Okay, so maybe I was exaggerating just a little bit.
But every time I thought about what he did at that movie theatre, my stomach churned. Maybe it wasn't such a stretch calling him dangerous.

Preethi had said he was violent and started fights in college so who knew what he did and what else he was capable of! I mean, the vibe I got from him now told me that he was tame. But why?

He stuck out his hand, blocking me from opening the apartment door. "This stays between us," he demanded.

I nodded. I didn't want Jose uncle to worry and ruin his happiness when he had found a reason to stay happy.

He had been so close to getting arrested, too, and the thought made me shudder. The legalities that would follow would be a nightmare. Thankfully, England was less than a week away.

"Wait," I said, stopping him from entering. I pointed to the bandage on his hand and the little tiny bandages on his brow and swollen nose. "Jose uncle's gonna ask about those."

He clenched his eyes shut in irritation. Thinking quick, I took off my cardigan and placed it on his hand. "Pretend to be...I don't know, doing something with that. So long as it hides that bandage."

I reached up and mussed his already-wild hair so that it hung over his brows instead of being pushed back and away. I felt a tingle but ignored it, trying to fix some wavy strands. Now instead of looking like a man, he looked like a young boy.

"There. That'll hide the bandaid on the brow somewhat. The nose..." I trailed off, seeing his gaze rooting me to the floor. I stepped back. "Sorry. Too close."

"I'll wear a mask," he said instead, as if I hadn't completely embarrassed myself by getting all up in his business.

"Yeah, a COVID mask would work. You have it with you?"

"It's in one of the drawers inside." Before I could protest he continued, "I'll be quiet."

So that's what we did. We made sure that the door didn't make too much of a creaky noise to alert their attention and tip-toed inside. Well, I tip-toed inside. Romir strode toward the shelf like we hadn't agreed to be quiet and pulled out a black mask from the third drawer.

His nose and mouth and chin all covered, his eyes stood out. They were the perfect shape for a man, downturned but slightly almond shaped— the green and brown swirling in his orbs so light it reminded me of a golden autumn leaf with tiny black specks.

His long, brown lashes seemed to get thicker toward the edge. His brows were so beautifully shaped and dark without even needing to go to a beautician, like Jade had said.

I forced myself to look away. A part of me was envious that he had such good looks. If he was a bit lacking in that department then this would have been a whole lot easier. But then again, I hadn't really noticed his features being so...semi-attractive until now. Instantly Varun and Claudia popped up into my head.

She had sharp, light brown eyes with long lashes, too. She was beautiful. People only went after beautiful things. That was why Varun had gone after her.

"That was quick," a sarcastic voice said.

I jumped. It was Jose uncle. He flicked on the light and peered at the both of us; I nearly let out a sigh of relief. Thank God Romir had gotten a mask in time. If we had been a second late then there would have been chaos.

"We stopped by to get dinner after the movie," said Romir.

For safe measure I said, "And there was a lot of traffic."

"Why are you wearing a mask?"

"There was a guy coughing right near us while we were waiting in line," I rushed to add. A flicker of exasperation flashed across Romir's face. Oops. I was speaking for him because I was nervous we were going to be caught. I cleared my throat. "It was super gross."

Jose hummed. "Well, how was it?"

"How was what?" I squeaked.

"The movie."

"Arshia seemed to love it," said Romir. "She was bawling her eyes out."

My mouth dropped. How did he know? He saw me? I was going to ask him this when the words died at the tip of my tongue. He spared me an indecipherable side-glance before heading further inside.

Jose uncle winked at me and I frowned. What the heck was that about? I shook my head. I was just glad tonight was over.

***

It was finally time to go back home. A week of nothing happening passed by super quickly and Romir wore a mask for a few days after, his excuse to Jose uncle being that 'he was sick'.

Jose uncle found it suspicious, I knew, but never questioned it. His mind and attention were drawn to FaceTiming Tamara aunty in the lead up of him leaving with her, too.

And here we were, at the airport. Just me and Romir going to England. No more Jose uncle going to be there to mitigate our fights and the tense atmosphere.

We were truly going to be husband and wife. Well, not truly. But in the sense that we were going to be the only ones in the house.

