Jasleena

I assumed they left because no one was around. I smelled the food, so I made my way into the kitchen. And there she was, mami, cooking away for the dinner that should start in the next hour. "Hey mami, do you need any help?" She looked over her shoulder at me, "If you want to cut the lettuce and tomatoes for me that'll be great." I smiled at her, nodded and grabbed the necessary things to start. A few minutes go by in silence, aside from the randomness I hear in the airpod. "Leena, would you be ok tonight? Do I cancel with your tia and just do dinner with our household?" I shook my head, "No ma, I will be ok. If I get uncomfortable, I'll just walk away for a bit. But I won't ruin a tradition over this." She looked at me with worried eyes. "I promise ma, I'll be good." A promise I should have never made.

An hour later the doorbell rang. "I got it ma, so you can finish your last touch ups." She nodded and I headed to the door. Taking a deep breath I opened it. "Hey tia." She gave me a sad smile, "Hey mija, it's just me and your tio. Paola will come just a little later." I nodded, "Ok." I said hi to my tio as he walked in. "Leena." It was my tia who called me. "Yes?" She grabbed my hand and squeezed it lightly, "I'm really sorry, I didn't know. She never told us who she was having a baby with." I nodded again, "It isn't your fault, I'll be ok." She hugged me and I hugged her back. It wasn't her fault her daughter chose to love the guy I loved. I walked away, headed towards the back door. "You ok Lily?" I sighed, "I will be, I guess." I was grateful he spoke. "You're really strong, you know that?" A tear went down my face, "I don't feel strong..." Then another tear, "I wish you were here Luka." And more tears. "Maybe next time I can take that offer. If you were close I'd come hug you." I giggled, I know you would have. Can I get one tomorrow maybe?" He chuckled, "I'd be delighted, just let me know where to meet you." He did it again, made me stop thinking about the recklessness of my life. "You are awesome Luka, I don't know how you do it. But you do it every time." He laughs, "Do what exactly?" I didn't know how to properly explain what I wanted to tell him. "You're constantly being the light in my reckless darkness. You somehow always make me smile and laugh. You constantly keep my mind away from all the bullshit." I paused and took a deep breath. "You don't give up on me and didn't get upset when I isolated myself. You've been nothing but patient with me and I'm just so grateful I bumped into you. Twice." We both laughed. "Lily and I'll continue to do it as long as you let me." I smiled, "You're the shit." We both laughed again. "I guess it's time to go in again." I sighed. "It'll be ok pretty lady you've got this and I'm in your ear." I paced a bit, then walked back in.

First person I saw was my mother, she gave me a sad smile and I nodded. "I'll be ok ma." She nodded and we headed to the dinner table. Everyone was already seated. Paola was there but thankfully no Jacob. I went straight to my seat. My mom prayed over the food and we started eating. I acted as if she weren't there. I did so much better than I would have ever thought. Luka was funny, he'd randomly say "Still here." I would giggle and everyone would look at me funny. I was so grateful for his friendship. I honestly think he was the reason I was able to bear that night. Dinner was over, I helped my mom clean up and went to the bedroom. "Hey Luka?" It was quiet so I thought maybe he hung up, but then I heard him. "Yes. Sorry I had muted myself since it was pretty loud. Then I completely forgot to unmute." I giggled, "It's ok, I'm going to go talk to my sister. Can I call you after? I mean it's getting late. I can always call you tomorrow before I head home." He chuckles, "Would you like to be on the phone tonight Lily?" I blushed because he sounded as if he were teasing me. "Uh, maybe." He laughed a bit harder that time. "You can call me whenever, remember." I facepalmed, "Oh yeah. So I'll call you soon, ok?" He said okay and we hung up.