Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Home for Chirappu
    Home for Chirappu
    Home for Chirappu
    Ebook73 pages1 hour

    Home for Chirappu

    By Ariel Tachna

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Nikhilesh (Nik) Sharma hasn’t been home to Alappuzha, India, since he came out to his family ten years ago. Now that his relationship with them is less strained, he’s bringing his boyfriend Trent along to celebrate the winter holidays. As excited as he is to see everyone again, he worries the foreign culture, religious differences, and disapproval might shock Trent. At the same time, Trent worries Nik’s big, close-knit family won’t accept an American—much less a man—as Nik’s partner and that his presence will impede the otherwise happy reunion. Whether the trip leads to misunderstandings that will drive them apart or to a new understanding that will draw them closer than ever, it’s sure to be an experience they’ll never forget.

    A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package "Celebrate!".

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDreamspinner Press
    Release dateDec 1, 2014
    ISBN9781632167378
    Home for Chirappu
    Author

    Ariel Tachna

    Ariel Tachna is a polyglot linguaphile with a passion for travel, yarn, orchids, and romance. She has explored 45 states and 13 countries. The rich history and culture of France, the flavors and scents of India, and the sunrise over Machu Picchu in particular have left indelible impressions and show up regularly in her writing. Her passion for yarn has resulted in an overflowing stash and more projects than she’ll probably finish in a lifetime, but that has yet to stop her from buying more. Her orchid collection has outgrown her office and spilled over into the rest of her house (much to her children’s dismay), but that hasn’t stopped her from adding to her collection or from resuscitating any unhappy ones she finds. When she isn’t writing, knitting, or poking at her orchids, she spends her time marveling at her two teenagers, who never cease to amaze her with their capacity for love and acceptance and sports—they certainly didn’t get that from her!—and their refusal to accept injustice of any kind—she hopes they got that from her.  Visit Ariel: Website: www.arieltachna.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArielTachna Email: arieltachna@gmail.com

    Read more from Ariel Tachna

    Related to Home for Chirappu

    Related ebooks

    Contemporary Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Way to a Man’s Heart

      Feb 18, 2022

      The Way to a Man’s Heart
      5 min read

    • Article

      Time for A CHANGE

      Oct 12, 2022

      Time for A CHANGE
      6 min read

    • Article

      Making Plans

      Jun 7, 2022

      Making Plans
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Christmas GETAWAY

      Nov 29, 2023

      The Christmas GETAWAY
      9 min read

    • Article

      Every CLOUD

      Aug 31, 2022

      Every CLOUD
      6 min read

    • Article

      Out of THE BLUE

      Aug 22, 2023

      Out of THE BLUE
      11 min read

    • Article

      Damson JAM

      Jan 17, 2024

      Damson JAM
      10 min read

    • Article

      Cranky Nanna COMES GOOD

      Dec 7, 2022

      Cranky Nanna COMES GOOD
      6 min read

    • Article

      The GRANDFATHER CLOCK

      Feb 10, 2021

      The GRANDFATHER CLOCK
      6 min read

    • Article

      Making space FOR LOVE

      Mar 30, 2022

      Making space FOR LOVE
      3 min read

    • Article

      On Kite Hill

      Mar 22, 2022

      On Kite Hill
      6 min read

    • Article

      A Continental Christmas

      Dec 14, 2021

      A Continental Christmas
      6 min read

    • Article

      Just The Way YOU ARE

      Feb 7, 2023

      Just The Way YOU ARE
      9 min read

    • Article

      A Continental CHRISTMAS

      Nov 21, 2023

      A Continental CHRISTMAS
      6 min read

    • Article

      Ice cream DREAMS

      Aug 11, 2021

      Ice cream DREAMS
      8 min read

    • Article

      Dark DEEDS

      Jan 13, 2021

      Dark DEEDS
      9 min read

    • Article

      The channel OF LOVE

      Sep 7, 2022

      The channel OF LOVE
      9 min read

    • Article

      No going BACK

      May 25, 2022

      No going BACK
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Truth Never Dies

      Feb 23, 2022

      The Truth Never Dies
      7 min read

    • Article

      Winter Wheat

      Sep 1, 2019

      Winter Wheat
      12 min read

    • Article

      Tante’s Tales

      Oct 5, 2021

      Tante’s Tales
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Truth Never Dies

      Feb 23, 2022

      The Truth Never Dies
      7 min read

    • Article

      Make A Stand

      Jan 17, 2024

      Make A Stand
      6 min read

    • Article

      No more TEARS

      Sep 21, 2022

      No more TEARS
      2 min read

    • Article

      YOU’RE SO embarrassing!

