“Now we’re friends again.”
“Just friends?”
“I was very upset last night. And really, really lonely. I didn’t want to sleep by myself, so I went to him. We’re adults and we’re close. Something like this was bound to happen. It honestly didn’t mean more to me. I needed to feel something…and he was there.”
“You slept in the same bed all night?”
She nodded.
“You say you don’t feel that way about him anymore, but are you sure that he doesn’t feel that way about you?”
“What? No. He even admitted right away it was only because we were tired and emotional. Rohan doesnothave feelings for me. He was just…too polite to push me away.”
“Oh, of course, Kamila. Sticking his tongue down your throat is just the good manners his mother taught him. You’re delusional.”
“Gee, it’s so great to be able to talk to my supportive best friend about my problems.”
“Seriously, Kamila. Rohan is objectively quite a catch. A lawyer, a partner in a successful accounting firm. Responsible, educated, smart. No gambling habit or toxic masculinity to be seen. His only flaw seems to be that he’s a workaholic, and yet he’s always, and I do meanalways, with you.”
“So?”
“Why wouldn’t you want to try for something here? You two drip with chemistry—everyone can see that. I had no idea it was sexual chemistry. I thought you were just utterly perfect as good friends, or pseudo-siblings. Think about all the things he does for you…making momos with you, driving your car home in the middle of the night, volunteering to plan this charity party with you. You’ve spent the last month tripping over yourself to make sure he doesn’t date anyone else. Just fuck already—put each other out of your misery and live happily ever after.”
“Jesus, Asha! He’s…he’s Rohan! He’s way too good—”
“Don’t you dare say he’s too good for you. You know it’s not true.”
She shrugged. Kamila wasn’t big on self-loathing, but this was ridiculous. There was no way Rohan took her seriously enough to want more than a few kisses. And she didn’t want more, either—Kamila didn’t do relationships.
“Honestly, Asha. I want things to stay the same between us. I need him as a friend. The last thing Dad needs now is change, and starting a relationship with Rohan would be change.” There was no way they could keep this friendship when the relationship went sour. Which it probably would because they were way too different.
Asha sighed. “So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I need to think…” She checked her watch. “But actually, I should probably get going. I don’t know when Shelina will be bringing Dad home, but I should be there. Thanks for breakfast. And for keeping Darcy last night.”
“Any time. And…before you go…I’m going to say one thing. I don’t have kids, but I can imagine how frustrating it is when your kids don’t meet your expectations for them. But your mother, she should have adjusted her expectations and realized that even if you weren’t who she expected you to be, you were—youare—still an amazing person who is worth knowing. She missed out on knowing you, and that was on her, not you. I’m not surprised Rohan could see how great you were, but I wish your mother had, too.”
So did Kamila. But it was too late for that. Kamila smiled and hugged Asha before taking her dog home.
Chapter 18
Shelina, Zayan, and Dad turned up at the house around two, after Kamila had nervously cleaned Dad’s room, the kitchen, both bathrooms, and the living room. She didn’t enter the guest room—she wasn’t ready for that yet. But she did want all the areas Dad would see to be as spotless as possible when he got home. Anything to keep his stress down.
But weirdly, he looked far from stressed when he walked in. In fact, the only word Kamila would use to describe her father’s mood was…giddy.
“Kamila! Beti!” He gave her a big grinning hug, then patted her cheek. “You must have been so worried! Imagine, everyone thinking I had a heart attack when it was just heartburn! It sounds like aFawlty Towersjoke.”
“It wasn’tjustheartburn, Dad,” Shelina said as she took off her shoes. “You had a panic attack.”
“Well, who wouldn’t?” He waved his hand. “Being rushed to the hospital like that. But how great for me that Jana was there! Such a good girl. I’m lucky I have all you girls to look out for me. Who needs sons!” He chuckled as he glanced at the TV. “I can stream my show now, right? I missed the semifinals yesterday. You know, Shelina, my friend’s daughter won this competition last year. Kamila, you should enter next year with Rohan. Kamila has become quite the cook. You should have seen the perfect momos she made. She made some bad ones first, but then Rohan saved the day! They were better than—”
“Dad,” Kamila interrupted, “sit. Watch your show.” She turned on the TV and switched to the FoodTV streaming service.
He nodded as he sat in his chair. “Yes. Thank you.”
Kamila looked at Shelina with an expression she knew her sister would understand asWhat the heck is going on with Dad?
Shelina shook her head and pulled Kamila into the kitchen, where hopefully Dad wouldn’t hear them. Zayan followed.
