2

It was on a Friday uncle Jeevan, Aunt SanJ, grandma, Simmi and Raman arrived. Even though it was already February, the snow was merciless so mum prayed that day for dad's safety as it was not advised to drive but he did anyways. I was in the kitchen with Mara, organising sweets for them when we heard dad's horn. Mum ran out without a sweater and Kendall and Amba followed her making the same mistake but neither Mara nor I seemed eager to move.

"I can't believe we'll be sharing our house now." She said as she gulped a glass of lemonade.

"It's for a good cause. Their life will be better here, Uncle Jeevan is already making plans to move into his own house, mum said so."

"But grandma?"

We shuddered at the thought, it's not like we don't like our grandma, we've just heard a lot of stories about her. Some worse than the others.

"Come on, let's go pack." I said, covering the food and beckoning to her.

Grandma was seated beside Amba, she was trying to make her eat a 'holy sweet'. I averted my eyes from her and looked at my cousins, who were equally staring at me.

I'd only seen them twice, once during a Christmas holiday and at Rohan's burial, which was last year. We had barely spoken but they had seen me in my most vulnerable state.

Simmi's hair was black like mine. But she got hers through her mother, I got mine through my mum's mother. Sitting beside her was Raman, her older brother, he was Kendall's age, 19, and was done with highschool but was taking a gap year. Mum says he's going to attend a photography school. He has brown smooth hair and brown eyes.

"Hey," I waved at them and they both gave me half arsed waves in return. I could not blame them, we aren't friends.

Then came dad's younger brother and his wife, they all exchanged greetings and the place was so crowded, I was unnoticed even as I sat. Until grandma finished her ordeal with Amba. And Kendall.

"Where's Ravi and Meera?" She asked and I saw Mara cringe at the mention of her Indian name, truly, she was anti-India and more inclined towards America.

"I'm here grandma." I say.

"Come here my child. Let me see your face," I fought the urge to run back upstairs as soon as I sat up, taking a seat beside her.

Her hair was still a little bit brown but her skin was pale and droopy. I try to place her face with the stories I've heard and it isn't hard. Grandma looks like a disciplinarian.

"Oh look how much you've grown," She says placing a hand on my head.

"Yes, You too," I blurted and my eyes widened when I realized what I'd said. Kendall and Amba started laughing first and then they followed, even grandma.

"How old are you now Ravi?"

"I'm 17"

Aunt San J cooed, looking between Simmi and me.

"Simmi, she's your age," Simmi nodded at her mum but did not speak.

"Kids go show your cousins their rooms. I'll take your grandma to her room. Amba, go to the kitchen." Mum ordered before grandma could force the 'holy sweet' into my mouth.

I got up and followed Kendall, Mara beside me and Simmi and Roman behind.

"Here," Kendall stopped abruptly and I hit her head. She glared at me but didn't say a word. Little Mara squeezed her way past us and I eagerly followed her to her room.

"God that was awkward," She exhaled deeply the moment I locked the door.

"I swear."

"Did you see how they started at us."

"I know right?"

"I don't blame them though. Compared to us they're locals."

"Amara!"

"Sorry. I can't help it. Did you see that sweet grandma gave Amba?"

"Yes I saw it. Thankfully it wasn't a personal experience."

"Oh God, RV. We're in big trouble."

"Calm down Mara, you're overreacting."

The knock on the door makes me yelp and jump away from it.

"Sorry...um, I need your help," A soft voice says and I know at once at once it was Simmi.

I open the door for her and she enters.

"The bathroom," She murmurs, looking completely frustrated.

I nod and glare at Mara who I'm sure is mentally snickering before following her.

"What is it?" I asked when we enter the bathroom.

"I need hot water. I don't understand this," she gestures towars the tap and I gave her a warm smile.

"It's easy, red is hot and blue is cold," I demonstrate by opening both taps.

"See?" Her eyes widened for a nanosecond before she nods.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I left the room feeling totally guilty.

That night Daddy didn't let me go over to Teddy's because he wanted all of us to eat together. We had rottis, panjiris and some Chinese food.

Mara ate cornflakes.

Grandma had tried to bring up religion several times, those were the really awkward parts. My family wasn't quite stable in that aspect. Dad was born a Hindu, but he travelled to England and lost total interest in all religions, his religion was science. Mum was born and brought up in America by American parents a who were both uninterested in religion, therefore, mum scarcely went to church. Although she claimed Catholic. She stopped going when Rohan died and ever since she'd been like dad.

