Page 30 of The Rules of Playing with Fire

My first instinct was to pull up my guard and pretend I hadn’t understood the question or its context, but her eyes dissuaded me.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

In the next glance, I caught her playfulness. “I’m looking forward to my swim lesson tonight. I hope you’re a good teacher.”

“I’m known to be a hard taskmaster.”

“Are you now?”

Another challenge. Maybe she would be the one to humble me.

That afternoon, we decided to take the motorboats on the water. It was almost time for the afternoon tea, and Mom filled two thermoses with her special spiced chai while Sameer brewed coffee for the two of us.

“Why don’t you come with us, Sona?” Mom said when we began to deliberate over how to divide us up between the two boats. “That’ll give us a chance to chat some more.”

Tara nodded in agreement, and we set off. It was chilly on the water, and I was glad I had brought coffee instead of beer. Around the center span, I killed the motor and climbed into the back to sit beside Sona. Mom pulled out her thermos and poured tea for Sona and Dad.

“Tara said your family is in Mumbai?” Mom said, handing Sona a thick mug while I swigged my coffee uncouthly from the thermos.

“Yes, my parents live in Bandra.”

“We lived in Dadar before we moved here,” Mom said. “Shivaji Park neighborhood. I’m sure it has changed now.”

“The entire metroplex has changed.”

“Did you grow up in Bandra, then?” Mom inquired while Dad sipped tea with a contemplative look in his eyes.

Sona nursed her mug. “I was born in Thane, and we lived there for a while, but my father’s job is in Mumbai, so we eventually moved. My mother’s family lives close by, so it was a happy transition. Do you ever go back?” Sona asked, and Mom sat up straighter as she exchanged a look with Dad.

“Not anymore.”

“If you ever want to visit, you have a home in Mumbai. I’ll leave you my address.”

Mom nodded. “How often do you visit?”

“I try to go every year for a few weeks, but this time, I’ll be there for my fieldwork. It will be good to spend an entire summer with my parents.”

A sudden void filled my heart at the thought of her gone all summer, but I kept my eyes off her. I knew Mom was onto me, and I didn’t want to give her more ammunition.

“It’s so peaceful here,” Sona said with a contented sigh and took a sip of her tea.

“You know there are alligators in these waters, right?” I said, breaking the soft silence.

“What?” She leapt snug against me, gripping my arm as Mom and I erupted in chuckles. She quickly realized the comfortable familiarity with which she touched my body and promptly dropped my hand to put distance between us. “Sorry, it’s just that I hate reptiles.”

Mom met my gaze, and I knew I would get an earful when we were alone. And sure enough, when we returned to shore, Mom lingered as I tied up the boats. Then she took my arm as if her aging body needed the leverage. Such a rogue.

“What’s going on with Sona?” she demanded sharply.

“Nothing, Mom. I told you.”

“Mihir.”

I exhaled. “We spent some time talking last night. I’d come down for a swim, and she was out here chatting with her folks back home.”

“You know she likes you.”

“I like her too.”

---