Chapter 23

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Here comes a long chapter. I struggled a bit to write this chapter as I didn't know how to make this story progress. But here it is and I hope you like it. 
Let me know your thoughts about this chapter. 


Mayas POV


On the way over to James house my mind kept on repeating yesterdays blissful moment. Even though it was very brief and the moment didn't last for more than three seconds, it was the best three seconds with James compared to all the other good times we've had.

While driving my way over to his place a smile crept on my face. I so badly wanted to not smile at the mere thought of us kissing but my silly girly side of me took overhand. I was ecstatic to be able to get so close to the man I felt so many things about.

I reminisced about it for a while. It wasn't because we continued what we were doing after the food came yesterday somehow, we just ended up eating the food and then I fell asleep on his shoulder throughout the time we watched a movie. He then also fell asleep and we both woke up when the movie had ended. It wasn't too late, but he had to go home to make sure Nico was fine and to also get some sleep before meeting up with my parents today.

When I arrived at his house, I walked over to his front door and knocked. It didn't take long before he was at the door welcoming me. I couldn't help but pay attention to his outfit of the day. He wore some nice dark blue trousers and paired it with a white shirt. It was simple and yet so sophisticated. He looked simply amazing.

We gave each other a quick hug and then we were out again, walking towards my car. I was driving us to my parent's house. The ride didn't take that long, but somehow the time seemed to feel longer than it was. James was silent all the way. I turned my face towards him and gave him a big grin.

"Are you nervous James?" he quickly turned towards me and shook his head as he wasn't. I wondered why he was this silent then.

As I drove closer to the house, I could see a tiny little woman standing outside and waving at us.


"Is that your mom?

I nodded at James as an answer and quickly turned off the car to get out and hug my mom. My mom was the same height as me, so she was a little as a hobbit. We were all like small hobbits, like in the Lord of the ring's movie. I chuckled a bit just thinking about it. I knew that James must have begun to feel too big when he met my whole family. He was a giant compared to all of us.

My mom gave me a kiss on both of my cheeks and hugged me for a while. I didn't see my parents too often. And I didn't do it because my life in New York was busy. But I was here with James.

After what happened between James and me yesterday I couldn't help but think that maybe he would be their future son-in-law. I liked the thought of him being by my side.

James reached out to give my mom a handshake, but she ignored his outstretched hand and went closer to him and gave him a big motherly hug. I saw James stiffen at my moms' gesture and felt a little bad on his behalf. But then again, he said yes to the dare and the dare included meeting my family. How else would he get a glimpse of my world and my culture?

As we walked inside the house we were met by my dad and then my sisters.

Dad was smiling at us. Sascha gave her hand to James to greet him politely and Vinni stood behind dad and gave a shy smile to us both. Vinni was the shy person of us all. She didn't say much in front of new people, but she did have her opinions and thoughts, she was just careful about whom she shared them with.

"Welcome Maya and welcome to you James, it's nice to meet the man who helped our dear daughter to get a push in her career" my dad exclaimed happily. 

James shook my dad's hand and we moved into the living room together. I caught Saschas eyes and she smirked at me. I felt my cheeks beginning to heat up by her look. I knew exactly what she was thinking. I walked over to her and pulled her arm and got closer to her ear.
"It's not what you think okay? He is just a friend" I whispered.

She gave me an even bigger playful smile, "Oh, and you simply think that's it? Sis, I know you and by the look on your face, I sense that you like this handsome man" She winked at me and giggled. I rolled my eyes at her and walked over to Vinni to give her a hug. My youngest sister was taller than me, somehow it didn't really make sense but I couldn't fight against that, I knew that. 

In fact, I was finally beginning to accept that I was the way I was. I wasn't the tallest, I didn't have a body like a model but I surely knew that I was pretty enough and smart enough to be somebody's girlfriend and wife someday. My whole childhood I have felt like I didn't belong to this world. It was difficult at school to be the brown girl that people had opinions about. Not like it was rare to see brown or black girls in America, but you could still sense that some people didn't respect us equally as white people.

With all that in mind I looked up at James talking to my sister, Sascha, and how he was all different from all the other men I have ever liked. Oliver, who I thought would be my future husband treated me just like what I experienced in high school. The girl no one ever wanted. But it seemed like James maybe would like me for who I really was. From my skin color to my dreams of pursuing a career as an artist. The way he behaved in front of my parents made me feel warm. He was helpful and he ate everything that my mom had cooked. He even ate with his right hand and it made my family giggle.