So where does that leave us?

Then came the part when it was announced that Simmi would be attending Legacy High, but it was Kendall's former branch, not mine. I tried my best not to look relieved but I'm not sure it worked.

Amba finished her food first and beckoned for all of us to help her pack. Grandma had stared in disbelief when mum told her she was leaving for college tomorrow.

"Where?" She'd asked and I wondered just how much she'd forgotten about us.

"Brown University," Dad had said proudly. I got up before they could ask me where I'd be going. I don't know, but I know it'd be somewhere far from here.

"Take five onesies," Kendall orders, throwing two other pink and white onesies for Amba to add to the other three she'd already put in her bag.

"Hey, no way. I'm packing light. Most of my things are at the hostel anyway," Amba rejects.

I throw a red gown at her and she folds immediately.

"When are you coming back?" Mara asked softly and Amba stopped folding to sit next to her.

"Easter holiday. I promise."

"That's too far."

"Time flies Mara."

I got up to look outside the window.

"Especially with all the drama that is soon to unfold," Kendall said and Mara snorted.

"Don't be surprised if I start it."

I watched them talk and talk, not being involved and I didn't know when I started crying. Amba saw me and gave me a weak smile.

"Don't cry. I'll be back before you know it."

I nodded and pulled her into a hug, soon after it became a group hug.

****

(((Edited•)))

Around 6AM dad, mum, me and Kendall escort Amba to the airport. We've done this before, we should be used to it but I still find myself crying as I hug my sister goodbye. The calmest Singh in our house and also the fairest after Kendall. She throws us a sad smile as she walks away from us. We stand still for a moment more before we finally head back home, where we are given a terrible surprise.

"EEEK!" I scream, freezing at the door.

"Good morning to you too," Raman says from where he's standing in the living room, a neutral expression on his face. Mum shoves me inside so she can see why I screamed and when she does she sends dad an exasperated look.

"What is that?" I asked.

"It's goddess Lakshmi. Don't you know?" He looks very surprised that I didn't know her but I shook my head.

"No. No she doesn't, my daughters are not familiar with any idol," mum answers for me. I truly have never seen any idol before.

"Oh, you're back," grandma says. She emerges from the kitchen carrying a tray with her.

"Mother what is your goddess doing in front of my kitchen?" Mum demands immediately. Dad comes to stand behind her and rests his hand on her shoulder, as if to douse her anger. My mother is hot tempered like Amara.

"Kate, I'm worshipping, why else would it be here?" Grandma replies. She's giving my mum an icy glare.

"Worship in your room, or somewhere else but not in the living room where I can see it when I cook," mum suggests.

"Kate calm down," dad whispers. "Mother, honestly speaking I don't want my girls waking up to this," dad says softly and I see something between hurt and anger flash on grandma's face.

"You woke up to this every day," she reminds him.

"That was before, this is now. It doesn't even give us a good name mom, people can pass and see this idol glaring at them,"

"Raj, you should be ashamed of yourself. When will you realize that you shouldn't hide your religion!?" Grandma shrieks. Dad goes to stand in front of her and takes her hands in his.

"The same time you realize mother, that this is not my religion," without saying anything more he goes to the idol and carries it with both hands upstairs. There I can hear him saying something to Uncle Jeevan.

"Did you not teach my grandchildren about their culture?" Grandma says to mum, spite wrapping her voice. Mom steps forward.

"Yes mother. I did. But we're Catholics."

I hear Mara snicker and I slapp her head from behind so no one sees it. Grandma looked at Kendall.

"Your daughter doesn't even refer to herself as Krishna, the name I gave her. You have not taught your children the right things!" Grandma yells. Her voice makes Aunt SanJ run downstairs.

"Come and perform the ritual," She says to us sternly but nobody steps forward.

"Mother stop putting the kids in this hot spot, you need to realize that this is all new to them," Mum pleads.

"Yes mother," Aunt SanJ seconds, coming to stand beside mum. "Forcing them to worship the goddess will not help them at all, and you shouldn't try to undermine their mother in their presence," she continues. I've always liked my aunt but I totally love her now.

Grandma says nothing to them but turned around and went upstairs. I sigh and mum whispers to me,

"This, my dear, is just the tip of the iceberg."