good. Because your mother wants to talk to you in private too.”
“Time to face the firing squad.” I sighed, squeezing Rachel's hand. “Wish me luck and pray that I come back in one piece.”
“Good luck, baby. I'm sure you'll be fine.”
“I wish I could say the same.”
My mother was sitting at the kitchen table, her hands clasped. When I entered, all she did was look up. I heard no screaming and saw no glaring. It was too eerie. My mother was looking at me like she was relieved I was here. Maybe this was the calm before the storm. Maybe there was something brewing inside her that would erupt any minute. I took a deep breath and just waited for it. I was waiting for the volcano to start spewing lava.
“I was worried about you.” My mother said. “Where were you?”
“At the park. You know I went there when I didn't get a 5 in AP chemistry.” I shrugged. “I just needed to get out of the place for a little bit.”
“You did not call?” She asked. I could tell she was stalling the eruption. But enough was enough. I had to take it.
I sat down at the the table and started. “Look, Amma, I know you're disappointed in me. You have every right to be. I was just getting so tired of hearing you go on and on about marriage. I just wanted you to not talk about it anymore. That's why I pulled this crazy scheme off. But I didn't think it would go so far. She agreed with it too. So it was really a scheme by the both us. I'm sorry to deceive you like that. I know I should never have done it.” I let the breath I was holding in out. “Okay, I think I'm done. I don't know what else I can say to avoid punishment so get it over with. Start screaming, cursing in Hindi, whatever. I can take it. I deserve it.”
I waited for doom.
My mother looked down at her hands. “Do you love her?”
“I do now. Actually, I did the whole time. I wasn't sure of it before but I am now. I really do love her, Amma. I want to make it work with her so we do end up getting married for real one day.”
“Then why are you talking to me? Go be with her.”
I was in shock. My mother was not swearing in Hindi and waving her rolling pin in my direction? What bizzaro world did I enter? This was not the same mother that cursed me for coming home five minutes after curfew when I was sixteen. This was far more drastic and she was quiet. Was she plotting my death? That wouldn't surprise me.
“Aren't you going to yell?”
“Why will I do that?”
“Cause you've yelled at me for things not as big as this?”
“You were a child for those. You are older. You know better now.” She reached over and took my hand. “I am disappointed you did this but you found your true love anyway. Go to her.”
“So you're not mad?”
“Yes, I am mad! This is all foolishness, Anwar! You tell me when you have problems! Still, I see what you did. Foolish but it makes sense.”
I leaned over and hugged her. “I have your blessing?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Amma. Love you.”
“I love you too, foolish child of mine.” She pulled my ear for good measure. “Oho, what is this mess you did?! It is good you fell in love. Now treat her better than you treat your mother!”
“Yes, Amma.” I winced, rubbing my ear. Damn Indians and their obsession with yanking people's ears. “If you'll excuse me, I want to talk to the woman I love now. I'll serve my punishment much later if you don't mind.”
“Yes, go! Go now!” She waved me off. “Talk to her. Make amend s with her. And tell the children to stop kissing on my sofa!”
It took me only two seconds to realize that the 'children' were no other than the lovebirds. “I'll pry them off each other and the sofa, Amma. Or I'll try.”
“Good. At least they are not screaming anymore.”
I sighed with relief. I didn't know how Aurora and Dylan made up but they did. Sure, they were back to making love again but it was better than seeing them argue. At least I didn't have to deal with the screaming anymore. As far as I was concerned, they could make love anywhere they wanted now. As long as they kept me from going deaf.
“I'll check on them.” I promised.
I found Aurora and Dylan kissing in the room. She was right. They were back together. “I see you guys did make up while I was away.”
They pulled away long enough to reply. “Yeah.”
“Our argument was silly. After you left, we found ourselves alone. Everyone else was running around and looking for you. Therefore, we began talking and we came to an understanding.” Aurora went on. “I don't care if he's a thug or perfect. As long as he's mine. People can say anything they want about us. It won't matter to me.”
“That's right. All that matters is her and me.” Dylan said, learning in for another kiss. “I'm sorry I lost my temper, Aurora.”
“I'm sorry too. You're too precious to me. That's all I want.”
“I'm about to throw up.” I said in a sing song voice. I hated seeing them apart but seeing them together wasn't exactly anything to cheer about.
“Then throw up outside.” Aurora suggested. “And while you're at it, take a look at your new car. Don't worry. I kept The Partridge Family eight track.”
“Joy! Just what I wanted!” I exclaimed, heading out the door. “I'll check it out.”
“The music or the car
?”
“Take your pick.” I teased.
The Hippie Mobile no longer looked like the junk that it was. It was now bright red like the surface of an apple. The bumper stickers remained and the one flat tire now had air in it. It looked good. Sure, it was still a van and Aurora had left that darned eight track with me but I had no qualms in going around in it. My Big Apple Mobile. Somehow I liked that nickname than Hippie Mobile. I walked around it and saw that nothing was out of place. I t even had fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view mirror. I had to laugh at that.
