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Devi was ready to leave home and her mom. If she had chosen to go to Shrubland this time last year, basically everything in her life would be different. One of the biggest things that would be different: Ben.
Last night (and this morning) with Ben felt so right. They were past Paxton, Aneesa, Des, Margot, Ethan. It was their time, and Devi knew she was so in love with him. When Ben suggested that they actually be together and make the long distance work, it surprised Devi a bit, but in the best way possible. She wanted to tackle the rest of her life with him. He was her constant (constant enemy, constant nemesis, constant nuisance, but all this time, her constant supporter) and with all the change coming up, she was thankful to have him.
And the biggest change? Oh, ya know, just moving across the country and leaving behind her entire family. No biggie.
(Huge biggie, actually)
Devi and her mom had become so close over the past year. Although she was sad to leave her and would miss her like crazy, she knew Nalini would only be a phone call away. And she likes to think that Nalini would be glad Devi would still have Ben…maybe? Devi knew she had to tell her. She briefly thought she could wait a few weeks and pretend them getting together was a recent development that happened once they were both at school. But with all the mistakes she had made in high school, Devi knew lying would get her nowhere. Nalini would probably figure out the truth, anyway. She’ll work it into the conversation today somehow…
Devi hurried down the stairs to find her mom filling a to-go cup of tea for their trip.
“Did you take care of whatever it was?” Nalini asked.
“Yep! Just wanted to say a quick prayer to my homies. It’s a big day, and I’m really grateful for how things are going. It’s time for the next big adventure!”
“I would appreciate it if you would stop referring to the gods as your ‘homies,’” Nalini briefly scolded. “But you’re right. You’re really starting your adult life, in a whole new place with new people. Don’t take advantage of this opportunity, kanna. You must work hard, you’re there for school. I’m not paying all this money for you to half-ass your work and get distracted by boys!”
Uh oh.
Nalini rolled one suitcase to the front door, tea and purse in the other hand, while Devi tried to hide the spark of panic she felt. She brushed it off and grabbed the rest of her belongings. As they packed up the car, Devi decided now wasn’t the time, but she was determined to tell her mom about Ben before they arrived in New Jersey.
As they drove to the Burbank airport (Nalini REFUSED to deal with LAX traffic, and Devi couldn’t blame her), they chatted about how Devi wanted to set up her dorm, how lucky she was to have a single room, and the orientation schedule. Easy topics. Nalini started going on and on about something or another, Devi tuned her out and checked her texts.
She smiled. There were new messages from Ben.
Ben
What time is your flight? Mine gets into NY at
1:30, maybe we’ll overlap at the airport?
Also, you left an earring here.
Devi smiled to herself. With the craziness of figuring out how the hell to get her sari back on (Ben tried to help, but it was kind of useless), she knew she probably forgot something.
Devi
Oh tragic, I guess I’ll have to see you at some
point to get that back ;)
I don’t remember off the top of my head. I’d check
our mobile tickets, IF WE HAD THEM.
Mom insists on getting printed boarding passes.
Ben
Haha, you obviously have some opinions about that.
When you find out, let me know. Somehow I already
miss you
Devi
Aww, you love meee
Ben
Yeah, I really do
Anyway, I’m sure you want this time with your mom.
Text me if you’re bored
Devi
Love you too (I like saying that)
I’m kind of nervous, actually. I’m gonna tell her about us.
Ben
Oh
That’s probably best
Devi
Surprised? Yeah me too. I know I need to, but she
already told me this morning that I can’t let boys
distract me at school
Ben
Maybe it’s best I don’t see you guys at the airport
In case she wants to kill me
Devi
Ben, you know she likes you. If she’s mad at anyone, it’ll
be me.
Also, she didn’t seem to care about the night after
prom? That was weird
Ben
She barely even noticed I was there lol she was too
busy being pissed at you
But when she finds out I’ve seen her daughter naked,
yikes
Devi
I’m obviously not going to tell her every detail of last night! I’ll
keep it vague
Devi wasn’t quite sure how she was going to make the timeline make sense without including that she snuck out of the wedding and spent the night at Ben’s. Her mom wasn’t dumb.
“Devi, are you listening to me? I need you to look up how I pay for parking at the airport. I think they moved away from the kiosk and do some app or whatever now,” Nalini said, bringing Devi out of her head and back into the car.
“Um, yeah, I’ll do that right now.” Devi fired off a quick text to Ben that she would keep him updated and then did a quick Google search to find the answer for her mom. She shut off her phone for the rest of the drive, giving her mom her full attention. If she’s gonna be pissed at me later, I might as well make the most of this time, Devi thought.
When they arrived at the airport, Devi helped Nalini figure out the parking app, and tried not to think about her mom coming back alone. Not only would she be lonely, but she would have to deal with this stupid app all by herself!
The board said that their flight was scheduled to get in at noon. Devi was relieved that she wouldn’t have to deal with running to Ben, as much as she wanted to see him. She pulled out her phone to tell him her ETA while they waited in line at security. There was a text from earlier.
Ben
Probably for the best. Sorry for bringing it up
My mind is a little preoccupied with memories of
last night
Devi flushed and turned away from Nalini, praying she couldn’t see her phone.
Devi
Benjamin Gross! Now is not the time!
I mean, same, but we’ll talk about that later
My flight gets in at noon, and mom would be sus if
I asked to wait around
Ben
Sorry sorry
Yeah, okay no worries
It was Devi’s turn to walk through the metal detector, so she quickly tossed her phone in the bin with her backpack and walked through. Everything would be fine. She wouldn’t run into Ben at the airport, so she had plenty of time to tell her mom. Hell, she could even wait until tonight when they were unpacking!
As they waited at the gate, Devi and Nalini made their plan for exactly what they wanted to do when they landed. Lunch in the city before getting on the train to Jersey, checking in at the dorm, unpacking starting with clothes and ending with decorating, and dinner together if they had time before Nalini had to leave. Devi was looking up places for lunch and dinner when there was an announcement from their gate attendant.
“Attention, passengers for flight 3108 to JFK. This flight has been delayed and will now arrive at 1 PM. Again, flight 3108 to JFK is delayed one hour and will arrive at 1 PM,” she said cheerily, despite the fact that she was probably ruining someone’s day.
Crap, Devi thought as Nalini started complaining. That’s cutting it close to when Ben gets in. I’ll have to make sure we hurry out of the airport.
Convincing herself everything would be fine, she steered the conversation back to lunch and dinner options.
***
The flight itself was uneventful. Nalini pulled out a book right when they sat down, and Devi fell asleep almost immediately. It was almost like she had been declaring her love for Ben, having sex with him, and cuddling all night instead of sleeping. Sue her.
They deboarded and made their way into the airport. Devi checked the time and saw that it was exactly 1:00. She had 30 minutes to get her mom out of there to avoid even the small chance of running into Ben.
“Kanna, let’s get to baggage claim then we can take turns waiting for the bags and going to the restroom. Let’s be efficient with our time,” Nalini said, walking quickly through the airport. Oh, this is gonna be easy! thought Devi.
At baggage claim, Nalini went to the restroom first while Devi waited. The bags were taking forever, and more and more people were crowding around. When Nalini came back, Devi went to the restroom. There was a line for the women’s and none for the men’s (typical) so it took longer than planned. Devi walked back toward Nalini, shaking water from her hands because there were no paper towels, and stopped in her tracks when she saw her mom standing there talking to none other than Ben.
Shit.
How could this have happened? She still had 15 more minutes before his flight even got in!
Devi approached the two and jumped into whatever conversation they were having, “Ben! Wow, what are you doing here? I thought you were already in New York early for your internship. So weird to see you here, right Mom?”
Ben smiled nervously. “My flight got in a little early. I came over to get my bags and your mom spotted me and called me over to chat.” Ben looked a little panicked. He could tell Devi hadn’t told her mom yet. Why would she ask why I was here? He thought. I don’t have a good lie prepared!
“Yes, Benjamin, I thought you were already in New York,” Nalini said quizzically. “Where are you coming from?”
Ben turned pale. Devi had to jump in with either a good lie or the truth. Ben certainly didn’t know what to say.
“Alright, Mom, I have to tell you something. I’m not surprised to see Ben here. Actually, I am a little because his flight wasn’t supposed to have arrived yet. But that’s beside the point. Ben was flying in from California. He was in Sherman Oaks.” Nalini raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of them. Ben wouldn’t make eye contact.
Devi took a deep breath. Here we go.
“Ben was in Sherman Oaks to see me. We, um, kind of met up last night and talked, and we’re actually now together. We decided we want to do long-distance.”
Ben and Devi couldn’t help but smile at each other, but Nalini certainly didn’t look happy. She shook her head in disbelief.
“Excuse me, what? You left your grandmother’s wedding last night to go see some boy? And you decided that now was a good time to get a boyfriend? When you’re starting college and need to focus? Devi Vishwakumar, I haven’t worked my entire life to be able to send you to a top university for you to throw it all away because you’re distracted Facetiming and visiting Benjamin instead of studying!”
Devi’s heart sank. This was the outcome she expected, but a tiny part of her thought that maybe Nalini would be okay with it.
“Mom, I – “ Devi started.
“Dr. Vishwakumar,” Ben interrupted. “I hope you know that I will not be any kind of distraction to Devi. I know that you both have worked so hard to be here, and the last thing I want to do is jeopardize that. I’m at Columbia, so I’ll be working hard, too. Devi and I have always made each other better in school, and I don’t doubt that will continue.”
Time seemed to stand still for the trio, but everyone continued to hurry around them. Luggage had started coming out on the carousel, but none of them were looking for their own. Nalini didn’t look convinced, and Ben continued.
“I really love your daughter, Dr. Vishwakumar. I told her that last night. I love her for all that she is and I want to be by her side to see no matter what comes next.” Nalini’s expression softened. Devi felt a warmth in her chest, the same warmth she felt last night when she saw Ben. She grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Benjamin,” Nalini said after a moment. “I appreciate your care for Devi. Kanna, I hope you know I’m trying to look out for you, and it’s nothing against you and Benjamin.” Devi felt hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, she would like what her mom had to say next.
“With that said, I do trust you Benjamin and I can see, and honestly have been able to for a while, how much you love Devi. It will be nice knowing that Devi has someone who cares for her so deeply nearby. I guess that if you two are looking for my blessing, you have it.”
Ben and Devi both let out the breath they didn’t realize they were holding. Devi attacked her mom with a hug.
“Thank you, Mom! I promise I’ll stay focused on school. I just,” Devi started tearing up. “Feel so happy and lucky to have people who love me so much.” Nalini was close to tears, too. Even Ben seemed choked up.
“Thank you, Dr. Vishwakumar,” he said.
Nalini cleared her throat. “Now, why don’t we get our luggage and go get lunch. Benjamin, I insist you join us.”
“I would love that. And hey,” he said, turning to the carousel. “Our luggage shouldn’t be too hard to find.”
They realized that their bags had just been circling the carousel and everyone else had disappeared. It felt good to laugh after such a tense conversation. It felt good to be with people Devi loved.
As they gathered their things, Ben suggested a restaurant for lunch nearby. It was right between the airport and the train station, convenient for catching the train to Jersey after. The three walked out of the airport, talking about their flights, the upcoming school year, and how hungry they were.
Devi and Ben walked hand in hand the entire time.