Page 73 of Stumped

Vera

When we pull up in front of my parents’ house a few days later, Elias makes a sound of protest. He gave Kuriakose the day off and decided to drive instead. His knuckles are white from gripping the steering wheel too tight. I cover his hand with mine and smile when he glances at me. He had a match yesterday and seemed totally fine when we were lying in bed after another round of wild sex talking about this visit. But now he looks nervous and maybe even a little scared.

“If you’re not ready, you don’t have to stay,” I tell him.

My parents know I’m bringing a friend, but they didn’t ask any further questions. So if Elias can’t do this today, it won’t be the end of the world. I certainly won’t hold it against him. Meeting family is a big deal and while we’re in a good place in our relationship, it’s a lot of pressure.

“No, I’ll be okay.”

“Elias…”

“Peaches,” he replies, hands loosening on the wheel as he slumps back in his seat. “I’ve never met the parents of someone I’m dating before. I never got to this stage in the past.”

“I get it. I’m nervous about meeting your siblings too.”

“Butparents, Vera. That’s…different.”

I nod and glance at the house. “They’re pretty normal, for the most part. My mother will ask a million questions and my dad will be excited to meet you. Be yourself,” I say and he chuckles.

“This version of myself or the one from last night?”

“Neither.” I roll my eyes and lean across the console. “Be the guy you were with my friends. That’s enough.”

“Okay, I can do this.” He turns off the car and wipes his hands on his thighs. With an assuring smile, I get out of the car as a cab pulls up behind us.

Tamara slides out and flips her dark curly hair over her shoulder with a grin. “Is he ready for the chaos?”

“He is not!” Elias whisper-shouts and grunts when my cousin snorts.

“They’re my favourite people and I promise they’re perfect,” Tamara adds and walks towards the front door.

After losing her parents and growing up with mine, it’s no surprise she loves them the way she does. But Tamara’s opinion of them doesn’t assuage Elias’s nerves. He comes around the car and takes my hand, exhaling loudly. I squeeze my fingers around his and head up to the door as it swings open.

“Well, look who decided to come home,” my father teases, pulling Tamara in for a tight hug. When he releases her, my mother is there to embrace her as well.

Their attention shifts to us and Elias tenses at my side. Amma’s eyes are so wide as she glances between us and down to our linked hands. It takes Appa a few seconds to recognise him and he grins.

“If I knew yourfriendwas a cricket star, I would have dressed better.” He’s wearing his standard uniform of cotton shorts and a floral printed shirt—we call themdad shirtsbecause every retired father now wears them—and looking as sharp as always. “Welcome to our home, Elias.”

“Uh, thanks, Mr. Thomas. And you look way better dressed than me.”

My father laughs and shakes Elias’s hand. “Kind of you to say. And none of thatmisternonsense. I’m Jacob, or Jakes, if you’d prefer.”

Elias blushes. “My parents would not be okay with that.”

“They never have to know,” my father adds in a loud whisper.

“Okay, enough,” I interrupt, because they seem to have forgotten I’m even there. Appa hugs me and laughs at my eye roll, but we’re both distracted by my mother analysing Elias.

“You gave my daughter hickeys.” She says it so casually and I groan as my father chuckles. Elias nods and she continues, “You’ll be good to her, yes?”

“Absolutely. Always,” he answers quickly and Amma smiles.

“Good, welcome to our home.” She steps aside and lets us into the house.

This performance from my folks is exactly why my friends like them. They’re not your typical Mallu parents and when they joke and tease, it’s not some underhanded way to make you uncomfortable. What you see is what you get with them and despite how tense Elias is, I know he’s glad he passed the first test.

My brothers slide into view as we step into the main room and they stare at my boyfriend like he’s an alien. They blink slowly and look at each other.

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