“I canceled my account,” Tim added.
Jana had never even had one.
“Rohan,” Jerome said. “You used to know Nadia. Send her a friend request and then you can see her pictures. What’s her last name?”
“Nadia Jivani. Or Malek, I suppose,” Jana said.
Rohan shook his head. “I’m not snooping…Why don’t we just wait to ask Anil?”
“It’s true,” Nicole said. Everyone turned to look at her. How could Nicole know this? “I mean,” Nicole continued, “there are pictures of them on her social. I figured if someone was going to post a picture on Facebook, they would probably put it on Instagram, too. Her account is not private.” She held out the phone for everyone to see.
Jana didn’t want to, but she looked at the picture. It had been posted a few days ago and was of four people who looked like they were on a hike. Rocky terrain, lush trees. All of them were in hiking clothes. Jana didn’t recognize three of them—a tall South Asian woman, a Black woman, and a Black man—but the fourth person was Anil.
Kamila looked at Rohan. “Is that her?”
He sighed, nodding. “Yeah, that’s Nadia. I don’t know who the other two are. But this doesn’t mean they’re back together, though. Just that they’re hiking.”
“Nicole, what’s the post say?” Kamila asked.
Nicole looked back at her phone. “Hiking Rock Creek with my love.”
Jana inhaled sharply. It was true.
“She hasn’t tagged anyone,” Nicole continued. “She’s got a pretty minimalistic account. Lots of scenery. Woman of few words.” Nicole looked at Jana. “There’s another picture from a few months ago.” She held out her phone.
It was Nadia and about eight people sitting at a long table in a restaurant. The Black couple from the last picture was there, and so was Anil. The caption was something about Nadia celebrating her birthday with those closest to her.
Everyone started talking at once again, analyzing the body language in the pictures. Tim mentioned that Anil had told him that he’d recently gotten into hiking in D.C. with new friends.
But Jana couldn’t process what they were saying, thanks to the hammering of her heart. Anil was with Nadia only a few days ago. And also with her before they’d gone to Tanzania. Jana felt like she was going to throw up.
This didn’t mean Anil and Nadia were together—Nadia could have meant one of the other two in the hiking picture when she saidmy love. But either way, he’d kept this from Jana.
Jana’s phone buzzed then. She checked it—it was Anil.
Anil:I just got home. I made reservations at this gorgeous Peruvian place for us Wednesday. I wanted to ask if you liked South American food, but they had a cancellation so I needed to act fast.
Jana stared at the text. He was just going to carry on like everything was normal. But of course, he didn’t know Jana’d seen pictures of him and his ex-wife. With shaking hands, Jana texted back.
Jana:No. I’m sorry, but I won’t be going to dinner with you.
She didn’t want to talk to him. She didn’t want to be in Anil’s life if Nadia was there, too.
Anil:Do you need to work that night? I can see if they have a table Thursday instead.
Jana:No. I changed my mind. I can’t go to dinner with you. I don’t think we should complicate our and Imani’s life right now.
Anil:What happened? Can I call you after Imani goes to bed?
Jana:My job might be at risk. Someone was gossiping about us again. I need to focus on work and keep my life simple for a while.
Anil:Oh no. Who was gossiping? I can speak to them. Let me help you. As a friend.
Jana closed her eyes for a moment before writing back.
Jana:I’m not looking for a friend right now. Or anything. Please leave me be. Have Imani call me tomorrow.
Anil:So that’s it? You’re pushing me away again?
