Recap: My parents came to meet my 'boyfriend'

I took a step back to admire my work. It wasn’t exactly the stuff of Pinterest, but given the frantic state I’d been in since getting home, it was impressive. I’d managed to clean the apartment, do my laundry, cook dinner for four—Go figure—clear the dishes, and set the table. The apartment, though cosy (read: tiny), was spotless, and I’d even rearranged the couches to carve out what little space I could.

Everything was ready. Except me.

Now I just had to wait. And waiting? Waiting was where everything goes sideways for me. My mind started running through all the possible ways tonight could end in flames. I called Mom, and she said they were fifteen minutes away. Fifteen minutes? I let out a shaky breath.

I was about to pull off the performance of a lifetime. It’s just a little white lie. Right?

My heart was leaping at irregular intervals, as if it knew that tonight was going to be a disaster in the making.

I could already see the evening unfolding in my head: Mom, glowing with excitement, dropping hints about wedding dates, and Dad eyeing Naveen like he’s there for a job interview—basically anything that screams "good son-in-law material."

If all went well, Dad wouldn’t object, and Mom—well, I could practically see her ready to whip out the bridal magazines the minute she heard about my boyfriend.

But my "boyfriend"—the one person who should’ve been helping me get our stories straight. The person who could either make or break this ridiculous plan—wasn’t even here.

I stared at my phone, willing it to buzz. I had texted him, too, in case he somehow forgot about the meeting:

"Hey Naveen, I was hoping you'd come sooner, before my parents. We need to talk."

Sent.

But it's still marked as sent. I hadn't heard from him since then. It's been an hour or so.

Fantastic. This was going well. So well.

I tossed the phone onto the couch and started pacing, trying to figure out all the up-and-coming questions.

Like... How did we meet?

Maybe at a café? No, too cliché. Work? Maybe we "bonded" over stressful projects?

No, that would sound even weirder.

We needed something believable.
Like maybe we met through mutual friends?

But who? Dina? I winced. Dina would definitely laugh her head off if I tried to rope her into this mess.

What if Mom asked for more details?

Oh god, she was definitely going to ask for details. She’d want the whole story—how we met, how we fell in love. And if I didn’t have something that sounded even remotely convincing, she’d see right through me.

Shit!

I paused my pacing for a second.

How about... I faked an emergency and cancel dinner?

But that would only delay the inevitable. And worse, it would raise suspicion. If I bailed tonight, Mom and Dad would just double down on trying to find me a "suitable match" without wasting a single moment.
Just like Dhruv.

Many more Dhruvs would be tossed my way, and the only way I could avoid all that marriage talk was to pretend I’d chosen my probable husband.

No, It'll be fine. It should be fine.

As long as Naveen shows up, it would be fine. But he wasn't here yet, nor did I know if he got the message or was busy. And I had no backup plan if he didn’t show up.

Maybe he's busy with Emily...

I gulped, remembering their interaction earlier.

It was so... sweet.
Not forced, not awkward. It was like they just... connected.

Wait! No.

I shouldn’t overthink. Not when it’s slipping out of my hand. I glanced at the door, hoping—no, praying—that Naveen would show up.

But...

What if he doesn’t show up at all? What if I’m left here, alone, trying to explain why my boyfriend stood me up for dinner with my own parents?
The thought was too horrifying to dwell upon. I glanced at my phone again.

Still no text, no call.

Dammit!

I jumped up on my feet and started pacing faster.

What should I do?
God, I was going crazy.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my nerves. It’ll be fine. They’re just here for dinner, and it’ll go smoothly. As long as Naveen shows up, we’re good.

It’s not like my entire future depends on this.

Except, you know, it kind of does.

I glanced at the clock again. Time was slipping away, and with each second, my anxiety dialled up a notch. My brain was already cycling through a range of disastrous possibilities.
What if Mom recognizes that look on my face?
She reads my mind. Every time.

Shit! I don't want it to happen.
I had to look convincing tonight.

I rushed to the mirror, smoothing down my shirt, checking my reflection like it would somehow make me look less nervous. I tried practising a smile—something charming but not too obvious. But it came out looking more like a grimace.

Great. Now I just look constipated.

Maybe I should give Naveen a call. But, what if he was on his way, and I looked desperate by ringing him?
But again, what if he forgot?

I groaned out loud.

Finally, I hit his number and listened as the phone rang.

Once. Twice. Three times.

Pick up, Naveen. Please, for the love of everything, pick up.
It kept ringing until that robotic aunty began her yapping.

Ugh!

I paced back to the couch, sitting down just long enough to jump back up again.

Maybe I should just tell them the truth. Tell them it’s all a misunderstanding, that there is no Naveen, and that I panicked when they started asking questions about the mishap at the cafe?

