Her mother shrugged. “Just easier. Diwali is coming soon, anyway. You are in time to help me make rotli.”

Despite Annika’s distaste for cooking, Annika and her mother had built their relationship making the fresh hot flatbread together for the family. They had many a heart-to-heart while her mother rolled out the flatbread and Annika baked it on a flat pan, then topped each one with ghee. They’d also had many an argument while Annika was a teenager and groused about whatever it was that irritated her that day. Nilay always said the rotli didn’t taste as good on the days they argued. Maybe he was right. In any case, rotli making was their thing.

Her mom picked up the thin rolling pin reserved solely for making rotli and dusted the countertop with flour. Annika kneaded the dough and started making small balls, which her mother would roll flat.

Her mother smiled at her, pride in her eyes. “You still make excellent lua.”

Annika got about halfway through the dough, then switched to baking. Her mother’s skills were good enough that she would be able to make the lua and roll the rotli while Annika baked each piece.

“How are you?” Her mother side-eyed her, a tentative pause in her voice.

“I’m good.” Similar caution in Annika’s voice. She thought of the hospital band in her pocket and blinked away the burn behind her eyes.

Silence.

“Beta.” Her mother stopped her work and forced Annika to look at her. “It is okay to be sad.”

Her nose prickled as tears built again. Annika nodded her head, afraid to speak, and swallowed hard. She squeezed her mother’s hand. Long, thin fingers, small calluses, soft skin—all familiar comfort for Annika. She inhaled deeply and found her voice. “Yeah, okay.”

Her mother squeezed back and smiled before turning again to her work.

Small silence as grief weighed on them for a moment.

“How is Naya?” A forced lightness in her mother’s voice told Annika they were moving to other, less demanding topics.

“She’s good.” Annika relaxed. “Law school is kicking her butt.” Especially since she doesn’t want to be a lawyer.

“Veena-kaki wants Naya to meet Urmila-auntie’s son. Do you remember Ravi? He’s a lawyer now.”

Annika smirked. Naya’s mom was persistent. Annika’s dad and his brother were so alike; it was interesting that their wives were so different. Veena-kaki kept trying to set her daughter up, and Naya had agreed to the matchmaking, just as she had agreed to go to law school. But Annika suspected her cousin didn’t want to get married any more than she wanted to be a lawyer. She simply did what was expected of her. It kept everyone happy. Except for maybe Naya.

As much as her own mother wanted her to be married, Annika was relieved she hadn’t tried to set her up yet.