Palindrome

Thirty-Six

Chapter 36

Once we're out and on the main road, I ask Javed, "Where do you want to go?"

He hums thoughtfully for a moment, "Lots of places, but considering you and I aren't the protagonists of a coming of age movie where curfews do not exist none of that can happen."

I cut my eyes toward him and he's staring at his phone with an intense look of concentration that contrasts his light tone, "You have some place in mind don't you?"

Javed scoffs, "Of course I do. Is Tiwari's still open?"

"Yeah it is. But you want Indian food?"

"Aarohi I've been eating instant ramen for every meal. Of course I want Indian food."

"Alright then," I say making the turn for Tiwari's.

Tiwari's is a local Indian joint that's been open since Ma and Papa moved from India. They're packed on most days, but I have inside with the family who owns it. Let's just say that their eight-grade son has a little something for me.

The rest of the car ride is Javed wanting to hear about Paxton and me asking about the cheerleader. Most of it is the two of us trying to wiggle our way out of revealing anything. Finally he caves in and shows me her Instagram. I nearly slammed the breaks and caused an accident in that moment. Her name's Indigo, she's a pretty Black girl with copper skin, shinning black eyes and a wide smile. Also does a bunch of Ap classes Javed tells me.

"So why not?" I whine as we walk in the cold to the entrance. It's more me practically sprinting from the cold while Javed literally has the sleeves of his hoodie rolled back casually.

"Because" he answers holding the door out for me. "I don't see it working out between us."

"Do you like her?"

He itches his cheek with one finger, "I don't really know her."

"Then you can't claim it won't work between you two," I state then face the madness in the restaurant.

A fresh aroma of spices and all things wonderful surrounds the place. Chatter lighting the place abuzz from families squished in corners and ladies gossiping at the long table presumably for someone's baby shower. Everything has this zealous energy that I love and never get accustomed to.

"Aarohi, you're here!" a voice cries. A middle-schooler with swept black hair and stark raven eyes emerges with some menus in his hands and a pencil tucked behind his ear.

"Hey Tej," I greet and he actually blushes.

From the corner of my eye I see Javed laugh hysterically, subtly nudging my foot with his I turn back to Tejas with a coy smile plastered on my face. He watches me with eager eyes, ignoring the one Indian aunty asking for the manager.

"Table for two," I tell him.

His mouth goes wide. and he looks over at Javed with a sour expression, "Right, you're on a date."

Javed looks like he's about to lose it. Slinging an arm over my shoulder he goes, "Yes found her on Indian matchmaking."

Shoving his arm off my shoulder I roll my eyes, "Tej it's Javed. Nothing of that sort is happening between us."

Tejas drops the menus on the counter, pointing a finger at Javed, "Javed bhai?"

Oh no.

I forgot about these two.

A wide smile spreads over Javed's face, "Tejuuuu, bring it in dude."

Tejas fist bumps Javed and the two of them descend into talking about fantasy football and other things that I barely catch as we walk through the crowd to a table for the two of us. I watch as Tej pulls up a chair after taking our order and talks excitedly with Javed until his mom comes over to scream at him for slacking off on the job. After exchanging numbers frantically with Javed, Tej brings our food and leaves us alone.