“Sorry, sorry, you’re right…”
I wanted to ask about the poachers but I suspected the moment to do so was already over. Our mouths were too busy eating to speak until a while had passed. Then Koto asked, “So, what’s the next step? You gonna go on your honeymoon?”
I paused, realizing that Raja and I hadn’t planned that far ahead. From what he originally told me, it seemed like he wanted to get the marriage over with quickly and be rid of me. But now I was curious to hear what he would tell Koto.
To my surprise, Raja said, “Of course. The honeymoon is the best part of the wedding, after all.”
I almost choked on my food.
“Nice!” Koto went on, oblivious to my reaction. “Where do you think you’re gonna go? Somewhere nearby?”
Raja laughed. “You’re funny. No way.”
“Why not?”
“I spent my whole life trying to get away from here,” Raja said. “Why would I want to honeymoon so close to the village?”
“I dunno,” Koto said with a shrug. “It was just a suggestion. What do you think, Lorenzo?”
They glanced at me. Suddenly I was put on the spot and I had no idea how to answer. I glanced cautiously to Raja.
“I’d prefer to go where my mate wants to go,” I said.
Koto chuckled. “Wow, he already has you whipped, huh?”
Raja kicked his cousin’s leg under the table.
“Ow!”
“I think it’s a nice gesture, Lorenzo,” Raja said, smiling at me. “We’ll think about it tonight.”
“That reminds me,” Koto began, “where are the two of you going to sleep tonight? Now that you’re a married couple and all, I think you should be together, right?”
Raja growled. “Koto, why don’t you stop being so damn nosy and mind your own business?”
Koto grinned sheepishly and shrugged. “Hey, it’s not every day my favorite cousin gets married. I’m just excited.”
Raja sighed. “Fine. But don’t ask us any more personal questions unless you want to hear about the details of all the sex I’m going to have - “
“Okay, okay!” Koto shouted quickly as he stood up. “That’s fine, I don’t have to hear anymore, thanks! I’ll be at the buffet table, all the way over there, leaving you two alone…”
As Koto ran off, I was still shocked at Raja’s statement. I didn’t know if he was joking, or trying to get his cousin off his back, or if he was actually serious. His face revealed nothing, as usual. He was a master of hiding his feelings.
But the secret, deep down part of me wanted to be with Raja forreal- not just a fake relationship. Could I be with someone who lied so easily?
I wasn’t so sure.
