house we go to, both parents answer the door. The mom is wearing a deep green colored silk sari and lots of gold jewelry. After entering their home, they make a point of pausing in front of their expensive gold shrine to Ganesh that takes up most of the dining room. Then we’re ushered into their living room. The mother serves us chaat tea, fancy nuts, and biscuits on her best china. While we’re seated on their modern leather furniture, I note that it’s a nice house, all decorated with an Indian flare that includes oriental rugs, bright colors, and elaborately carved accessories.
Everyone is polite and friendly as the parents talk and the son checks me out. At five ten, I’m tall. Mom did a poor job with research; the son comes up to my shoulder. I plaster a polite smile on my face knowing I’ll never date him. His lack of height doesn’t stop my mom. She pushes the conversation, lightly bragging about my graduation and new job. His mom brags about his education and his job.
Looking at the mother, I realize that if I get involved with an Indian guy and his parents live locally, they’ll be in my business more than my mom has ever been. Even worse, if his parents live in India they will come for a visit and stay for five months. I grew up watching my paternal grandmother run my mother ragged when she came for her visits.
My mind reels. I’ve been so busy with school, I’ve never really considered what it would be like to date in the real world, now I’m wondering what my next chapter will bring. My mother’s relentless pursuit of a husband for me overhangs our trip. We stop for tea at a number of Indian homes on our way up and down the coast. It’s almost a relief when I see my parents off upon our return to Silicon Valley.
Skyping with Savi when I get back, she lets me bitch about my mom. Savi and I understand each other well since she also has spent her lifetime bridging the American and Indian worlds.
Chapter 7 – Pool Party
After getting back from my trip, I wind up staying with Juliette at her parents’ house for a few days until I can get into my apartment. Sitting on a lounge chair soaking up the rays while my feet casually dip into their pool, the doorbell rings. Wanting to be a good guest, I throw on my T-shirt and answer the door, assuming it’s going to be a package. Surprisingly, it’s Juliette’s friend, Gray.
He gives me a funny look then says, “You’re Juliette’s roommate, right?”
“Yeah, we’ve met a couple of times, I’m Hita.”
Gray looks a little confused as he asks, “Yeah, is Juliette home?”
I shake my head as I explain, “She started her summer internship this week. I’m staying here for a few days. You know, transitioning between apartments.”
He looks apologetically at me as he explains, “I start my summer internship on Monday. I didn’t realize Juliette wasn’t going to be around.” Looking me up and down, he asks, “Are you hanging out by the pool?”
I shrug as I answer, “If you don’t have plans you can join me.”
He smiles tentatively then replies, “Sure, give me ten minutes. I’ll go home and get my trunks.”
“Don’t ring the bell when you come back, just let yourself in through the gate,” I call after him.
He smiles and waves as he jogs down the path.
I head back to my lounge chair and continue with my book. Hanging out with Gray should be fun. I was getting kind of bored being by myself. About ten minutes later, I feel a shadow move over me.
Looking up from my book I exclaim, “that was quick.” He’s wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, but I can tell he’s checking me out. I hold up a bag of Doritos. “Want some?”
He shakes his head as he plops down on the lounge chair next to mine. “What are you reading?”
I pass my tablet to him.
He reads a passage before exclaiming, “A Game of Thrones? Have you watched the shows?”
I shake my head before answering. “I’ve been too busy with school. A friend said I would enjoy the shows a lot more if I read the books first.”
“This is a great series. You wouldn’t believe what….”
I quickly cover my ears, close my eyes, and yell out, “Don’t tell me.”
I open one eye and look at him. He’s chuckling as he says,