“What’s up?” I asked groggily.
Kai looked nervous. “Well, rememberhow I told you that I told my parents about you? My mom and sister have beenbugging me to talk to you and today is Diwali. It’s a special holiday in India.We always video chat on Diwali so…”
I knew what Diwali was from my sixmonths in India. I sat up so fast I almost smacked his head. “How long do Ihave to get ready?”
He grinned. “Twenty minutes.”
I leapt off the bed and flew into theshower. After quickly applying light make-up and blow drying my long blondehair, I went into my room. It was stacked full of the moving boxes my mom hadbrought. Where was my box of stuff I brought back from India? I tore open thetops of the boxes. Books, no. My boxing gloves, no. Regular clothes, no. Aknock at the door.
“Aurora? It’s time to call them,” Kaitold me.
“Be right there!” I screamed as Itore open another box. The sight of my red silk Indian top and bangles made mesmile. I threw the top on over skinny jeans and put a stack of red and goldbangles on each wrist. The top was adorned with gold thread and was a gift fromthe host family I had stayed with. I threw open the door and took in Kai’sshocked expression.
“Too much? Trying too hard to impressthem? I’ll go change.” I went to turn around and he caught my elbow.
“Don’t you dare! You look amazing.”He spun me around and kissed me deeply.
We sat in front of Kai’s computer andI nervously played with my bangles. The video chat icon started ringing and Iswallowed hard. Kai smiled at me and clicked the green accept button.
The screen came alive with an imageof a beautiful woman, Kai’s mother, and a younger version of her sittingbeside her. They both wore Indian clothing and jeweled bindis on their foreheads.
His mother scanned my outfit andsmiled warmly. “Hello, Aurora, I’m Maya. It’s so nice to meet you. We haveheard so much about you,” his mother said. His sister who looked to be in herearly twenties waved. “Hi, I’m Diya.”
“Hello,” I croaked nervously. Whathad he told them about me?
“Namaste Ma, Happy Diwali.” Kai puthis hands together in prayer and nodded.
“Happy Diwali Bete,” she replied.
“So,” Diya smiled. “When’s the matingceremony?”
Maya elbowed Diya in the side as Kaigroaned. “We are taking it slow, Diya.”
Diya put her hands up. “Okay, okay.I’m just saying my big brother is the first out of thirteen siblings to findhis mate. Mom is dying to plan a wedding here.”
Maya lightly smacked the back ofDiya’s head and she frowned.
“You are the first of your siblingsto find your mate?” I turned to Kai, shocked. He smiled nervously. “I told youit was rare. Don’t mind my sister. She is bored and likes to interfere.”
Diya stuck her tongue out.
Maya cleared her throat. “So, Aurora,how do you like Mount Hood?”
I smiled at the graceful change intopic. “I love it. It’s so beautiful here. How is the weather in Delhi? If Iremember correctly it’s quite pleasant this time of year.”
His mother raised her eyebrows.“You’ve been to Delhi?”
“Yes, Ma’am. For six months lastyear.”
His mother and Diya both shared asmile. We all talked easily for the next hour. Diya kept taking jabs at Kai andteasing him. I could tell he adored her. She was the princess in the family. Inoticed his father didn’t join the call. We signed off and I gave a huge sighof relief.
Kai laughed. “Were they that bad?”
I smiled easily. “No, I’m justnervous. I want them to like me.”
He leaned forward. “They will loveyou, like I do.”
My heart started beating fast and Kaikissed me gently.
