The next day grandma kept a puja(prayer) in the house and invited all the relatives. Grandma gifted me with a lehenga choli to wear. It's a beautiful powder blue lehenga with an intricate design and baby pink mono net dupatta.
Dia braided my hair to lose fishtail braid and adorned it with tiny flower clips. Dia wore yellow and pink silk lehenga choli. She looked beautiful. Her brown eyes adorned with kohl and jet black hair in a half up half down with curls at the end.
As I walked down, I can feel all the eyes in the living room staring at me. Grandma invited around 40members for the pooja mostly close-knit family members. I was standing awkwardly at the bottom of the stairs. I can't see any known faces. All the new faces and the way they are gawking at me is making me very uneasy.
A middle-aged lady in a red silk saree and heavy gold jewelry walked over to me scanning me from top to bottom. I tried giving her a small smile despite my nervousness.
"Hey, Are you Priya's daughter?" She questioned me.
"Yes," I smiled at her. Maybe she is one of the relatives.
"Lakshmi Aunty is gushing over the past few months about you, that you are very sweet and beautiful. What's your name?"
"Amelia Jones," I told her with a smile.
"Your Mom didn't even give you an Indian name. She forgot her roots after getting married to your father."
Tsk tsk tsk... She shook her head in disappointment.What the hell does this lady think of herself. I want to give back to her right there but I really don't want to cause a scene. But I'm already in the scene thanks to this red hippo.
"Do you know me? I'm your mom's cousin Bharti. We used to be close before... you know.. she eloped with your father." She said with a disgusted face.
Before I could give back to the lady. "Woahhh!! You look gorgeous Amy." Ryan, the monkey he is, jumped from nowhere putting his hands over my shoulders. He is dressed in white kurta with jeans.
I can see the expressions on my new so-called Aunt Bharti change from horror to disgusting, looking over Ryan and me. Her brows knitted to a deep frown.
"Doesn't she look, sexy bro?" Asked Ryan and that's when I noticed Jason in black kurta and blue jeans, standing nearby gazing at me intently to the point I checked my face if everything is alright or if make up is smudged.
The hippos eyes turned to the size of saucers with Ryan's choice of words.
"Who are these boys? Why is he holding you?" Hippo asked me with a horrified face.
Then she steered her attention to Ryan "Get your hands off her boy. How dare you touch her?" She shouted at him.
Ryan immediately removed his hand from my shoulders. That's it I lost my last bit of patience, I can bear whatever nonsense she has to spew but not a word against my friends.
But before I could open my mouth to lash at her, grandpa spoke,
"Bhatti, they are Robert's best friend's sons. Amelia is staying with them after Priya and Robert's death. They are our guests you can't yell at them, you have to give them the respect that they deserve."
"Why are they here in India uncle? Why didn't you bring Amelia to India for good? Look at the way the boy is jumping on her and we don't want her to do the same mistake like her mother, running away with some foreigner and bringing shame over the family."
I just can't believe she said that. I want to rip her hair and claw her skin. Some of the guests looked uncomfortable with the topic while some came near us eager to watch the drama unfold.
She continued saying "When Priya eloped it affected my life. You know how my marriage was delayed because no one wants to marry a girl whose sister eloped with some white man. Now I don't want the same to happen to the other girls in our family because of Amelia. We even have Dia remember, we can't risk her life. So I'm just warning you for your own sake, uncle." She said bulging her eyes out and her face turned red with anger. I could even see the vein on her neck pulsing.
"Bharti, if Amelia wants to marry someone from the USA, she can because she belongs there just as much she belongs here. She is half American just as she is half Indian. Speaking of the Browns they are more of a family to her than us. She practically grew up with them. There is no need to worry about Dia. After my mistake with Priya, after losing her for life... I understood that my daughter's happiness and wellbeing is important than so-called pride and family name." Grandpa snarled at the hippo.
"Come here Bharti, I need some help in the kitchen." Aunt Seema pulled hippo Bharti to the kitchen.
"Sorry about that." Grandpa looked over at Jason and Ryan.
"It's okay Mr.Kashyap," Jason replied with a small smile.
"Why are you being so formal? Didn't I tell you to feel free? You can call me grandpa." Grandpa gave them a warm smile.
"Thanks" Jason smiled, while Ryan jumped and gave grandpa a hug, which brought a smile to my face.
"Please don't mind her Ammu. She is a good person but speaks without thinking much." Grandpa said looking at me.
"Ammu?" I asked him.
"Oh, I can call you that. Right? Amy Amelia are difficult to pronounce.." He looked lovingly at me.
I grinned back to him nodding yes.
After the pooja, grandma introduced me to all her relatives. Everyone is sweet. They spoke of their memories of mama or just smiled at me and gave their blessings.
