He still hasn’t forgiven me for the broken engagement, even though it wasn’t my fault. It’s why I’ve been avoiding going home.
What breaks my heart even more is that they haven’t invited me over. Mom texts me here and there. All of it superficial.
Was Bianca right? Should I leave them before they do the inevitable?
The thoughts keep plaguing me all the way to her home in a gated community. I turn down the driveaway, becoming blown away by Bianca’s house. The more accurate word is a gigantic mansion, sprawled across a beautiful piece of land with greenery all around. All lit with pretty lights.
There’s also a garden to my right, with a swing below the canopy of roses.
My heart goes full that she’s built such a lovely home with her husband. It’s fit for a family with lots of children. My sister had always been a hopeless romantic, dreaming of marrying a man that sweeps her off her feet.
My brother-in-law, Dash, has done just that.
God! I can’t wait for them to have kids, so I can be the cool aunt. I’m kind of shocked that Bianca isn’t pregnant already.
Hmm, will need to ask her about that.
Parking my car, I lift Pihu and march up to the double doors. I’ve barely rang the doorbell when the door swings open.
A grinning Bianca, dressed in denim shorts and a man’s T-shirt, greets me.
“Aru!” she screams joyously. “I can’t believe you’re here. And aww, who have you brought? When did you get a pet?”
“Very recently.” I chuckle and wave with Pihu’s paw. “Meet Pihu.”
“Pihu? What an adorable name,” she coos, peering down at her. “Can I hold her? Wait… she won’t scratch me, right?”
“Oh, she’s super friendly. Loves to cuddle with everyone she meets.” However, only after my approval. Nathan was the exception to whom she went to of her own volition. Did she sense the loneliness in him like she did with me?
Bianca takes her from me. “Whoa, she’s soft as a cotton ball.”
“Touch her ears. They’re like silk.”
“Oh my,” she cries. “That’s it. I’m getting a cat too.”
“They can be best friends.”
“Totally.” Suddenly noticing I’m still on her porch, she gasps, “Oh, where are my manners? Come inside. Rosa and Iris just barge in whenever they visit, so I’ve forgotten how to treat guests.”
Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve hung out on someone’s porch. “It’s okay.”
I cross the threshold, following Bianca and Pihu into the foyer. Abstract paintings adorn the walls while a chandelier on the ceiling glitters down on us. We walk past a spiral staircase and into the vast living room. The inside is as pretty as the outside.
On one wall across the couch and the coffee table there are photo frames of Dash and Bianca from all over the world. In most of them, he’s gazing at her possessively or smiling lovingly. “You guys travel a lot, huh?”
“We go on vacation every year. Dash loved traveling when he was younger, so I made it a mission to make it happen often.”
“That’s sweet.”
“I’ll give you a house tour after we eat.” Taking us to the world-class kitchen, she smirks. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving.” I can smell the aroma of the spicy bhaji and the buttered bread, making my stomach growl.
“Have a seat.” She points to the stool across the island, where she puts Pihu, who starts to roll around on the shiny marble. “How are things with you?”
“I’ve been busy with work. I was on leave for months after the disaster wedding, so I have a lot to catch up on.”
“In other words, you’re burying yourself in work,” she scolds in a motherly tone. “That’s unhealthy, Aru.”
