Unraveling Hearts

Chapter Nine.

The backyard bathes in a starry night, reflecting on the pool and the trees. It's a serene and beautiful sight, and I like the night air.

It's cool and refreshing after the stuffiness and heat inside.

It's good to be alone, finally.

I shudder as I hug myself to generate warmth and begin to take small steps, faintly smiling at the view before me when the ringtone interrupts my silent conversations.

I whip it out and check the caller ID. It's my mom video-calling me.

"Hey, Mom!"

"Hey, sweetie, how are you doing?"

I clear my throat. "So, how's everyone there? How's Nani? Do you guys have any gossip to share?"

I haven't talked much to my mom lately, and I definitely was missing it.

"All is well. And you know, I'm not someone who gossips, Mimi." She answers sternly with a hint of amusement in her tone. "I'm trying not to work late nights since your Nani would be alone..." she adds, trailing off. I nod and exclaim, "Good for you. One should have a good night's sleep to start afresh."

"Sure, thank you, Mom," she scoffs, taunting me.

I tease her back. "You're welcome, beta."

We share a brief laugh before she says, "... and you know what a busy bee your Nani is. Always going to the temples and attending those religious meetings." I enjoy her frustrated expression when she coughs up and asks, "So, how's the university? Is your roommate, Jennie, your best friend? A boy, perhaps?"

Gray eyes flash in my mind. I shake them off before I force a wide smile. "No, there's no boy, and life's hectic, but I'm loving it. Jennie's great."

"Good to hear, Mimi."

"Hmm," I mumble, feeling terrible to lie. Technically, I'm not lying. I'm just obscuring. Yeah, whatever lets you sleep tonight.

"So, Nani's sleeping?" I ask, trying to sound casual and hoping to steer the conversation away from the topic.

Her eyes meet mine, and she raises an eyebrow, a knowing look in her eyes. "What do you think?" she asks with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Ooo, Got it!" I click my tongue and nod, playing it cool. "It must be five in the morning there. She's probably getting ready for the temple."

"Ding, ding, ding! Correct answer!" She exclaims like a host of a game show. I smile widely at her when she clears her throat, "So, anyway, we started watching the show Never Have I Ever, and for some reason, your Nani is obsessed with one of the characters. You know, Paxton Hall-Yoshida."

"Aww, I do love that show, and I am Team Ben or Team Devi, but Paxton's hot," I chime in.

My mother adds, "Yeah, and she has been going on and on about you finding yourself an American boyfriend like Paxton."

"What?" I exclaim with shock and disbelief, but there she is, staring at me with a sudden grave expression, nodding her head like a seasoned lawyer presenting her case. I feel my cheeks burn, but I look away so that she doesn't notice it as I cough up. "Mom, I'm not here to get myself a boyfriend or fall head over heels..." I trail off, briefly staring at the sky and trying not to think about gray eyes.

"I know, but she is excited about the prospect of it," she chimes in playfully.

I raise my eyebrow quizzically. Like seriously?

"Yeah, I think she wants a foreign grandson-in-law, but obviously, as long as he loves you, it'll be okay."

I shake my head and scoff, dismissing the stupid, hopeless romantic fantasies out of my head, when I spot a tall figure stepping out from behind a tree into the light. I catch my breath in my throat and gasp as those gray eyes pierce and lock mine in with a smug countenance. His gaze is so intense that I feel shivers run down my spine.