by Anita Claire
At school, the Venture Capitalists (VC)—the guys who finance new companies—have been swirling around the engineering building. It’s always a great way to grab some free food. But I’m not yet interested in starting my own company. I’d like to work for someone else for a few years.
My professors have brought in some of their former students to judge and discuss our projects. The alumni use these opportunities to pitch their company to prospective employees. A few of the new companies actually look interesting. One of the speakers, Flint, is a guy I worked with my first summer at Google. He remembers me, and asks for my résumé. His company is three years old with over a hundred employees, a product with customers, and revenue.
When I go for the interview, their offices are in a new building that’s been decorated simply with brightly painted walls and hallways covered in white board. My potential co-workers seem to be smart, relatively normal, and technically competent. The company has a really young vibe since everyone seems to be under thirty, and they’re still pre-IPO, so there will be a financial upside that’s more than my salary. This company feels like a winner.
Chapter 4 - Juliette
Getting back to graduate housing, Juliette’s in the living room hanging with her boyfriend, Stephan. I liked her college boyfriend, Chris, a lot better. Stephan has this arrogant attitude, like he’s lived so much more than we have, even though he’s only a year older.
Juliette leaves Stephan in the living room and follows me into the kitchen. “Hey, how’d the interview go?”
After grabbing a drink out of the refrigerator, I answer, “One more interview, one more day of mind numbing questions. I don’t know how they can figure out if I’ll be a good engineer based on what they ask me.”
As my food search heads to the freezer, I finally choose to defrost frozen pot stickers for my snack. Juliette watches me measure them out, and then gives me a smirk. I laugh and empty the rest of the bag onto the plate.
Juliette asks, “Did they ask you any good riddles?”
We’re both math girls and really get off on trying to figure out mathematical puzzles. As I wait for the microwave to beep, I throw out the questions I was asked. Juliette and I discuss my answers.
As we eat the pot stickers, I question, “I wonder what answers they were really looking for.”
She shrugs and shakes her head as she munches away. “Have you thought of which company you want to work at?”
“This last one’s the best. They’re solving the hard problems; it seems like they have their act together when it comes to managing their money, and I didn’t run into any brogrammers or preeners.”
Chapter 5 - Princesses
The job offer from Flint’s company comes in along with a couple others I’m not interested in. Juliette and I decide to celebrate by heading to University Avenue in Palo Alto. We manage to drag Meredith and Jennifer, two more college princesses, along with us. Meredith’s long time college boyfriend Sam, also joins us. We nicknamed Sam “Mr. Big Love” after the polygamy show, since so often he winds up being the only guy with all of us princesses. Tonight Juliette has dragged Stephan along. Of course he’s going to order something unique and pretentious that no one has ever heard of. I wonder if Juliette can’t see his annoying characteristics because he’s so handsome.
We end up at Nola, a fun, loud, New Orleans inspired restaurant. We order margaritas and a bunch of appetizers, laughing and joking and generally enjoying ourselves. I drink too much as everyone toasts to my future success.
As I drink my margarita I figure I better enjoy tonights fun since I’m headed into the storm of finals week. I’m happy it’s my last finals week ever. After graduation I’m going to be taking a couple of weeks off to travel around California with my parents, move into my new apartment, and then start my new job.
Getting back to my classes, one of my professors gives us a twenty-four hour test. It’s a take home test that needs to be turned in within twenty-four hours of receiving it, which makes it sound easy. The thing is, the questions are so difficult it takes twenty-four hours to answer them all. I hate pulling all-nighters. By about three in the morning I’m starting to hallucinate, I’m getting to the point where I don’t care what the answers are.
When finals are over I sleep for twenty-four hours solid; waking up in time for my parents to show up for graduation. Making dinner for my parents the night they arrive, they bemoan the fact that I didn’t get a job offer at Google. Juliette shoots me a look, knowing that they were one of the companies I turned down.
