Bu pulled out of the embrace when she heard her sister calling for her. She swore and said, “I have to go.” Still holding Lai’s head in both her hands, she said, “You’ll meet me here tomorrow?”
“Every day.”
They kissed one more time before Bu pulled herself away and ran towards her sister.
“I’m here! I’m here! Don’t scream yourself hoarse.”
“If I go hoarse, it’s your fault,” said her younger sister, Na. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you. Ma and Da asked for you. They can’t be wasting their time waiting on you.”
“I didn’t ask them to wait.”
“They said it’s important.”
Bu rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything more as they made their way to the house.
They found their parents inside, surrounded by the rest of Bu’s brothers and sisters.
“Bu, where have you been? Your father and I asked to see you hours ago.”
“I am sorry, Ma,” Bu said, as she kissed each parent on the cheek. “I only went out for a walk. I must have gone farther than I thought.”
“We’ve been waiting to tell you the good news. Your father and I have reached an agreement with the Lakshmis. You are to marry their eldest son, Fuji.”
Bu felt lightheaded and the room spun around her. “Fuji Lakshmi? What about Lai Poddar? I thought I was to marry him. Papa, you said I would marry Lai.” The room came back into sharp focus as Bu’s disappointment turned to anger.
“The Lakshmis made a better offer,” said Bu’s mother. “Your father is only looking out for your best interests.”
“My best interests? He knew I wanted to marry Lai, but he’s arranged for me to marry that pig of a Lakshmi instead!”
“Bu Hebbar! You will not speak disrespectfully of your future husband.”
“He is not my future husband! I won’t marry him and you can’t make me!”
Bu stamped her foot, turned on her heel, and ran to her room. She knew she was acting like a child, but she was too upset to care. She barely made it to her room before the tears overwhelmed her.
“Lai!”
“Fuji! I was just looking for you. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“I’m sorry for my absence, but I’ve been busy. My parents have been arranging my marriage and there’s so much to be done.”
“Ah, who’s the lucky girl?”
“Bu Hebbar,” Fuji said with a grin.
Lai did his best to maintain the smile on his face. “Really? Isn’t that something.”
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
Lai shook his head to dispel his disappointment. “Of course. Congratulations! I’m sure she’ll make you a wonderful wife.”
“Thank you. There’s still so much to be done for the wedding and I have a favor to ask you.”
“Anything.”
“Will you be one of my groomsmen?”
“I would be honored.”
“Excellent. Now I must be off. I have yet to ask the other groomsmen if they’ll participate, and then we must begin the preparations. I’ll see you later this week.” He waved goodbye as he ran off.
Lai collapsed on the side of the road as soon as Fuji was out of sight. Lai almost got run over by a rickshaw. The driver swore at him as he squatted down with his head between his knees, taking deep, gasping breaths.
Lai thought of his promise to meet Bu that night. He wasn’t sure he could manage it, knowing what he now knew. It would be a betrayal to Fuji, one of his oldest friends.
To be continued…