roomies ; leto brothers ✔

four: family

Note: I don't mean to offend anyone's culture. I have a deep appreciation for the Indian culture and I hope I've portrayed it respectfully. It's all with my best intentions.

* * *

As far as Maya knows, Constance Leto is a sweet lady. She raised both of her sons as a single mother, she's in contact with them regularly to know if they're fine and eating well, she worries about their safety and is so very proud of their choices. Nothing to be afraid of, except that Jared and Shannon are afraid of her. Afraid of disappointing their mother.

After Jared's announcement that she's coming, there's a freaking out moment and Maya watches it without understanding. Then, the boys arrange dinner with their mother in the apartment, because she wants to see where they're living now.

Of course, Maya cooking skills are required (with a little help from Tomo over the phone) and they politely ask her to leave the place, but Maya's plans fail and she promises to stay in her room, studying for tests that are scheduled for the following week.

"Alright, everything's ready," Maya announces as the brothers run around rearranging things once again. "Don't burn my sauce! And remember, no onions, garlic!" She repeats, turning off the stove.

Jared comes behind her and escorts her to her room. "Okay, now it's your time to leave," He says.

"These are not the right cutlery, it's the small ones," She instructs Shannon as she passes by with Jared pushing her.

He looks at the cutlery and then at her. "Right, thanks," Shan gives her a relieved smile.

"You're welcome, babe," She winks at him with a soft smile. "Jared, stop fucking pushing me!" Maya turns around and nudges him. "I'm going!"

"Sorry," He apologizes with an apprehensive look. "It's just almost the time and mom likes to arrive early; she can be here at any time now."

"Okay, okay," Maya sighs, rolling her eyes. "I'll be in my room if you two need anything, just shout out," She says, walking away.

"Thanks, sis!" Both brothers say in unison and she hums, opening her door.

Shutting the door behind her, Maya walks into her room to take a shower. She dresses simple clothing because she doesn't plan to get out and, unlike the boys who are dressed fancily for their mother, she doesn't have to show herself to anyone.

The closed-door doesn't allow Maya to know if Constance already arrived, but she is not worried about that. With her reading glasses, she dives into her notebooks and textbooks, reviewing all the semester's content.

What Maya doesn't predict beforehand is the hunger that she is feeling two hours into the studying process. By now, Constance is gone, or it's what Maya thinks. But instead of getting out of her room to search the fridge for leftovers, she orders Chinese food in an app. A few minutes later, the doorbell rings.

Jared frowns and looks at Shannon, who's also frowning. Their mother looks at them, expecting someone to stand up and answer the door, but both of them stay still.

"So?" She asks, drawing their attention. "Will someone answer the door?"

Jared is the one standing up. "I'm not expecting anyone," He says, leaving the napkin on the table.

"Neither do me," Shannon says and Jared walks away.

He opens the door to find a delivery guy. "Hi, delivery for Maya," The guy reads a paper.

"Yeah, a moment," Jared asks and turns around to shout out into the apartment. "Maya!" He calls out, making his mother frown and Shannon rolls his eyes, covering his face with his hand. "Did you order food?"