After my parents head back to their hotel, Juliette pulls out the margaritas. Juliette has a summer job, in the fall she plans on rooming with the princess Olivia, who will be back from doing good deeds at a refugee camp in Jordan, ready to start medical school.
As the drinks are ready to be poured, Meredith and Jennifer show up. They both scarf down all the leftovers as I start complaining.
“I thought this vacation was going to be casual and fun. My mom is using it as an opportunity for us to travel up and down the coast to meet all these Indian guys. I feel like I’m headed to the parade of losers.”
“Why don’t you look at it positively and date some of the guys your mom wants to fix you up with?” Meredith says.
Feeling exasperated I explain to her, “Indians don’t have a dating culture. In India the only time people go on dates is before they get married. It’s not like you can go out with some guy and if you don’t like him you move on to the next one. If I start casually dating real Indian guys, I’ll quickly get a bad reputation. I’m too loyal of a daughter to dishonor my parents like that.”
“Mahesh dated Claudia. Now he’s dating Suzanne,” Jennifer responds.
“I bet he’s not introducing those women to his family and friends of his family. He’s keeping those relationships on the down low. Real Indian guys might casually date Americans, and some of them even marry Americans. But dating is frowned upon. That’s the problem I have with my mom’s fix ups. The guy might be nice, but I’m not ready to make this big of a decision after one family dinner. If I say yes to a date, the families will start planning the wedding.”
Juliette gives me a horrified look. “I’m glad I’m not Indian. Chris and I didn’t work out.”
“Though, he was hot,” I tell her as I clink her glass to mine.
She nods as she answers, “My favorite part of dating him was his water polo matches.”
Jennifer starts laughing as she raises her glass. “The best part of you dating him was joining you at those water polo matches.”
“Water polo players are hot,” Meredith adds.
“Yeah, and speedos are the best uniform ever.”
Chapter 6 – Trip with Mom and Dad
The day after I graduate, Savi skypes me. She screams into the computer “CONGRATULATIONS!”
“Wow, you almost blew my ear off with that one.”
“Hey, how’s it feel to be done with grad school?”
“It hasn’t yet hit. How’s living at home?”
“Ali and I are heading into Chicago this weekend to party with Lauren, you know, she has an apartment in the city.”
“Your mom isn’t trying to meddle?” I ask, surprised that her parents are being so cool.
“Not yet, maybe I’ve been worried about nothing. How about you? Are you looking forward to your trip down the coast with your parents?”
I sigh before answering, “You’re luckier than me. I think my mom has already scheduled some teas.”
“What are you going to do?” she asks slightly horrified.
“What choice do I have? I’ll tell her I’m not going out with those guys, but it’s easier to play along. I figure they’ll go home in a couple of weeks and I can go back to my normal life.”
“Good plan, I agree. I have no interest in the guy’s my mom chooses. They’re always so dorky. I’d only consider dating another Indian if he was normal, you know, cool, American. Why is it that Indian guys are ei
ther dorky or players? Aren’t there any normal ones out there?”
“Yeah, I know. Most of the Indian guys here are H-1B.”
“Yeah, like that would ever happen.”
“I’ve noticed you have a thing for the White boys,” I tell her.
“Yeah, but it would make life easier if I could meet a nice American born Indian, another Hindu. They would understand my family dynamics.”
I nod my head in agreement.
***
A few hours later, my parents show up. They help me move my stuff to Juliette’s parents’ garage. Then we head to a friend of my mom’s cousins in Cupertino for tea. I bet this friend is from our caste and has a single son in his twenties.
As we drive over I tell my mom one more time, “I’m finding my own man.”
She smiles and says in her sweet, sing-song way, “Hita, you play those computer games. Nothing’s going to come of that.”