After Grandpa scolded the hippo, she kept her distance from me. I could see her sending annoyed looks my way.
I'm worried that someone else may again misbehave or talk rudely with Ryan or Jason. I used to glance around checking on them, but every single time I saw them with my Grandpa. Sometimes he is introducing them to some relatives or else he is just happily chatting with them. But he never let them feel alone.
After lunch, Dia dragged me and Ryan to the terrace where all the cousins are hanging out. Jason escaped back to his room. We joked around and spent time. The girls were asking me to call Jason apparently they were all smitten by him.
What am I his matchmaker now?
I walked over to Jason's room and knocked it. He opened the door and looking at me. He went back to his laptop.
"Jason, come upstairs to the terrace. All my cousins are there, the girls really like you and want to talk with you. Why are you always sitting with your laptop these days? You are not mingling with anyone." I tried pulling the laptop from his lap.
"I don't want to mingle with anyone. I don't even want to spend a minute with you especially!!. I hate it that I'm stuck with you here. Just leave me alone and GET OUT." He barked at me.
"I'm sorry. I know this trip to India is not in your plan. I know that you don't want to be here, okay I understand. But there is no need to be so rude." I walked out of the room banging the door. The tears which I tried so hard not to show to Jason, flowed out of my eyes once I'm out of the room.
I saw Dia near the door waiting for me. We walked into the room.
"What's his deal? These two brothers are the exact opposite. Ryan is fun and easy-going. But Jason is angry and aloof all the time. Yeah, but he is angry only towards you."
I kept mum. I don't want to discuss him and spoil my mood more.
"It's okay. Let it be. Don't mind him. Everyone is waiting for you upstairs." She told me like she understood my mind.
"Give me a minute. Let me change to something comfortable"
She nodded and walked out of the room.
I washed my face and changed to my navy striped jumpsuit. I walked back to the terrace. It is better to spend time with people around my age than Aunt Hippo downstairs. I met Harsh Dia's maternal aunt's son. He is sweet and extremely caring towards Dia, giving those sweet and protective big bro vibes.
Then there are Sanya and Tanya Hippo's twin daughters. They are nice and cute not arrogant like their mom. Then Nihaal, Nisha, Atharv, Kinnera, Vivaan, Avni. They all are my mom's cousin's kids. I don't know who is related to who. I stuck to calling everyone by their names. After a few hours, all the guests left.
The house turned peaceful again. Ramu kaka cleaned the house. Everyone sat in the living room except Jason of course, elders enjoying a nice cup of tea with biscuits. And we kids are having hot chocolate.
"I'm going to Bangalore for 2weeks. I will come back by the time Mr.Brown and his wife will come here. Then we can plan an outing so that they can look around Delhi." Uncle Raj said sipping his tea. He sat leaning back on the couch.
"But Raj, the kids will feel bored at home. If you are not there who will take them out once in a while?" Asked grandma.
"I will ask Sameer to accompany them. He can drive around and even look after them"
"That's a good idea." Said, grandpa.
I looked over at them confused, who is this Sameer, never heard of him. Pretty sure I didn't hear his name today while I'm introduced to the guests.
"Sameer's father works for Raj. It's not safe here Amy, now you guys can go out with Sameer looking after you and even Jason is also there with you." Replied grandpa looking at my confused look.
I told Dia that I would like to go shopping and she suggested we could go to the Chandni Chowk market. It is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Delhi. Aunt Seema called Sameer to come and escort us.I got ready in my floral print mustard-colored cold shoulder dress with bell sleeves and made a messy bun. The dress reached my thighs. I took my sunglasses, a mobile, hat, and wallet in my tote bag. I tossed a scarf in at the last minute. The weather in Delhi is strangely hot in the day and cold at the night.Dia wore a simple white tunic top and olive-colored pants. She tied her hair in a high pony. Arjun didn't want to come because we have a lot of walking to do. Ryan came dressed in a red polo shirt and khaki shorts."Are you two coming dressed like this?" Asked Dia looking at me and Ryan back and forth with her mouth slightly open and raised eyebrows."Yeah, what's wrong with it?" Ryan asked checking
"Amy wake up" Dia jabbed me."Let me sleep for some more time." I groaned in my sleep."We have reached home. Let's go to the room and you can sleep all you want.""Shhh go away" why are they hell-bent on waking me. I'm having the best sleep of my life."You are all over Jason and hugging him Amy. Do you want me to click pictures? You both make quite a sight. Mom would be thrilled to see it." I heard Ryan's voice.That was enough for me to wake up from my sleep. I'm leaning over Jason's shoulderhugging him and gripping his graphic tee with my hands. And his tee wet with my drool. I jerked back to create some space between us and tried to wipe the drool from his tee.Dia and Ryan are standing by the car door and giggling at us. Jason is not even looking at me. He is looking out the window with his cheeks colored, is he angry or embarrassed? I can't make it out.
