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“We need to start looking for some furniture,” Lakshmi tells Akaash as they watch the evening news on NBC. Akaash didn’t have to work that evening, and Lakshmi is not in the mood to cook. They plan to go out for dinner.

“What sort of furniture?”

“Look around. We have nothing. We have this sofa and TV, and another one in the basement that was left by the previous owner. We have to get new mattresses, maybe more beds in the spare bedrooms.”

“What’s the rush? We just moved to this neighborhood.”

That’s true. Akaash and Lakshmi had just started to get comfortable in their new home in Ellicott City. Akaash has to go to Baltimore for his work, but that is only a 30-minute commute. They don’t have many friends. Lakshmi is glad that her high school friend Kavya lives in Columbia, only a few minutes from Ellicott City. At least she has someone to visit or talk to over the phone. Akaash drives the only car they have, so Lakshmi has to spend most of her days at home. That’s more of a reason for her to keep thinking about setting up their new home. The thought of their family growing, sometime in the future, does not escape her mind. That will mean setting up a child’s bedroom.

“Oh. There’s so much to do, and a few more dollars would help,” she says to herself. “If I get a part-time job, we can afford a few pieces of furniture.”

One day she gets a call from Kavya. There is an opening for a substitute teacher in a pre-kindergarten school in Ellicott City not far from Lakshmi’s house and would she be interested? Since Lakshmi has previously worked with children at the library in Fairfax, she thinks she can handle it.

“The problem is we only have one car,” Lakshmi tells Kavya.

“Well,” says Kavya. “We should first see if you get the job and then think of what to do about your transportation.”

Lakshmi calls the school about the opening. They are interested in talking with her. On a Tuesday when Akaash does not have to work during the day, Lakshmi drives for the interview. It      goes well, and she is offered a job to be on call as a substitute or an additional hand whenever needed. Lakshmi doesn’t tell them about her car situation lest she loses the opportunity.

Nothing happens for a few weeks. I hope they call me on Tuesdays, thinks Lakshmi, or in the worst case, I can take a Lyft. Once I get to know people, perhaps someone will give me a ride.

“It’s not going to be a problem,” Akaash says when Lakshmi tells him about the new opportunity.

“How so?”

“A new intern is working in our group at the hospital. He lives close by here. I can ask him for a ride when you need the car.”

“You think he wouldn’t mind?”

“I don’t think so. He’s a nice guy.”

“Great. What’s his name?”

“Mukesh.”

“Sounds familiar.”

“Because it’s the name of an Indian playback singer in Bollywood. You probably heard the name from your dad.”

“Maybe.”

One weekend Akaash invites Mukesh for dinner.

“Hello, Lakshmi Bhabi. I heard you are a great cook.”

Mukesh has a broad smile. He is of medium height. He is wearing jeans and a yellow polo shirt and white sneakers.

“Whoever told you that is a liar,” Lakshmi answers in mock modesty.

Lakshmi has learned a few dishes from Sharada, her mother. But the Patel Brothers grocery store on Route 40 has an abundant supply of Indian snacks and ready-to-eat curries. She has a good supply of them. All she needs to do is cook some rice and heat naan.

Sometimes Lakshmi invites Kavya and her husband to meet Mukesh when Akaash has invited him.

“Looks like a nice guy,” Kavya opines the next day during a call with Lakshmi. “Is he married?”

“Not that I know of.”

“I have a niece who is expecting a job offer from Verizon in Baltimore. Maybe she should meet him when she visits.”

“You’re matchmaking already, aren’t you?”

“Always have to be on the lookout for a good catch nowadays.”

“I wouldn’t argue with that.”

So, Mukesh becomes a regular guest at Akaash and Lakshmi’s house. Lakshmi is glad Akaash has found someone to hang out with. But, something has been bothering her. When they are in bed at night, Akaash turns his back to her and is snoring within minutes. He’s probably working hard at the hospital, Lakshmi thinks and lets it go at that. When Lakshmi is busy preparing dinner, Akaash and Mukesh go down to the basement.

One Friday, Akaash and Mukesh come home together.

“Hello, Bhabi. What are you cooking today?”

“Hi, Mukesh. How are you?”

“No complaints.”

Akaash picks up two cans of beer from the fridge.

“We’ll be downstairs watching TV.”

“Okay. I’ll call you when I’m ready. “

When they are gone, Lakshmi thinks of making something special. She has read a recipe for butter chicken in the book “Simple North Indian Cooking” and wants to try it. Fortunately, she has all the ingredients. She cleans and cuts the chicken into small cubes. When she sautés the onion and spices in the skillet, hot vapors rise. Lakshmi prepares jeera rice and cauliflower salad to go with the chicken.

An hour later, she is almost ready.

“Dinner will be ready in five minutes, guys,” she shouts, hoping they can hear her over the television. When there is no answer, she approaches the staircase and repeats.

“I said dinner is ready. The chicken smells good. You’re going to like it. “

Still no answer.

What’s going on? What’s so interesting on the TV? There is no game at this hour.

Lakshmi walks down the stairs. Akaash and Mukesh have their backs to the door, so they cannot see her. As she approaches the sofa, she sees them in tight embrace kissing each other.

“Oh! My God. Oh! My God. What’s happening here?” she shouts.

Akaash and Mukesh separate, look at her, and get up.

“How long has it been going on?”

“Lakshmi, let me explain.” Akaash begins.

But Lakshmi’s face is red and she won’t listen. She is breathing hard as if out of breath, her chest rising and falling. She dashes towards the stairs. Akaash follows her.

Once in the kitchen, Lakshmi lifts the pot with the simmering chicken curry and dumps everything in the sink.

“What are you doing? Lakshmi listen to me, please.”

Without even looking at him, she dashes upstairs, into the bedroom, and locks the door. She plops herself on the bed, face down, crying.

Akaash knocks on the door. “Lakshmi, open the door. Open the door. I’ll explain everything.”

She ignores him. She hears a car back up from their driveway, and a while later another car follows it.

To read chapter 31 click here. https://wp.me/p2b25R-lc