The next day, I eagerly greeted the long-awaited sight outside my window. The view was breathtaking—a serene expanse of lush green farmland that stretched towards distant hills on the horizon. It was a sight unlike anything I had ever witnessed back in the US, even though we lived in suburban areas with wooded landscapes nearby. The temperature was just perfect, a Goldilocks zone of not too cold and not too hot. I was already falling in love with this place, exactly as I had imagined. My anticipation for a fulfilling vacation here was mounting.

Still recovering from jetlag, I woke up at the crack of dawn, but to my surprise, I wasn't alone. Life in the village started early, often signaled by the crowing of roosters. Farm work commenced at the break of day to avoid the scorching sun, allowing villagers to retire early. Grandpa had promised the day before to show me our family's fields, but an unexpected emergency meeting at the Panchayat, a council of village elders responsible for community decisions, kept him occupied. Our family held a respected position in the Panchayat, known for their fairness and contributions to the village. Our extensive land holdings provided job opportunities for many local farmers.

Since Grandpa's meeting prevented our field visit, Grandma suggested that I accompany Varun and Krish to explore the fields and the rest of the village. Eager for the adventure and a chance to spend time with Varun, I readily agreed.

After savoring a hearty breakfast of steaming Idlis and chutney, we hopped into Krish's Jeep, embarking on our village exploration. Krish took the wheel, while Varun and I settled into the back.

"Do you visit here often?" I asked Varun.

"I try to come almost every weekend, and this time, I'm staying a bit longer to be part of the thiruvizha," Varun replied.

"What's a 'thiruvizha'?"

"It's a grand annual festival dedicated to the village deity. It lasts for a week, starting with events like flag hoisting and the first day of the chariot procession, guided by the village elders, including grandpa. It's a lot of fun. You'll see."

"I've got a lot to catch up on."

"Don't worry; we'll help you," Varun assured me with a supportive smile, and Krish nodded in agreement.

"Tell me about California. I've always wanted to visit LA."

"California is amazing. It can get quite hot, but I think you'll adapt easily. We have some of the best beaches and an exciting nightlife scene, although I haven't experienced much of it. We live in the suburbs, away from the city. The only time Dad takes us to the city is for the 4th of July celebrations, like your Diwali, but with a twist. We don't burst crackers; instead, we enjoy a mesmerizing fireworks show."

"Sounds interesting," Krish chimed in.

"Of course, it's different from Diwali, but it's a community event. Families gather, share food, and watch the fireworks together."

"Anything can be fun with family around, right?" Varun added.

"Yeah, Mom used to..." My voice trailed off as I unexpectedly mentioned my mother for the first time since arriving in India.

"It's okay if you're not comfortable talking about it," Varun said, offering a comforting hand.

"I just miss her a lot. But I'm fine talking about it. We used to celebrate the 4th of July as a family, packing a huge trunk with snacks and drinks, joining friends at the downtown park. We brought frisbees, basketballs, and cards, making it the best picnic of the summer. We eagerly awaited it every year."

"I'm sure it must have been fun. Now, imagine a similar gathering but with thousands of people celebrating their deity, enjoying family time, and indulging in arcade games, shopping, and entertainment. A Thiruvizha is like that, but ten times more exciting," Varun explained.

"I can't wait, Varun."

"Me neither."

Turning to Krish, I asked, "What do you enjoy about the Thiruvizha?"

Krish's answer surprised me. "I look forward to the rooster fight competitions. In fact, I have the winning roosters."

"Rooster fights? You mean you make animals fight and place bets on them?" I inquired.

"That's right," Varun confirmed, and I noticed Krish attentively observing my reaction. I sensed I needed to choose my words carefully.

"Is that even legal?" I probed further.

"Not at all, but Krish believes it should be."

"Why, Krish?"

"It's complicated. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me," I challenged, folding my arms.

"Because it's a part of our culture, and there's always a deeper reason behind it," Krish responded cryptically.

"That's not much of an answer."

"I know, but it's the only one you're getting from me," he retorted. Ouch. What's wrong with this guy? Is he always this moody with people?

Krish seemed to be guarding his sentiments closely.

Varun intervened, shifting the conversation's focus away from Krish's curt response. As we continued our drive through the village, Varun pointed out the temple, where the festival preparations were in full swing. It looked promising and well worth the anticipation.