But then, Mom will get upset, maybe even furious at me, and Dad will be so disappointed.

Nope, not an option. I’ve gone too far. This ship has sailed. Sink or swim, I’m in this.

I started pacing again, thinking of possible explanations if everything went wrong.

Maybe I could tell them Naveen had a family emergency? Or that he was running late because of work.
But my parents weren’t stupid.
They’d see right through that. Mom especially. She had a sixth sense for sniffing out lies. It’s like her superpower, and unfortunately, I was about to become her next target.

Okay, stay calm.
Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe he’s on his way, just stuck in traffic. He’ll walk through that door any second now, and we’ll pull this off.

I glanced at the clock again.
Five minutes.
No no! What am I gonna do? I flopped onto the couch and stared at the ceiling, running my hands through my messy hair.

Why did I even think this was a good idea?
Why did I drag Naveen into this in the first place?

Maybe he doesn't like me getting all over him to pretend to be my boyfriend. Maybe he was just trying to help out but later found it super weird?

Just when my head was about to blow up with innumerable questions that started to make sense, I heard a knock at the door. My heart leaped into my throat.

Please let it be Naveen. Please let it be Naveen.

I smoothed down my hair, took one last look around the room, and forced a smile.

Here goes nothing.

I opened the door, and there stood... Mom and Dad.

"Hi, sweetheart!" Mom beamed at me, enthusiastically, while Dad stood just behind her with a smile.

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad." My voice sounded almost normal, as I bent down touching their feet, but I was scooped up pretty soon along with their infinite blessings.

As soon as I closed the door, Mom didn’t waste a second. She pulled me into a bear hug, squeezing the air right out of me.

"Oh, Aisha, you’ve become so skinny!" she exclaimed, stepping back and eyeing me from head to toe. "Are you dieting again? You’re not eating enough, I can tell!"

I forced a smile.
"I missed you too, Mom."

"You look like you haven’t eaten in days. What do you even eat here? I told you before, you should start making those protein shakes I sent you. Or maybe try some homemade ghee; it’ll put some weight back on you."

Dad strolled in after her, shaking his head with a small smile. "Let her breathe, Anjali. She looks perfectly healthy."

Mom gave him a pointed look before turning her attention back to me. "I’m just saying, she needs to take better care of herself. First it’s skipping meals, then it’s stress—don’t think I can’t see those dark circles under your eyes."

Oh, fantastic.

"Why don’t you both sit down? I’ll make you some tea." I quickly escaped into the kitchen, taking out the tea kettle while trying to shake off the rising anxiety.

I pulled out my phone and stared at it for a moment.
Should I call Naveen again? He was already late, and the last thing I needed was for Mom and Dad to get suspicious. Before I could second-guess myself, I hit his number again.

It rang for a long, very long time before it ended.
I groaned quietly and put the phone down. Great. Just great.

The tea kettle whistled, bringing me back to the present. I poured the tea into three cups, trying to calm my nerves as I carried the tray into the living room. Mom and Dad were seated on the couch, chatting quietly, but I could feel Dad’s eyes on me, already preparing for his interrogation.

I placed the cups on the table and handed one to each of them.

"Oh, thank you, beta," Dad said as he took a sip. "So... Aisha."

Here it comes.

I plastered a smile on my face, hoping to delay the inevitable just a little longer. "Yes, Dad?"

He cleared his throat, setting his tea down. "Your mother and I... we’ve been meaning to ask you something."

Mom perked up, diving into the conversation like a pro she was.
"Yes, Aisha, we’re curious! You mentioned something about... a boy."

I nearly choked on my tea.

"Well, um..."I started, glancing at the door as if Naveen might magically appear. He didn’t. "Yes, there’s... someone. He’s, uh, running late."

Mom’s eyes lit up like fireworks.
"Oh! And..  What’s his name?”

I froze for a second, but smiled trying to act as casual as possible.

"Oh! you’ll meet him soon enough, don’t worry." I waved, laughing it off. But only my laugh echoed through the walls.

Dad raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with my vague answer.
"And what does this... I mean he.. do for a living?"
He said, looking straight at me, staring at my soul.

Shit.

Before I could stumble over another excuse, the doorbell rang. I jumped up, practically sighing with relief.

Thank God, it must be Naveen.

"I’ll get it!" I said a little too quickly, practically sprinting to the door. I yanked it open, ready to see Naveen’s familiar face.

But instead, I found myself staring at.... Ryan?

My heart sank. Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

"Ryan?!" My voice came out high-pitched, caught completely off guard.

What on earth was he doing here?

"Is he here?" Mom shouted from behind, her footsteps echoed behind me and with each step my heart was sinking down and down.

Shit!

I swallowed nervously gawking at Ryan, my boss, while he stood with amusement sparkling up his eyes.

This is not happening.
This is definitely not happening

*******

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