Mason was right. The moment he was permitted entry by the Kapoor/Kumar clan, he felt welcomed and warm.
Talia immediately greeted him at the door and asked whether he wanted a drink, and Naveer was quick to offer dinner.
The rumble in his stomach made it difficult for Mason to refuse, and he was soon ushered to Anya's room, where soft music could be heard through the door, while the couple prepared their evening food.

He knocked once and entered, only to remain in the entryway as he watched the raven-haired girl clumsily twirl in a bright orange Indian dress. Her hair fell in ringlets and spiralled as she repeated the move before shuffling to the left and then the right. Her back was towards him, and it was only when Mason closed the door did she visibly jump and turn with her hand on her heart in fright. His own snicker of amusement was fuelled with delight.

"How long have you been standing there?" She asked gingerly, lifting the jewellery that dangled from her hairline to wipe away her sweat.

"Long enough," He grinned as a light blush heated her cheeks, "what are you doing?"

"Practising," She breathed, tying the scarf that stretched from her left shoulder to her right hip so that it sat firmly before perching on the bed beside him. "Or at least trying to, my oldest cousin is getting married next year, Covid permitting, of course, but the rest of us cousins are now preparing a dance together,"

"This would be a cousin in India?" He asked, and she nodded, still out of breath.

"Yup, which means my practice is limited to zoom calls until we can fly out there, which sucks! And did I mention that I CAN'T DANCE!" Her eyes bulged with her fury, and it was difficult for Mason not to laugh at her distress, gaining a narrowed look in return. "It's not funny," She complained, "My cousins have just over a year to put this all together, and I'm just going to look like a babbling, bumbling baboon."

"Wasn't that a line from Harry Potter?" Mason asked as she raised her brows.

"Yes, and it's incredibly accurate, I'm going to suck,"

"You're going to be great," Mason encouraged, "you've got a year to practise, and if you end up looking like a baboon, then at least you can say you tried,"

She nodded silently as the words seeped in, her response delayed as she elbowed him in the gut. "Sorry," Mason chuckled, clearly not meaning the expression  as she shook her head, exhaling forcefully so that the tendrils framing her face blew out of her eyes.
"So, what is this?" He asked, pressing his index finger to the jewellery on her brow. It fell into her lap immediately, and Mason's eyes widened as a genuine apology tumbled from his lips.

"It's fine!" Anya giggled, picking up the headpiece so that it stretched against the length of her palm. "It's a tikka, basically traditional Indian jewellery. They're usually quite fragile, which is why I'm practising with it on. Wouldn't want it land in someone's falooda when I spin," she claimed as he laughed in agreement, silently grateful that his knowledge of Indian food extended to their rose-flavored milkshake.

"I like your dress too," he complicated, nothing the blush deepen in her cheeks. "Come on, give us another twirl," she sneered at his Rye dialect, something Anya often did, but she complied nonetheless, standing up so that he could see the vivid colours sparkle in the yellow room light. "You should wear clothes like this more often,"

"Ha!" Anya snickered, moving to the desk to remove the bangles on her wrists and tuck her tikka safely away. "It would be too effortful," she explained, "and my suits aren't warm enough for here. Jeans and jumpers are more my thing, but I wear suits when I go to India. I always feel a little outcasted there; I'm the Brit," She reasoned, "but at least when I wear my clothes, I look like I belong,"

Mason could only concede. It's not like he had any idea or clue about what it would be like to trace one's roots or abroad or even understand what Indian girl's clothes were like to wear. Still, a part of him understood what it was like to feel separated from the country he was ethnically attached to. Mason had only visited South Korea once in the past, and he'd been too young to remember it. His grandparents, from both sides, had moved to England as missionaries, and his parents had met as a result. Aside from a few Korean dramas and the food he occasionally consumed, Mason looked more Korean than he felt. He also wouldn't change out of his sweats to wear the traditional hanbok, and so in that sense, he could utterly relate to what Anya was saying.

"So, what are you doing here, anyway?" Anya asked as he raised a single brow. "Not in an offensive way, just in an 'it's nice to see you but why' kind of way," she justified as once more, Mason laughed.

"I just wanted to see you," he shrugged, "and your aunt and uncle asked me to stay for dinner so I couldn't refuse,"

"Well, it's nice that you came," Anya rejoined, pecking him on the cheek, "now get out, so I can change."

He stood with a firm salute and returned to the lounge, where the strong smell of food caused his mouth to water. Mason hadn't had Indian food in a very long time, and the thought of having something new seemed to ignite his sense.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked, joining Talia in the kitchen, and she nodded, pointing to the cupboard beside the oven.

"There are plates in there if you don't mind setting the table,"
He nodded his compliance and pulled out four white plates, placing them around the oak table that sat in the middle of the kitchenette. Talia took out the cups, which he also set accordingly, and Anya joined them just as he and Naveer sat at the table.