Saanvi sniffled and clutched Pravin's arm. He had a small cut on his lip that was beginning to heal up and he limped when he followed us right out the terminal.

"You feeling better now?" asked Romir.

"I should be asking you that. How's the nose?"

"Sore." His hand wasn't bandaged anymore, faded pink scars on his hand and the cut on his forehead only covered with the basic bandaid you got from the pharmacy. "You're limping. Getting any rest?"

"I am but I probably shouldn't have tried to interfere."

"You were trying to help. Just don't do that again."

Pravin laughed, though the sound didn't quite reach his eyes. "I won't get the chance to no more. You're going away forever." He blinked furiously. "I won't have someone to talk shit with at work anymore."

"You talk shit; I listen."

He pulled Romir in for a one-armed hug to which Romir chuckled, patting him on the back. Saanvi grabbed my hands and grinned at me, though her huge orbs welled up with shaky tears.

"We'll miss you," she whispered. "I know we weren't close and all, but...we might never speak to each other again."

"Don't say that," I said. "We'll always visit." I pushed her toward Pravin with a secretive grin. "Besides, you won't be missing us for long."

Saanvi wiped at her now pink dusted cheeks but didn't say anything. The goodbye with Jose uncle was the most emotional of them all.

My chin was already trembling but it wasn't until I reached him, his face red and cheeks streaked with dry tears that I let my own out. I hugged him, placing my head on his shoulder.

He had been the placeholder for my own dad while I was here. He was the one that made me comfortable, that didn't make me fully regret my decision to marry into this family. Now the only thing holding me and Romir together — the glue — was staying here.

"Chi, stop crying," he said, although his own voice was quivering. "Have fun. Romir will look after you."

No he won't. That made me cry harder, the reality sinking in. Jose uncle and Romir hugged for a long time, with the both of them mumbling something to each other, Jose uncle's shoulders shaking. He then patted Romir's shoulder and pushed away, swiping a hand down his red, sunken face.

"We've kept you for too long. Go."

Don't turn around, don't turn around, I told myself as we headed into the airport. But I did. And seeing the three of them wave their hands into the air, faces crumpled, I started crying.

***

The plane was pretty big. There were lots of people despite it not being the holidays. We got the corner seats right in the middle and I was sitting right near the window seat. I loved looking out at the city lights twinkle below me like ants.

It made me feel in control.

After an announcement or two and then a visual explanation of how to use the masks and the emergency exits from the flight attendant, the planes engine began to rumble. My whole body seemed to quiver because of the chair vibrating beneath me.

Romir hadn't moved since we'd sat down. I turned. He had his eyes clenched shut, his hands clutching the hand rests so tight, his knuckles were turning pale.

Was he scared?

For someone who has broken bones and is scarier than he lets on he sure is a scaredy cat.

"How're your bruises now?" I asked, wanting to distract him. He popped a lid open, his gaze sliding to the side. "Does it still hurt?" They were fairly healed now so maybe that was a dumb question.

'No shit' was the expression he held. Without even him having to voice it aloud I could read those words as clear as day across his face.

As the plane began to speed up on the runway, Romir reclined his head back, closing his eyes again. I leaned back and did the same. I wasn't scared of planes but if I did that maybe it would bring some comfort to him, too, to show him that he wasn't alone.

I hesitated in putting my hand over his. Just do it. So I slapped my hand over his without opening my eyes so I didn't see his reaction.

Hell, I didn't even know why I was doing it either. Maybe I felt bad. I mean, he'd helped me back at the cinemas by karate kicking those losers. This was the least I could do.

Then, when my body seemed to lift in the air, feeling weightless as the clouds we soared through, I released my grip over his hand and cracked open my eyes.

I then grabbed the plastic headphones still sticking out from the seat in front of him and broke it open.

"Watch a movie or something." I tried not to startle at his unwavering gaze on me and placed them over his ears. I flushed. "It'll be a good distraction," I added.

I took out one of the boring magazines in front of my seat so it could lull me to sleep.

It would take 11 hours to get there non-stop and I wasn't going to be staying awake the entire time.