“I picked the dice out.”
It was Rachel standing behind me and admiring The Big Apple Mobile. I nodded and admired my red and white fuzzy dice. “I like it. How'd you know the dice were the perfect thing for me?”
“I didn't. I just thought they went well with the colors.” She put an arm around me. “Your mother okay about everything?”
“Yeah. She thinks I'm a moron , but a lovable moron.” I sighed and pulled her closer to my shoulder. Putting a kiss on top of her head, I added. “You think we can start over again? This time, we don't do the crazy engagement crap. Not until we're ready.”
“Aren't you afraid we'll end up like Rory and Dylan?”
“Hey. They have their way of loving and I have mine.” I murmured, opening the front door and pulling out the eight track. “So my dear, what say you and I go driving out tonight and listen to some Partridge Family with the volume up high?”
“Sounds great. But I'd rather listen to Sonny and Cher first.”
“I got you, babe.”
“Hush up and let's get going.”
I nodded and helped her put on her coat. We were starting all over again so the very least I could have done was be a gentleman. After all, I had spent the last couple of days lying about my life.
It was time to do everything right again.
Epilogue
I eased the Big Apple Mobile into the parking lot of our apartment building. Rachel and I were thrilled that we would be leaving it soon for that house we were planning to buy. And it wouldn't be long till we were free of rent, broken pipes, and cockroaches in our kitchen. I had contemplated moving in with the family but Rachel thought it would be better to wing it as a couple. See how we enjoyed living together. So far, it was great. I hated the roaches but we could live. We had tons of Raid at home to take care of them.
Now we were prepared to go to India tomorrow. It was Rachel's first trip and she was ready to show off what she had learned, especially all the Hindi I had taught her. She was getting better with the pronunciation and I had no doubt it would please my grandparents. She had already chatted with my uncle and cousins through the web. Vikram had said she was ready for the old folks. In addition to that, she wanted to see the cows roaming on the streets. Typical reaction. But I could guarantee her that she would find the cows and cow dung on the streets. That pleased her though I still didn't understand why.
Shutting off the ignition, I leaned back in the driver’s seat and tried to wash the lines of “I Think I Love You” out of my brain. One year later and we were still listening to it. Oh well, that eight track needed to be used in some way. Lucky for me, Rachel didn’t seem to mind The Partridge Family playing on repeat.
“Has anyone told you that you look like an Indian version of David Cassidy?” She asked me.
“Nice try but we are not starting a traveling family band.” I said, slipping out of the driver’s seat. “Although if Aurora and Dylan want to join in, I have no problems with that.”
“Yeah, not happening.” She rolled her eyes. “Not with Dylan anyway. Besides, he and Aurora are just getting used to married life. In a year or two, I’m expecting that she’ll be pregnant. And maybe I will be too. You wouldn't mind, would you?”
“Not now! Our marriage is next week!” I reminded her. Then a dark thought appeared in my head. “Unless…”
“No, not yet. You can breathe again, Anwar.” She promised. “We did a stupid thing last year with your family. Not ready to try another now. But after marriage? We’ll see.”
I took her in my arms and leaned in. "You know I never really did formally propose to you? We just made the decision to get hitched."
She smiled. "Is this leading to what I think it's leading to?"
I almost got down on one knee but shot back up instead. There was no need for it. Standing or kneeling, it would be romantic. "Marry me?"
"What do you think?"
I was confused. "That's a yes, isn't it?"
"Of course, peabrain!" She whacked me on the back. "Now you feel better?"
"Much." I nodded. "So this will be your first trip to India. Excited or nervous?"
"I'm most excited about using the hole in the bathroom." She teased.
"You won't be when you get a whiff of it."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take." She put her arm around me. "Now come on, husband-to-be. I've got a lovely biryani with your name on it. It's begging "Eat Me. Eat Me" and you can't ignore it now, can you?"
"Biryani? By you? Let's eat." I suggested. "Do you think you can make some for the family when we go there?"
"For them and for you? I'll do anything." She promised. "Just promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"Promise me that you won't run away when it's time to dance."
"Only if you promise not to step on my feet."
She started to speak but stopped. "I'll try."
"That's good enough for me." I shrugged before giving her a kiss. "Let's go. I'll fix you a cocktail."
"You will?"
"Okay, it'll be a ton of fruit mashed in with vodka. Sound better?"
"Sounds delicious."
She took my hand and we headed inside, leaving our little Big Apple Mobile behind. Things were looking up for me and my fiancee fiancée . I was getting married, my family was happy, and soon I would be in the land of cows and love.
And that was no lie.
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Carter Tachikawa
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A Promise to Keep Page 18