If you want to read the story from the beginning, click here. (https://wp.me/p2b25R-fw)

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I return to Fairfax for a week on leave. I have been away in Stuttgart for a year and a half. It is late September, and the temperature is a bit cold. The days are getting shorter. The trees are changing color in beautiful hues of yellow and red. Mom and Dad pick me up at Dulles Airport.

“Arjun Beta, it’s so good to see you in person. We are so worried about you,” Mom says, hugging me.

“Yes. It’s been, what, a year since you were gone?” Dad adds.

“Yes. Something like that.”

“More than that.” Mom corrects him.

When we reach home, I notice everything is as it was when I left – the breakfast table, the living room sofa, and the TV. Of course, what can change? I sense a quietness.

“Your Mom’s losing her sleep thinking the worst,” Dad says.

As is usual, we are sitting at the breakfast table in the kitchen. Mom is doing something by the cooking range. A while later, she joins us. She has a plateful of Indian snacks.

“Arjun, how long will you be abroad? Can they not transfer you back here?” Mom asks.

“Ma, I’m in the military. I have a mission there, and we are preparing to fight the terrorists. It’s not like I spend a few days there and come back.”

“I know, I know. But I worry that something will happen to you. I want to see you in person, right in front of me every day, in flesh and blood.”

I see Mom wipe her tears.

“Ma. Please. It will be okay. I’ll be back as soon as I complete my assignment.”

“How long will that be?”

“Well, I owe the Army four years, and I am almost halfway there.”

“But please be careful. We don’t care if you don’t become a hero.”

Mom waits for me to say something more.

“Don’t worry. Tell me what’s happening here? How’s Lakshmi, Aakash? How’s Krishna’s career? I’m curious.”

Mom thinks for a minute. I notice her looking at Dad. I can see him blinking his eyes as if to give a coded message. I’m confused.

“Everyone is fine here, Arjun. Don’t worry. You already have a lot to worry about. And oh, Krishna has a small role in a play at the Olney Theater. I cannot recollect the name of the play.”

“That’s great.”

I say this, but I feel something is not right. Why didn’t she say anything about Lakshmi?

“We asked if he could take time off and come see you,” Dad adds.

“What did he say?”

“The play is in production, and he has to be there.”

“And Lakshmi?”

“She’s visiting someone in Seattle.”

Dad says it like he wants to finish the conversation as soon as possible. I choose not to pursue it further.

The next day, Mom and Dad tell me what happened between Lakshmi and Aakash.

“It’s sad,” I say. “But in a way, it is better, it happened now than later.”

“We never thought Aakash would turn out to be like that,” Mom says.

“I mean, Mayur had checked his background and all, and he had said he had known the Joshi family for a long time,” Dad adds.

I sense neither of them has come to accept it yet.

“These things don’t come out easily. Most people hide their true colors for fear of many things, desire to keep their family’s social status, and to keep their parents happy. Who knows? America is a free country, and people feel emboldened, and they come out.” I say. I am not sure I am very convincing.

“You have a point there,” Dad says.

“Where’s Lakshmi now?”

“She’s visiting Doug in Seattle. He’s been very supportive and helpful to her during all these months.”

“I always liked Doug. He’s a nice guy.”

“Only time will tell.”

“It’s not the end of the world.”

I say this as we sit down for dinner, but I know it will be a long time before Mom and Dad are back to normal. 

Krishna calls the next day and says he is looking forward to seeing me. He can visit on Wednesday. There are no performances on Wednesday, so he is free.

He has not changed a bit. I hug him.

 “I hear you are an actor now,” I say.

“Well. You can say that because I have a bit part in a small theater production.”

“It’s not the size that matters. You are on the way to progress in the career you want. I’m so proud of you,” I compliment him.

Mom prepares a special dinner for us. Krishna leaves soon after dinner.

 A day goes by, and I ask Dad if he has Lakshmi’s telephone number. He says he has. I want to connect with her before I leave. I know I have to tread the water carefully.

Lakshmi is calm and composed when I call her. We talk about what I have been doing on the Army base. She is curious to know the details of my daily life. I tell her about the Scala bar and that I have performed there a few times. I am avoiding saying anything about Lily. I ask her not to worry about me and to take care of herself.

I debate whether to break the news about Lily to mom and dad. I finally decide to do it.

“Ma. I have to tell you and Dad something.”

Mom and Dad appear surprised as they both look at me with curiosity.

“What is it, Beta. Tell us. Don’t be afraid. We won’t get mad.” Mom says.

“I’ve met a girl.”

“A girl?” I can hear the excitement in Mom’s voice.

“Yes. Her name is Lily.”

“That’s a lovely name. It’s the name of a flower.”

“Is she Indian?” Dad asks.

“No. She’s German.”

“Oh. Is she pretty?” It’s Mom.

“I think so.”

“Do you have her photo?”

I show her a photo of the two of us sitting in the bar. She passes the phone to Dad to see.

“Yes, Beta. She looks like a nice young lady. I would like to meet her in person someday.”

“I met her father at her brother’s engagement party. He was talking to me about the Bhagavad Gita.”

“Oh my!”

“Yes. He seems to know more about the Hindu religion than I do.”

“We should have sent you to the Hindu Sunday school in our temple.” Mom smiles as she says this.

“C’mon, Ma.”

 “I’m just kidding,” she clarifies. “But we have maintained our traditions, and we celebrate our festivals. Haven’t we?”

“Yes. We have, and I am proud of you both.”

“Well, thank you, and I’m…we’re glad for you. At least you won’t feel lonely being away from home.” Dad has been quiet all this time, but adds his two cents.

“Thanks, Dad.”

“And, Arjun.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t get into trouble.”

“I’m on a military base, Dad. We have rules.”

“No. I mean with Lily. You’re all alone there. Things can get emotional. You know what I mean?”

“Trust me. I do.”

Mom prepares my favorite dishes all through the week. I try to connect with my high school buddies. I am surprised Dan is still in town. He’s pursuing grad school in economics. We meet at the Caboose Brewery in Vienna and talk about our school days and our future as we share small plates.

The week comes to an end sooner than I want. I return to Stuttgart. I am glad I could meet Krishna in person and talk with Lakshmi on the phone. I return to Stuttgart with mixed feelings about Lakshmi and Aakash. I am worried how Mom and Dad will take it in the long term.