“Yes?”
“This is what you do in school?”
“It is very important research.”
She looks completely stunned. Her mouth opens and closes like she’s trying to form words but none of them are cooperating.
I press my lips together to stop myself from laughing. “Yes Divya,” I say solemnly as I stand up, “this seems very important.”
She glares at me. “You are encouraging him.”
“We must take his concerns seriously.” I lean slightly closer.
“After all, poor Neel needs proof.” Her eyes widen.
I lower my voice just enough that only she can hear. “Relax.”
I lean closer. “It’s just some dates.”
Her breath catches slightly. “It’s not like you’ll fall in love with me.”
Our eyes meet. “You won’t, right?”
She stares at me for a long second. Her breathing quickens slightly. “No,” she blurts. “Of course not.”
"We'll do it." I announce, not taking my eyes off her as they widen comically.
Neel claps his hands happily. “Excellent!”
Divya throws her hands in the air. “Both of you have lost your minds.”
Then she storms toward the kitchen. Leaving Neel and me standing there.
I look down at this little hurricane and thank him internally for this list because for some reason it makes me so giddy and I look forward to it.
7. OPERATION NEEL BEGINS
DIVYA
This is ridiculous. The thought has been looping in my head ever since Neel dramatically pushed both of us toward the front door like some tiny dictator managing a mission.
I still cannot believe Aditya is actually participating in this madness.
When Neel first waved that ridiculous list in our faces I was convinced Aditya was teasing me. I assumed he would laugh about it, ruffle Neel’s hair, and say something responsible like “maybe when you’re older.”
Instead, the man stood up, grabbed his wallet, and put on his shoes like he had been waiting his entire life for instructions from a seven-year-old.
And now here we are. Walking down the quiet street outside my house.
On an ice cream date.
Because my little brother and his friends apparently believe my marriage requires supervision. A small part of me—anembarrassingly small, traitorous part—actually likes this. I hate admitting that. Because the whole situation is absurd.
Yet walking beside Aditya right now feels strangely… easy.
Behind us, Neel has already abandoned us to our fate. The moment we stepped outside he yelled, “Take pictures for me!” and then sprinted toward the empty lot at the corner where the colony kids are already gathering with a plastic bat.
Aditya chuckled at that.