My mom had cooked us some rice and made lam curry with a tomato salad on the side. A salad with a lot of fresh onions and green chilies. Then she also made us some drumstick curry. It was a green curry that was really healthy. James hadn't tasted that dish before, but he wasn't afraid to try it out.

"Mrs. Ravikumar, this is really great. You make delicious food" he told my mom. My mom giggled like a little girl and blushed.

"Oh please call me aunty. You don't have to be so formal at our house. Our house is like your house".
He stopped chewing for a bit and looked up at her and mumbled a silent thanks.

Spending time with me and making me cook for him often made him more open towards it. I was proud of him. He really did come a long way. I was finally beginning to feel like we maybe could work it out. 

The way he looked at my mom made me question his own relationship with his own mother though. We hadn't talked that much about his family relations but I was beginning to get curious. The way he stiffened at my parent's care for him and how they welcomed him gave him another color to his face. I didn't know how to explain it to myself but I knew that when my mom gave him a hug he seemed like he was touched by the physical embrace. Did he ever feel loved at his own home? And was he used to get homemade food at home?

When we were finished eating, mom and dad told me to take James for a walk around the neighborhood. Sascha and Vinni came along with us. My sisters were asking him all kinds of questions and he kindly answered them.

Vinni then asked him a question at last; "How do you guys know each other?".

I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to tell them about the blind date, as it was a really bad memory considering that I got rejected by him in the first place.

Luckily James came to the rescue and I sighed with relief. 

"We have mutual friends, so we ended up meeting at our friend's wedding. That's how I got to know that Maya is such a fantastic artist. When I got to see her artwork I just knew I had to buy some of them. Your sister got talent, I promise you that" he smiled while telling them his story.

Vinni nodded at this and then went further. "So, do you like my sister?". We all stopped walking for a second and Sascha took a grip on Vinni's arm and stared her down. Sascha knew that this was not the time to get so personal. But Vinni who was the youngest properly didn't think that far.

I wanted to drag Vinni all the way to the lake and throw her into the water.

"Um, you know what, James I want to show you another place that's not too far from here" I grabbed his wrist and tried to get him to walk with me. I turned around and gave my sisters a glare and through telepathy they knew that I meant they should get going. Away from us.

Sisters would always embarrass you. I mentally facepalmed myself.

"Sorry about that James. My sister is still just a teenager. Don't think about that".

He laughed a little. "Don't worry, I find her really cute. In fact Maya, you have a really nice family". He now had his hands in his pockets and walked beside me. He didn't face me but kept looking down on his feet while walking.

"Thanks. That means a lot". I beamed at him. I was glad that he had a positive reaction toward my family.


"I love how you all are caring toward each other. Especially your mom, she is really sweet" he said.

I smirked at him a bit. "James, you are talking like you never experienced a mother care for anyone" I pushed him with my elbow on his side. 


He didn't laugh at this but instead said: You're right. I never experienced it. My mom hasn't even given me a hug in years."

I stopped and turned to look at him. I was surprised to hear him say that.

"What do you mean? That can't be true James..." I trailed off unsure of what to do now. 

We were now walking past a couple of houses and blocks. We had walked for over twenty minutes by now. 

He didn't meet my eyes but I could see he was hurt and ashamed now.

"I guess it must come as a surprise for you, but my mother never showed me any affection. I was basically raised up by myself. My parents have given me and my brother everything when it comes to material stuff and money, but the love they never gave us. In fact, I feel like I'm already loved more by your parents than my own".

I kept staring at this wonderful and beautiful man who stood in front of me all confident and strong in general, but right at this moment it was like I got to see his true heart. His vulnerable side of him. It pained me to hear him say that his parents didn't give what any parent was obligated to give. Love and care.

He kept talking further. I just kept listening for a while. 

"Your homecooked meals warms my heart, Maya. My mother never cooks, and my brother and I have always been looking out for ourselves.

I guess the little world that I have lived in made me narrow-minded and I didn't really have parents to tell me what was wrong and right. They never told me about the world either. That there was diversity and that it could be good. All I have grown up with was wealth, health, and education".

"James I..." he didn't let me talk through.

"You have shown me so many things throughout these couple of months that I have got to know you. I'm happy that I met you Maya".

My heart grew a few sizes bigger by now. His words were like a soothing balm over my whole body. His words made me ache on his behalf, but it also made me feel privileged to be the one invited into his thoughts and emotions. 

"I'm happy I met you too James".

I went closer to him to give him a warm hug. I held him tightly in my arms and if I could, I would never let go of him.

That's when it became clearer for me. I had fallen in love with this man. 




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