“Exactly.”
Nimita clearly had no choice in the matter, so she might as well lean into it.
On the day of the party, she showed up early at Malini’s request to help out. Roshan was already there. The apartment was perfect for Malini. One bedroom, small kitchen, small family room and a balcony.
“Hey,” she said upon entering. Could she be more cliché? But might as well be friendly. They may not be together anymore, but for Mali’s sake, she could be nice. She knew Roshan would not make a scene on Mali’s big day.
Roshan turned at the sound of her voice. He was dressed in simple Indian clothes for the housewarming ceremony. He wore a light green tunic that reached just above his knees and white pants that hugged his legs underneath. The green looked amazing on him, but then most things looked amazing on him. Nimita had opted for a simple sari the color of the ocean. Of all the things her mother had wanted her to learn, putting on a sari was the one Nimita had paid attention to and learned to do well. Something about the way a perfectly wrapped sari draped over her body made her feel elegant and beautiful.
Even Reena asked for her help.
Roshan drew his gaze over her from where he stood on a step stool affixing lights to the wall. “Hey.”
She was still hurt by his words during Holi, though she could admit her words must have stung, too. It was just as well. Reena had been right. Roshan was distracting her from what was really important. Not to mention, he was likely incapable of really seeing her.
“Oh. You’re here!” Malini popped out and hugged Nimita. “Your sari looks great!” She turned to her brother. “Okay, Nimita is here. Time for the tour.”
“Tour?” asked Nimita. “But haven’t we already—”
“A tour sounds great,” Roshan said with obviously forced enthusiasm as he finished the lights and came down from the stepladder. “Let’s do it,” he said as he put away the stepladder.
Malini beamed. “This is the hall.” They followed her. The hall was two feet long. “Here’s the bedroom.”
She and Roshan took turns peeking into the bedroom and bathroom. “Very…efficient,” said Nimita, though she had seen this many times in the past few days as she helped Mali unpack. She suspected that Roshan had as well. She cut her eyes to him without turning her head. His gaze was on the ceiling, where a small round spot could be seen. She elbowed him. He glanced at her, his mouth pressed together, but said nothing.
“There’s that circle up here,” Malini said pointing up. “See it, Bhaiya?”
“Hmm? Oh yeah.” He looked at the ceiling. “I see it.”
“I already asked the landlord about it. She’s looking into it.”
Roshan opened his mouth and closed it. “Yeah. Okay. Good job.”
Malini squeezed past them, back down the hall and pointed left, which was where they had all entered. “That’s the kitchen and the dining room.” The narrow galley kitchen and little dining room took up about a third of the space.
“Very nice.”
“Cute table.” That was Roshan.
Nimita met his eyes and mouthed,Cute table?
He shrugged and opened his palms. What was he supposed to say?
She stifled a giggle. She wasn’t surprised. He loved his sister. He couldn’t get her to not live here, so he might as well support her. As best he could, anyway.
“I know, right?” Mali’s enthusiasm was adorable. “I found it on the curb. Someone was throwing it away.”
Roshan and Nimita stared at her a moment. “That’s great, Mali,” Nimita said.
“Fabulous,” Roshan said, nodding his head with obviously feigned excitement.
“This, of course, is the living room.” This was where the puja was set up. Malini walked past the ceremony set up and opened the door to the balcony.
“This is my favorite part.” Malini beamed. The three of them walked out onto the balcony that overlooked the parking lot. Even with just the three of them out there, it was still a tight fit. Malini stood to one side, leaving Nimita and Roshan to squeeze into the remaining space. “Isn’t it great?”
“It’s fabulous!” Nimita said.
“Gorgeous,” Roshan said, nodding his head vigorously.
