Mom beams, satisfied. Feeding people is her love language, but she takes it to another level with her precious Karan because she loves him and also because he’s a sign that Natasha has her life together. To be fair, Mom’s not the only one who feels this way. Everyone thinks that just because Natasha’s in a long-term relationship, she must have some grand things figured out, when really, people in relationships can be just as messed up as people not in them.

Mom squeezes her hands together and says, “Ketlo dayo chokro che.”

“Yes, we all know he is such a good boy,” Natasha says.

“You’re all great kids.” Dad smiles.

Jiten Uncle, Karan’s dad, nods. Mom and Anita Auntie exchange grins. What is with everyone today?

Natasha tries to motion to Anuj to ask him if he also thinks something’s weird about the vibe. But Anuj doesn’t shift his focus from the parents, who are all now laughing about the way Dad and Mom said “Francis Cut Key” when they were asked on the citizenship test who wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Apparently, one of their friends in Bombay had pronounced the name that way and it stuck. Dad’s told this story a million times but still gets a kick out of it.

“Ah, we really had no idea what we were doing when we came to this country,” Dad says, laughing. He and Anuj glance at their Apple watches. “Where are Suhani and Zack? Anuj, can you check on them?”

“I’ll do it!” Natasha yelps before her brother has a chance to say anything. “I’m, uh, going to go grab some more stuff anyway.”

By “stuff,” Natasha means “alcohol.” Once she’s safely in the kitchen, she pours herself another mimosa the proper way, champagne with just a splash of orange juice. She takes a whiff of the fruity drink and wraps her sweaty palm around the cool, smooth glass. At least if everyone’s in this great a mood, her news will be received better. She learned years ago that timing is everything when it comes to her family. Depending on the emotional temperature of their house, the same bad report card could result in either Mom yelling or everyone giving Natasha an endless lecture about her lack of trying.

She sends a quick text to her sister and brother-in-law: ETA?

SUHANI: Two minutes!

Suhani sends three smiley-face emojis. Suhani and Mom love using emojis and GIFs.

“Hey, where’d you go?” Karan comes into the kitchen and hands her a plate of fried potatoes. “I brought you some food.”

“I don’t deserve you.” Natasha stabs four potato wedges with a fork.

Maybe it’s because they’re now in their early twenties, but she’s starting to see how her boyfriend is perfect husband material. Conventionally handsome. Cultured. Caring.