Wait for Me by Diana Persaud Read Free Book Online Page B

room.
    “Can I get you something to drink or a snack?”
    “No thanks. Come. Sit.”
    Jiji sat gingerly then patted the seat beside her. She plopped down beside Jiji, pulling her legs up to her chest.
    “Dinesh’s friend needs a wife.”
    “‘Needs’ a wife?”
    Jiji snorted.
    “Of course men ‘need’ a wife. They need someone to take care of them.”
    “You mean they can’t change their own diapers?”
    “Anjali , that’s exactly why you’re still single.”
    “I want a partner, Jiji. Someone who will pitch in and help, not create more problems.”
    “Taking care of a man you love isn’t a burden,” Jiji insisted.
    “Helping your wife shouldn’t be a burden, either.”
    “Dr. Kumar is an anesthesiologist. You won’t have to worry about money. You can stay home and raise your children.”
    “I’m not worried about money, Jiji.”
    “He’s going to call you later.”
    “Wh—call me? Why?”
    “Dinesh brought him to dinner last night. He saw your photograph. He thinks you’re pretty and would make a good wife.”
    “He doesn’t know me.”
    “He’s ready to marry,” Jiji said.
    She shook her head. “What kind of marriage—”
    “A good one. He will provide for you and you will take care of him.”
    “Sounds like he’s in the market for a housekeeper, not a wife.”
    Jiji clucked her tongue.
    “I thought you wanted to get married.”
    “Only to someone who loves me.”
    “What’s that on your neck?”
    She leaped off the couch as if it were on fire.
    “I’m thirsty. Would you like some tea?”
    She hid in the kitchen, heating water to make tea, hoping Jiji would forget the obvious love bite on her neck. She poured tea into delicate tea cups then reached for the sugar bowl.
    Jiji placed a hand on her back.
    “Anjali, are you seeing someone?”
    “Why on Earth would you ask that?”
    “Because you just put six teaspoons of sugar in your tea.”
    Jiji gave her arm a gentle squeeze.
    “Who is this man that has you so preoccupied?”
    Ding-Dong.
    Grateful for the reprieve, she hustled to her front door.
    “Tom? What are you—”
    Jiji appeared beside her. She glared at him, silently wishing him away.
    “Hi. I’m Tom. I live next door.”
    He jerked a thumb toward his house, his attention focused on Jiji.
    “This is my sister, Nandini,” she said.
    “Nice to meet you, Tom,” Jiji said with a polite nod.
    “I noticed your car is leaking oil. Left a big puddle in the driveway,” Tom said, pointing to Jiji’s car.
    “Oil? Is that a big problem? I should call Dinesh-”
    “I can top it off for you, Ma’am. I’m a mechanic.”
    “You can? You are? Oh, thank you, Tom,” Jiji said.
    “When you’re ready to leave, I’ll need you to pop the hood for me so I can refill your oil.”
    “I suppose I should get going then. Let me get my keys,” Jiji said then returned to the living room.
    Tom gazed at her silently, the heat in his eyes making her shift uncomfortably.
    “Here you are—” Jiji held her key out to him. She studied Tom’s face then raised a brow. She dropped her car key into his palm and watched him walk to her car.
    “Stay away from him, Anjali. He’s only after one thing,” Jiji warned.
    “I’m a grown woman, Jiji. I know what I’m doing.”
    Jiji gripped her arm, turning her away from Tom.
    “Don’t waste your virginity on that… mechanic .”
    I can’t believe she still thinks I’m a virgin.
    “There’s nothing wrong with him being a mechanic. He’s a good man.”
    “So is Dr. Kumar. Plus he’s a doctor . Much better man than… Tom .”
    “Jiji!”
    She pulled her arm away.
    “How can you say that? You don’t know him.”
    She strained to keep her voice down so Tom wouldn’t overhear their argument.
    “I don’t have to. A man of his means can never be good enough for my sister.”
    “I want a man who loves me, Jiji.”
    “Love? Respect is more important than love,” Jiji insisted.
    “You respect Dinesh, but does he respect