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Post by azar on Oct 2, 2008 14:14:12 GMT -5
Stirring around a plentiful handfuls of spinach leaves in a bowl, Lei Lei stood at the counter, back to Ravi. It was a shock to hear such things from her son, but it made sense after so many things she'd observed in his lifetime. If only his father were around this far into his life, how would he react? Lei Lei found herself asking that question far too many times, really. She could only guess at this point what the only man she ever loved would think. It was no use, and she knew it. Nothing could change the past.
"So, how did you two meet?" she asked, figuring not only that it was best to accept these things, but that the best way to accept Ravi into her life and her family was to get to know him better. Adding a few embarassing details about Azar's childhood merely came as an added bonus.
***
Azar, on the other hand, had already taken to the streets. Hyun-Yoon had bolted out behind him, but kept a safe distance and merely watched his younger brother storm away like a provoked child. It would have been laughable if it wasn't so weird to hear. His little brother, for lack of better terms, was 'gay' for another man. Who would ever have guessed...?
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Post by ravi on Oct 3, 2008 21:36:11 GMT -5
The dancer did not keep idle, he knew that the kitchen wasn't the place to sit around and do nothing. Gita had trained him well. He helped out as much he can getting wait Lei Lei needed, He heard her question and frowned a bit but then grinned. "It was chance encounter, he found him while walking on by the docks. I noticed he was a musican and I offered him a job at the Lovely Lotus since he looked like he came off the road. Indra liked him and impressed both of use with his playing. He was hired and we worked together and no I am not musican...I am dance. I also work the tea shop and at the bakery when ever I have extra time and also work hard at the dance studio." Ravi explained washing his hands.
"We've been insepreable..well until he took off." Said Ravi with a wry grin
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Post by azar on Oct 5, 2008 15:17:09 GMT -5
Lei Lei observed something that made her grateful that her son had picked a fine fellow - namely, how Ravi lent his helping hand alongside her own daughter in the kitchen. She took a moment to smile fondly at the young man, despite the utter weirdness of the situation between him and her younger boy. It was honestly something she didn't hear often, but to have it in her own family...oh, it wasn't that big a deal. As long as Azar found love and happiness, she reassured herself, there was no reason to worry. Surely the two would play it safe if the authorities made a fuss, particularly because Ravi seemed like a resonsible fellow - not like her son, who'd stormed away so childishly. How very like him to do that...
"Inseperable, huh?" said the stocky, middle-aged woman, smiling and tilting her head yet again. She set the bowl of leaves on the counter and turned to Ravi. "I'm glad he's found a job he can enjoy...though I'm certain he's not only playing music there. Just as long as he's not slacking off." She moved in a slow pace, hovering between Ravi and the counter she stood absently.
Feeling her tightly-bound topknot, making sure it was safely in position, she chuckled a bit, lidding her eyes heavily. Hopefully what she would say wouldn't hit any wrong buttons with this fellow. He seemed pretty easygoing, for the most part. "You know, I always knew there was something special about Azar. Not even just his musical talent, but something deeper." Lei Lei walked back to the counter, trying to make eye contact along the way to assure the young man fellow there was nothing wrong.
"He never did fall for a girl like his brother did," letting out a sigh, she resumed stirring those spinach leaves inside that bowl, "Of course, I never forced it on either. I knew they would find love on their own accord...it looks like that's what happened. I'm..." trailing off, she looked back at Ravi and perched her fist against her wide hip, "...I'm glad."
***
"Wait up, dummy!" shouted the officer, acting far below his rank by actually running after his brother to catch up. Azar kept sighing and grumbling, tears dotting his line of vision, misting his gray eyes, yet they still were pushed back with every blink. His arms were crossed, and his brow was sunken and furrowed. Slowly, he turned around when Hyun-Yoon was naught but a body's length away.
