Page 66 of The Art of Taking Second Chances

“That is truly intriguing. Almost like solving a real mystery.”

“Hey.” I frowned. “It is a real mystery.”

He cast me a teasing look, and I rolled my eyes. “I had forgotten you did that.” And I had forgotten how good it felt when he teased me like that.

“So…” I exhaled. “When did you move to the U.S.?”

“Thirteen years ago.”

He didn’t even flinch when he unloaded that piece of information on me. Realization struck me like a lightning bolt as I figured out why I couldn’t reach him anymore. He hadn’t changed his number. He had moved out of the country.

“How could you not tell me, Sameer?”

“Let’s eat.” He transferred the fluffy eggs onto two plates, put the toast beside them, and carried the plates over to me.

“I’m not hungry.” I pouted.

It was partially true, but I was also furious.

“Eat a little or you’re going to be sick.” He placed a plate before me, then took a seat at the island.

“I know it’s too late, but I’m really sorry about how I left things,” he said and placed a hand over mine.

I withdrew my hand, grabbed a fork, and stabbed the egg on my plate. We ate in absolute silence, except for the clink of the silverware. After I helped him clean up, I declared, “I should leave.”

“Stay.”

“I’m mad at you, Sameer.”

“I know, but we’re here now,” he said softly and poured the fragrant coffee into two huge mugs.

We returned to the living room and stared at the city drowning under the bright summer sun. A small button on a tiny remote drew the shades, and just like that, we slipped into a refuge of our own. Away from the noise and bustle of the city, away from the prying eyes of the sun. Wrapped up in a cocoon of safety. The coffee mug felt cozy in my hands. I moved closer to him, pulled my knees into my chest, and relaxed against his shoulder. Soon, silent tears began flowing down the side of my face, and I allowed them to run unchecked. When his arm wrapped around my shoulder, my story spilled out.

“My brother was devastated when he sobered up and realized what he had done,” I said. “He cried and pleaded and apologized, but I couldn’t trust him anymore. I asked him to keep the family home because that’s all he would get. Every so often, I send him a little money, even though I know he’s not buying groceries with it. He texts me, sometimes thanking me for the money or asking how Aai is doing. I avoided his calls for months, but I never imagined he could say those things. I can’t believe he’s carried so much bitterness in his heart. Among other things, he called me a whore, Sameer. It sounds worse in Marathi. Like a stab through the heart. In a flash, it strips you of all humanity and all sense of dignity, no matter who you are. You become a word in someone else’s mouth, to be used at their will, to be dragged through the dirt, to be trampled upon.”

“Oh Tara, I’m so sorry!” He gathered me in his arms and kissed the top of my head.

“I won’t repeat what else he said, but no one should hear such cruel words from a loved one. I understand he’s an addict, and perhaps I shouldn’t have left him alone like that, but we put him through three different rehab programs over the years. Expensive ones. He came back, stayed clean for a few weeks, then started drinking again. He blames me for not giving him the money that would put him back on his feet instead of wasting it on rehab,” I added with fresh tears. “But my life and my work are here now. I can’t go take care of him every time he relapses.”

“You’re right,” Sameer said against my cheek as he continued to hold me. “Neither you nor your mother should blame yourselves. He’s a grown man. Grown adults need to take responsibility for their own actions, not expect others to clean up their messes.”

I moved out of his arms and threw my shoulders back. “Sujit stood by me like a rock through it all.” He needed to know the depth of my feelings for Sujit. “He helped me get my tickets and booked car rides and hotels while I was on the way. He’s also helping me get her stay extended. He’s the reason I’m not worried about her.”

Sameer pulled me closer and kissed my temple. “I’m glad you have him.”

“I’m not a citizen yet, which means I can’t sponsor her immigration. We’ll have to wait and see what happens. Worst-case scenario, she’ll go back to India for six months. I might go with her or have her stay with a relative until I can get her back. But I can’t knowingly put her in harm’s way again.”

“I’m also here for you, Tara,” he said. “Let me know if I can help.”

I nodded and relaxed against his shoulder.

Chapter 21

Sameer

She lifted her head from my shoulder and asked, “What time is it?”

Her tears had ceased a while back, but she had stayed in my arms. I grabbed my phone from the table. “Just past two.”

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