It was really not that bad having Raj's family over. I think Raj is different from his siblings. I don't get metrosexual vibes from either of his brothers, and they're not interested in Hollywood entertainment. His brothers were married and have kids of their own, not just Navin. Only Priya and Anjali weren't married, and of course, Raj, wasn't married.
I sometimes do think his family could be talking about me behind my back when they speak in Indian. I get that feeling mostly from Priya and Anjali. I don't say anything to Raj about it. Maybe it's all in my head because, deep down, they don't like me.
Instead of Raj cooking, it was Priya who made us lunch which was called, Mutter Paneer. Raj's brothers wanted to explore the sights of California so their father let them be. It was a vacation after all for them, too.
After eating lunch, Ravi was getting cranky and I thought I should take him home with me until Anjali wanted to come along.
"You do?" I asked her being unsure.
"Yeah, as much as I love my baby brother, I don't want to stay with him all the time," She said and Raj gave her a look. He and Mr. Koothrapali were watching TV. Anjali noticed his gaze at her and rolled her eyes. "Oh, you know I love you."
I thought about it. "Um...okay. I don't think I'll be doing a lot. Just being with the baby so it might get boring..." I kinda hoped that would persuade them to change their minds about hanging out with me.
"It's okay. We can keep Ravi entertained."
"We?" Priya asked unsure of herself as if why had she been included.
"Yeah, we. You'll help and come, too. Won't you?" Anjali looked hopeful at her sister.
"Uh...I'm not sure if Penny wants me to be around." Priya replied as if she didn't want to impose.
"It's fine, Priya. You can come if you want." I said even though I don't really want to, but I'll look like a bad guy if I do.
"Okay." She pulled on a smile, but it doesn't meet her eyes. Maybe she doesn't want to go either.
Then the three of us decided to leave. Anjali was ahead of us as she was texting on her phone. I was walking the same pace as Priya was.
"Sorry about my sister. She can get very persuasive when she wants to be. Raj said that she's the right person for Slytherin. Whatever that means." Priya shook her head at that.
"Slytherin is from Harry Potter. It's one of the four houses at Hogwarts. I can't believe I know that..." I muttered the last sentence to myself in shame and disbelief. "I think Slytherin is one of the evil houses."
Priya didn't know what to say to that and I don't blame her.
At the apartment, I introduced the girls to Sabrina. She gushed over when she saw Ravi and I let her hold him. Anjali and Sabrina talked together while sitting on the couch and it was just Priya and I. We sit down on the furniture listening and participating to the conversation.
"Does anyone want something to drink?" I offered, but no one wanted anything.
"I didn't know you moved. Why did you?" Priya wondered in surprise.
"I couldn't afford my apartment especially with the baby around. I couldn't really afford it before. I'm in college now to get a job, but I'm also not working at the Cheesecake Factory. I work at a clothing store for now." I answered.
"Wow. There's been a lot of changes that's happened, hasn't there?"
"Yes. A lot of changes." I think back to what happened these past months and up to now in present day.
Eventually, it was rather nice having Anjali and Priya be here. For dinner, we ordered pizza. We didn't go back to Raj's and just stayed here. Ravi was already fed, and he's napping in my bedroom.
While we were eating and watching TV, there was a knocking on the door. Sabrina was the first to get up and open it. To my surprise, it was Leonard.
I looked at my boyfriend and got up to approach him. "Leonard?" I was shocked and surprised to see him here.
"Well, isn't this sweet?" Sabrina commented with a smirk and walked out of the way, and back to her sit to leave him and I alone.
"What are you doing here?" I asked while I hug him. I caress the side of his face with my hand. "You shaved..."
"Yeah, I thought I should because of Howard and Bernadette's wedding coming up soon, and we're going to have that bachelor party in a couple of days," He glanced behind me for a second. "You have company?"
"Um...yeah," I answered uncomfortably because of the certain person who was here that could cause a negative effect. "It's Anjali and...Priya."
"Priya is here?" Leonard echoed.
I stepped aside so he could see her.
"Hello, Leonard," Priya greeted him friendly. "Nice to see you again."
"Priya..." Leonard said awkwardly. "Uh, good to see you, too."
"So, why are you here?" I asked him again with my arms crossed.
"A boyfriend can surprise visit his girlfriend," He reasoned. "I was going to ask you if you wanted to go out for dinner, but I didn't know you have company."
"Sorry. Maybe some other time?" I apologized. What he planned to do for us was really sweet. "Do you want to hang out here with us for a bit?"
"We have pizza!" Sabrina said.
"I can't eat pizza. Lactose intolerance."
"That sucks."
"You can be here with us anyway," But I know that Priya is in here with us, so I don't know how awkward and uncomfortable that can get from him. "If you want to."
Leonard looked like he was thinking about it until he answered. "Okay. Sure."
We pulled up another chair for him, and we were all just casually hanging out, and eating pizza. Sometimes, I get up once in a while to check on Ravi. He's still sleeping, so I leave him alone.
