That’s when I notice the chaos: five cars, open trunks, a dozen suitcases lined up like a military deployment. What in thefamily road trip hellis happening?
“Um... ma’am?” I try again. “What—”
“Oh, call me Keerti,beta,” she chirps just as a man who looks suspiciously like the older, grayer version of Aarohi walks out with the calm menace of someone about to hijack my car.
He surveys the SUV and grins. “Yeah... this will work.”
“Hi, sir. I’m Lucian,” I say, extending a hand like a good future son-in-law-slash-captive chauffeur.
He shakes my hand with fatherly gusto. “I’ve heard of you from my Kiki! And I’m Raj. Nosir-wirnonsense, okay?”
I’m smiling, nodding, still completely lost, when Aarohi suddenly resurrects from her catatonic state.
“What?!” she shrieks. “You call them Rajuncleand Kikiaunty! Don’t—don’tcall them by their names!”
I nod. “Yes. Right. Uncle. Aunty. Of course.”
“Oh Rohi, stop being so dramatic,” Keerti scolds her. “Raj! Go get the red and purple suitcases.”
And Aarohi’s father—Raj—sprints. Like he’s on a mission. Like my car is a getaway vehicle and we are 60 seconds from departure.
“What is happening?” Aarohi breathes, looking around like she’s in a simulation glitch.
“Hush!” her mom says, swatting her away like a mosquito. “Lucianbeta, open the dicky.”
The what?
“She means the trunk,” Aarohi mutters between gritted teeth. Then louder: “Don’t you fuckingdare, Lucian!”
Her mom gasps, scandalized. “Language, Rohi!”
“Mom, what are youdoing?! This isnotour car!”
Raj is back with the luggage, whistling. I watch as he collapses my back seats with pro-level efficiency and starts loading up like he’s done this a thousand times.
In a trance, I help with the second bag. Because apparently... I work here now?
Aarohi is practically vibrating with horror. “No, no, no!Mom! Dad! Lucian is not—he’s not—he’s not ourdriver!”
I raise a hand to intervene, possibly defend my dignity, but then I pause.
“...It’s fine,” I say.
Why? I don’t know. Trauma bonding? A cry for help?
Either way, I double down. “Really. My car is at your service.”
Aarohi chokes. “What?”
Keerti clasps her hands together like I just cured arthritis. “See? Such a sweet boy!”
And just like that, I think I’ve been roped into a weekend getaway with the woman I love and her entire family.
I have no idea what’s in store.
But judging by the third suitcase Raj is now dragging over...
It’s going to be one hell of a ride.
