Inconvenient Relations Read Free Page A

had fortunately ended without any major mishaps. The plane hadn’t crashed as her so-called husband had very cleverly predicted.
    She hadn’t thrown up though there were several occasions when she had reached for the barf bag, much to his amusement, mostly because she hadn’t the stomach to consume anything.
    But there had also been moments when she’d felt perhaps she was doing the right thing. Like when his head had inadvertently come to rest on her shoulder, and she’d had the luxury to admire his handsome face completely relaxed and carefree.
    Fortunately, as soon as they landed, there were a lot of pleasant distractions to take her mind off her conundrum.
    The LA airport was huge, a humdrum of activity, which made her stop in her tracks often to look around astounded at the sight of humanity from so many nations and cultures merge together in one place only to disperse again until finally a frustrated Shaan grabbed her hand and marched her toward the exit.
    These diversions had distracted her enough to put her at ease and bring a pleasant smile to her face with which she greeted Sujoy Ghosh, a man who had come to give them a ride from the airport and who Shaan introduced as an old friend.
    “No, not a friend, just a random colleague. If he did consider me one, wouldn’t I’ve been invited to his wedding? Indeed, he didn’t even have the courtesy to let me know he’d be bringing my bhabhi back!” remarked Sujoy, looking deeply hurt.
    “Sorry, yaar . It slipped my mind,” Shaan said trying hard to appear nonchalant but failing miserably. Now it was Ruhi’s turn to be amused.
    “Slipped your mind?” Sujoy gawked at his friend. “Wow! That’s a first. Bhabhi , was this man asleep during the ceremony? If I said so to my wife, she would refuse to see my face again or cook my favorite Macher Jhol! You are too easygoing. This dude doesn’t deserve it!” His actions dispelled the seriousness of his words as he playfully punched Shaan in the chest.
    “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m forgetting my manners. Welcome to America!” he exclaimed, extending his hand.
    “Dhonnobad!” she replied, joining her own hands together in salutation, glancing at Shaan who was staring at her incredulously.
    “Do you speak Bengali?” asked Sujoy with obvious delight.
    “Yes, a little. I had a close friend in school who was Bengali too,” she replied modestly, secretly thrilled at the praise.
    Sujoy laughed. “ Bah! Chomotkar! It’s a miracle, and I have this man here who doesn’t care to even learn a greeting in the language. Why, I don’t recall him ever speak a word of Hindi or Punjabi. Is he truly Indian?” he said, eyeing Shaan skeptically.
    “That’s enough, Sooj, you don’t have to work that hard to spoil my reputation!” Shaan laughed then caught himself, casting a guilty glance at Ruhi. “Let’s go, what are we waiting for?”
    “Sure, sure, I’m so sorry, bhabhi must be tired.”
    They collected their bags and started the long journey toward the parking lots with Shaan insisting on handling all her luggage despite her offering considerable resistance. She deduced he was exercising a common courtesy, nothing more.
    Meanwhile Sujoy, blissfully unaware of the situation, carried on about how pleased his wife would be to know there was now someone else who spoke her tongue. “It’s her constant lament that she can’t gossip with me in Bengali. I should introduce you to her soon!”
    Ruhi smiled in return, a little disappointed when her husband settled her in the rear while seating himself in front next to Sujoy, of the brand-new Honda van.
    “Very nice! When did you decide to splurge, Sooj?” he asked, impressed.
    “Ahh! Don’t say anymore, Shaan. It’s splurge and only splurge from now on! Ever since Anurupa was born, I’ve stopped crosschecking the bills. And now with Debolina expecting again, our little sedan wouldn’t have fit the bill any longer,” muttered Sujoy, appearing not a little