Chapter 14: Personality Vs. Looks
“So then I told her Kiran if you dont marry me, I'll jump off a building!” Mohan exclaims. We're at his engagement party, standing in a circle chatting. “I dont know who's crazier, you or my sister for marrying you.” Rishi pokes, taking a sip of his wine. “Oh, Mohan I always thought you would marry Chandani!” my grandma says tugging at his arm. I awkwardly look away searching for someone else to talk too.
“Well, hey things work out for the best sometimes.” Mohan laughs, “Yeah, Kiran can cook!” I say rolling my eyes, while making light of the jab at me. “Oh, silly girl.” my grandma sighs, “You spend so much time reading books, and worrying about unimportant things. You better hope you find a husband who can tolerate you soon!”
I say nothing as I am too embarrassed that my grandma just announced to practically everyone within ear shot that time is running out for me. “Let me add that to my to do list.” I say sarcastically, “Or she could just find a husband who likes to read.” Akhil shrugs his shoulders and smiles
I don't remember asking , young man.” my grandma snaps at him. Akhil looks taken back, and slightly annoyed, “Um, why don't we go sit down.” Rishi nervously laughs and start ushering my grandma to her seat. “Why should I sit, who was that boy anyway?” I can hear my grandma ask in the distance.
I take in a deep breath and look at Kiran waiting for her to say something, anything. “So, Akhil your okay with women who can read?” she laughs. “I prefer them to be able too. I like people to have opinions on things other then what color looks best on them.” he laughs.
“Oh, so looks don't matter to you?” Mohan asks, “They do,” he starts “but I mean, I like the total package.” I cant help but ask, “What is the total package?” He looks directly in my eyes, “I think its someone who is intelligent, funny, a little feisty, someone who knows where their going, and not afraid of what others think of it.”
“Bro, you just left out all physical aspects of it.” my cousin, who goes by his middle name Terance, pipes up. Terance is seventeen, and everyone is either his Bro, or homie. He's got quite the reputation with girls, but isn't really a player. His mocha complexion is complimented nicely by his dreamy hazel eyes. He's a basket ball star at his school, and will always remind and challenge everyone.
Although he has not a drop of African-American in him, you would assume so. He has a bit of a swagger in his voice that makes you imitate him when talking with him. Akhil looks over at him, “I mean that's important, but-”
“But nothing, look, your telling me if you had to choose between a female who had all those qualities and looked like Shrek, or a female that looked like Beyonce with no personality, you'd choose Shrek?” he laughs to himself.
“Well no, I mean-” he tries to repair his statement “So then you'd choose looks over personality.” I stop him. “I didn't say that.” he shakes his head. “Technically you just did.” I nod my head as if to say! “No.” he pauses trying to gather his thoughts, “what I mean is, wouldn't be my deciding factor, I would want someone who'd be balanced.”
“Actually bro, you just said you wouldn't pick Shrek, so you would choose looks over personality.” Terance laughs, “Nah, what he means is, a girl has to have personality and looks.” Rishi says rejoining us. “No, what he means is if a girl doesn't have those characteristics but is still hot its okay. And if she does have them its a plus.” I roll my eyes.
“Is that what I meant?” Akhil shoots me a look of irritation, “thank you for putting my thoughts together.” I shoot right back “your welcome. You looked like you were struggling.” Our exchange does not go unnoticed by our group.
Terance tries to make light of the situation, “C'mon Chan, who wants a but-her-face anyway?” Mohan looks confused “Whats a butter face?” Terance grins “Its a girl with a poppin' body but her face is yikes!” he makes a scary face. I cant help but laugh. “Your so stupid!” I push him. Akhil does not let it go as easily. “So your telling me, that you'd pick a guy who wasn't attractive, as long as he had all the qualities that you wanted?”
I look at him again and say “Yeah, I'm really not as shallow as most people.”
“No, just more judgmental.” he scoffs and asks “So what stopped you from going out with Mohan?”
I'm caught so much off guard by his boldness that I begin to stammer, “Mo-what...Um.” “Yeah?” Mohan laughs and turns directly to me. “Hes,...your just not...my type.” I say flatly. Lamely. “What type would that be?” Akhil continues obviously enjoying this. I glare at him.
“I don't know.” I say full of attitude. I'm kicking myself on the inside and wishing to be somewhere else. I'm waiting for someone to rescue me, change the subject.
“Your a weirdo dude.” Terance cracks up, “I mean c'mon your okay for Kiki here, but not Chandani.” he shrugs his shoulders. “What does that mean?” Kiran asks, Mohan's face looks grieved by this statement. “It means that, Chandani needs more then someone to just take care of her, which is what all ya'll,” he says pointing to Rishi, Kiran, and Sheetal, “are used too. You wanna be pampered and babied. Chandani wants to be challenged.”
“I wouldnt say that much.” Akhil laughs to himself. “What?” I cock my head at him, this guy is seriously irritating. “You dont want a challenge.” he says flatly and then continues “You want someone to rescue you, and that's all crap.”
I cant believe him. “And you know this how?” my cheeks are burning in anger as I'm trying to remain calm. “Wahid.” is all he says rolling his eyes. “What about him?” I say getting closer and closer to my breaking point. “My cousin?” Mohan interrupts. “My brother.” Akhil corrects him. “He's your brother?” Sheetal asks, finally joining the conversation. Akhil says a begrudging “yeah.” and looks away.
“Look, why dont we all just chill, aight.” Terance waves his hands in the air and breaks up the conversation. “I didnt come here for all this, so lets go sit down and have dinner and be cool.” he instructs grabbing hold of my hand leading me to our table. As I follow him I shoot Akhil the dirtiest look I can muster, it does the trick because he scrunches his face and looks away.
*****************
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone