Karthik’s attention snapped to her, and he shook himself out of whatever trance he’d been in. “That was incredible.”
“Thanks.”
“No, really, Meghna. That was…I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Meghna let out a self-deprecating laugh, though inside her something soft and tender bloomed. A little pea shoot pushing its way through the dirt, seeking out the sunlight.
“That’s really nice,” she said. “But you don’t have to exaggerate. I mean, they did a great job, but I’m just glad they got through it.”
Karthik frowned. “I’m not exaggerating. I mean it. I had no idea that musicals could be like this.”
“Like what?”
He was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Meghna suddenly remembered something Karthik had told her a while ago.
“When you said you’d never seen a show before, I thought you meant you’d never seen arealshow. Like a professional one. I didn’t think…”
“No. I’ve never been to any kind of performance. Except for tonight.”
She smiled softly. “Well, I’m glad you liked it.”
He looked off at the stage again and then back at her. “How are you so…” He waved his hand in her direction. “So unaffected.”
Meghna smothered a laugh. Karthik was accusingherof being unaffected? Oh, the irony. But she just pursed her lips and asked, in as neutral a tone as she could manage, “Unaffected?”
“Wasn’t that just as…moving for you? Sweeping and…Never mind.” He sighed. “I’ve had a strange day.”
Meghna’s curiosity was at an all-time high. She desperately wanted to know what had happened, but this wasn’t the time to delve into it.
“No, I know what you mean. Musicals can be moving and sweeping and…all-encompassing. It’s just, well, we’ve been working on this one for a long time. It’s different when you experience it brand-new.”
“Right. Of course.” He stood up, took a step toward her, then stopped. He looked a little lost, as if he didn’t know what he should do next. She felt a tug on her heartstrings.
“Do you want to go get dinner?” she asked.
Karthik agreed, following her out to her car, the only one left in the parking lot.
She drove him to one of her favorite spots. It was small and unassuming, located in a somewhat deserted strip mall, but the family who ran it made the best food and it was always quiet. She figured it wouldprovide enough privacy for whatever conversation they so obviously needed to have.
Once inside, Meghna was relieved to see there was only one other couple there tonight. She waved at Annie, the owner’s high school daughter and one of her former students, who was studying at one of the booths in the back. Meghna pointed to indicate that she and Karthik would sit at a table on the other side of the room, and Annie came by a few minutes later to take their order. Karthik deferred to Meghna, so she asked for her usual: fresh spring rolls, green curry, and a pad kee mao to share. Annie slipped away to the kitchen, leaving Meghna and Karthik alone.
Meghna waited a few seconds, then looked at Karthik expectantly. Surely now he would explain what he was doing here.
But he didn’t. He took a sip of his water. He looked around the room. And then he pulled the menu back out and began reading it, even though they’d already ordered. Questions bubbled up inside Meghna, but she pushed them down. He was upset and she didn’t know why, but earlier it had seemed like he needed space. She could resist invading his privacy, but she needed to talk aboutsomething. She could only take the silence for so long. She wracked her brain for something neutral to talk about and finally landed on a topic.
“When did you take dance lessons?” she asked.
“Hmm,” Karthik responded distractedly, lifting his eyes from the menu.
“In Miami, you said you took dance lessons.”
“Oh.” He folded the menu and placed it back on the table. “A few years ago. Someone gifted my parents with ballroom dancing classes and, well, they were about to expire, so I went with my mom.” He shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. As if it wasn’t the most endearing thing Meghna had ever heard.
“That was nice of you.”
“Not really. I just didn’t want her to have to go alone.” His expression softened for a moment, and he almost looked…concerned.
