Page 56 of The Love Position

‘Why did we have to leave? You never explained.’

‘There is nothing to explain. We are here, and now God has revealed why.’

‘But I want to go back.’

They paused outside the entrance to the temple and Swami Vishnu patted Isaac’s hand. ‘And that is why you must stay.’

Isaac bit his tongue to stop complaints pouring out of him like a dissatisfied child.

‘Now go and wait for her. I have explained to Anisha what is to happen.’

Swami Vishnu dropped Isaac’s arm. ‘I will see you later at the main lecture.’

‘You’re teaching it?’ Isaac failed to keep the surprise from his voice.

The older man inclined his head. ‘It is good to lessen the burden of Swami Saraswati and her team. And I am keen to understand what it is about this woman that has affected you so much.’

Shifting his robe further over one shoulder, Swami Vishnu turned and ambled away towards his villa.

Isaac stood at the entrance to the temple, unwilling to go inside. He’d always embraced every aspect of ashram life, but now his stomach knotted with resistance.

Was it time to renounce modernity entirely? Give up hope of saving his land in Foxbrooke and return to India to live forever in a cave? He had enough money to do that for the rest of his life. Was that now what his dharma needed to be?

‘Isaac?’

He turned. Sophia was standing a short distance away, fingers clutching the sides of her trousers.

‘Sorry, I mean Hanuman.’ Her cheeks flushed. ‘I, er…’

Heat rose in his own face.

‘Anisha told me to come here for my karma yoga.’

He cleared his throat. ‘Yes, your assignment is changing.’

‘Why?’

Great. What lie can I tell her?

‘Isa—Hanuman?’

‘My guru wanted you to work with me.’

‘You?’ Her frown deepened. ‘Why?’

He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘He thinks I’ve been ignoring you.’

‘And?’

Oh god. Has it been that obvious?

‘Um…’

‘So now Grace has to clean toilets for two hours a day instead of me?’

‘That was your karma yoga?’

Sophia huffed. ‘Don’t sound so surprised. Anisha gave our entire dorm the worst jobs.’

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