Page 83 of The Art of Taking Second Chances

“Why? The arrangements are fabulous, and you look beautiful.”

She nodded. “It’s just… such a big night. I hope everything goes well.”

When it was time for the Bollywood-themed, song-and-dance bonanza, I wanted to stay hidden in the shadows, but Aarti tugged me, Amar, Mihir, and a few of Mihir’s friends to a prime spot near the stage. The sequence of events began amid wild cheers with Aarti’s parents exchanging floral garlands as a way of renewing their vows. The music faded in gently, and the anniversary couple began their dance. Despite the fun I had poked at Sameer, the choreography was tasteful, not frivolous. Delicate, sensible steps for the older couples and graceful, romantic ones for the younger. It wasn’t as cheesy as Sameer had made it out to be.

Of course, I wouldn’t tell him that. No, I’d tease him for the rest of my life. This would be a story I’d tell our grandchildren, I thought with a smile, as I waited for Sameer and Aarti’s segment to begin. They came in last. I had imagined he would be awkward and stiff, but he swayed gracefully. Mihir chuckled in his urbane manner, while Amar and I tried very hard to suppress our laughter. As the music began to fade out, petals of roses showered down on the couple, and Aarti’s parents re-entered the spotlight. Someone produced a microphone for Mr. Bhatia. Sameer stood in the shadows with Aarti, both looking breathtakingly gorgeous. She held his hand, but his eyes never left my face.

“Ladies and gentlemen, friends,” Aarti’s father began when the sound of clapping died down. “Thank you for being here today. When we sent out the invitations, we thought we’d be celebrating our anniversary. But I have an announcement to make. This special day has become even more cherished as we also celebrate our daughter, Aarti, and her boyfriend, Sameer. Come here, you two.”

Loud claps resumed, and Aarti dragged Sameer into the spotlight. His smile had changed. Frozen. This was his Sameer Rehani smile, absolutely striking but full of pretense and false bravado.

Mr. Bhatia continued. “Sameer, I made a decision last week. I’ve decided to offer you a twenty-five per cent share in SB Real Estate.” Loud cheers and whistles interrupted him again. “That now makes you worth more than I am! I’m no longer the biggest baddie in this town.” He barked a loud laugh as people cheered. “But I’m more than happy to be replaced by a good, honest man. Someone better than me, for sure.

“But with great power comes great responsibility.” Mr. Bhatia paused for the groans and jeers that arose from the audience. “I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist.” He chuckled. “Well, this partnership comes with a responsibility, Sameer. Are you up for it?”

All eyes were on Sameer as he smiled and bowed graciously. “The responsibility I’m expecting from you is to keep our dear child Aarti very happy.”

And before he could react, before anyone could, Aarti went down on one knee.

Her father held the microphone near her lips as she cooed in her sweet voice. “My dearest Sameer, will you marry me?”

Sameer’s smile vanished, his face went blank, and he took a step back. His eyes darted to meet mine. I felt like someone had punched me in the gut and stopped me from breathing. I saw Sameer smiling with his frozen face at Aarti as I stumbled backward. An arm grabbed me, and I heard loud cheers and whistles. The last thing I saw was Aarti slipping the ring on Sameer’s finger before Mihir and Amar led me away from the crowd. Mihir settled me on a chair while Amar miraculously produced a glass of water and instructed me to sip it. I put my hand on my midriff, taking deep breaths.

Mihir crouched before me. “Everything will be okay, Tara.”

“How? He just hit the jackpot! He got everything he wanted.”

“He’s going to break it off, you know it,” he said in a voice that matched the confidence I saw on his face.

“Mihir, half the city is at this party. All of the important members of the community are here tonight. This will no longer be a simple breakup.”

“He’ll do it,” Mihir said. I looked at Amar. His face was a mask of complete ambivalence.

“Can you take me back?” I asked Mihir, my voice cracking. “I’m sorry to pull you away from the party like this, but…”

“Don’t worry.” He offered me his hand. “I don’t care about staying.”

As people thronged around the happy couple, offering smiles and felicitations, Mihir led me toward his car. This time, though, I didn’t shed a single tear. I was shaken, but not sad. As if I had already prepared myself to lose him again. The ranch faded in the rearview mirror as we left the bright lights behind and drove into the dark silence of the empty road.

Chapter 26

Sameer

Agood, honest man, Mr. Bhatia said about the person intent on hurting his daughter. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. I saw Tara watching my every move. I wanted to run into her arms and declare it all a sham. But Aarti slipped a platinum band on my finger before handing me a diamond to put on hers. I did, numb and robotic. She kissed me as more rose petals rained down on us.

I was now engaged to be married to the woman I had planned to break up with the next day. I watched as a few rogue petals caught the night breeze and disappeared into the trees. I longed to escape with them, but Aarti gripped my hand and guided me off a stage now strewn with the corpses of dead flowers. Crowds surrounded us, shook hands, offered congratulations, and all I could think of was Tara.

My queen in the purple gown. Where was she? How was she? I hoped she knew I intended to quit this relationship. Was she crying? I needed to find her. My eyes skimmed the crowd. I saw her standing by the stage, and the next instant, she was gone. I couldn’t spot Mihir or Amar either. I needed to get away and make sense of what had just happened. How did an innocent anniversary party turn into my engagement soirée? Why was everyone important that I knew at this party? Did Aarti know I loved Tara? Is that why she planned this surprise? A million questions whirled around in my head as my eyes scanned for Tara and I smiled, muttering “thank you” to the people around me.

When I saw Mom standing by a table, I excused myself to speak with her. Anxiety marked her lightly furrowed brows.

“Did you know about this, Ma?” I growled.

“Of course not! Do you think I would blindside you like this?” she retorted with indignation.

“What the hell happened?” Ordinarily, she would have admonished me with a single word, language.

But not today. “Have you talked to Tara?” she asked.

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