Totally Clueless

Chapter 37

Finally they were back on Josh's front porch.

Kayla insisted on walking home with him because she orchestrated the evening so it was only right. In the back of her mind she knew Josh would probably walk her right back home, but it didn't matter. Kayla did what Kayla wanted and that was that.

They strolled through the front door with giggles and whispers and to their surprise, adults were sitting and waiting for them.

Reid had just about descending the staircase and he exchanged glances with his brother and then Kayla. Then he eyed his mother, his father, Kayla's aunt and the strangers that sat next to them on the divan.

"Good, you're all here...come, sit."

Reena held out an inviting hand for them.

Kayla's eyes fixed on Josh's.

She felt weirdly unsettled.

She wanted to hide behind him and command him to protect her but she didn't. After they looked each other dead in the eyes she sat and he followed.

His mother began introductions.

"This is Cara jee and Samir jee and their beautifull daughter Shahine."

No one spoke a word but Reena continued anyway.

"Well as you know, as a family we are deeply rooted in our tradition. We are very proud of it as such we've always tried to pass on everything of our Rich culture to you so it is in the name of preserving our culture and Heritage that we are here this evening . We would have wanted it to be earlier but we didn't know you guys had gone out." It came out of her like a recited speech.

She was getting emotional. That was never a good sign and Josh's heart vibrated in his chest because he didn't know what was coming.

Reid too felt a disturbing vibe and watched her with a puzzled scowl.
She reached for Josh hands.

"... being 18 is a huge thing, a huge milestone. Your adults now and..."

She was bluntly chopped off of her sentence with a slice of Sai's impatient tongue.

"We've arranged your marriages."

The words fell out of his mouth with a heavy thud.

Josh pulled his hands from his mothers grip so suddenly that it jerked her whole body. It was a dagger through the heart for him.

Reena shot her husband a nasty look.

She knew the news would shock them, she only wanted to cushion the blow. But not Sai, for him, it should have been expected, it was tradition and they could only be happy about it.

Three pairs of eyes widened in shock.

"So you'll get married on your birthday..." Reena continued. "Isn't that exciting? "

"Married? To who?" Reid asked in stunned disbelief.

"Well...We have chosen Shahine for you honey and Josh," she held on to Josh's hand again then . "...You and Kayla have always been meant for each other."

"Meant to do what?"

"To be married...isn't this lovely?"

Silence reigned.

Then braking it Kayla let out an uncensored laugh.

"Your pranking us aren't you...okay you got us good...you can stop it now...."

But there was no laughter.

At that instant all the oxygen was sucked out of her world. She struggled to breath, she would suffocate to death. Her heart suddenly trembled in her chest and pain rose and fell at her temple like a heartbeat.