“Is she asking for money?” I asked to redirect my own thoughts.

“No, but I’ve been paying for her treatment.”

I sighed. “You should’ve told me, Ma.”

“I didn’t want you to go through it again,” she said.

“And I don’t want you to go through it alone.”

Mom cut through the bullshit. “Riya will need a home, Sameer. Sangita is deteriorating. We might not have enough time.”

“Yes, I’ll take care of it. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” I exhaled hard. “And please don’t entertain her calls. She shouldn’t be calling you.”

“She doesn’t know how else to reach you.”

“Through. The. Lawyers.” I threw my hand up in exasperation.

“But these aren’t normal circumstances to conduct business as usual.”

“How are you not angry?” I asked.

She sighed. “Because it doesn’t help. Bye, beta.”

Chapter 12

Tara

Are you up? Sameer had the balls to text me after leaving me in tears to rush back to his girlfriend. Had he texted me before or after having sex with her? I couldn’t believe I was about to give up my loyal and kind Sujit for the fickle, heartless Sameer. I decided I had to stop obsessing over him and rid myself of the dark shadow I had dragged along for all these years. I was bound to run into him, but now I was going to be indifferent.

Four days later, still fighting my bitterness, I stretched a new canvas to paint away my deepest feelings. Usually, it worked, but today I was smeared in paint, and the canvas resembled a murder scene. I stood staring at it with my head cocked, questioning its redeemability, when the phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. I swiped it open with the only clean section on my pinky finger.

“Hello?” I said, putting it on speaker.

“Hey.” A vaguely familiar voice responded. “It’s Mihir.” I took a moment trying to put a face to the name when he added, “Sameer’s friend.”

“Oh, yes, of course.”

“How are you?”

“I’m alright. How’ve you been?”

“Good. Great. What’re you doing this Saturday?”

“Are you asking me out?” I asked with a light laugh. “You know I’m seeing someone.”

He apologized with a deep, throaty laugh. “That came out wrong. Let me start over. I’ve been invited to a party, and I want you to come along as my guest.”

“Aren’t you going ask if I want to come?”

“Ah, see I knew you’d say that. I also know you’ll refuse if I leave the decision to you. So, what do you say?”

“How do you know I’ll refuse?” I smiled at the memory of our lighthearted exchange at the café.

“It’s Sameer’s birthday.”

My smile vanished. I knew his birthday was next Tuesday, but I wasn’t planning on sending a message. I hadn’t for all these years, and now was definitely not a good time to start.

“Mihir, I appreciate what you’re doing, but if he wanted me there, he would’ve invited me.”