Hita - Anita Claire Page 0,17
rather sheepish as she says, “He’s really cute and he gives off this really nice vibe.”
“Savi?” I question.
“Hey, he kind of liked me too. He invited me to one of his cricket games.”
“Savi, why does an American guy play cricket? My brother played baseball. Don’t forget, this is not some guy you met at a party who’s asking you out. He might be cute, but how does he treat you? Is he respectful? Is he going to be a partner or is he going to make you do all the work? Even more importantly, what about the mother? How controlling do you think she’s going to be? The Indian network in Chicago is rather tight. Before you agree to go on a date with this guy, make sure you do your homework.”
Savi gets annoyed with me. “You have no romance gene.”
Feeling totally frustrated with her refusal to see the reality in the situation, I blast her with, “Savi, this is the beginning of an arranged marriage. Romance has nothing to do with it. The moms are looking at connecting you up to the right kind of family.”
***
Leaving my frustration with Savi behind, I meet up with the princesses for another fun celebration at Nola’s in Palo Alto. Olivia, who went as the princess Jasmine, is back from a gap year setting up a refugee camp in Jordan. After parking I run into Sam and Meredith.
As we walk to the bar together, I ask Meredith, “Have you and Olivia talked about her dating your brother?”
Meredith gives me an alarmed look before saying, “Don’t say anything, Hita.”
“What is it with you two? I thought you were best friends?”
“Olivia likes intrigue. She gets off on secretly dating my brother. I’m afraid she’ll lose interest if she finds out I know.”
“Do you even listen to yourself sometimes?”
I look over at Sam and he shrugs before saying, “Don’t look at me. I don’t understand half of the stuff you princesses do.”
***
The following night Juliette has us all over to her parents’ for a pool party. I invite Anil; we walk in together. He immediately spots Carter and heads over there. The two of them start talking business, so I take off to help Juliette in the kitchen.
Juliette gives me a smirk, “Are things finally heating up with the guy you met at Xhan?”
I sigh before answering, “Actually, I find him confusing. He’s taken me to dinner the last couple of Saturday nights. He texts me on Wednesday to see if I’m available, picks me up, and pays. But he hasn’t tried anything, nothing, just holds my hand and kissed me on the forehead, like he’s my nice uncle, and I’m eight.”
“Really? Could he be like that since he’s Indian?”
I shrug as I answer, “I’ve never dated an Indian guy before. I have no idea.”
We both look at each other. She finally volunteers, “Maybe he’s like John Corbett from Sex in the City. You remember, he really liked Carrie and wanted to take it slowly. No sex until they got to know each other better.”
“You think?” I ask.
Juliette shrugs in response.
As I walk out to the back patio I spot Gray. My stomach churns with turmoil, he was my first hook up. He looks up and spots me checking him out. I smile and nod. He gives me a small nod. I walk over and in what I hope isn’t in too strained of a voice, I say, “Gray, nice to see you, how was your summer internship?”
He gets a remote but polite look on his face. “Hita, the summer internship was fine.”
The air between us is thick, and awkward. Yeesh, another reason not to hook up, it’s really weird to see the guy afterwards.
Later that night, as Anil walks me to my apartment, he holds my hand and tells me, “I look forward to our Saturday nights. It’s my one night off. I’m so busy at work. I’m still writing code, trying to hire people, while in my free time I’m setting up the office.” As we reach the door he kisses me on the forehead and says, “Goodnight, Hita. I’ll see you next Saturday.” Then he takes off.
As I plop myself down on the couch, Kristi turns around, takes one look at my face and says, “What’s up?”
I sigh before telling her, “You were at the party. Did Anil and I look like a normal dating couple?”
She gives me a blank stare before saying, “Yeah, I guess so. I really wasn’t paying attention.”
“I’m totally