      Aug 4, 2021

      YOU’RE SO embarrassing!
      6 min read

    • Article

      THE BOY WHO KEPT Bees

      Oct 6, 2021

      All you could hear was rain, rain, rain. Rain drumming on the slate roof, streaming down the kitchen window, saturating the meadows and the dark woods beyond. Jess waited until her dad had turned away to check his phone, then dropped her half-eaten s

      8 min read

    • Article

      Pants On My pillow

      Oct 26, 2023

      Laying out the picnic blanket in the garden, I basked in the sunshine, taking in the blue, cloudless sky, the hum of bees. And the hunk in trunks sitting in a deckchair just a few feet away… It was June 2021 and Aleks, then 30, had recently rented a

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Christmas GETAWAY

      Dec 6, 2023

      The Christmas GETAWAY
      9 min read

    • Article

      Tracks To Murder

      Oct 16, 2019

      TICKET INSPECTOR LENNY had called the police, and arranged for the driver to terminate the train’s journey at the next station, where Detective Sergeant Abby Sweet and her senior constable were waiting for him. “There were only four people travelling

      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Home for Chirappu

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Home for Chirappu - Ariel Tachna

      To Mummy, who welcomed me with open arms

      and loves me like her own.

      Home for Chirappu

      TRENT SHIFTED in his seat as the plane taxied toward the Kochi airport. Nik insisted he could use the British names rather than learning the Indian ones, but Trent already stood out like a sore thumb with his blond hair, blue eyes, and winter-white skin. He couldn’t even claim the honey-gold color he managed in the summer at this point in the year. Every flight attendant since they left Chicago had assumed he would want the non-Indian food option and plain tea or a soft drink instead of the Indian dinner and masala tea. He’d taken great pleasure in overturning those assumptions, but it would only get worse. He’d met Nik’s parents, Shankar and Leelavati, when they came to Chicago six months ago, but this time, it wouldn’t just be them. It would be all of Nik’s very large, very Indian family.

      Relax, Nik murmured. It’ll be fine. They’ll all love you as much as I do.

      I hope so.

      Nik squeezed his hand in reassurance, but Trent wasn’t convinced. Nik said it a little too forcefully, like he was trying to convince himself as much as Trent.

      The plane rolled to a stop and they made their way out through the jet bridge. Nik walked beside him, but he didn’t reach for Trent’s hand the way he would have at home, reminding Trent how much less accepted their relationship would be here. They weren’t in Chicago anymore.

      Even in the air-conditioned jet bridge, the heat stole Trent’s breath for a second as they left the plane.

      Quite a change from three feet of snow, he said to Nik.

      For sure, Nik said. No white Christmas here, I’m afraid.

      They gathered their bags and went outside to look for Nik’s family. Sweat beaded under Trent’s arms and down his back. Within seconds his shirt clung uncomfortably to his skin, leaving him feeling even dirtier than nearly thirty hours of travel had done. He pulled at his collar, trying to let some air in, but he couldn’t even feel a breeze. The scent of jasmine and spices filled the air, almost cloying in its sweetness. Beggars lined the street outside the airport, but Nik waved them away imperiously. Nik had warned him not to so much as look their way or they’d be swamped and would never make it to the car.

      Remember, Nik said softly at his side, placing his palms together prayer style. Trent nodded at the reminder of the appropriate way to greet any senior family member. Nik’s father hadn’t said who would be there to pick them up from the airport.

      "Nikhilesh chettan!"

      Nik waved at a young man who couldn’t have been more than twenty. Amma sent my cousin Abilash. That’s a good sign.

      How’s that? Trent tried to visualize the family tree Nik had given him to place Abilash on it, but Nik’s parents had too many siblings to keep track of, even without their children.

      It means Abilash’s father is still talking to us, Nik said. He’s my father’s oldest brother. After my grandfather, he has the most sway on family opinion.

      Right. Trent remembered that part of the family tree, just not the cousins’ names.

      Abilash joined them with a spate of Malayalam. Trent pasted on a smile despite not understanding a word.

      English, Abilash, Nik scolded. Trent doesn’t speak Malayalam.

      Sorry, Abilash said. I wasn’t thinking.

      Abilash had a strong accent, stronger even than Nik’s father, but Trent had no trouble understanding him. No worries, he said. The last thing he wanted was to make things tense with Nik’s family because of language issues. Nik had promised everyone except his grandmothers would speak English, but apparently being able to speak English didn’t mean his cousins would default to English.

      So where are you taking us? Nik asked Abilash. I’m not sure we’re up for another hour and a half drive after traveling for almost thirty hours to get here.

      Everyone is going to Alappuzha tomorrow, Abilash said. Susheela aunty lives in Ernakulam. She has rooms ready for you tonight, and she and Ramakrishnan uncle will bring you to Alappuzha tomorrow.

      You’re not staying?

      No, Abilash said, leading them toward the car. I had to come in to Kochi to pick up some things for school, so I offered to pick you up. Susheela aunty agreed so she would have time to finish getting everything ready. Ramakrishnan uncle has to work late tonight so he won’t be home until after dinner. Susheela aunty drives these days, but only if she has to. She’d much rather let someone else drive.

      Trent listened absently to the conversation as the names went in one ear and out the other. They all figured on the list of Nik had given him, but there were so many of them—eleven plus spouses on one side of the family and eight plus spouses on the other—that Trent had

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1