Sunny and I parted ways after we’d returned. His friends had been very nice and welcoming, and it was different to see him relaxed. But there had been thinly veiled animosity with his ex, which led me to needing to know what had transpired between them.
No! No! Don’t fall into the drama trap! Or break any of the rules of this arrangement.
On the car ride to the farm, Sunny had taken me away from the bride’s group and it was a no-brainer to know why. He didn’t want our ruse to fall apart. But I’d joined the ladies on the way back, and it had been fine. Sunny had insisted to no end to go couples or Uber, but I’d somehow managed to talk him down off his weird ledge. The deception wouldn’t fall apart, and I’d had a nice time.
Maya sat in the back seat with me, Sejal drove, and April navigated the conversation from up front. Every time they aimed to get more details about me, my life, or my relationship with Sunny, I expertly maneuvered back to them. I honestly wanted to know more about them. My energy may have been drained being around strangers, no matter how much effort I put into my pulled-back shoulders and smile, but people were fascinating. Which helped keep my anxiety at bay; no sudden need to hide in another room, no socially overstimulated brain shutting down, no withering posture wishing to fade away. Sunny’s friends had made me feel as comfortable as being one of their own.
For example, April kicked ass in a field dominated by men. She was a manager, didn’t take any crap, and made a point to wear some shade of pink and/or shimmer daily. Aside from pink being her favorite color, she loved to see how uncomfortable it made some men in STEM.
Maya was Gujarati, just like Aamar, Sunny, and myself. She spoke seven languages that she’d learned just because, and had a map of the world with a hundred pushpins indicating where she’d been. Her goal was to reach every continent, including Antarctica (apparently tourists were allowed during the summer months, most likely staying put on a boat), and as many countries as possible. The idea of traveling exhausted me, but it brought her to life.
Sejal was…not interested in talking. Which made me want to know even more!
Aside from the standishoffish vibes from her, surely it must’ve been strange for her to be in the same car with her ex’s current girlfriend, but sis had nothing to worry about. In fact, if she wanted Sunny back and he wanted her, I’d be all for it. I sort of wanted to tell her that.
Honey, if he’s the love of your life and you want him back, take your shot.
But that wasn’t my business. Even though I would help them.
Once we’d returned to the hotel, the groups went their separate ways. More bonding time for friends, which was great. Being around strangers who wanted to know everything about me had depleted all my energy. I was tuckered out.
I returned, alone, to the villa for a quick nap, only to be awakened by Diya jumping into bed with me.
“Ugh. What time is it?” I groaned, prying open my eyes.
“Almost six, Sleeping Beauty.”
“The original Sleeping Beauty has horrific underlying tones of assault.”
“Don’t sour the mood when you know what I’m here for.”
“To feed me?”
Diya tapped my belly and I flinched with a giggle. “Surely your man fed you while you were out.”
“Just coffee.”
“Nah. He needs to do better than that. Can’t ever let your loved ones be in want of food.”
“No one said anything about love.”
She snuggled up against my side. “Maybe not yet.”
Pangs of guilt plucked away at my conscience. I should probably tell her the truth before she created some fanciful future for us. I didn’t want her upset with me later on, much less disappointed.
“Are you going to have a big fat Indian wedding?”
And…there it was.
“Because I need to know ahead of time to get outfits. I haven’t been to an Indian wedding in years. I miss getting extra, not to mention the food. Kimo doesn’t want an elaborate wedding, and neither do I. Sounds stressful to plan one.”
“Wait.” I turned my head toward her, bumping my chin against her forehead and rubbing her head with an apology. “You and Kimo are discussing marriage?”
“We’ve had chats. Nothing saying we’re ready for the next step, and who knows? Maybe the next step for us is to move in together.”
“Oof. Don’t tell the parents that. Speaking of parents, don’t get them all excited about Sunny. You don’t get excited, either. Trust me.”
“Too late. Trust me. And what do you mean? You sound like nothing will ever come out of this.”
“We’re…newish.”
“Well, if he has any common sense, he’ll put a ring on that finger and a baby in that uterus.”
“Oh, hell no. No kids. And engagement is the furthest thing from my mind. I’m just not interested. I’m good where I’m at.”
“Same.”
“Solidarity, my sister, against the parents’ wishes for us to be moving forward before we’re too old.”
Diya sat up, running her fingers through my hair, the braids having been undone before I crashed. “Speaking of family, is it cool if Kimo’s comes over for dinner?”
“I would never say no!”
“That’s because his mom cooked for you.”
I laughed. “Among other things. I adore them, you know? I’m glad his family is as wonderful as he is. They must really like you if they can put up with you.”
“Right!”
“What did his mom make?” I asked, suddenly alert and hungry.
“She made mochiko tofu with greens and butter mochi for dessert. Knowing her, and you, she probably added ube.”
My mouth was already salivating.
“Luau stew, I think Kimo said. And that taro leaf and spinach dip that you liked last time, with the coconut milk.”
My heart pattered with all the feels. “Wow. I love her. She didn’t have to go through all this trouble. My goodness! Why are they coming here with so much food? Why don’t we just go to their place? Make it easier.”
“Because they want the view,” Diya explained with a giggle. “They stay at the hotel all the time with my discount for staycations, but usually the other building because it’s cheaper.”
“Definitely should share this view.”
“Kimo’s brother is picking up beers from the brewery.”
“So it’s just going to be a party?”
“Not loud or crowded. Just like how it was when we went to their house a few days ago. Will you be okay?”
“Of course. They’re family. It’s different,” I reminded her as if she weren’t aware that my social anxiety didn’t scream during small gatherings with close friends and family. “I was making a joke. Ya know? Food and drinks with an ocean view…gonna get lit.”
“Oh my god.” Diya pushed off the bed. “You have to work on your execution if you ever want to make it as a comedian.”
She untucked her blouse, and honestly, I was surprised she hadn’t changed already. She usually kicked off her shoes and had her clothes off by the time she reached her room. “Where’s Sunny?”
Oh, right. That was probably why she hadn’t stripped down by now. “With his friends.”
“Will he be back soon?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? Call him. Invite him. He can’t say no to food. What else is he doing?”
“He’s here for his friend’s wedding.”
“That’s right! You’re a wedding date!” Diya giddily screamed. “Bitch, you need a dress.”
She promptly went through the few clothes I’d managed to hang in the closet and mockingly looked back at me. “You didn’t bring a dress?”
I sat up, rubbing my eyes. “It was a last-minute surprise.”
“Don’t worry. The hotel has fancy boutiques, but there are some nearby shops, too.”
“Don’t get carried away.”
“You need shoes. But we’re the same size, and I can bring you sandals. Unless you brought some?”
“Do hiking sandals count?”
She dropped her chin and deadpanned. “You’re hopeless.”
“I’m low-maintenance, but yes, a dress and your sandals sound fine.”
She squealed with a clap of her hands. “Tell him to come back for some amazing dinner.”
“No. I really want him to enjoy his time with his friends. The entire wedding party is here, and the guys grouped together to do…whatever it is guys do before a wedding.”
“Ah. That sucks. He doesn’t know what he’s missing! Eh. We’ll save some food for him. Will he eat any of it? Is he vegetarian or vegan or keto or diabetic?”
“I don’t know.”
“How do you not know?”
I shrugged. “I’ll ask.”
I texted Sunny, mentioning the food and Kimo’s family and leftovers if he couldn’t make it. He never responded.