'I hope you don't mind spicy food," Naveer asked, as Mason shook his head, his excitement brimming as Talia retrieved the dish from the oven. It was hidden from his view until she rested the hot pan on the table, and the disappointment washed over him like a wave.

It was macaroni cheese. And on a typical day, Mason loved Mac 'n' cheese just as much as the next person, but this...this wasn't what he expected. Still, he wasn't about to complain; he wasn't rude and he was a guest, he had just been taken off guard. Still, more importantly he was hungry; one couldn't go wrong with comfort food. He just couldn't understand how mac 'n cheese could be spicy.

Anya passed over the ladle, and he spooned out his portion, and starting his meal quickly. It had been a long time since Mason had sat down with a  family for dinner; barring the time his parents came to the Sinclair's, at least since his brother had passed away. This, sitting with a family and listening to them talk and tease one another, felt nice.
Three bites later, Mason was beginning to feel the heat from the dish, and he could feel the sweat and heat melt his cheeks. "How is this spicy?" He finally asked, taking a long sip from his water.

"Tali adds jalapenos to the sauce; it's good, isn't it?" Naveer explained, giving Mason no choice but to agree.

Somehow, the family had caught his struggle, and Anya's giggle shined from the table as she began to tease him. Fortunately, Mason could finish what was on his plate, but he quickly refused a second serving when Tali offered, gaining sniggers in response. It took moments for Mason to join in their hilarity as he shook his head in disbelief and placed the dishes by the sink.

"We have ice cream in the freezer; it'll cool you down," Talia offered, and he was more than willing to accept the excellent dessert that she spooned out for him and Anya.

"How was your shift at the parlour?" He asked as they moved to the couch, bowls in hand to sit in comfort.

"It was pretty good; I enjoy working there," She half shrugged as he offered her a small smile. "Todd was there today too; he said that he's known you a while,"

"Yeah, Todd was good friend's with my brother," Mason explained, as her smile dimmed in sympathy. "They had this epic fall out over Lucas' older sister Laura once," He added, his laughter obliterating the tension.

"What happened?" She pressed, her brown eyes glowing in interest.

"I'm not entirely sure," He began to explain, spooning the creamy chocolate goodness into his mouth as he pondered aloud. "I think they both fancied her, and so they tried to court her- it was ridiculous because it got to the point where they were just competing; if one would give her a rose, the other gave her a bouquet. It was stupid and just as good as sixth form drama gets," He concluded as Anya giggled, shaking her head in disbelief.

"So, who did she pick?"

"Neither!" He laughed, "Which was the best part for Lucas and me because it would be weird if our siblings started dating. She did end up with someone from the sixth form, Joshua, I think, and he couldn't be any more different from Todd or my brother," He reported, bemused by the outcome.

Anya's incredulity began to grow, her consideration of what she could say next clear, and his smile dimmed, as he mentally acknowledged why. The story didn't exactly have a 'happily ever after'; his brother had died. Though Mason couldn't say he felt awkward, there was a new tension, and it was difficult for him to break through.

Seemingly Anya was having the same issue, and he was grateful her aunt and uncle had returned to their bedroom so that they could talk without being shadowed. "So, what are your plans tomorrow?" She asked as he set his empty bowl on the coffee table, glad for the change in topic.

"I'm working," He said, "Mr Sinclair gave me tonight off so that I could come in early tomorrow morning. They're watching their granddaughter as her parents have Covid, so I'm filling in the shift."

"Ah," Anya responded before he returned the question. "Mostly revision," She decided, "I'm still so behind, and exams are less than weeks away. I'll probably call my parents too...."

The sudden change in her mood told Mason that as much as they circulated the topic until Anya truly spoke about them, she would continue to feel this pain without giving him an inkling of understanding of what she was going through.
"Tell me about them," He suggested, and her smile widened as he assumed her favourite memories came to light.

"My parents are...unique," She began, resting her cheek on the sofa as he held her hand. "My mum's a painter, and I think it killed her when she realised I hadn't picked up her skill, and my dad helps run a telecommunication business thing in India. They couldn't be any moredifferent; my mum is very energetic and loves to be outdoors, while my dad is pretty reserved. We all like to watch Bollywood movies, so every Sunday, it was our little tradition to watch a film, and they've always been there for me. My mum has diabetes, and the stats showed that people from BAME communities are more likely to die, and then when she caught it..." She shuddered, hinting further of what may have occurred. Words didn't need to be said and Mason squeezed the hand he held,  allowing touch to provide comfort, as she added, "So as much as I miss them...."

"It's not worth the risk," Mason filled, and she nodded, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "I bet the house feels empty without you," He added, and this time her eyes flashed with humour as she agreed, leaning her cheek into his palm as he tucked away from the hair that was beginning from a curtain, veiling her beauty.

"Hey!" A voice boomed, interrupting their moment, and they looked over the couch to see Uncle Naveer standing behind them. "There will be no hanky-panky under my roof, do you understand?"
Though his mock anger was apparent, one look at Anya had the pair laughing until their stomachs hurt.

