Page 125 of The Rules of Playing with Fire

My body language changed. I could physically feel it. Suddenly, I was an intruder, an imposter, an outsider in the home. “No, it’s not that…”

“Save it, child,” she said. “I knew at first glance. You might be a good poker player, but you’re terrible at hiding your affection for our daughter.”

Oh!

“I’m sorry,” I said and stood. “I think it’s best if I left.”

“Not so fast, beta.” She pulled out her smug smile again. “Tell us about your plans.”

Very slowly, I lowered myself back into my seat. “Plans?”

“Yes. How do you intend to get her back?”

“I’m not…” I looked between the two of them wearing confused looks on their faces.

“I thought you wanted to reconcile with her. Don’t you?” her father asked.

“I do, but she doesn’t.”

“So, how do you plan to persuade her?”

“I don’t think there’s much I can do,” I confessed, trying to make sense of what was happening. Maybe Sona was onto something with that alternate universe theory. Maybe I had somehow stepped inside one.

Mrs. Thomas glanced at her husband and gave me a warm smile. “Then we have a proposal. Let’s talk about a match for you.”

I heard them out patiently as they led with an argument I couldn’t contest. I had no choice but to acquiesce, and I did it with a grand smile on my face.

Mrs. Thomas beamed at my enthusiasm. “Good. Now come, lunch is ready,” she said, terribly pleased with my decision.

“Is Sona coming soon? I can wait.”

She waved her hand. “We never know when she’ll be back. She’ll call. Come, you must be hungry.”

“I’ll text her,” I said. She nodded and left with her husband in tow.

Are you coming home for lunch? I texted Sona.

Is this my mom? she teased.

It’s your mom’s new matchmaking project.

Not funny. I’ll be there in 5.

When she returned, her behavior was different, pensive. Instead of getting on my case for crashing at her home again, she graced me with a smile, like she was glad to see me.

“He waited for you,” Mrs. Thomas informed her when we sat down to lunch.

I expected her to send a smart quip my way, but she only nodded.

When we finished lunch, her mom said, “We have a party to go to this evening. I have asked Lata to cook for you. She will leave after she’s done. You both can manage, right? Mihir, I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” I said.

“Yes, we’ll manage, Aai.”

When her mother retreated to her room and her father to his study, Sona escorted me to the expansive covered balcony of the family room. With comfortable seating arrangement and a unique décor, the balcony had a personality of its own in this home. A sweet, cozy one.

“It is peaceful here,” I said, gazing out at the sea.

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