RIYA
Riya’s foi and mama had arrived over the weekend for Rakshabandan. Both her parents were thoroughly enjoying having their siblings around. Varsha Masi had all but moved in so she could be with her brother and sister as much as possible, which led to more conversations about getting married than Riya thought was necessary.
Riya’s dad reverted to little-brother status and was making a full-time job of teasing his sister. The air was festive and light despite the heat and heavy humidity of late August in Maryland. It was impossible to dread the big day, even for Riya.
Her mother was pretty much back to her normal activity level, adding more exercise, eating less fried food. Even her Rakshabandan party menu had healthier options along with the regular comfort food. Riya could have gone back to her apartment a week ago, but she was enjoying her parents and basking in the warmth of her family.
“It really is nice having Riya around again.” Her mother was talking to Varsha Masi in the kitchen as Riya entered. Foi and Rumit Mama would be coming over soon, too.
She smiled as she dropped a kiss on each of their cheeks. “I like being around, Mom.” She didn’t even close her eyes anymore when she passed Samir’s picture. She and her mother were cooking together, and her father was forever asking questions about firefighting.
“Then why are you going back?” demanded Varsha Masi.
Riya smiled and occupied herself with making a large pot of chai for everyone. “I’m a grown woman. I like living on my own.” She laughed. It was the truth. Mostly. She also did not want a front seat to whatever was going on in Dhillon’s life. “But I promised to come for dinner every week.”
Everyone was dressed up in their Indian clothes and had begun gathering in the family room. Since Riya was not actually participating in the ceremony, she wore a simple salwar kameez in a bright, festive cobalt blue. She finished making the chaiand was arranging the wide assortment of sweets on a few platters in the kitchen, trading family gossip with her foi, when Dhillon’s heart-melting voice at the door had her dropping a peda on the floor.
Why was he here? But then Hetal’s voice reached her, as well as Sarika Auntie’s. It seemed the Vora family was joining them. Interesting that her mother had failed to inform her of this.Whatever.She picked up the errant peda and focused on what her foi was saying. It made it easier to ignore the spike of joy that flushed through her.
“Hey. Hetal made these.” Dhillon’s voice could turn her to mush in an instant, and today was no exception. She turned her head to nod at where he should put them. Her breath caught at the sight of him, too. He was dressed for the occasion in a beautiful silk jabo the color of sand, which he had offset with a deep red scarf around his neck. The tunic fit him perfectly, just grazing his muscle, not too tight but certainly not too loose. The scarf did fantastic things for his skin. He wasn’t smiling. He looked...hesitant. And drop-dead gorgeous.
She glanced at the tray, heat rising up to her face. “She made her truffles. Thanks.”
“Yeah, sure.”
He didn’t leave.
“Dhillon,beta. Can you get that serving platter?” her foi asked, oblivious to the tension in the air.
“Sure, Auntie.” He reached into the cabinet she was pointing to.
“No. Not that. Not that one, either. That one. No, next to it. The other way. Ah, yes.” Finally finding what she wanted, Dhillon brought it down and handed it to her.
Just then, Riya’s mother called from the family room. “We are ready when you are, beta.” Riya picked up two trays, avoiding looking at Dhillon as best she could. Dhillon grabbed the third and they joined everyone in the family room to much applause.
“Let’s do this,” Rumit Mama shouted. They started with the older generation of sisters tying rakhi to their brothers’ wrists.
Riya watched as her mother tried to shove no less than three pedas in Rumit Mama’s mouth all at the same time. Rumit Mama took it in stride, bestowing a beautiful silk scarf on his sister for her gift. Riya’s father nearly teared up as his sister wished him a long and happy life while tying his rakhi. Her father gave his sister a signed copy of her favorite book.
Then it was Dhillon’s turn. He took a seat on the floor, and Hetal tied his rakhi. She still did not have full use of her left arm, but she managed beautifully. Riya watched them closely. Actually, she watched Dhillon closely. He was playful and sweet with his sister, as always, but the love shone on his face and in his eyes.
Whoever he did end up with was going to have to pass the sister test. They would have to love his sister as much as he did.
Dhillon presented Hetal with a large package. She opened it immediately and found inside a backpack similar to the one Riya took to work at the firehouse.
Hetal’s mouth gaped open.
Dhillon dipped his chin at the bag. “So, no matter which way you decide to go—firefighting, vet school or something entirely different—you’ll have everything you need with you.”
“Bhaiya.” Hetal’s eyes swam with tears. “It’s vet school.” She put aside the bag and hugged her brother tight. “Thank you.”
Riya allowed her eyes to fill with tears, too. Samir totally would have given a gift like that. Damn, she missed her brother.
With that, the ceremonial part of the day was over. Riya wiped her eyes and stood to offer the sweets to everyone again, but Hetal stopped her.
“Riya Didi, come sit.” Hetal indicated the spot on the floor that Dhillon had just vacated.
“What?”