"What do you want?" Azar grumbled in a tone that almost sparkled with an icy cold air of annoyance. Such hateful people like his family, he decided, should not try to meddle in affairs that they hated. It was stupid and puerile, Azar though - ironically, much like his attitude. He would hear nothing of it, though.
"You're being an ass, that's what," Hyun-Yoon said. He didn't really care what his brother said, did, or who he boinked each night, but he didn't like to see him quite so aggravated. To see him lose it for a few seconds after some friendly teasing, sure, but not outright anger and blossoming hatred. That was too much. Slowing to a halt, he looked his brother right in the eye, and managed to grow a smirk. "Do you wanna give Grandpa a heart attack again?"
Azar sunk his shoulders, but quickly swung his hands up and dug his fingers into the short hair of his scalp. From his throat boomed a growl or two of sheer anger. "What is with you? Shut up already! I mean...ugh!"
Azar, feeling he had nothing more to say, turned back and kept walking. He wanted to be as far away from his stupid family as possible now. Yet still, Ravi came to his mind at unusual frequency.
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Post by ravi on Oct 7, 2008 13:34:17 GMT -5
Nodding, Ravi continued to assist in the kitchen and kept moving around. He need to be busy sitting down idly was unproductive and made him fidget. He couldn’t help but smirk at her remark about Azar working. Oh she knew her son well. “He plays durning my preformances, but when I am not dancing he works making tea, and I hear him complain all the time. At least he’s making money and the rent is cheap.” Said Ravi pouring something into a bowl. “He doesn’t like working doesn’t he?” He added lifting any eyebrow.
Listening to Lei Lei, made Ravi less anxious, less antsy. She honestly couldn’t careless on who her boy fell in love with as long as he was happy. If only Chetan was like that if only his mother Dipali was like that. No they turn up their noses and casted him out. Still looking back on it. He was grateful for people like Indra and Gita who cared and sheltered Ravi and he worked so hard to make them proud and to repay all their kindness. He smiled softly his curved eyes glinting. “I am glad as well too.”
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Post by azar on Oct 19, 2008 13:38:04 GMT -5
Lei Lei smiled at the handsome young man, meanwhile looking around to notice he was a bit anxious. Perhaps unsettled by having to stand in the kitchen with nothing at all to do. To include him in things would be the best choice, to make him feel welcome. Even if she and the rest of the family received Azar well, heaven knew what Ravi had to put up with. It almost brought a tear to Lei Lei's eye thinking he may not even have a family who loved him, simply because of who he chose to love. She sighed. "I'm sorry for making you stand here. Please," she broke for a second, looking around and taking note of her surroundings. Maybe he was a good cook? There was soup waiting to be made. She pointed to the cast-iron pot on the stove. "You can make soup, as long as you won't accidentally poison us all."
Spirits, that comment was edgy. Lei Lei felt a bit unnerved suggesting such a thing, but quickly decided to change the subject. Even if he did seem to have a good sense of humor, what was she implying? That homosexuals had poisonous skin? Oh, mercy. Time to talk about Azar again! "Azar never really did like work. When he came of age, I kept asking what job he would like and how he could make a living. He just didn't care." Lei Lei perched before the sink, gazing into the clear dishwater below that wasn't yet sullied by the dishes from that meal. "That was until a job opened up at the bathhouse. He was pretty keen on working there, but," Lei Lei smirked knowingly. It was all too obvious now that she realized it. Nude men everywhere...it was a no-brainer. Was she blind before? "I guess I know why now."
Lidding her eyes slightly, she peered out the window. Just where were her boys?
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Post by ravi on Oct 21, 2008 14:10:32 GMT -5
Hearing her statement Ravi got to work on making the broth for a vegetable soup, he didn’t even bristle at Lei Lei remark. He started using ingredients to make a stock. He has done it before, but mostly to feed himself or Azar not for a whole family, but with some quick estimation he started heating the water and mixed it with some beef soup bones and salt and pepper.