At the house we go to, both parents answer the door. The mom is wearing a deep green colored silk sari and lots of gold jewelry. After entering their home, they make a point of pausing in front of their expensive gold shrine to Ganesh that takes up most of the dining room. Then we’re ushered into their living room. The mother serves us chaat tea, fancy nuts, and biscuits on her best china. While we’re seated on their modern leather furniture, I note that it’s a nice house, all decorated with an Indian flare that includes oriental rugs, bright colors, and elaborately carved accessories.
Everyone is polite and friendly as the parents talk and the son checks me out. At five ten, I’m tall. Mom did a poor job with research; the son comes up to my shoulder. I plaster a polite smile on my face knowing I’ll never date him. His lack of height doesn’t stop my mom. She pushes the conversation, lightly bragging about my graduation and new job. His mom brags about his education and his job.
Looking at the mother, I realize that if I get involved with an Indian guy and his parents live locally, they’ll be in my business more than my mom has ever been. Even worse, if his parents live in India they will come for a visit and stay for five months. I grew up watching my paternal grandmother run my mother ragged when she came for her visits.
My mind reels. I’ve been so busy with school, I’ve never really considered what it would be like to date in the real world, now I’m wondering what my next chapter will bring. My mother’s relentless pursuit of a husband for me overhangs our trip. We stop for tea at a number of Indian homes on our way up and down the coast. It’s almost a relief when I see my parents off upon our return to Silicon Valley.
Skyping with Savi when I get back, she lets me bitch about my mom. Savi and I understand each other well since she also has spent her lifetime bridging the American and Indian worlds.
Chapter 7 – Pool Party
After getting back from my trip, I wind up staying with Juliette at her parents’ house for a few days until I can get into my apartment. Sitting on a lounge chair soaking up the rays while my feet casually dip into their pool, the doorbell rings. Wanting to be a good guest, I throw on my T-shirt and answer the door, assuming it’s going to be a package. Surprisingly, it’s Juliette’s friend, Gray.
He gives me a funny look then says, “You’re Juliette’s roommate, right?”
“Yeah, we’ve met a couple of times, I’m Hita.”
Gray looks a little confused as he asks, “Yeah, is Juliette home?”
I shake my head as I explain, “She started her summer internship this week. I’m staying here for a few days. You know, transitioning between apartments.”
He looks apologetically at me as he explains, “I start my summer internship on Monday. I didn’t realize Juliette wasn’t going to be around.” Looking me up and down, he asks, “Are you hanging out by the pool?”
I shrug as I answer, “If you don’t have plans you can join me.”
He smiles tentatively then replies, “Sure, give me ten minutes. I’ll go home and get my trunks.”
“Don’t ring the bell when you come back, just let yourself in through the gate,” I call after him.
He smiles and waves as he jogs down the path.
I head back to my lounge chair and continue with my book. Hanging out with Gray should be fun. I was getting kind of bored being by myself. About ten minutes later, I feel a shadow move over me.
Looking up from my book I exclaim, “that was quick.” He’s wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, but I can tell he’s checking me out. I hold up a bag of Doritos. “Want some?”
He shakes his head as he plops down on the lounge chair next to mine. “What are you reading?”
I pass my tablet to him.
He reads a passage before exclaiming, “A Game of Thrones? Have you watched the shows?”
I shake my head before answering. “I’ve been too busy with school. A friend said I would enjoy the shows a lot more if I read the books first.”
“This is a great series. You wouldn’t believe what….”
I quickly cover my ears, close my eyes, and yell out, “Don’t tell me.”
I open one eye and look at him. He’s chuckling as he says, “Have you gotten to the place where…?”
I cover my ears again and start saying “nanananana” to cover up his voice. “No, don’t spoil it.”
Opening up one eye again, Gray has moved close and is laughing. As soon as I start pulling my hands off my ears he says “When Lord Eddard is….”
I jump up and put my hand over his mouth. “Don’t spoil it.”
He licks my hand.
“Ew, that was disgusting,” I say as I pull my hand away. “Will you behave yourself?”
