Shoot.She’d almost forgotten. Meghna pressed Ankita’s number and winced when she saw the time on the screen. One-thirtya.m. Ankita had likely stayed up just for this conversation.
“I’m sorry it’s so late,” she said.
“It’s fine. Tell me what happened.”
And Meghna did. Ankita listened to everything, talked with Meghna about how she was feeling, then added some news of her own.
“When you get back home, you’re coming over,” Ankita said. “We’ll get ice cream and bring the pillow fort back out.”
“That sounds good.”
“We’ll both need it. Because I’m pretty sure my engagement is over too.”
Shock skittered through Meghna’s nerves. The last time they’d talked, Ankita had made up her mind to tell Rishi the truth, but hadn’t decided when. Meghna had promised to be there before and after for moral support. She felt horrible that she couldn’t be there now.
“You told him?”
“Yeah. I did. I told him everything. It all just kind of…came out. All at once. He wants some time to think, but I think we both know it’s over.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know how to feel about any of this. On top of everything, Samir called again.” She let out a long sigh. “He wants to come to Dallas. So we can see each other. Talk things out. But…I rushed into a relationship with Rishi for all the wrong reasons. I can’t rush into one again. Especially since it’s been so many years since I really knew Samir. Who knows how much we’ve both changed. I told him I needed space. I’m sure we’ll talk eventually, but I don’t think I’m ready for that right now.”
“I’m proud of you,” Meghna said. Ankita had told the truth even though it was hard. Had set boundaries that she needed. Had refused to rush into anything. Meghna hadn’t always made those choices in the past, but she was determined to make them in the future.
“And I know I wasn’t willing to hear about things before,” Meghnacontinued. “But I’m here. Anytime. And I promise to not be grossed out about the fact that it’s Samir.” At least she’dtrynot to be grossed out.
Ankita laughed. “You’re allowed to feel however you want about any of this, you know.”
“I know. But I want you to be happy. I’ll at least try to listen before passing judgment.”
“Me too.”
“Well, if you promise, then…Karthik and I almost had sex in the park.”
“Youwhat?”
Meghna nearly laughed at the shock in Ankita’s voice, but filled her in on all the juicy details she had left out before.
Things were still a mess. For both of them. But together they’d find a way through it.
After they hung up, Meghna closed her eyes and finally fell asleep.
Sometime later, she woke up with a start. Meghna wasn’t sure what time it was or how long she’d been asleep, but it had felt like minutes. She fumbled for her phone and saw the time on the screen. 5:03a.m.
A shuffling, scratching sound came from the hallway, and she immediately shot up straight. Was someone outside? She stayed still, straining her ears to listen, but couldn’t hear anything else. Two seconds later, a message appeared on her phone.
Karthik: I’m leaving for the airport. Have a safe flight.
Meghna waited a moment. Maybe there would be another text. A message saying that he wanted to talk. That he was right outside her door. That he’d made a mistake. That he couldn’t go back home leaving things this way. But nothing else came.
Meghna switched on the bedside lamp and tiptoed to the door,peering out the peephole, but she didn’t see anyone there. She wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it or if Karthik really had been out there, but it didn’t matter anyway. He was gone. And soon she’d be leaving as well. She quickly went to the bathroom, climbed back into bed, and forced herself to get a few more hours of sleep.
The following Tuesday, Karthik was at his mother’s house for their usual weekly dinner. They exchanged the normal pleasantries and played a few rounds of cards, but the headache roaring through Karthik’s brain made it difficult to concentrate. He lost every hand until his mother finally took pity on him and ducked into the kitchen to fetch the food.
Karthik waited until she left the room, then closed his eyes. Meghna had never responded to his text message. He assumed she had gotten home safely after the wedding, but he didn’t know. He rubbed his temples.
If she had reached Dallas safely and hadn’t said anything, that meant she was avoiding him. He should have expected that. It had only been a few days since he’d broken off their engagement. But it wasn’t like their relationship had ever been real. It wasn’t like she had ever had feelings for him. Had ever felt half of what he felt for her.
