Not My Little Sister

Chapter 13 - Indian Accent

Vinaya called her brother, the one person she felt like she could share anything with. Nithin went into his room.

"Vaave?" He inquired, his voice tinged with concern, his video call shrouded in darkness. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes chetta, I just... I just miss home..." Vinaya confessed.

"You realize it's 1 in the night here?" Mohan exclaimed in an exasperated tone, flicking on his bedside lamp.

"I forgot," said Vinaya, feeling guilty for waking her brother up at this ungodly hour. "I'll hang up, I'm okay."

Mohan rubbed his eyes. "Leaving everything behind and going to a new country can be really lonely. Everything is different there," he empathized.

Vinaya remained silent, absorbing Mohan's words.

"This is why I really wanted you to do this. So you can see for yourself if this is the kind of life you want," Mohan continued, "you have freedom there, but with it comes a price. You lose this big social circle that you have in India; the love and protection it offers. You lose the luxury of having a lot of things done for you. Over there, you have to cook, clean, do your laundry, all of it yourself, in addition to working and studying."

"Yeah, I noticed," remarked Vinaya. She had expected more help, more people to lean on.

"It's not for everyone, vaavs; if you don't like it, it's early enough for you to change your career path," Mohan asserted seriously.

"Why do you want to come back?" Vinaya inquired curiously. Mohan was silent for a few seconds.

"For Ria?" Vinaya asked softly.

"No," he shook his head, "Ria is just a friend now." Vinaya waited.

"Work is better there; I can be where innovation happens, rather than just provide solutions, which is what I'm doing now. But I don't know anymore that it's worth it..." Mohan admitted.

"I want to be here," Vinaya declared adamantly. "I like how medicine is standardized here, and I like how society is organized. If I'm in India, I've to alter my behavior and my dressing to what people would think and say. Here I'm free. I can be myself," she insisted.

"But you are homesick," Mohan observed.

"I'm better after talking to you, chetta," said Vinaya, smiling at her older brother.

"Yeah, let me sleep then," he responded, and Vinaya blew him a kiss before hanging up.

Vinaya realized they hadn't made lunch, and as she headed to the kitchen, Nithin entered the living room, suggesting, "Let's go out."

"But won't it be expensive?" Vinaya asked, recalling his earlier admission of having no money in the bank.

Nithin looked irritated. "I can afford lunch."

"That's not what I..." she began but kept silent, opting to pick out an outfit. She chose a white crew-cut short T-shirt with a hint of silver and dark blue skinny jeans. After applying sunscreen, mascara, and red lipstick, she declared herself ready.

"Ready?" Nithin asked.

Nithin orchestrated a delightful, casual date for Vinaya at a hidden gem in the heart of New York City – a cozy hole-in-the-wall place renowned for its authentic New York-style pizza.

As they stepped into the unassuming pizzeria, the aroma of freshly baked dough and rich tomato sauce enveloped them. The ambiance was casual, featuring a few small tables and dimmed lighting, creating an intimate setting. The distant chatter of locals and the sizzling sounds from the open kitchen added to the charm.