Page 133 of The Rules of Playing with Fire

When Aai came out of the kitchen to join us, I asked, “What’s all this bustle about?”

“Oh, didn’t Mihir tell you? The girl’s family is coming over the day after tomorrow for a first meeting.”

I frowned. “Here? In this house?”

“Yes, here. Where else would they meet?”

“Why can’t you all go to their place?”

“It’ll be more casual here. You’re welcome to join us,” Aai said. “Maybe vouch for your friend, tell them how wonderful he is?”

Yes, sure, I was going to sit through the pageantry of him choosing a wife for himself.

“I’m busy. I have meetings.”

“Reschedule them,” Mihir piped in. I tried to gauge if he was joking or teasing, but I found evidence of neither in his voice or on his face.

“Let her be,” Aai said with exasperation. “She’s always busy with meetings.”

“We do need to go get the gift, though,” Mihir said, looking first at Aai, then at Appa.

“Yes, we’ll leave in a bit and be back before lunch,” Aai announced. “The jewelry showroom isn’t too far from here.”

“What gift? What jewelry?” I asked, encountering a strange emotion. I suspected it was jealousy. Could’ve been envy, but I was leaning toward jealousy.

Aai smiled with love. “Mihir has something in mind.”

“This is getting more and more ridiculous, you realize that, right? Who gifts jewelry on their first meeting? It will come across as pompous and aggressive. Pushy,” I said as if I was the sanest person alive.

At that moment, it did feel like I was the sanest person in the room. Everyone else had taken leave of their senses around this outrageously magnetic man with the charming personality.

After a shower, before they could barrage me with questions, I slipped out of the house. I booked a cab instead of taking the car so they wouldn’t know where I was. It felt like I was back in my teenage rebellion phase.

Scavenging around in the public archives for source material for my next project did help distract me—for a while, at least. It was late afternoon when I emerged from the dark library, the sun hitting my eyes even on a cloudy day. I popped into a small café for a sandwich and a cup of strong tea, then disappeared into the library again.

It was late when I got home. Aai was reading in their bedroom and Appa was in his study. I made quick small talk and disappeared into mine. I heard a noise in the guest room and wondered if Mihir was still around. That question was answered soon enough. Having washed the city off my body, I had just changed into fresh clothes when there was a knock.

“It’s me,” Mihir said.

“It’s open.”

He entered with a smile. “I wanted to tell you something. Sharda Aai called me.”

I smiled back. “That’s good news.”

“She wants to meet again. At her home. Will you come with me?”

“Yes.” I smiled and sat on the bed. “She texted and asked me to come.”

He sat with me. “She likes you, just like Mom.”

“Uh, correction, your mom loves me.”

He gave a short laugh.

“Have you told them about Sharda Tai?”

“Yes, I called them last night.”

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