It's The Little Things. (completed)

reactions can be scary.

Warm breeze hit me with full force as we exited the airport, and I wanted to just remove my dress shirt. It was pretty warm here.

Okay it was HOT here. Like 40 degrees hot. And yeah, I am exaggerating.

We walked further and were greeted by many SUV’s waiting in front of the airport. Ashwin went forward and greeted an old version of him. Dark hair, eyes and tall. A woman in sarree hugged Ashwin and kissed his face and I immediately figured her to be his mother. I know it because I kiss Alex in the same way when I pick him up from daycare or babysitting.

“Mom, Dad I bring you your bahu” Ashwin said happily and grabbed Maggie’s hand and pushed her forward to greet his parents.

I could see the judgment and disapproval in Ashwin’s dad’s eyes where as his mother hugged Maggie with warmth and kissed her cheek happily.

“She is really pretty son. My grand babies are not far away.” Ashwin’s mother gushed and Maggie’s face heated up.

I suppressed a giggle and Xavier chuckled/coughed. Maggie glared at us and was tomato red, but I could see slight discomfort too. Surely from the look Ashwin’s dad gave her. I smiled reassuringly at her.

“Yes mom, soon enough.” Ashwin said and chuckled as Maggie shot him a startled look. I guess it was expected because they have never really discussed about child or having a child for all that really mattered.

“Yes, girls in our country give birth to a healthy baby Boy within a year after their marriage. And I expect the same from you Ashwin as your brother fulfilled my wish too.” Her father for the first time said, or more like informed/commanded grumpily and made eye contact with Ashwin and Maggie. I was standing pretty far from them but his look still gave me shills and shivers.

Ashwin wrapped his arm protectively and rubbed circles on Maggie’s back. She relaxed as she exhaled a deep breath.

His mother shot his father a disapproving look and smiled a weak smile at Maggie.

“Don’t worry he will get along, dear.” Maggie returned a smile and Ashwin introduced me and Xavier as ‘a happy married couple’. Maggie’s eyes bulged out and she stared at and waited for me to deny, when I didn’t she raised her eyebrow and I mouthed ‘later’.

“Oh! What a sweet baby boy you have there. What’s his name?” she cooed at Alex, who giggled and babbled in his language, and asked me smilingly. I smiled at her friendliness.

“Alexander but we call him Alex.” I replied proudly and she cooed Alex more and in the mean time our stuff was stuffs were tucked in the car securely by the drivers and we were motioned to go and sit in the cars. Xavier, me and Alex were seated I with a driver while others were in other cars.

I wondered how rich Ashwin really was. I knew his family was pretty wealthy but didn’t know how much. It was still overwhelming though. Even if it’s not my money being consumed in the petrol of the cars I still can’t imagine the total cost.

As we passed streets after streets I was mesmerized by the different transport people used here. Rickshaws, motorcycles, Tongas. Different shaped cars and busy roads and as we stopped on a traffic signal I even saw a disabled beggar which was depressing on a whole new level. Child labor was so common here, eight and nine years old selling tea, newspapers and flowers.

I felt so guilty travelling and living in luxury and style while these innocent children work to earn their whole family’s butter and bread.

Something stirred inside me and I felt my stomach twist. I breathed a sigh and looked up to the cars roof, expecting answers to pop out magically and solve their problems.