Jia tried to resist the urge to smooth her clothes. She and Dev hadn’t done anything yet, so there was no need to get embarrassed in front of his grandmother. Except for the parade of thoughts that ran through her mind about Dev’s arms and legs and back and everything every time she saw him. “I came out for some air. If you’ll—”
“Have a seat.” Shweta nodded at the chair next to hers.
There was no way to avoid a direct order from an elder, so Jia walked over and sat down. Shweta produced a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from her flowing nightgown. “Do you smoke?” she asked Jia and lit up.
“No.”Not your place, not your place...“Should you be smoking?”
Shweta took a long drag. “You should have asked me that question thirty years ago. A little late now, hmm? Might as well enjoy a cigarette now and then before I go.”
Jia bit her lip. “I’m sorry you’re sick.”
“I’m sorry, too. Of course, Dev told you I may have exaggerated my condition for your parents?”
“He did, yes.” Jia had been relieved for Dev’s sake. Who faked a medical illness to get their own way?
She thought Shweta might apologize, but instead, the older woman stared out at the sea. “Is Burbank far from here?”
“An hour, maybe?”
“Ah. I slept with a dashing producer at his home there thirty-five years ago or so.” She cast a glance at Jia’s face and chuckled. “Don’t look so shocked. You should have seen me then.”
“I’m more shocked that you’re telling me you did it, not about the act. And I saw you then. You were stunning.”
“I was. I thought I wasn’t. At that age, I was playing the mother of men who were older than me, while my husband was still playing the hero with nineteen-year-old actresses.” Shweta shook her head in disgust. “He played the hero with them offscreen too.”
“I’m sorry,” Jia said, though she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to say anything at all.
“I fear Arjun, Arjun’s father, and Rohan followed in Vivek’s footsteps. Philanderers. I told myself boys will be boys, but I should have done a better job with them.”
Jia shifted. This was getting into deeply personal territory, and she didn’t think she was supposed to be listening to it.
“You know Rohan’s the reason Dev left Mumbai, don’t you? After Rohan died, you could see how guilty he felt for not grieving him more. I don’t blame him for running away. I often dreamed of starting fresh somewhere, but I didn’t have the courage. That’s the man you’re marrying, Jia. Resourceful and clever and brave. He takes after his father.” Sadness darkened Shweta’s eyes. “Possibly his mother, too, though I didn’t know her well.”
“You care for him deeply.”
“He’s the best of us,” she admitted softly. “Him and Luna. I want him to be happy. I apologize for pushing the two of you this evening, but I have spent a lot of time lately thinking of the things I regret. Ensuring his future is set will give me ease.”
“I understand. My parents want the best for me and my sisters too. But you can’t push someone into doing what you think is the best for them. You have to kind of hope that they just find the best.”
Shweta’s gaze was unwavering. “Are you saying you’re not the best?”
Jia scoffed. “I’d never say that.”
“I wouldn’t either. In spite of your background and inability to speak our language, I believe I will be getting a decent granddaughter in you.”
“You’ll get someone who won’t tolerate you speaking that way about her.” Jia lifted her chin. “I’ll try to learn your language, but all of me is more than decent.”
Shweta laughed, the dry bark turning into a cough. She shook her head when Jia almost came to her feet. “I’m okay,” she wheezed.
Jia drummed her fingers on her leg. “You won’t be staying in California for long?”
“Oh no.” Shweta looked out at the ocean again. “I don’t belong here. I only came to see my grandson taken care of.”
Anticipation and nerves fluttered in Jia’s belly. “I’ll take care of him.”
Shweta smiled faintly. “I believe you will. I’ve watched your videos, you know. If you wished it, you could go into acting. You have a very expressive face.”
That was high praise, coming from Shweta. “Acting’s not a part of my plan.”