Lei Lei continued to talk about Azar as Ravi worked on cutting carrots moving in precise motion. He laughed when Lei Lei dawned why he like working at the bath house. Ravi took an onion and peeled the skin. “He still doesn’t like work even though he works less than me. It’s normally I that comes home dead on my feet only to eat a little before practicing. But he is excellent musician and that’s why we hired him.” Ravi took the onion and began dicing it. Then he mentioned, “Gita taught me how to cook, mostly to keep myself fed though I do help her make big pots of soup a night when guest come for a quick meal of soup and bread.”
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Post by azar on Oct 22, 2008 13:57:52 GMT -5
Again, she wondered about her boys. Hyun-Yoon was taking an awfully long time retrieving Azar. Unless...he didn't want to come back. He had to, though. Azar would never leave Ravi like that, would he? Lei Lei knew she didn't raise either of her boys to abandon people like that, though Azar did seem untrustworthy again. It made her heart flutter uneasily to think he may have run away again. Although he did at least have the courtesy to say he was going to 'find himself' last time, these circumstances were a bit more hostile. Whyever did he leave Ravi behind? How selfish of him...
Lei Lei turned to Ravi a few times, catching a glance as he watched him skillfully prepare the soup like she asked. Jaleh soon, without saying much (probably still in shock from the bizarre news), did her best to assist the slender, long-haired man. "Ah, I see," she trailed off slowly, feeling the fabric of a damp rag between her fingers idly. Being as inquisitive (read; nosy) as she was, she felt the need to ask who Gita was, and learn more about their living situation. She knew where they worked, but more needed to be said. Ravi seemed willing to tell. "So who is Gita? And Indra? Where do you two live, and do you like it there?"
She paused, about to spring a very deep question. "And you're both happy...?"
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Post by ravi on Oct 22, 2008 16:05:48 GMT -5
Beginning to feel more and more worried on where is partner is, Ravi continued to work on the soup by adding in bay leaves, a little cumin and thyme. He hated with Azar’s tempter tantrums. Why does his lover have to act like a child was beyond him, hopefully his brother would return back with him.
Jaleh help Ravi with the dish as Ravi actually told her when to put in the vegetables he was chopping when he heard Lei Lei ask about Indra and Gita. Sighing he pause to think how he should reply. Realizing this was going to be asked eventually, Ravi started to briskly peel the potatoes for the soup and answered. “I live with them, they are many things. My employers, friends, landlords, roommates, and for the lack of a better word family.” Ravi started on the other potato making sure to watch his fingers as he peeled it with a short knife. He sighed as he continued. “Long story short, my father kicked me out and most of my family has rather forgotten about me. I was still rather young and Gita and Indra took me in. Seeing that I need place to stay and since I work for them, they let rent our a room where Azar and I are staying now. So I live at an apartment above the Lovely Lotus.” Ravi started to cut up the potatoes into cubes as he tried to answer the next question.
This one was harder then the others. Was he and Azar happy? Ravi churned over the question, He could be a lot worse off, a prostitute trying to earn a little money. Or on the streets or even dead. Shaking away all his thoughts he realize he himself was very happy. To have food, shelter, a sense of purpose and yes. Azar someone to love him and only him, he answered simply, as he tasted the soup. “Yes we are happy, and this needs more salt.”
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Post by azar on Oct 23, 2008 13:46:19 GMT -5
Like a man possessed, Azar had turned back and headed toward home directly after Hyun-Yoon finished the last of his tiresome requests-slash-insults and had just about given up entirely. The older brother was convinced he'd persuaded Azar in the right direction, but Azar knew that wasn't the case. He was going back for Ravi, but even then it wasn't the reason everyone would assume it was. Not to simply return and be with Ravi, but...
"Ravi!" Azar shouted as he barged right through the door, startling everyone inside as he stood there like a seething goat-gorilla, nostrils flared and fists clinched. No one inside, not Vishal or Zian, who were presently engaged in a riveting game of Pai Sho, while those in the kitchen would only have a faint idea of what was happening. Azar was pissed.
