Page 93 of The Art of Taking Second Chances

Knew, a euphemism because I couldn’t bring myself to tell her in explicit words that I was consorting with a young man when I was supposed to be focused on my education.

Another nod from her.

“I liked him a lot. He liked me too. When we reconnected in Dallas, we realized we still liked each other.”

Like, another euphemism.

“Hmm,” she said with a thoughtful frown. “Then what about Sujit?”

“I’m planning to tell him tomorrow.”

She gave a slow, thinking nod. I wanted to tell her everything that was passing through my mind, but I couldn’t. I merely stared at her beautiful face with its soft, aging features. I got off my chair and paced the balcony, sipping silently from my cup.

“Look, Rani, you’re smart, educated, and you have traveled the world. I’m a simple woman with very little exposure to the world beyond my own, so I can’t tell you what the right thing to do is. All I can say is that you need to be absolutely certain, because such relationships can make or break your life. A single decision can be the difference between a happy life and a life full of regret. Now, I can’t say who can give you that happiness—Sameer or Sujit. For that, you will need to trust your own instincts.” Aai gulped the last of her tea and placed the cup down on the table. “The voice inside you will tell you what the right thing to do is. What does your voice tell you?”

“I like Sujit. I like him a lot. I respect him. But I like Sameer with an intensity I’ve never felt for Sujit. I feel it painfully in my heart, in the pit of my stomach.”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “I saw that.”

“What?”

“I saw it in your eyes when I was in Dallas. That’s why I asked you to be careful.”

Growing up, desire was such a taboo subject. Sex and love were accepted as natural, even normal, but never spoken about openly with parents out of respect for them. But the past few years had brought us closer in unusual ways. Now Aai and I relied on each other for love and survival.

The next morning, Sujit came over around 11 a.m. I donned a pair of jeans with a simple top and waited, anxiety burning a hole in my stomach. He arrived dressed sharp, business casual, gel in hair, stylish sunglasses, and happiness etched in his dimples.

“Who are you meeting all dressed up like this?” I teased.

“There is someone special,” he said, then gave a shy smile as he saw Aai watching him intently.

“I’m going to my room,” she said.

“No, we are leaving,” I said to her.

Sujit looked at me and remained steady in his place.

“What?”

“Can you put on something nicer? We’re going somewhere special.” I gave him an eyebrow raise. He was the last person who would be bothered with what I was wearing.

Aai had already disappeared into her room behind a closed door. If this were any other day, I would’ve moaned into his chest, asking him the reason for such a request. But this wasn’t just any day. This was the day I was breaking up with him.

“Okay.” I smiled. “A dress?”

“Yes, wear the blue one I like. You look great in that.”

“What’s going on, Sujit? You’re never like this.”

He pushed his hands into his trouser pockets and shrugged. “Maybe I missed you more than I thought.” He smiled, and my stomach turned again.

I quietly retreated to my room and changed into the blue dress. I had to swap my earrings for another pair to match the dress, and I picked a different shade of lipstick as well.

“How’s this?” I asked when I returned to the living room.

“Perfect. What’s wrong, darling?”

I forced a smile. “Nothing.”

---