Priya in Heels (Entangled Embrace) (28 page)

Chapter Forty-Two

Priya

“The doctor said you wouldn’t tell him what’s been stressing you. He said this is a serious result from stress and depression,” Papa said.

I didn’t respond.

“You have to talk to me.”

“The last time I talked to you, you nearly disowned me,” I said without thinking, and now I regretted the pain those words brought with them.

Papa didn’t say anything after that.

“Is Manuk at the house?”

“Yes,” he replied. “He picked up your medicine.”

Papa parked in the driveway. I unbuckled my seatbelt and started to open the door.

“Wait. Tell me the truth,
beti
, knowing that I will never hate you.” Papa stared at the dashboard.

“You hated me last time.”

“We were disappointed, hurt. We thought you were making a serious mistake. We could have handled it better, talked about it.”

“You want to talk now?”

He nodded.

“It doesn’t matter now. Mummie made me promise.”

“Even if it kills you? She didn’t want this. We thought your feelings for Tyler were temporary, fleeting. You’ve never had a boyfriend, right?”

“No.”

“And you never gave boys much attention. This was something parents expected to fight with their children about during their teenage and college years. We knew you’d like boys, but never so much and so strongly as you like Tyler. But you love him, and love is worse. It clouds your judgment, makes you do things without thinking, things you wouldn’t normally do. Love passes, sometimes.

“You tried to make it pass. It didn’t work. You made a decision before. You changed your mind. Make a decision now and stick to it. If you really want to marry Manuk, then forget Tyler.”

“I did forget him.”

“Your heart didn’t. And what happens when you see him again? What will happen five years from now when you’re married, maybe have a child, and you run into Tyler? Will all these feelings of love come back? Will it make you do something worse? Turning Manuk away before the engagement is bad, but leaving him after the wedding is much worse.

“I know the answer without you saying it. I saw him at the hospital,” Papa said.

“Did he say anything to you?”

“Of course he did. Tyler’s a courteous man. No matter what’s going on, he’s always approached me to greet me and to give condolences or congratulations for the situation. He bought me coffee and breakfast and we talked.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“He told me what I already knew.”

“How did you react?”

“I respect Tyler.”

I gawked at him.

“He knows everything about you and our relationship. He knows our culture and religion, he’s even read the scriptures.”

“Really?”

“He’s picked up some Gujarati and Hindi. He admitted the Hindi came from Bollywood movies. He knows all the things we’ve been through these past couple of months. He’s maintained distance like you asked, yet he’s always right there when you need him the most.”

“How respectful is he when I asked him not to talk to you and he did, anyway?”

“Because he’s concerned about your health. Just like me, he’s scared that you’ll die if you keeping doing this.”

Tears filled my eyes. I shuddered. “You think I could die because of this?”

“I know you will. I don’t want that. Mummie wouldn’t want it, either. Tyler’s proven himself on many levels. Mummie and I were wrong,” he choked out.

We sat in silence. Manuk walked outside but waited on the steps.

“I can accept any decision because both men are good. Don’t make a decision that you can’t live with, one that will kill you in the end.” Papa climbed out of the car.

I sat there a while longer, dazed. Had Papa really just said that, and did he mean it? Or had he said that to make me happy, therefore healthy, while he wasted away? I couldn’t allow him to go through what I went through, what Mummie had gone through.

Manuk shifted on his feet when I approached. “My parents are going to head home. I know you’re still not well, but do you want to reschedule the engagement now or later?”

“Can we take a walk?”

“Only if you take your medicine first.”

I agreed. While he fetched my pills and water, his parents came out. Worry and a hint of accusation crossed their features.

“Are you feeling okay?” his mother asked.

I shook my head.

“When shall we reschedule the engagement? How does next week sound? The priest agreed to come then.”

I shook my head again.

“Well, when then?”

“Now’s not the time to think about rescheduling.”

“When is the time?”

I controlled my anger. Manuk’s parents pushed it. “You can go home and rest.”

I took the water and medicine from Manuk when he returned. “Thanks.”

“Talk some sense into her,” his mother muttered to Manuk as they gathered their things into the car.

“Let’s go for that walk.” He called back to his parents, “We’ll be back.”

Manuk walked alongside me without a peep as we strolled through a few streets and hit the subdivision park nestled in a wooded area. Kids played in sand, on the monkey bars, and on swings. A few families enjoyed picnics on the grass.

