“Say what part?”
“You don’t actually need Rohan. You are capable of managing your life and caring for your father without him. Maybe it’s time to look at why you seem to think you can’t.”
That was all ridiculous. Asha was her friend, but she didn’t know how hard it was to manage Dad when he was in a depressive episode. Maybe Kamilacouldhandle him on her own, but she didn’t want to. Rohan made Dad feel valued, and Dad deserved that. Back when no one made Kamila feel valued at all, Dad was theonlyone who fought for her. She had to keep fighting for him, too.
The elevator opened. Rohan was back.
Asha walked toward the door outside. “I’m heading back. Take your time—I’ll manage the crowd. See if Rohan wants some wine, too.” Asha left.
Kamila held out the bottle of wine for him, and he nodded. She poured him a glass.
“So, Jana was in your condo?” Kamila said, not meeting his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why are you asking?”
“Just curious.” She handed him the glass of wine.
“It was personal.” He took the glass and sipped from it.
Kamila’s stomach soured.Personal…what exactly didpersonalmean here?
She must have looked as miserable as she felt, because he clarified. “We talked.”
See? He wasn’t going to tell her anyway. Because that would cross the goddamn wall he kept up between them. This friendship was completely one-sided. She told him everything, and he just humored her. Kamila was a fool.
Rohan nodded toward the others outside. “You know anything about why Anil was being an ass to her there?”
“He wasn’t being a…you know. He was just teasing her. And she wasn’t exactly being kind to me—saying that thing about me flirting with everyone.”
“Is it rude if it’s the truth?”
Kamila put her glass down. That was low. “Seriously, Rohan?”
“Look, I don’t know the extent of the relationship between those two, but clearly—”
“I knowsome. Anil is good friends with her former boss. Sounds like maybe Jana had a fling with the guy. She’s never mentioned any of this to you?”
Rohan paused. Maybe he did know something. “I’m not about to betray her confidence or gossip about my friends. But I will say that it was completely out of line for you to make that crack about her.”
Kamila gritted her teeth. “Of courseyouwould take her side. Everyone thinks she’s Ms. Perfect and can’t possibly do anything wrong. And everyone thinks that I’m nothing but trouble and a disaster waiting to happen. You, just like everyone else, are completely blinded by Jana’s shine, and there is nothing you wouldn’t do for Jana the Great.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? She’s my friend, and I support my friends. Just like I support you all the time. It’s no different. Why are you so bent out of shape that I’m helping Jana?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because once again I have to deal with her upstaging me?”
“How is she upstaging you by just showing up?”
“Oh, come on, Rohan. She thinks I’m a frivolous waste of space who only cares about Bollywood, my Instagram, and my hair. You say you’re there for me, but did you defend me when she made that crack about me? Or before when she claimed I’m too hollow brained for the incubator? Nope. Because you feel the same way about me. You claim we’re friends, but this friendship is nothing but your obligation to Dad, right? Youhumorme. You find me amusing. You put up with me in a fond-uncle kind of way. That’s not a friendship. I think you get off on scolding me. It makes you feel superior.”
Rohan stared at her. Now he was very angry. There was even a vein throbbing on his forehead. Good. “Jesus Christ, Kam. Do you even listen to yourself? God forbid someone take you down a peg from that high mountain you imagine yourself on. You’ll only accept fawning and adoration from us all, nothing else. You know what? Maybe it’s good Jana makes you insecure. Maybe you’ll learn to be more like her. When Jana’s going through a rough time, she doesn’t take it out on herfriends. And she lets them live their own lives. Not you—you only allow your friends to be whoyouwant us to be. To act the way you want, dress the way you want, to date who you want. I can’t even be friends with people you don’t approve of. We’re all your toy soldiers to play with, here to entertain the whims of Kamila the Exalted One. You don’t care about anyone but yourself, Kam.”
He took a long gulp of his wine. Kamila didn’t know what to say. She looked down, blinking. Is that really what he thought of her? Was it all true?
“I don’t need this.” She wiped a tear. “Not fromyou.” She walked past him and went back outside.
