Home for Chirappu by Ariel Tachna

Author:Ariel Tachna [Tachna, Ariel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

“YOU’RE NOT having a good time,” Nikhilesh said as soon as they were alone. Trent’s shoulders slumped and he dragged his feet as he got ready for bed.

“Of course I am,” Trent protested. “Your family has been very welcoming.”

Nik raised his eyebrows. “That doesn’t mean you’re enjoying yourself.”

Trent sighed, and the sound tore at Nikhilesh’s confidence. He wanted Trent to like India. He didn’t want to wait another ten years before coming home again, but if Trent didn’t want to come with him, he’d have a hard time making even infrequent trips. Assuming Trent still wanted to be with him after this trip.

“I’m still very jet-lagged and things are very different here. You know everyone, so for you it’s a wonderful reunion, and I’m glad to see that. It just means I sometimes get a little lost in the conversation, even when it’s in English. That doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying myself. I’m glad we’re here. I love seeing where you grew up. It’s a glimpse into your past and your culture I’ve never had before.”

Trent spoke evenly, even earnestly, a good first step, but Nikhilesh wanted to spend the rest of his life with Trent. For that, he needed Trent to embrace his family.

Do not deprive your mother of a wedding to plan. Muthassan’s words echoed through him again. He still hadn’t decided if Muthassan had intended his words as a blessing, but it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t accept an arranged marriage even if Trent didn’t want to marry into his crazy family. If he got married, it would be to Trent.

He’d have to figure out how to involve his mother in planning the wedding from Alappuzha when he lived in Chicago. They couldn’t get married in India, so any wedding would have to take place at home. Of course Trent had to say yes first, and the way things were going, Trent would probably run for the hills as soon as they got home, and they’d only been here for two days. They had two weeks left.

He was doomed.

“I wish I could tell you it will get better, but between Chirappu and the party my family planned, I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse.”

“And I’ll deal with it just like I dealt with everything today.”

If only that reassured him the way Trent wanted it to. They were his family and it had been too much for him at times today. When everyone else descended on them, it would be absolute chaos.

“I talked to Achan this afternoon. He’s going to make arrangements for us to go out on a houseboat one day, just us, so you can see the backwaters of Kerala and have a break from everyone.”

“I don’t want to drag you away from your family,” Trent insisted.

“I suspect by that point, I’ll want the break too,” Nik replied. “I love my family, but they’re overwhelming when they’re all together, and after ten years, they all want a lot of together time. Besides, I have wonderful memories of going out on boats in the backwater.

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