He smiles real big as he reaches over and pulls a couple of chips out of the bag. Munching on them he says, “Are you hot? Want to take a dip?”
“Only if you promise not to give anything away.”
With a Cheshire grin he shrugs, and then pulls off his T-shirt. Damn, I had no idea he had such a nice chest…and abs…and…. As I pull my eyes up, I see a slight smile on his face; he’s caught me checking him out. Damn, I have to say, one of my favorite things is when a guy has a cute, above average face, that’s pleasant and approachable, but doesn’t look too much like a model…and then reveals a killer body hiding beneath his clothes. Oh man, I needed this water to cool me down.
Trying to act cool, I stand up, smile, and say, “First one wet wins.” Then I quickly jump into the pool.
We spend the next couple of hours playing, first pool volleyball, then we use noodles to see who can race across the pool the fastest. Finally, we have a contest to see who can make the biggest splash. This morning reminds me of when I was ten. Back then I’d play in the pool for hours.
Gray looks even better wet than he does dry. Damn, why am I even going there? I’ve been so busy with school these last few weeks I haven’t had time to think about men. But now…it’s like my brain is in overdrive.
As we lie on the deck letting the warmth fill our bones, Gray says, “I’m starving.”
“I’d feel funny raiding Juliette’s parents’ kitchen.”
He shrugs before replying, “We can grab something at Armadillo Willies.”
“I’m a vegetarian,” I explain.
“I think they have vegetarian burgers.”
“Okay.” I shrug as I stand up and give a big stretch, pull my shorts and T-shirt over my bikini, and run a brush through my hair. Now I know why Gray and Juliette are so close; he’s fun and easy to hang out with. I watch him throw his T-shirt back on. Hita, keep your mind out of the gutter, I tell myself as an X-rated video with Gray as the lead flashes past my eyes.
When we return from burgers and drinks, I yawn. “I think I’m ready for a siesta,” I say as I pull off my T-shirt and shorts and settle into the lounge chair. Damn, my fingers itch to touch Gray. But I keep reminding myself he’s Juliette’s good friend. Would kissing him break some kind of girl code? Anyway, he’s taking off in a couple of days. I’m not doing another long distance relationship.
Gray maneuvers the umbrella so it’s covering my lounge chair. “Yeah, a siesta would be nice,” he says as he pulls off his T-shirt.
Am I particularly horny, or is his bare torso that amazing? My over stimulated libido wants to touch all those rippling muscles tightly packed under his beautiful golden skin.
I stretch out, feeling like a well fed cat as I will myself to cool down.
Gray sits down next to me and gives me a sexy smile. Then he runs the back of his fingers down my arm. It sends a tingle down the back of my neck as I hear myself gasp.
His smile turns intense as he watches my face while moving even closer.
I’m surprised by this bold move. Did he know what I was thinking? Are our thoughts running in the same direction?
His breathing intensifies, I can tell he wants to kiss me, and I want to kiss him too. The sound of the water makes me feel like we’re in our own private oasis. My fingers glide up his beautifully toned arm as I enjoy the ridges of his muscles.
My eyes focus on his lips. They look nice and inviting. We each move slowly toward each other, like magnets. Our lips meet. It’s been way too long between kisses. I take the lead and lightly kiss him. He feels soft and firm. It’s the first kiss I’ve had since Brandon and I broke up last December. Gray bends down a little farther, as we kiss again in full earnestness. The smell of chlorine and sunscreen oozes through his pores. I place my arm around his shoulder; my hand lays flat on his warm back. Our kiss gets deeper as our tongues meet. He tastes of the chocolate chip cookie we shared. As our tongues dance, I can feel a sexual energy waken inside me as it rolls down my core. He positions himself over me as he continues our kiss. I run my hand down his well-developed chest; desire fills every one of my pores as our kissing heats up. He maneuvers the lounge chair so it’s flat. I bark out a laugh as it drops down, he smiles wide and leans in to kiss me again.
