Love, But Make It Stupid

Blush Alert

Devi stood in the kitchen, chopping vegetables with practiced ease, though her mind was elsewhere. The rhythmic sound of the knife against the cutting board should have been soothing, but today, it wasn't. Lost in thought, she didn't notice when the blade nicked her finger until a drop of red bloomed against the green of the coriander leaves.

She sucked in a sharp breath and quickly wiped the blood away, shaking her head at her own carelessness. With a sigh, she washed her hands and plugged in her old Nokia phone to charge, glancing at it briefly before setting it aside. Janhvi's call came in.

"Yeah, what's up?" Devi answered, keeping her voice neutral.

"Where did you go? You left alone today."

"Yeah, I thought you'd take some time."

"Devi, don't lie. You always do this when you're upset. I swear, I didn't do anything! Vicky won't come between us. I'll give you all my time."

Devi sighed, shifting her gaze to her mother, who was watching her. "Forget about my time, and Vic... That girl won't even give you the time of day."

"Girl? Is Aunty around?"

"Yeah."

"Still, I can have some fun by talking to Vicky. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Love marriages aren't even allowed in my family."

"Exactly! Stay away from that girl. she'll just annoy you. Just take my notes instead."

Janhvi laughed. "Listen! I'm not going to be as boring as you. From now on, I'm skipping lectures too. After hanging out with Vicky, I realized, if I'm going to be married off soon, I might as well start enjoying things now. Who knows what will happen tomorrow?"

Devi rolled her eyes. "Stop preaching, Baba Janhvi. Hang up."

As soon as she ended the call, her mother spoke. "The boy's family is coming to see you tomorrow. You didn't talk to your father about it, did you?"

Devi resumed chopping the okra, her movements deliberate. "As far as I'm concerned, it's a yes. Is Sister coming tomorrow too?"

"No, she said the boy's good," her mother replied.

Devi paused for a moment. "Then he must be okay... (pausing again, her voice lowered) Isn't there any way I never have to get married?"

Her mother frowned. "Why? Don't you want a family?"

"I do, but not the kind you think."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

After washing the dishes, Devi dried her hands with a towel and turned on the TV. "Mom, it's time for the Mahabharat episode."

"Wait, I'm coming."

Devi went to her room and sat down, humming a song under her breath. She closed her eyes, trying to sleep, but after a few moments, she heard her mother's voice. "Don't sleep on an empty stomach, or I'll have to wake you up later."

Annoyed, Devi placed a pillow over her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, but suddenly, a memory surfaced—her hand in Devika's. Her breath hitched. Eyes flying open, she turned on the light, her chest tightening. "I don't want these feelings," she muttered, panic creeping into her voice. She threw the pillow across the room. "I'm normal. I'm normal."

Half an hour later, she heard her father arrive. Quickly, she pulled the blanket over herself, feigning sleep. Her mother entered the room, her voice soft. "Devi, wake up and have dinner."

She hesitated but eventually sat up. As she ate, her mother studied her closely. "Were you crying? Your eyes look swollen."

Devi forced a small smile. "No, I'm just sleepy."