As we drove through the winding roads and alleys, Varun and I bonded over shared interests. We both had a passion for photography, and he was excited to show me some of the picturesque spots in the village that would make for great shots. He explained how he loved capturing the essence of village life, from vibrant festivals to everyday scenes.

While Varun was warm and engaging, Krish remained reserved and enigmatic. He was mysterious.

Eventually, we reached the family fields, and Varun showed me around pointing to the expanse of land our family owned. However, he hesitated going into the fields, not wanting to get his clothes dirty. I, on the other hand, was eager to experience what it really felt like.

"You can't walk with those shoes", Krish pointed at me.

Ignoring him, I ventured into the fields, the lush green paddy plants swaying gently in the breeze. My excitement was short-lived as I suddenly slipped and tumbled into the muddy paddy field. I was now covered in mud, my clothes and face smeared with earthy stains.

I could already imagine Krish telling me, "I told you so," and laughing at my face. But, even before Varun could react, Krish swiftly approached me. With strong arms, he pulled me up from the muck and carried me to a nearby pump set to wash off the dirt.

As he held me in his arms, my clothes dripping with muddy water, Krish glanced at me and said, "You should wash up quickly." With that, he took off his shirt and handed it to me to wear on top of my soiled clothes.

"I thought you'd say, "I told you so.""

"I should. But atleast you were brave enough to enter the field, unlike this idiot, who is afraid of frogs."

​​"Afraid of frogs?", Krish and I laughed together

That moment I shared with him was the first time I saw him smile. It felt like a real conversation for the first time. Did he just compliment me? So he's not really an asshole.

I couldn't help but notice his well-defined physique for the first time—the tight biceps, the nearly flat stomach visible through his undershirt, and his tanned skin that seemed to glow in the sunlight. I found myself inadvertently staring.

That night, after a quick dinner, I decided to turn in early so I could have a long chat with Tyler.

"Hey, Ty. Good Morning"

"What's the time there?"

"It's 9 here. This place is already so quiet. I have so much to tell you."

"Good evening to you, then. Go on, I'm all ears."

"This place is stunning, Ty," I said, getting comfortable in my bed and folding my legs in front of the laptop. "There's something called the village Panchayat, and I went to see the lands owned by our family. It's massive. It's like we're some rich celebrities in this place."

"Really? That's so cool."

"Yeah, and I met my cousins, Krish and Varun. Varun is a really nice guy, and he works in IT in the city. But this Krish, he's such a Snarkasaurus."

Tyler burst into laughter. "Are you judging him after just one day?"

"You know I'm a good judge of character. I can usually see through people. But this guy, I don't know. One moment, he's smiling, the next, he has a straight face."

"Now you've got a challenge on your hands."

"Nah. I don't care about being friends with him anyway. Varun seems nice. And let me tell you something bizarre I heard yesterday. Apparently, people here get married to their cousins. How gross is that?"

"Isn't that like incest?"

"I was thinking the same. But it seems like you're allowed to marry your maternal uncle's or your paternal aunt's children. It's so weird."

"So, Varun and Krish are marriable cousins or not?"

"Marriable, is that even a word? Anyway, yes. They're my maternal uncle's sons."

"WOW!" Tyler exclaimed, falling back onto the pile of clothes spread on his bed. He was still busy packing for college.

"Feeling threatened?"

"Should I be, Vee?"

I chuckled. "You look cute when you're jealous. Why haven't you packed yet?"

"I have too much. I can't decide."

"Let me help you. Show me."

We spent the next few hours talking about everything I had experienced in the village, reminiscing about the events of the last two days. On the other side, I helped him sort through his stuff and decide what to pack for university. He had quite a lot, but I managed to convince him that he could leave some things behind and bring them over next time when he visited. After all the chaos of the day, talking to him felt comforting and familiar, like being back home.Start writing your story.

Now that we've got all the boys in the picture. Get ready to team up.

Team Tyler vs Team Krish vs Team Varun

If you reached this point, I'm sure you are enjoying this story, cuz I am, as I write it. Don't forget to FOLLOW me to get instant updates on every release.

Please do VOTE on the chapters and leave your feedback on what you think about my writing and this story.