Arrangement - Part Four

After a quick nap in the back of the car as the driver headed home to pick up his parents, Arun went to his teatime appointment.  They drove through narrow streets skirting playing children, braking for stray puppies or dodging lounging cows idly chewing cud.  Arriving at the main gate, Arun and his parents were welcomed by a contingent of an extended family.  In a tightly packed living room, Arun sat next to his parents on a rattan sofa with floral cushions.  Fritters and samosas crowded the center table dotted with tea cups along the edges filled to the rim with sweet, creamy tea.

Conversations spilled over and around them as Arun and the “girl” sat quietly at great distance from each other, while all Arun could think of was his lunch making its way back up his throat.  He fought off many attempts by their hosts to feed him the fried food, giving in by nibbling on one fritter over the length of the stay.  His parents, though immersed in conversation with the family, felt his discomfort.  Feigning jetlag on their son’s behalf, they excused an early departure.

By the dinner date, thankfully his lunch had time to digest and he felt a little hopeful.  He accompanied his parents to another neighborhood with narrow streets but not as crowded.  A couple, his parent’s age, invited them in and called their daughter to serve the soft drinks with some munchies. After a few polite conversations, her parents offered his parents to show them their garden, leaving Arun and the girl alone.  After a few awkward silences and questions, they talked about their careers.  She showed great interest in his goals and talked of her experience in the IT field.  They conversed at length of the future of the IT industry in America and India and did not even notice when the parents came in.  Throughout and after a simple dinner of daal lentils, mixed vegetables, and panir cheese cutlets, the two continued their conversation like old friends.  Arun savored the rice pudding to complete a perfect meal and to bring a closure to a very interesting day.

On the drive home his parents turned to him and smiled, their eyes twinkling.  He looked back at them questioningly.  They excitedly wanted to know all about his feelings and analysis and thoughts about the girl he was completely engaged with all evening in deep conversation.  He shook his head and raised up his palms before spilling the disappointing beans on them.  He had truly enjoyed talking to this girl and had a wonderful time at their place, but that was it.  He can see her as a good friend, but beyond that, there just was no spark.

to be continued....