Storming right over to the kitchen, Azar lumbered in the doorway and stopped right before Ravi. Lei Lei was aghast, as was Jaleh (who still hadn't gotten over her previous shock), but neither women said a thing as they backed up to the counter. Just what was going on? "Ravi. We're going. We're obviously not welcome here."
It was clearly a non sequiter to those who knew the truth, but it was the whole truth and nothing else in Azar's mind. Despite their attempts to interlope and change things for the better, Azar was convinced his entire family now hated him, just like Ravi claimed for his own. He grabbed Ravi's wrist rather forceably, his voice stern and belligerent. "Come on..."
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Post by ravi on Oct 23, 2008 14:15:49 GMT -5
Stirring the soup, Ravi minced a couple cloves of garlic, enjoying the sense of purpose in the kitchen. He hated being idle and was very grateful for Lei Lei to give him something to do. Wondering if it needed more cabbage and some tomatoes, he heard the door slam open and his name called.
Azar was back, good he could taste the soup. He needed to see if Azar could advise him what to add next. Ravi was sure he needed more thyme. Instead as his partner barged into the kichen he ask-no ordered for Ravi to come with him, convince that his parents hated him. Ravi was already irritated at him for leaving him once, it irritation became anger as Azar forceabily tried to drag Ravi out of the kitchen with him. Oh. Hell No.
If there is one thing Ravi hated more so than, bigots and garrish clothing it was being man-handled. Glaring, he whipped his hand out his wrist and took at step back. How dare you. In his most calm and politest voice while still holding the wooden spoon he was using, he said: "Excuse me? What kind of notion is that? Your mother is quite fine with our relationship, and if you please, can you sit down the dining room and wait paitently for supper?" Finished with a look that clearly said, "Because if you don't and continue to make a idiot out of yourself, I am going to shove this spoon up your ass. Ravi was furious, but with refine grace, of someone who have been keeping his emotions in control. He walked back to check on the soup.
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Post by azar on Oct 24, 2008 18:03:26 GMT -5
Azar's eyes stilled with fear, or rather, shock at Ravi's impressive return at all the nonsense he was trying to pull. He really had to confess he didn't know what his mother thought (obviously...), but Ravi certainly wasn't going to tolerate much more of this behavior. Azar backed up a bit, never shifting his eyes away from Ravi's stern glare full of unspoken, fierce words. Still, he felt incensed and wasn't about to bow out gracefully. Additionally, it seemed Lei Lei and Jaleh were ready to pounce at any second and give Azar what for. He was cornered, seemingly defeated. Seemingly.
Azar was tough enough to snap back. Quickly, his eyes bolted to his mother and back. "Don't give me any of that s*hit. Until she tells me she's okay, she..."
Fortunately, Azar's mother was tough enough to snap back. Maybe even tougher than her son, who stood about six inches taller. Azar felt a firm grip tug on his bicep. "Ravi is a nice fellow." He could hear Lei Lei's seething tone, but it did catch him off balance to feel her pull him down to her level. "You two are happy together. He told me," she began to hiss through her teeth, "and I'm just fine with that."
When she let go, Azar backed up considerably, until he bumped into the counter beside him. His breath was labored for quite a few reasons. "I..."
His shoulders slumped, lip pouted. Azar would say nothing in return...
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Post by ravi on Oct 25, 2008 11:14:40 GMT -5
Watching his lover back away in shock by his stern words, Ravi felt a bit powerful. He didn't feel soft and delicate or weak. He felt strong. And he liked it. However his next words were ready for Ravi retort back in ferocity when Lei Lei stepped in and taught her son a lesson
After she repremanded him Ravi sighed and walked back over to the stove to check on the soap. It was over and Azar was standing around looking like had be slapped. Ravi felt a tad bad for him, though it was smooshed when tried to focus cooking. Still he walked back and squeezed Azar's shoulder. "Love can you please wait outside in the dining room or you can help me taste this soup it think it needs something." He was back to his soft self again. All that harshness evaporated as he tried to finish helping Lei Lei with dinner
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Post by azar on Oct 27, 2008 14:28:17 GMT -5
He felt outnumbered.
