Dating Dr. Dil (If Shakespeare was an Auntie #1)(66)

Aunty’s hands shook as she brushed hair out of her face. “Prem, we’ll always be happy for your joy. You’ll be family for the rest of our lives.”

She didn’t believe that, though, Prem realized. Before his very eyes, Gori’s parents seemed to age. Part of the happy veneer cracked, and bursts of pain seeped out like darkness and shadows sneaking between their lips. They were two older Indian parents, still mourning the loss of their child, the one they’d uprooted their lives for in India, and now, they were mourning the loss of their son-in-law, too, in a way.

Prem thought of losing Gori all over again, and then spiraled into something worse. What would happen if he lost Rina? No, he couldn’t even begin to think like that. Because Rina and he were always going to be on different wavelengths. But sitting here with Gori’s parents, he realized something that he hadn’t been prepared to face.

If Kareena wasn’t going to accept him for who and what he is, without the fanciful daydreams she wanted, then that meant he only had a short amount of time with her. The joy they’d felt together was finite even though he wanted so much more.

But did she realize that he was playing for keeps now?

She was putting space between them when they’d come so far . . . it meant he’d have to go to her, hell, drag her out of her home if she was being completely stubborn.

Because one thing was for certain. He didn’t know how much time he had with Kareena, and he’d never recover if he lost her before they could have their life together.

While Gori’s parents talked about their trip, desperate to forget the past, Prem plotted his future with a woman who had called the shots for way too long.





Interstitial




Indians Abroad News Dear Readers, Now, more and more matches are being made across states and countries. This requires virtual dating. Virtual dating is when the candidates meet on their own through one of the online platforms. Remember, there is no harm in listening in. Providing valid critiques to matches is a part of the process. That is how they become better candidates.

Mrs. W. S. Gupta Columnist Avon, NJ





Chapter Twenty-One

Kareena





Aunty WhatsApp Group



Sonali Aunty: Hello, darling! Your grandmother said you’ve been down the last few days.

Kareena: Not down, just stressed. Dating on a deadline is not easy.

Sonali Aunty: I have some good news that may be able to help. My cousin’s brother-in-law’s son is single and we think he’d be the perfect match for you.

Sonali Aunty: If it’s okay, I’ll give you his number and you can text him to set up a get-together. He’s in Atlanta right now, but he may be able to meet in person. But you can do the FaceTime.

Kareena: Thanks, Aunty. Yes, feel free to share my number. Thank you!





Prem: Did you find your true soul mate yet? Your sister’s engagement party is a little over a month away.

Kareena: Prem . . .

Prem: I’ll take that as a no. Pack an overnight bag.

Kareena: Uh, what?

Prem: I’ll type it in Hindi if you want. I may have to google the Punjabi phrase to get it right, but I can do that, too.





Kareena sat at her desk in her bedroom, staring at Prem’s text. It was the first conversation between them since she’d bailed on their date. What was this man up to? And why did her heart jump when she saw his text come in?

“Dangerous feelings, Mann,” she said to herself as she put down her phone. “Dangerous feelings only lead to bigger feelings.”

She didn’t have time to dissect his cryptic message right now. She had to focus on herself. On her miserable dating life. Damn, it was like the Sahara out there for her. Dry and lifeless. It was as if she was standing on the top of a sand dune, begging someone to love her the same way she wanted to love back, and the only response back was a caw from a vulture.

Which was why she’d accepted Sonali Aunty’s matchmaking attempt.

She yawned, then checked the time, and realized that she had to open the link for her virtual date. She adjusted her laptop on her desk, fixed her ring light, and navigated into her personal calendar. Apparently Sonali Aunty’s contact had to work late and couldn’t touch base before ten that night. She should’ve just said no, but again. Sahara. Lifeless. Zero hits on dating apps, or pretty much anything.

Her mother’s house stood in the balance, and even though she desperately wanted to say yes to Prem, her future hung in the balance, too.

She logged on to her video conferencing app, and after checking her makeup one last time, adjusted her lighting, and then taking the water that she’d put in a mug, she joined the meeting.

Vikram’s face on-screen was identical to his picture that Sonali Aunty had shared with her. He had a green screen backdrop of what looked like a Restoration Hardware showroom.

Finance bro. That’s what Bobbi and Veera had thought of him when she’d shared the deets. Veera had gone so far as to recommend canceling, but Kareena couldn’t judge just yet.

“Hi, Kareena?”

“Hi, Vikram. Nice to virtually meet you.”

“Same,” he said.

Okay, his shirt was ironed. That had to be a good thing.

Vikram flashed her his hundred-watt smile and held up a tumbler with amber liquid in it. “I appreciate you accommodating my work schedule. Do you mind if I drink?”