Bring Me Closer

Closer: Part 2

I AWAKE THE NEXT MORNING in panic searching for my phone. What the hell, how could I be so stupid. I immediately grab my phone to discover that it's dead. No no no! I get up and shuffle through my drawers to find my schedule. Oh thank God. I'm relieved to find that I'm not working today. I sigh walking back over to my bed, putting my phone on the charger.
I grab my towel and head to the bathroom to take a shower.

While washing I hear noises in the bathroom. I quickly remember Mike telling me last night that he had to take care of some business at Guitar Center this morning. So he's not here.
"Good morning!" He yells. I jump, startled peeking out of the curtain.
"I thought you were at work?" I stutter.
"Nope, I got someone to take care of it." He brushes his teeth.
Lathering soap into my cloth I ask, "How does one stay employed and barely show up to work?" He laughs. "I'm serious, I can count on my hand how many times I've seen you go to work."
"Ah, I see." he spits. "I am, what you describe as an 'on call' employee. Because of my dad's business, I don't really have to work. I choose to. I do it whenever I'm bored. Besides, I want work to be something I really love, you know." I get it. I nod to myself.
I had that dream too, until reality smacked me in the forehead and told me to get a real job. When I was 19 I thought I was going to drop everything and become a musician. Some things will never come to be. I've learned to accept the harsh reality.

Just then, the doorbell rings. I pray it's not Nick or I'd just die. Mike offers to get it while I finish up in the shower.
Now in sweatpants and a wife beater, I'm ready for whatever the day has to offer. Maybe Mike and I could go out somewhere. Movies? Bowling? Something --anything fun. As I begin to stride down towards the stairs, I overhear an intriguing conversation.
"Well, Loraine I wish you would've called with something like this. You know, how you usually do, for every little thing." Mike complains. Loraine? Theres that name again.

I step down a few stairs so I can see. Woah. It's a full house. There's a blonde caucasian woman standing with a briefcase in one hand and a blackberry in the other. Must be Loraine. On the big couch is a man that's splitting image of Mike, only older. Obviously dad. And his mother. She's dressed in beautiful jewelry. I recognize her from the image of his tattoo. The only difference is the color of her sari. Next to her is a young girl also dressed in a sari looking down. A sister? No, I think Mike's an only child.

"Son, it's time to settle down. Your mother and I know you've become very well adjusted to your life in America." His father prods.
"So, what is this? You're trying to make me move out and back to India?" He laughs. "Yeah, okay dad. I'm 25 years old, that ship has sailed."
I notice Mike's mom looks at neither of them. She's staring off into space, as though she's somewhere else.
Mike's dad chuckles, "No Michael-Amir. You and Nala can get to know each other just fine here in the States." His father pats the young girls' back, she smiles still looking down. Oh no, he's not --
"That's what this is? An arranged marriage? Dad you promised my life in America would be different, that you wouldn't pressure me, that I'd make my own decisions."
An arranged marriage, really? This cannot be real. I sit back on the stairs.
"I know that, son. Nothing is set in stone. Your mother and I see what life you are living here. Squandering your money, going through girlfriend after girlfriend, this lifestyle is not conducive for a young man. And Nala is a beautiful young woman who I have moved from Delhi personally through Broader Horizons to meet you. She will make a good wife, your mother has made sure of it." He bribes.
"And she's beautiful." His mom finally speaks, smiling and squeezing Nala's hand.
"She is, mom. But no. The answer is no. I'm so sorry to put you through this Nala, but I'm probably not the guy for you. There are tons of Indian men who would die for the opportunity to have this arrangement, but not me." He apologizes turning to his father. "Dad, I could have a girlfriend as we speak and you'd have no idea. I only see you and mom like twice a year." He teases.
"Son, I'm sure she will be a different girl next week." He laughs cooly. "Besides, there's no American girl that your mother and I will ever approve of." Ouch. That's harsh.
"Oh yeah dad? Well, get ready to meet her, cause she's right upstairs --Charlie!" He yells. What the hell is he doing? No, no, no. "Charlie! Come down here!" He calls again.
Shit! I stand up walking slowly down the stairs. I look over and all eyes are on me. Mike's dad's eyes pierce me the sharpest.
Mike extends his hand to me, I nervously walk over to him and he embraces me in front of everyone.
"Mom, dad, this is my girlfriend Charlotte Taylor. Charlie, this is my father Dr. Rajan Kapur and my mother Farhanaa Aaina Kapur." I can't believe he's doing this, oh he's going to owe me big. I extend my hand to them. Mrs. Kapur nods shaking my hand as does Dr. Kapur. I wave kindly at Nala.
"So, this is your girl? She's very polite for an American, perhaps she'll make a good wife." He smiles. I uncomfortably return it. "When is the wedding, your mother and I would love to make the rest of the arrangements." Dr. Kapur suggests. Oh no! I glare at Mike. He squeezes my hand.
"That won't be necessary dad, how about, we let you know." Mike smiles uncomfortably. Mrs. Kapur stands first followed by Dr. Kapur and then Nala. Mrs. Kapur walks up and embraces her son and whispers something in Hindu I gather. She smiles and nods at me again approaching the door. Nala follows. Mr. Kapur stands in front of Mike. "Michael-Amir you are a very bright young man. Continue to make bright decisions." He smiles walking toward the door when I finally notice they were all barefoot. Dr. Kapur slides on his shoes and opens the door. "Come Farha." Dr. Kapur says. Loraine has gone out before them. Mike waves goodbye to all of them, holding me by my waist and closes the door.
I push him off of me. "What the hell was that?" I yell. He laughs aloud. " 'This is Charlotte Taylor, my girlfriend'." I imitate. "Are you insane?"
He nods, "I know, I know, and I owe you, big time. I'm sorry for putting you in the hot seat like that. I really didn't know what else to do." I follow him upstairs.
"Oh I think a simple, 'no dad, I will not go through with an arranged marriage.' would have sufficed." I answer sharply in my generic man voice.
"I talk like that?" We both laugh "Yeah, you don't know my dad." He scoffs. "I mean, I could not believe he showed up here, unannounced ready to marry me off to some girl half my age that I don't even know. There was no way that was happening." I walk toward my room and he follows.
"Besides," He closes and locks my door. "Now I owe you." He winks. I walk up to him as he stands in front of the door. He stares down at me in that way. Chills invade my spine.
Coming even closer, I now feel him breathing on me. He reaches for my chin with his right hand and brings my mouth up to his.