“I bought her that,” Kamila interrupted. “She looks amazing, right, Rashida Aunty? Jana should always wear Barbie pink.” Kamila was also wearing a two-piece, but the family expected it of Kamila. Not of good-girl Jana.
Jana grabbed her kanga and wrapped it around her chest because she didn’t want to argue with her mother in front of Dr. Lopez.
“Where’s Imani?” Mom asked.
“Anil has her.”
“You should bring her. She loves swimming.”
Nadira Aunty nodded. “Yes, Anil had her yesterday, too. He needs a break.” Nadira Aunty looked at Farzana Aunty. “Jana’s such a good girl. She’s not into partying like the others. You can always trust her to make the right choice.”
Mom nodded. “And so smart! Always reading a book. She never gave us problems, this one.”
Jana didn’t love that Dr. Lopez was here to see her mother and aunty treat her like a rebellious preteen in a skimpy swimsuit one moment, then a one-dimensional good-girl the next.
“There she is!” Mom said.
Jana looked over, and sure enough, Anil, Imani, Rohan, and some of the groomsmen were joining them at the pool.
“Mommy!” Imani was positively vibrating in her purple seashell-print bathing suit, and she already had her floating swim trainer around her chest and arms. “Are you going to come swimming with me and Daddy?”
Jana grinned. “Yes, absolutely.” It was a much-needed escape from Mom and the aunties. And a chance to show Dr. Lopez and Farzana Aunty how aspirational this broken family was.
Jana took off her kanga again. And Anil…stared at her.
“I thought you were going to put Imani down for a nap,” Jana said.
“She insisted that we had to try every pool on this trip.” He paused. “You’re wearing a bikini,” he stated.
Jana rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me you have a problem with my licentious swimwear, too. I’ve already heard it from my mother.” Her choice of the wordlicentiouswas completely because Imani wouldn’t understand it.
He snorted. “No issue at all. You look…great.”
“Mommy looks pretty,” Imani agreed. “Barbie has that swimming suit.”
Anil laughed, then peeled off his T-shirt.
And he looked great, too. She hadn’t seen his bare chest in years. True, his body wasn’t the same as before, either, but that didn’t mean it didn’t look good. Very good. Jana turned away quickly. “C’mon, Imani. Jump in and I’ll catch you.” Jana lowered herself into the water and put her hands out to catch their daughter.
“Both you catch me!” Imani squealed. To Imani, having her parents together like this was just about the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Anil slipped into the water and stood next to Jana, and they each held out one hand for Imani to hold. After taking her parents’ hands, Imani jumped, then proceeded to show off to everyone how well she could swim.
“She’s a fish, right?” Anil said, watching their daughter.
“She’s amazing.” Jana stepped closer to him, smiling proudly.
Standing side by side, Jana and Anil watched their daughter swim. Jana tried not to think about how they were very close in the crowded pool, or that she could feel his bare leg against hers under the water. Or even about how strong his arms and legs looked later as he did a lap across the deep end. All Jana focused on was how much fun she was having with Imani and Imani’s father in the pool. It wasn’t pretending, or for anyone else’s—including Dr. Lopez’s—benefit. It was just a completely lovely way to check off an item from her list. Wearing the pink bikini was a totally effective way to let loose.
Later that evening, Shelina insisted Imani join her boys for room service and a movie in their suite with their nanny. Imani was excited to go, since they would be watchingThe Lion King. After dropping Imani off, Jana went back to her own room to shower, then changed into a pale tan maxi dress and sandals. She brushed her hair and even put on some earrings. She had the night off, and she was feeling good. The Serengeti was intense, and Ngorongoro was chaotic. But here in Manyara, Jana was feeling serene. At peace.
After another amazing dinner, most of the party moved to the poolside lounge for drinks. Jana quickly checked on Imani to find her daughter fine, then headed to the pool as well. She didn’t really have to—she’d already checked off thestay up lateitem on her list—but this time, she was doing it because shewantedto.
Everyone was crowded around one long table in the poolside lounge, many with drinks in front of them. Jana joined them, sitting across from Anil.
Anil smiled at her as she sat. She smiled back and gave a slight nod to let him know Imani was fine. He dipped his head in gratitude.
“Great news,” Tim said. He was sitting right across from her and holding the brightest green drink Jana had ever seen. “They have a karaoke machine here. They’re pulling it out of storage right now.”
