Page 211 of Snap Shot

“Nik.” I beckon her. “What's he like? Show me a picture.”

Our parents and aunts and uncles continue to discuss him and his family. I can hardly get a few words out of my sister. Another first. Her thumbs dawdle, fumbling to get to Instagram. When she finally pulls up his profile, I'm surprised.

“Hello?He's kinda cute,” I whisper to her. “How tall is he?”

She shrugs and glances back to Esha and our cousins, who pull out a carom board. “Taller than you, I guess.”

“What's wrong? Is he weird?”

“No.No.” She shakes off the daze. “He's not weird. He's nice.Reallynice, actually.”

“Tell Shalini's mom I'm open to meeting him.”

“That's my girl.” Dad snaps and points a finger gun at me. “Ay, Bhanu,” he addresses the house help. “Ek aur?” He wiggles the empty bottle of beer in his opposite hand.

“I got it,” I offer, rising to my feet.

“Thanks, betu.”

“Be right back.”

The stupid handle of the bottle opener bites my palm, but I manage to claim victory after a few tries. Nik corners me, shoving me into the far side of the galley kitchen. “What the hell?”

“Shhh!” She puts a finger to her mouth. “Keep it down.” A last look over her shoulder ensures no one else is headed this way. “Please don't say yes to meeting Ashutosh.”

“Why not?” I study her face. “What's his deal?”

Her eyes slide to the floor before returning to my steadfast gaze. “We're together.” My mouth gapes. Her behavior makes sense. “Iknow,” she adds, slapping a hand to her forehead. “It's not totally allowed at work, but I've liked him since he visited Shal at uni and…”

“Wow.”

“Didi, it's serious.”

“How did I not know about any of this?”

“I dunno, you have so much going on. We hung out more after I took the job and started dating, like, four months ago. I was afraid to bring it up while, y'know…”

“Anika.” I pull her into a hug. “You didn't have to do that. I can handle it. I'm a grown woman.”

She hugs me back.

“Enough mush and gush. We gotta tell Mom and Dad!”

—————

The return to Canada is filled with new excitement and joy. With some support, Anika confesses to dating her best friend's brother and boss—the romance novel practically writes itself—and we did a small gor-dhana to make the relationship official.

My mother is plagued with the wedding planning bug worse than the bashful bride herself. By June, I'm ready to rip my hair out from boredom and flee a home visit from the local florist Aunty to go for a drive. When the retro sign for the Mississauga Sports Arena shows up, I turn the Audi left into the lot and park. Its classic blend of damp carpet, sweaty hockey gear, and the plasticky smell of artificial ice are a welcome distraction.

The stands are old, but sturdy, and whine under my weight as I climb steps and choose a spot. There's something calming about the empty ice. So many memories flood back.

“Ma'am, open skate is at rink three.”

“Oh, sorry.” I scramble to my feet.

“No worries.”

My face breaks into a smile at the stout figure across from me. The gray streaking through the sides of his hair is new, but the kind, crow's feet-framed eyes are the same.

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