Rai laid in Nik's arms as they sat on the couch. It had been a trying week for her in the ER and she needed a lot of love and affection from her man. She literally pressed her face against his warm, masculine chest when a cellphone sung its ringtone.
"Seriously? Better not be work again," she cursed, grabbing it. "Hello?"
Her face turned from pissed to annoyed, a minor difference but not an upgrade. She considered it a lateral move.
"Congratulations, sis. Yes, I am still slaving away at the hospital. No, no young doctors to woo, none that I'm interested in anyways. I'm sure you're happily married for more than the money...I'm not an old maid, I've got a lot of miles left on the odometer. Look, what did you need me for other than to bust my chops about marriage again? Seriously? You are? Yeah, uh...no, my place isn't good right now. Why?"
Rai hesitated a moment, stalling for time. Her eyes met Nik's for a moment. A stroke of genius sparked her mind into creativity.
"Cause I'm busy moving into my new place. I...got married, getting married...Oww, my ear, sis, could you shout any louder?"
Nik looked confused at the marriage comment. Rai could only mouth the word sorry to him, and hope he understood.
"What does he do? School teacher...Mine is bigger than his, sis...I don't know, they call it love. You sound more like mom every day. You can stay over at our place. I'll pick you up at the airport this weekend when you arrive, okay? Bye sis, love you too."
"So when did you and I get married?" Nik asked, sarcastically.
"Sorry, only thing that came to mind. That was my sister."
"I figured that part out when you said sis."
"She is coming for a visit. Acts like a mini-mom, always on my case to find a man to marry. I'm not the marrying type. They just don't get that."
"Apparently you're the eloping type though. Gale and the others have a pool going. They wouldn't let me know our marriage dates though. Personally, I think Gale picked 'over my dead body day', but I never was one for gambling."
"Very funny. This is serious. She is coming this weekend to visit. So, ummm, will you marry me?"
"Aren't you supposed to get on one knee and show me an expensive ring?" he laughed.
"I'm being serious."
"Okay, okay, why not? We live together, technically, so just get us a pair of rings. Maybe its cause I'm not Indian but why is it such a big deal?"
"My family is from New Delhi. It's conservative, like Indian Bible Belt conservative. My folks and I didn't part on good terms. They wanted me to stay in the subcontinent, get married, pop out a dozen kids. I wanted to be a doctor and see the world. We've patched things up a little because a doctor is such a respected position, but every time we talk, the first question is always "when are you getting married?"
"You can't have kids though."
"They don't know that. Don't tell my sister. Yeah, it'll also be a shock when she sees you. My family is traditional."
"Say no more, I get it," Nik commented. "I'll be on my best behaviour in front of the sister for you. Hey, you okay?" Nik asked, noticing Rai's mood changing.
"Yeah, yeah, didn't want to go through another family fight. It is a loop. We talk about the same things, marriage, men, and family. I'm the black sheep."
"How long is she staying for?"
"The weekend, I think. Never said. We don't put a time limit on visits. It is how our family works," Rai answered.
Nik stroked her hair, cradling her in his arms tenderly. The trip obviously bothered her. The normally cool seductress that let nothing faze her, now scowled, annoyed at what should be a happy occasion.
"I'll give the girls a call later. They won't be too pleased to move all their stuff out temporarily but they'll have to deal with it for the time being," he told her.
X
Nik and Maya waited at the airport for the DelAir flight to unload passengers.
"Best behaviour, I know. I'll follow your lead," Nik commented, before Rai opened her mouth.
"I owe you, Nik."
"We're married, isn't this what married couples do?" he joked.
Rai noticed her sister walk through security, luggage in hand, and waved her over. The sister didn't have the height and stature of Rai, but she had more ample proportions in the bust and ass department. Casual clothing barely contained her curves.
"I'm going to grab a drink from the vending machine," Nik said, slipping away out of sight.
Rai took a deep breath and tried to put on a welcoming smile.
"It's been a long time, sis," Rai said, hugging her.
"A couple years at least. So, where is he? Where is the lucky guy?" the sister asked.
Rai pointed to the tall man standing near the vending machines.
"I don't see him," the sister said. "I must be going blind, Maya, or am I still asleep on the flight. I didn't see you point to a white man, did I?"
"Don't be a bitch, Celina. He is the only guy standing there."
"Mom is going to freak out when she hears this. She'd rather you were an old maid than bed with the enemy."
"Hello, I live in the New World. Are you all naΓ―ve that I wouldn't meet a white guy? I'm not going to argue with you in the airport. Let me introduce you to him. He is a sweet and caring guy."
"A lot of sweet and caring guys in India, Maya. Rich guys too. Double slumming it."
Maya tried not to roll her eyes in frustration, leading Celina over to meet Nik.
"Hunny, this is my sister, Celina. Sis, this is my husband, Nik."
Hand out for a shake, Celina noticed the ring on his finger. Small, unimpressive, and beneath her station in life.
"What does she see in him? A pretty boy smile and some muscles? Lots of guys in India with those," Celina thought.
"Charmed. Grab my bags, would you? Those muscles aren't for show, are they?" she commanded, arrogantly like a princess to a servant.