“That is something I could never do. A room full of kindergarten kids would eat me alive.” He smiled, clearly impressed.

“You just have to know how to deal with them.”

“Well, that is an enviable skill.”

“It’s because she’s childlike herself,” Nilay quipped.

Annika rolled her eyes at her brother, but he wasn’t wrong. Children made sense to her. They were honest and open, and eager to learn. She couldn’t help the real smile that appeared on her face. It was nice to be complimented on her choice of career for a change. “Well, thank you.”

Her father grunted, but said nothing. Her mother glanced around the table, assessing each person.

“You don’t approve, Uncle?”

Annika snapped her gaze to Sajan and her father. What business was it of his?

“Well, Annika was a strong candidate for medical school. She could have gained admission to Johns Hopkins. But she tossed it all away to teach small children.”

“Uncle, bright energetic teachers for young children are badly needed. What Annika is doing is very much in demand.”

That was nice of him to say, but it wasn’t anything she hadn’t already said to her father. She certainly didn’t need anyone to defend her. She tensed at Sajan’s presumption. She opened her mouth to say just that when her father answered him.

“Well, I’m glad that you see it that way, Sajan.” Annika just about fell over at the conciliatory tone her father took. He turned to her, his eyebrows raised, as if to say, See, Sajan thinks it’s great you’re a teacher. He must really want her to like this guy.

“These days, it can be dangerous.” Her mother spoke softly, but her concern was clear.

“Mom, I’ve told you. We have security precautions.” On this, Annika was patient. The world was becoming a different place, and school shootings were not unheard of. It seemed anyone who wanted to could get a gun. There had been an incident in her school a few years ago, and strict protocols were now in place.

Nilay spoke up. “Yeah, but what about that dad from the first day.” His eyes blazed as he clenched his jaw.

Annika had shared that story with her brother, and he’d wasted no time telling their parents.

“Exactly!” her mother compounded. “I worry about these things. Her safety—”

Annika was about to make an attempt to allay her mother’s fears, when her father surprised her.

“Usha. That is not a reason. We cannot be afraid of such ignorance. People like that exist in every facet of society.” He sighed and looked at his wife. “Don’t you remember when we tried to buy this house thirty years ago?”

Usha nodded. “Yes.” She glanced at Sajan. “Our own real estate agent told us we could never afford this house. He assumed we had very little income.”

Sajan’s eye bugged out. “What?”