Page 109 of Everything She Wanted

“Oh, Shaan, I’m so sorry.” I think of the sweet old lady who always pulls me into a hug and tells me to gain more weight, saying I’m way too skinny. I often sit with her and watch South Asian TV dramas at high volume. At Shaan’s cousin’s wedding, I snuck her an extra jalebi because she insisted.

I find myself tearing up. Not her, not now.

And I know how much she means to Eshaan. She practically raised him while his parents were busy running the shop.

“They’re not sure how much time she has left, and she’s fading fast,” says his mom.

“Oh, gosh. Is there anything I can do? Can I see her?”

“She’s resting now, putt.” She gives me a tired, half-hearted smile, and I’m grateful for the term of endearment from her.

I nod, not wanting to disturb this precious, beautiful lady, but my throat constricts with worry that I won’t get another chance.

“Shaan, tell her about the engagement,” his mom adds.

I look over at him, and my heart goes haywire.

“We want to move up the engagement to next Saturday. The hall called us, and there was a cancellation, and I just really want her to be there...” He chokes back a sob.

“Of course.” I move closer and wrap my arms around him as his mom gets up to rinse her cup at the sink.

“I called your mom and told her already,” she shares. “They’ll change flights so they can be here, and anyone who can’t make it next week will be at the wedding.”

“Thank you, Auntie Ji.”

I remember I missed two calls from my mom, and I haven’t had a chance to call her back. I should have.

I finish my cha and lead Shaan over to the couch where I sit with him, reassuring him with my presence. Stroking his back and then settling in next to him with my head resting on his shoulder for as long as he needs.

It’s 11:11 p.m. as I step into the elevator up to Nick’s condo. I messaged him after leaving Eshaan’s house, wanting him to hear the news from me first. It’s more than that though. I need to end this chapter before I start the next one. I asked to come over, and he said yes without hesitation, even though it’s late for a weeknight.

And now I’m at his door, and he already has it open and is waiting for me.

“Come in.”

“Do you just stand there holding the door open, or have you timed it perfectly from buzzer to when I come up?”

“You’ll never know.” He winks at me, and I smile a sad smile. I guess I never will.

This time I wander around his living room like I have all the time in the world. I don’t.

“Tell me about this.” I point to a floral painting, but if you look just closely enough, you can see a curvy, feminine figure hidden within.

“You don’t want to know.”

“I want to know everything about you,” I say, repeating the words he said to me in Seattle.

“My sister, Lucy, got it for me. She said it would help me attract ‘the one’ who’s supposed to be a divine feminine goddess, but she placed it strategically here to ward off the wrong ones. She said that they wouldn’t be able to make it any further than a first date,” he laughs.

“Is it working?” I wonder out loud.

“Well, I haven’t had many second dates, so yes, I guess.”

I smile.

“What’s the story about the daybed? “

“Oh, Lucy wanted that for when she stays here. Said my place was too ‘bachelor pad.’ She also figured this mythical goddess in human form would like having it around.”