All these women (and Ravi) seemed as though they were ready to jump him if he stepped over one more line, which naturally made him seem and most certainly feel like public enemy number one. He wanted to leave again, and quickly. This was simply not where he wanted to be. Azar's situation was now like a nightmare with no way to escape. His heart raced.
Time to go out with a bang, he thought. Advancing toward Ravi, scowling, he pointed a finger accusingly. "Don't try to pull that on me!" But he soon found himself lost, unsure what to say now that all eyes were on him...he didn't like it one bit. His little retort brought him nothing but more trouble, landing him deeper into that proverbial hole.
Sighing, Azar left the room silently. His shoulders were slumped, his eyes sunken in shame, his stride slow and aimless and his posture gone to pot. In every way, he looked like the entire world had ended and he was the only survivor. Ho hum.
As he made his way to the table, where the menfolk still sat patiently, he resumed his place in his seat and wasted no time dropping his head onto the table and crossed his arms before the crown of his head. Grumbling a bit as his grandpa, brother-in-law, and brother did their best not to stare, he was perfectly fine with the fact that all he could see was the table's heavily-shadowed lacquered wooden surface itself.
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Post by ravi on Oct 29, 2008 12:45:54 GMT -5
Azar was going to start up a fight again, but then quickly dismissed himself to the dining room. Ravi slump his shoulders and sighed. He got back to stirring the soup for supper. While that was simmering he did various clean up around the kitchen including putting away knives, washing counters and cleaning up as he went along. Leaving his cooking space spotless. He checked the soup and declared it finished.
He walked out of the kitchen to the dining room and declared. “Soup is ready!” Before getting back inside, he asked Jaleh were the bowls are for the soup he also turned to Lei Lei. “Shall I start serving everyone?” He said still looking for the bowls. He did find some more thyme. Eye-rolling he found chopsticks and bowls. He took the bowls and because to serve up the hot vegetable soup he made. He counted before going out with the first course.
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Post by azar on Oct 29, 2008 14:20:47 GMT -5
So the meal was a hit. Lei Lei, Hyun-Yoon, Jaleh, Vishal, and even Grandpa loved Ravi as if he were their own, clearly getting over the abject weirdness of their own little Azar falling in love with a man. There was plenty of laughter, joking, and stories told in every which direction about all three of the children, even though Azar would inevitably groan and slump his head to the table whenever his name was so much as mentioned. Grandpa would try and turn the tables by saying a thing or two about his oldest daughter, his pride and joy Lei Lei, but Azar thought nothing of it. He wasn't the happiest camper at the table, even the entire time. Though the night was just like old times, he wasn't so happy. People could lose count of the times he let loose a heavy sigh from the depths of his lungs.
***
That night, Azar lay in his own room after everyone else had gone to sleep. He wasn't quite sure where Ravi had gone, but figured that, after Azar himself had spent a good deal of time moping around in the bathroom during which Ravi entered and tried to cheer him up slightly, that his lover was still inside and readying himself for bed. On his old bed, a rather comfortable and soft mattress, a shirtless Azar stared up at the ceiling boredly, hands behind his head.
He wasn't saddened by his family's acceptance of Ravi at all, but felt like his pride had been wounded. He acted like an idiot around his mother and sister, nay, his closest family, and even if they understood, he felt so stupid being in the wrong. Azar hated that feeling. Thank gods Ravi didn't act the same. It was a good thing he could depend on Ravi when he shared his feelings. His love would never tell on him.
When Ravi entered, Azar would say everything that weigh on his mind...
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