Page 74 of Stumped

“Elias, these are my brothers, Varun and Vikram.”

Varun stands tall, gaze unwavering. “This is theEliasthat gave you hickeys?”

“Can everyone please let this go!”

“He’s famous, Vee,” Vikram says with stars in his eyes. As a cricketer, coach and fan of the sport, I’m not surprised by his reaction. He hurries forward and looks Elias in the eyes. “You’re my hero. But if you hurt my sister, I will end you.”

“Vikram!”

“I’m kidding,” my brother says and backs away, narrowing his eyes at Elias.

Shaking my head, I look at my older brother. “Do you have any threats?”

“Treat her well and we won’t have any problems,” Varun replies, arms crossed over his chest. He was there to pick up the pieces when Ajay dumped me and has reminded me never to settle for the bare minimum.

“Like a queen, I promise.”

Silence settles around us and Appa clears his throat. “All right. Elias, would you like a drink?”

Sensing his hesitation, I squeeze Elias’s arm. “Beer?” My family nods and I turn to my youngest brother. “Your turn, Vik.”

With a grunt, he goes to pour the drinks while everyone else settles on the sofas in the living room. Elias sits between Tamara and me, attempting to look relaxed, but he’s struggling to be still. My cousin is doing her best not to crack up and I’m worried Elias will snap if he doesn’t breathe normally. I set my hand on his arm and he relaxes a smidge, so I turn to my parents.

“Have you two decided your first holiday destination?”

Amma rolls her eyes. “I want to do Asia, your father wants to do South America.”

“Why can’t you do both?”

“We want to do a family trip once Viola is on break.” Appa shrugs. “We’re trying to space it out, so we don’t get tired of all the travelling.”

“My parents just finished South America, so I could ask them for recommendations,” Elias says, his voice steady and I smile as my father beams at him.

“That would be fantastic, Elias. Are you parents in town or still abroad?”

“They might come home for the ICL finals, they’re off to Europe for the Olympics.”

“His siblings qualified in their respective sports,” I say as Vikram returns with the drinks.

My father looks impressed. “A family of athletes. What do they play?”

“Will you be joining them?” Amma asks, interrupting my father.

“I’m hoping to. It all depends on how the next few matches go.”

There’s a split second of silence before the men in my family are practically yelling out ICL-related questions. Elias is shocked for a minute, but leans into it and answers as much as possible. Tamara and I leave them to it while we go help my mother and Chinnakka set the table.

“I’m happy for you, chakkare.”

Amma’s not looking at me, but she’s smiling as she transfers the rice into a bigger bowl.

“He’s good for her, Tessammai,” my cousin adds and my mother nods.

“After those who shall not be named, I thought you’d never meet anyone new.”

I roll my eyes and set serving dishes on the table to be filled. “I wasn’t looking for anyone and I certainly didn’t plan for him either.”

“Sometimes the best things in life are surprises.”

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