"Hanky panky!" Anya repeated, inciting a new bout of laughter as this time Uncle Naveer joined in.

"I mean it, Anu, you two are adults, I expect you two to act responsibly,"

"Relax, Uncle Naveer, we're just talking," Anya smiled. It did little to reassure Naveer, and with a small sigh, Mason lifted himself off the couch.

"I need to head off now," he explained, lifting his wrist only to notice that he hadn't worn his watch. "I erm, I have work tomorrow,"

"Okay, Mason," Naveer answered, in place of his...girlfriend. Only then did Mason realise that he hadn't even formally asked Anya but with her uncle standing between them and almost hurrying Mason out of the apartment, despite him still needing to slide on his trainers.

"I'll erm, see you soon," Mason announced as Anya waved from the couch, "and erm, text you?"

"Come again, Mason," Naveer added, extending his invite despite the frightening exterior that he posed. "It was lovely to see you,"

The eighteen-year-old simply nodded, and the door closed behind him as he descended the steps.
Despite the complicated topics he and Anya had covered, Mason could feel a new lightness as he walked towards his car. He didn't feel guilty or wronged by his brother's death, and this was probably the first time he had shared something silly about Hanuel, ever since he had died. In fact, upon reflection, most discussion had either been stumped by his parents, or received with sympathetic expression. Today, it had been different, it had made Mason to feel good, and it was an emotion he wanted his mother to handle. She had forgotten all of the memories they had, and perhaps if he could remind her that Haneul was happy, it would be a way to get through to her.
It was only 10 pm, so Mason hoped that she would still be awake. His father's car wasn't in the drive, suggesting that he'd gone to the pub, as he usually did on a Saturday night, but the house was pitch black, so all the lights were off, crushing his wish.

It was the faint murmurings from the television that broke through the silence that reignited his desire, however, and when he knocked and entered the bedroom, his mother was sitting up in her bed. When he neared, he could see her eyes were scrunched closed, and there were crease lines on her brow. She had aged so much since Haneul had passed away, and white streaked her grey as she whimpered in her sleep.

Usually, Mason would run away upon seeing his mother in this way, but he'd been running for too long. She needed help and despite her condition being the force to keep Mason in racing, and at times he had blamed her for this, she was still his mum.

Tentatively, he edged around her bed and took a seat so that he was close enough to reach for her hand. He didn't make contact, though, and Mason could smell the beer that leaked from her pores, and the room was incredibly stuffy. The first thing he would do was open the windows before he left for work tomorrow; tonight, however, whether she was listening or not, he would talk.

"Hey mum," he began, feeling incredibly awkward as he concentrated on the threads that intertwined to create the hard beige carpet beneath his bare feet. "I just wanted to tell you that I've met someone." And then the words flowed:
"Her name is Anya, and she's from Birmingham, but she's currently living with her uncle and aunt. I'm sure you remember my friend Sam, it's his parents, and they're really nice people. She makes me feel happy...." His mother didn't indicate that she listened or even heard him, but Mason continued.

"I told Anya about Haneul, and that time he fancied Laura? Do you remember how stressed he was about upping Todd and when he stayed up all night to make her a mix-tape because he wanted to keep things old school? Oh, and when you chased him out because he had sold an alloy to buy her a necklace?" His laughter was heartfelt, but when it ended, it was as much as Mason could cope with. "I just wanted you to remember," he sniffled.

"Sleep well, mum," With a small sigh, he returned to his feet and pressed a kiss to her brow, acknowledging that she was slightly warmer than she should be. It wasn't a temperature, and so Mason wasn't alarmed, but he knew it was something to keep an eye on. He switched off the television and left the door fractionally open as he exited, surprised to see his father standing on the landing.

"You scared me," Mason complained, "Mum's asleep," He added awkwardly, "I think she's pretty out of it..." It was a reminder that Iseul was not well, and yet his father only nodded, pressing his lips into a hard line.

"Oh," His father nodded, "Well, I won't disturb her, it's rare she's already asleep...I'll just erm, wash up and sleep downstairs," Mason junior could only bob his head, crossing the short distance to his own bedroom so that he could go to sleep. Talking to his mother hadn't quite had the effect he'd hoped for, but Mason still felt light.

Things were going to get better. If, ten years down the line, Anya's family could talk about Sam, remembering the beautiful, albeit short, life he had lived, then perhaps his own family could do the same. It gave him hope that with time the pain eased, and it was that trust that eased him into a peaceful slumber, despite the course of events that had occurred in the earlier part of the day.

A.N.
Happy Friday lovelies!
Gosh this week has felt so long, but we're in December, which means the countdown to Christmas begins!
I hope you're well, and you enjoyed this chapter! It's definitely one of my favourites, Anya and Mason are so cute, and there were a few reveals too!
Have the most amazing weekend, and congratulations to all who entered the Watyys!
Aamenah x
Song: Crying in the Club- Camilla Cabello
(This song does not completely go but it was in my head whilst I wrote this so here we are haha)