Something New (A Chris Evans Story)

Chapter Eight

"Hey, Amma-" I began to speak, but then she immediately interrupted me with her screeching, loud voice. Even Chris, who had paused the episode and was actively, bless his soul, trying to give my privacy, slightly winced.

"What happened with Sumit? His mother just got off the phone with me; she said that the meeting didn't work out. Did you make all the food I instructed you too? Nina said that those were his favorites. You cleaned the house right and wore the new kurta tunic top I bought for you?"

"Amma-" I was shut down once more.

Continuing, my mother cried, "I know, you must have left your hair down. God, Naina, your curly hair looks so disheveled that way, you probably didn't put coconut oil in it before washing-"

"I even did that, Amma-" Nope, my mother was not having any of my justifications.

My mother still kept ranting. "Did you start talking to him about those stupid... fantasy books that you always have your nose stuck in? Naina, you need to behave more like an adult and have more.... refined tastes!"

"No, Amma, I tried to make him feel welcome, but he said something about us not connecting-"

That shut my mother up immediately. She started muttering under her breath until she turned her attention back to me.

"What connection? WHAT CONNECTION? You think I felt any sort of connection with your father the first time we met? Our... relationship developed over time, over a couple of meetings. You youngsters need... need that... what is it?"

"Instant gratification?" I supplied helpfully. Anything to make my mother stop this interrogation session, especially when I could feel Chris intensely gazing at me, trying to figure out what was happening.

"It's fine, this is only the first boy; I didn't expect this from the Pai family. But... Nina and Sumit's mother seemed to understand the situation, so I don't think they'll gossip. And if they do, we can defend ourselves, saying that he rejected you. We'll be fine," she mumbled, reasoning aloud.

I took a deep breath. Thank God my parents weren't mad at me; otherwise I wouldn't hear the end of it tonight.

I then said, "Amma, everything will be fine; no need to become hysterical or anything. There's no need to increase your blood pressure over this, alright?"

Ignoring me completely, she responded curtly, "But Naina, your father and I will start looking at more boys, alright? You need to get married soon, otherwise both you and Meera will be sitting in my home as spinsters. And I will not have that shame on my family!" She hung up abruptly, leaving me reeling on the other end of the line.

Groaning, I flopped down onto the sofa and tossed my phone to the side, running my fingers through my "disheveled" hair and mumbling a few Konkani choice words under my breath.

"Everything alright?" Chris asked, sitting next to me, touching my shoulder. I'm pretty sure he had heard everything that my mother had bellowed into the phone, but it was nice of him to feign ignorance for my sake.

"Yeah... it's just this entire process is so damn stressful. The only upside is that I'm not the one looking through the profiles-"

Turning the TV off, he turned to me. "OK, so explain more about this... this arranged marriage deal. You explained the basics, but..."

Laughing, I said, "Your curiosity got the better of you? I know, it's a weird idea for most people in the West who have love marriages. The most annoying thing is when people just assume that you're forced into the marriage and it's only the parents choice. It's more of similar to.... an online dating service, I guess?"