Aarush Shivaram stared out the window, watching the twilight envelope the city as he sat on an armchair nibbling his thumbnail. The view from his hotel room wasn’t amazing, but it was definitely better than what he was expecting. Still, he’d never been to San Francisco before. Or even the United States, for that matter.

“Don’t bite your nails, Aarush.”

Aarush looked up and saw his grandfather approaching him.

“You’re 15, you’re way too old to be doing that.”

“Sorry Thatha,” said Aarush, immediately pulling his thumb out. His grandfather sat in the other armchair and yawned.

Aarush turned to him. Arun Shivaram, his father’s father, was 73 years old but somehow still looked 60. It had been decades since he lived in the Bay Area, yet he still spoke English with a slight American flair. He was tired, probably from all the walking today.

“Did you enjoy City Hall?” said Arun. Aarush grinned.

“Yeah! It’s so fancy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a building like that back home in Bangalore.”

“Oh they’re there,” said Arun, chuckling. “Or at least, they used to be. And we’re probably not allowed in the ones that are still there, anyway.”

“Rani-attha looked happy,” said Aarush.

“Of course she did, she’s getting married tomorrow!” said Arun, chuckling. “I mean, it took a while for them to get around to it, but I am happy that my daughter is finally getting married.”

“But I thought they got married today?” asked Aarush, confused. “At City Hall?”

“Officially yes, they did the registration marriage today. But the ceremony will be tomorrow.”

Aarush stared at his smartphone sitting on the table between them. He felt a brief impulse to pick it up, but decided against it.

“Are you excited for the wedding?” said Arun. Aarush nodded fiercely, his wavy, unkempt hair bobbing up and down.

“Yes! And it’s been so long since I last saw Rani-attha!”

“You were, what, six years old when they last came to Bangalore?” asked Arun. Aarush nodded again.

“I don’t remember much, but I do remember feeling… understood. Like, they were listening to me at a time when no one else did.”

Arun smiled, as if hiding a bit of guilt. “Well, that’s our Rani. She always had a way of seeing you exactly as you are.”

“Avva doesn’t seem to like her though,” said Aarush. “And Dad doesn’t even talk about her.”

Arun looked a little uncomfortable.

“Both Ravi and your grandmother have their… ‘reasons’, let’s say. But regardless of what they think Rani is still a good person, and that’s what matters.”

“The best,” said Aarush, smiling. Arun yawned again.

“Is your Mum coming?”

“I don’t know,” said Aarush. “She really wanted to though, she’s always liked Rani-attha. But Dad– hey, why wouldn’t Dad come for his own sister’s wedding? Aren’t they twins?”

“Aahh, that might be because of what happened that last time Rani came to Bangalore,” said Arun, removing his glasses and rubbing his eyes. “After all that, I think Ravi is a little skeptical that she’ll even look at him now.”

Aarush looked a little upset.

“But how did that happen? Why do they hate each other so much?”

Arun shook his head.

“That’s a VERY long story ma, and I just don’t think we have the time.”

“Oh come on Thatha,” said Aarush, frowning. “Before this trip I’d only met Rani-attha once! Once! And no one will even tell me why!”

Arun looked at his grandson and took a deep breath.

“Okay.”

Aarush grinned. He won.

“Okay, I’ll tell you,” said Arun. “I guess you’re old enough now, it’s time you knew what happened.”