Page 1 of Stumped

Prologue. Good riddance

Vera

December, Three Years Ago

“Men continue to prove they’re trash.”

As my girlfriends cackle at the statement, I stare at the plume of smoke leaving my mouth. It’s not that I don’t agree, but the three of them are in long-term relationships. Sighing at the weight pressing against my chest, I close my eyes. Nothing good comes from rehashing what’s happened, but it’s also a good reminder that maybe I’m better off single. It can’t be that hard tojustget laid, right?

“Vee.”

I hum in response and take another pull of my joint. It’s a cool December evening and we’re sitting on the veranda of Millie’s gorgeous three bedroom home. The backyard’s lit up with tiny lamps and the ocean breeze flutters through my hair.

“He’s not worth it.”

It’s easy for them to say. Even though they’re not minimising what happened to me, that’s how it feels. “I’m fine,” is my standard response, even though that’s not even close to the truth. I don’t think they’re ready to hear how miserable I am or see my walls come down. I don’t want that either.

“Getting another one. Anybody want anything?” I grab the empty wine bottle and pass the blunt to Tamara. As I head into the house, their chatter picks up, but I don’t pay attention. They’re definitely talking about me and that’s fine. That’s what good friends do, but I donotwant to hear any more of their concerns. Setting the empty bottle by the recycling bin, I walk to the store room and let the quiet seep into my bones. At the last minute, I take a detour and head for the bathroom at the end of the hall. With the door closed and the world locked away, I look at myself in the mirror.You’re better than this, I tell myself, blinking back tears that are threatening to spill over.Don’t let him win.

It’s pointless, because the minute those words enter my mind, so does the reason behind the tears. Exhaling shakily, I close the toilet and sit down, face pressed into my palms. Twice now, I’ve given all of myself to someone and both times they’ve ripped my heart to shreds.

When will I ever learn?

I’d just turnedtwenty-four and agreed to meet all the eligible Malayali men in hopes of finding my Prince Charming. Young and naïve, I believed that my one true love was just around the corner. If my parents and aunts could find their soulmates through arranged marriages, why couldn’t I?ButI had very specific requests. None of this first meeting immediately leads to engagement bullshit. We needed to date and get to know each other before making that life-long commitment. All I wanted was six months and then we could meet each other’s families to take the next step.

It baffled my family, but they went along with it. The guys didn’t feel the same way. The first few—and there werea lot—laughed like I was telling them a joke. Apparently a woman asking for what she wants and dragging out the process is unacceptable. Let’s not even get into all of their other issues.

Then I met Ajay. He wasn’t conventionally handsome and was a little rough around the edges with his personality, but we fit. It surprised me justhowwell we fit. When he accepted my terms, it felt like it was meant to be. We had fun on our dates—it wasn’t just meals at new restaurants or coffee shops, we went to see movies together, walks on the beach, visited the one and only theme park, attended early morning walking tours of the city—and spent a lot of time talking. In all my years of dating, I’d never met someone who wanted to know about my hopes and dreams. Or cared about them even. Ajay wasinterestedand I was falling in love.

One month turned into six, but we weren’t slowing down. For a meticulously organised person, I lost track of time because we were having so much fun. Then my calendar politely reminded me that it was our one year anniversary. I hadn’t given marriage serious thought until these meetings with bachelors began, but now it was all my mind could focus on. And a life with Ajay was taking up all of my thinking space.

Unfortunately, a life with me wasn’t on his mind.

He’dkept track of the time we were spending together and instead of talking to me at six months, he made other arrangements. Meaning, he continued to meet other women and with the help of his family, found his future wife.

“I…uh, I’m getting married in a few weeks.”

“Wh-what?”

“My parents were still looking at biodatas after we met and a couple of months ago, I met this girl and our families agreed that we should get married.”

Tears prick the back of my eyes as I stare at him, because he’s been seeing someone else for months.MonthsI dedicated to being a good girlfriend, he was out there planning a future with someone else. The worst part is, he doesn’t even look guilty.

“Why…I thought we were taking our time getting to know each other?”

“I wanna get married, Vera, and you…don’t.”

“I was going to tell you today that we should get married!”

He shrugs. “Well, I’m sorry.”

I want to punch his stupid face, I want to cry and scream, but I can’t move. I’m so stiff with shock that all I can do is watch him.

“Was I just a good time girl then?”

“We had fun, right? Like, this was really good for both of us. But you said six months and then never brought it up again, so my parents made the decision for me.”

“What…you’re a fucking asshole.”

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