I went to the living room wearing my tank top and jeans with long black and white striped shrug. Ryan and Jason already waiting in the living room. Dia walked moments later."I called Sameer to come to pick us. Harsh is coming to the movie theatre directly." Dia said walking down the stairs and brushing her hair."I'm here Dia, let's go." Said Sameer walking to the living room.He grabbed the car keys and we all followed him out. I could see Jason staring at me but I chose to ignore him.We reached the top floor of the mall, people are scattered over the lounge waiting for the movie to start. We sauntered over to Harsh."Hey, I booked the extra ticket as you said. Who is coming ?" Harsh asked Dia."Sameer is coming, we can't let him wait for us to finish the movie," Dia replied to him."Sameer? Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?" Harsh said with a frown on his face."Yeah but he is the one driving us around and dad
Dia's phone rang. She went to the balcony to take the call. She came back after a few minutes."Today is Sameer's birthday. He invited us to a party. Do you want to go?" She asked me while sitting on the bed.I kept the book I'm reading on the table near me. "Yeah, we have to go right? It's Sameer's birthday." I said using my duh tone."Dad wouldn't allow us to go to the party." She sighed."Why?" I asked her.What's wrong with going to a Birthday party? And of course, it's Sameer's birthday right."Partying is not allowed. My curfew is 6 pm. And the party is at 9. So there is no way they will allow us to go." She told with a sullen look."Uncle is not here and we could ask grandpa," I told her. They like Sameer so I don't think it would be an issue."They won't allow us, Amy, this is not the USA. They say it's not safe for girls. Bu
"Sameer I'm warning you for the last time. Leave my hand and let me go." I gritted my teeth at him."Oh, you don't have a problem with Jason or Ryan touching you and hugging you. Why are you acting like a naive innocent girl? I think you already lost your virginity and slept with a few. It's common in your culture. It won't do any harm to you if allow me too." He tried to hug me tight at this point and I slapped his face hard with my other hand, so hard that it stung my hand."Bitch" he shouted at me, he grabbed my hair in his hand, tugging them and moving my head backward. He leaned down to kiss my neck. I felt hot tears running down my cheeks. I felt so helpless.I used all my strength and pushed him hard and ran towards the door but he is faster than me, he slapped me right on my cheek and pushed me back to the bed, the push had such an impact that my head bumped into the wall.The blood gushing from my forehead is the least of my worry now. He r
Jason's POV "Mom I agreed to come to India only because you told me, we all could go together. But now that you and Dad are not coming. I don't see any more reason for me to go." I whined at Mom. I made this trip with my friends and had to back out of it because of my mom's request but now that they aren't coming! I dont want to go. "We are coming after a week Jason and you have to go, no more discussions. " "Maybe I could come with you and Dad. What will I do there? I don't know anyone there. I have made some plans with my friends. I don't want to miss out." "I want you to go to look after Amy and Ryan. She is meeting her family for the first time. What if something goes wrong. The fact that they tried to take her custody still worries me. Please." She said holding my hand's tears forming in her green eyes. "If there is an issue with our company. I
Jason's POVI looked at the fragile girl who lied unconscious next to me in the car with her head on my shoulder. She was clutching my tee tight in her hands as her life depended on it. Tears dried out on her cheeks.But, still, her body jerked in sleep now and then. My hold tightening around her every time she trembled in sleep.The ride back was awfully quiet, everyone lost in their miseries. I'm just trying to keep my anger in check so I won't lash out at Dia or break Ryan's bones. Harsh stopped the car by the gate. I lifted her in my arms not wanting to wake her up."I will go and wake my mom and grandparents." Said Dia walking inside."Dia stop. Let's not disturb them now. It's midnight. We will tell them in the morning." Truthfully, I don't want them to disturb Amy. She just went to sleep and she may start crying again after waking up.Dia nodded at
Jason's POV "What happened? Why are you both quiet??" grandpa asked, looking at Ryan and Dia. Everyone is seated at the dining table for breakfast except Amy. Ryan and Dia looked at me clueless. I don't know whether his old heart can bear hearing what happened to his granddaughter. Contemplating I told him "They were just tired because of staying up late last night and playing games. Even Amy is still sleeping." Nodding at me, grandpa asked them again "Did you two fight? You both are awfully calm today." He looked curiously at Dia and Ryan. Ryan gave a weak smile to grandpa. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Mrs.Kashyap went to attend.