Mission Love

Seven

Recap: Naveen exploded! Literally.

What should I do now? Should I just run away to a deserted island? Because that seemed like a solid plan. At least better than getting a call from my parents!

I paced back and forth, circling the room like a possessed person. My mind was racing faster than my feet, and I could feel a meltdown brewing beneath the surface.

"Aisha! Relax, nothing’s going to happen," Dina said, watching me with concern, though I could tell she was just as shaken by what had gone down.

"But, Dina, did you see how close they were to tearing each other apart?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.
"Naveen looked like he was about to lose it, and Dhruv was practically begging for a fight!"

Dina sighed, leaning back on the couch. "It was intense, but we got out before anything too serious happened."

I chewed on my nails, feeling the anxiety build.
"Yeah, but it was so close! What if Dhruv tells his parents? They’ll definitely tell mine, and then I’ll have to explain everything. And if they start asking questions about Naveen… "

"Aisha, calm down! Let's just hope for the best," Dina said, trying to keep me grounded.

"I know, but what if they find out? My mom will kill me! God, why did Naveen have to react like that?"

As if on cue, my phone started ringing, and it was Mom. Uh-oh. This was it. The moment of truth. Dhruv must’ve spilled the beans to his parents, and now it was circling back to mine. I was doomed.

I took a deep breath and answered. "Hi, Mom!"

"Aisha," she started, skipping the pleasantries, her tone serious but trying to be gentle. "We heard from Dhruv's parents about some… incident at the café today."

My stomach twisted, and I passed a glance at Dina who was focused on our conversation.

"Incident? Oh, you mean the tiny little misunderstanding? Nothing major, really—"

"Aisha," my dad’s voice came through the speaker, interrupting me.
"Who was he?"

Great, they were both on the line.

"Uh, well, he’s…"
I started stalling, my mind racing for a plausible explanation that wouldn’t get anyone into more trouble.

"Aisha, we just want to understand what's going on," my mom said, her voice softening slightly but still laced with concern. "Dhruv’s parents mentioned that there was some sort of misunderstanding—"

"Actually, I was quite disturbed the way you guys sent Dhruv all of a sudden. Mom, you know how I always mess up." 
Mom sighed out loud, and I heard some movement before she spoke again.

"We just want you to settle. And we aren't pressuring you to get married this instant. We're just helping to find you a suitable life partner."

I felt a pang of guilt swell up in my heart.

"Dhruv was the best choice. We hoped you'd talk things out, but a bruised Dhruv returned. Aisha, we too have responsibility and dignity," Mom added, which felt like salt in an open wound.

"What exactly happened?" Dad intervened again, making my heart race.

Shit, shit, shit.

I gave Dina a swift glance; she raised her eyebrows. I was about to put them on mute when my dad's voice thundered,

"Aisha! Tell me now"

My heart raced, my fidgeting intensified, and so did my pacing. I was walking in circles at lightning speed—I might even be able to qualify for the Olympics!