I think Leonard and Priya were avoiding to talk at each other rather than ignoring each other. There was tension between them that I can tell, and it was awkward and uncomfortable just like I expect it. Maybe Leonard shouldn't have stayed here, but I was so happy to see him, so I couldn't let him go.
When we're done eating, Anjali and Sabrina cleaned up and I helped, too. Except when Ravi cried, I had to go and comfort him. I changed his diaper and held him in my arms. Leonard and Priya were talking as if their conversation was about the weather.
"How's work?" Priya asked him sounding casual.
"Fine," He shrugged. "How's work for you?"
"Fine. Um...Penny tells me that you two are dating now?"
"Yeah, we are." He smiled, and when he looked at me we both shared a smile.
"Great. You..um, are you still seeing your...uh, boyfriend?" He asked uncomfortably. The boyfriend that she cheated on Leonard with.
"No," She shook her head. "I broke up with him. I'm dating no one currently. I...I couldn't forgive myself for what I did to you. I know I shouldn't have cheated on you, Leonard, and I'm really sorry." She apologized and it sounds like she really means it.
I looked back at Leonard again for his reaction.
"I don't know, Priya..." He replied with doubt.
I wonder how many girlfriends he had in the past who cheated on him. That must have given him a lot of pain over the years and for Priya to do that to him again. Rejection and cheating isn't something to get over so easily.
"Please, forgive me, Leonard," She pleaded with him. "It was just a stupid mistake on my part. I should never have been with Sanjay, but I was lonely without you and-"
"I was lonely without you, too, but I never did what you did against me even though I was quite close to it," Leonard said. "Unlike you I walked away."
Priya looked sad and even heartbroken.
"You're right," She half smiled a little, but her lips turn into a frown. "You're a better person than I am."
I looked at Sabrina and Anjali realizing they've stopped talking to listen to Leonard and Priya's conversation.
"Um...maybe we should go, don't you think, Priya?" Anjali suggested to her sister.
She could sense the tension and her facial expression showed sympathy for Priya.
"Uh...yeah, maybe we should." She gave a one last glance to Leonard.
"Do you want me to drive you back to Raj's or to call an Uber?" I offered.
"Call an Uber to take us back to the hotel," Priya answered. "I want to be alone now."
"Okay," I get my cell out of my jeans pocket, and use my one arm to hold my baby. My other hand has my cell pressed against my ear.
"I can take Ravi." Leonard volunteered and I pass my son to him.
It was so cute seeing Leonard hold him and he was doing very well. I called an Uber for Anjali and Priya and paid for it myself. They gave their goodbyes and they left.
"I feel awful..." Leonard said regretfully. My son was still in his arms as we're sitting on the couch. Sabrina went to bed for the night since it was around nine, and she would have to get up tomorrow for work like I do.
"Why?" I asked.
"Maybe I should've forgiven Priya. I don't know. What would you do?"
He probably wouldn't like the answer for that.
"In my past, if my boyfriend cheated on me, I would either have sex with his brother, best friend, or roommate."
"That's like what you did with me and Raj." He pointed out.
"But you never cheated on me. I just had sex with Raj because we were sad, miserable and lonely. And maybe I was trying to get back at you for dating his sister..." I added thoughtfully. "You shouldn't forgive me either."
"I do forgive you. Like you said, we weren't dating, but it still doesn't make it okay. Raj should've known better. Could you forgive your boyfriend for cheating?"
I ponder about it long and hard. I've been cheated on for so many times by my scumbag exes. Leonard and a couple like him were the only good ones who never did.
"No," I answered honestly. "I wouldn't be able to forgive him."
"So...do you think I've done the right thing?" He asked.
"You have to follow your gut, Leonard. Priya did hurt you. It's okay to not forgive her if you feel it's not right." I advised him.
"I don't know...maybe you're right..." He sighed and passes Ravi to me, but stopped when he started to squirm in his sleep.
"Let him go," I said to Leonard with a smile. This has got to be the most adorable thing I've ever seen. "He's sleeping with you."
Leonard looked down and smiled at him fondly. "Yeah, he is. I guess I got the magic touch."
"Yeah, you sure do." I leaned forward and kissed him.
Next I just have to take a picture of this cute little moment on my phone.
Author's Note: I could see Leonard forgiving Priya for cheating on him, but on the other hand, I don't think he would. I do think that Penny won't be able to forgive her exes for cheating on her. I don't know. I was never in a relationship before and have never been cheated on so I don't know how hard it would be to forgive someone who cheated or if that's the right thing to do. Personally, for me, I think I would forgive the cheater after getting all of my hurt emotions out. What do you think? In the show, I wanted Leonard and Priya to talk about that incident if he would forgive her or something, but it seemed they just let it go. There will be a few more chapters left so that means this story would almost be over. Next chapter will be Howard going to space, his and Bernadette's wedding, and I want an epilogue. I'm not sure if the epilogue will be in one part or two. Anyway, I hope you like the chapter and please review!