I sat on a bench with Manuk beside me. His gaze bore into my side. “Talk to me, Priya. What’s got you so stressed?”

“I can’t marry you,” I blurted, the easiest way of giving him the news.

“What?” He jerked back. “Why? Things were perfect.”

“They were never perfect.”

“Let’s talk it over. We can fix this, work it out. Be honest with me. What’s not working for you? Is it living in Dallas after the wedding? You’d rather be in Austin closer to your dad? We can do that.”

“No. You’re great. Another girl will be lucky to have you.”

He took my hand in his. “But you’re that girl.”

I pulled back. “You deserve a woman who’ll love you and is grateful for you. I agreed to this because my mom had her heart set on it.”

“It was too soon after her passing to make a decision.”

“I’m in love with someone else.”

This he didn’t jerk back at. He pressed his lips together. “That American who was at the hospital? Tyler?”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to throw away everything for him?”

“I tried to let him go. I tried to do things the way the family wanted. See what happened? I was fine last night. I hadn’t thought about Tyler or seen him, and I woke up with chest pains and ended up in the hospital because my heart was breaking.”

“Love doesn’t last. What does he have to offer you?”

“A lot,” I snapped. “I didn’t say I’m leaving you for him. I just said I’m not marrying you. I need some time without either of you.”

“This is your decision? No changing your mind?”

“No. I’ll return your gifts. You should give them to your future wife.”

“Yeah. Mail them to me,” he muttered, then stood and marched off.

I remained where I was and watched kids play, couples smooch, and families eat. A few toddlers chased a ball. The squealing, flopping, and tripping made me smile and forget things for a few seconds until my phone beeped.

Vicki:
Are you okay?

Priya:
Yes.

Vicki:
We need to leave soon.

Priya:
Go ahead and go. See ya at home.

Vicki:
Are you sure? Where are you?

Priya:
In the park. Need some time alone. No worries. All good.

Vicki:
Manuk and his parents left. He’s really mad. Did you finally tell him?

Priya:
Yes.

Vicki:
OMG! Did you tell Tyler the good news?

Priya:
No.

Vicki:
Are you going to?

Priya:
Eventually. When I’m ready.

Vicki:
See you at home?

Priya:
Yep.

A few leaves scattered around my feet as I kicked them away. The sun descended. Manuk didn’t come back. No one came by, not even Ty. He didn’t text or call.

I gnawed on my lip as I tapped the side of my phone to text Ty.

Priya:
Home safe and sound.

In the end, I decided not to send Ty the text. I needed a break from everything and everyone, and I knew just where to go and who to go with.

I strolled through the wooded areas and went back into the neighborhood. Only Papa’s car and my car remained in the driveway. All the shoes were gone from the front porch. The door was unlocked.

“
Beti
?” Papa asked from around the corner.

“Hi, Papa.”

“By the look on Manuk’s face, he’d either seen a ghost or you turned him down.”

“Yeah. He wasn’t happy.”

“He wouldn’t be, but he handled it well. He didn’t tell me. And his parents didn’t yell, so maybe he’ll tell them later, huh?”

“Yeah. Papa, when are you going to India?”

“This week.”

“Can I come?”

He creased his brow. “What about residency? Also, the price is expensive getting a ticket this late.”

“I…um…have messed up at work.”

“No, Priya. It’s been this bad?”

“They want me to clear my head before I endanger someone else. They’re right.” I took his hand. “Let’s go to India, Papa. It’s been too long.”

“It will help you, huh?” He ran his hand over my head.

“Yes.”

I spent the following days searching for affordable last-minute tickets to India, ignoring the cost and the time it took to get to Mumbai from Austin. I lucked out finding seats on the same flights as Papa. Maybe a nice stranger would exchange seats so we could sit together.

I plopped down beside him on the couch as he read the paper. “I found a ticket, Papa. I’m all packed and ready to go.”

“And your director approved the leave?”

“Yes.” I leaned my head against his shoulder. “What are we going to do in India?”

“First, we’ll see Mummie’s family. They’re excited to see you.”

“I’m excited, too.”

“You made a decision, yes?”

“In regards to Manuk?”

He nodded.

“Yes, Papa. Do you accept it?”

For the first time, as far as I could remember, Papa kissed my head. “I know you’re smart. I trust in your decision. As long as you are happy, healthy, and successful, my heart will be full.”

I fought to keep tears back. “Papa! I’ll never hurt you like this again.”

“I don’t believe you could ever hurt me again,
beti
. Have you spoken to Tyler?”

“No. I need some time to get over everything, especially to cope with Mummie. I still feel like I let her down.”

“As long as you are happy, healthy, and successful, we raised you right and you won’t let us down.”

“Will everyone else think that?”

“Who cares, huh?”

I smiled. Finally, Papa didn’t need to make his twisted family happy and do things to be approved by strangers.

“We have a long day tomorrow,” he said.

“Good night. See you at four in the morning.”

I set the alarm on the clock and on my phone before snuggling a pillow beneath the covers. I ran over some things and contemplated on calling or texting Ty.

I chickened out and texted Vicki instead.

Priya:
Guess what?

Vicki:
Are you and Tyler together again?

Priya:
No, I’m going to India tomorrow with Papa.

Vicki:
What! Are you coming back?

Priya:
Yes. My idea. Not getting married. Will be back in 2 wks.

Vicki:
I’ll miss you.

Priya:
I have to do this.

Vicki:
Closure?

Priya:
In a way, and time alone in a different world.

Vicki:
Does Tyler know?

Priya:
No.

Chapter Forty-Three

Tyler

I
ran into Vicki on the river walk. She huffed and puffed in a
n awkward
jog, like a person who didn’t know how to run correctly, or who didn’t run at all. She panted, “Tyler! Good to see you!”

“Hey, Vicki. Looking good.”

“Trying to get into that dress before the wedding.”

I frowned. “Speaking of weddings…”

“I don’t know what’s going on with Priya.”

“Have you heard from her? My calls went straight to voicemail.”

Vicki planted her hands on her hips and caught her breath. “She’s in India.”

“
What
?”

“I think she went to spread her mom’s ashes.”

“Not to get married, right?”

“No. She’s looking for closure.”

“When is she coming back?”

“A couple of weeks.”

A couple of weeks? Pree left the flipping country and didn’t bother telling me? Well, apparently, she’d decided, after all that, that I wasn’t anything to her. Who left the country without telling the people who meant the most to them?

Meagan was burning up my phone. Well, if Pree had made her decision, a choice that didn’t involve me, then maybe it was time to move on or at least get my mind off her with someone else. Maybe it was time to give Meagan another try.

I tossed my cell phone from hand to hand and Vicki glared at me. “What?” I asked.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“You don’t know what I’m thinking.”

“You have that mad look. Just give her a little time.”

“I keep trying and trying.”

“Don’t give up. Please.”

I groaned. “Who’s taking care of her dad’s house?”

She shrugged.

“Yeah.” Even if Pree did yet another thing that hurt me, I would make sure that at least her father knew I cared and not just about Pree.

“What are you going to do?”

“Mow his lawn.”

“What?” She knitted her brows.

“Someone has to take care of the yard while he’s gone.”

A grateful smile slowly spread across her face. “That is so sweet.”

“So India, huh?”

“Yes, to the village her mom came from. Her mom’s family is still there. And they
are
a lot nicer than her dad’s side.”

“Sounds like a good place to go back to.”

“It’s good for her to see family who loves her and her mom. Her dad will be happy, too. He’s talked about going back for a long time.” She looked skyward and smacked her lips. “I bet they are eating all kinds of fatty sweets and fried street foods. I bet there’s some colorful festivity going on, too.”

She looked back at me. “India is a different place. Not everything is great, but how you respect your parents is top priority. Taking her mom’s ashes there is very significant. You know how most people complain about having to see their families or having to take care of their parents?”

I nodded.

“Priya would never feel that way about her parents. She appreciated everything they sacrificed and endured for her. They never told her about one single hardship. I know they went through a lot because they were close to my parents and I’d overhear things. It’s admirable. That’s why she tried to protect them, and why she felt so strongly about their happiness. Do you get it?”

“I’m selfish, aren’t I?”

She shook her head. “Priya has three great loves in her life: her parents, medicine, and you. She’s only whole when she has all three. She uses the term ‘reapproximation’ at work when she sews body parts back together to try to make them as good and aligned as they were before. She has to do that with her life, and it’s a struggle, but she needs you there.”

“I hope she gets to that point when she comes back home.”

“Me, too.”

“She might be more Indianized, though.”

Vicki laughed. “That’ll be a good thing. India is amazing.”