“Well, I’m sorry. Not all of us can have lives as drama-free as yours.”
Ankita laughed. “You make me sound so boring, but it’s kind of true. Since Rishi and I met, the only drama has been whether we want peonies or garden roses at the wedding. And honestly, they look the same to me. It’s just fun to have something to argue about. We agree on everything else. A house near our parents, three children, a dog, et cetera, et cetera. He makes life so easy.”
“I’m happy for you,” Meghna said. And she meant it. Ankita had been wanting a partner for so long, and Meghna was so glad she had found one in Rishi. She felt only the smallest amount of envy. “So, I take it all the planning for your engagement party has been drama-free as well?”
Ankita grimaced. “I wouldn’t exactly say that. Mom wants to do a big song-and-dance number, and we’re trying to convince her to save it for the sangeet. Hopefully we’ll come up with some kind of plan to prevent it by then.”
Meghna sat up straight, suddenly remembering she had more news to share. “I know my parents already RSVP’d for him, but I don’t know if you saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“That Samir’s coming to your party!”
Ankita blinked. “Samir? Your brother?”
“Yeah, my brother. I mean, it’s not like we know another Samir.”
“Right, of course. I…I just thought he was still in India.”
“He is, but he’s been thinking about moving back for a long time. He hasn’t decided, but he’s going to be in town for a few job interviews. Just to see what’s out there. My parents are over the moon.”
Ankita looked a bit queasy.
“Are you okay?” Meghna asked.
“Yeah,” Ankita said, putting a hand on her stomach. “I think I ate too fast.”
“Oh. I think I have Tums in my purse. Give me a second.”
“No, no. Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.”
Meghna paused. “It’s okay if Samir comes to the party, right?”
“Yeah, of course,” Ankita said, waving her hand in the air. “He’s practically family.”
“I know. I swear he thinks of you like a second sister. You should have heard him when Mom and Dad brought up your engagement party. He immediately said he wanted to be there for you.”
Ankita smiled weakly. “That’s great.”
“Are you sure you’re okay? I can run out and get you something.”
“Nope. I’m fine. So, how’s this arrangement with Karthik supposed to work out?”
Meghna stretched her legs out in front of her. “Well, he’s working on a list of terms, but I have no idea what they’ll be.”
“Are you going to date other people?” Ankita asked.
Meghna was about to say no, but realized she didn’t know the answer. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“And I’m guessing you’re not going to tell Seth the truth.”
“No. That would kind of defeat the whole point of everything.”
“What about Samir? Are you going to tell him?”
Meghna brushed a crumb off her jeans. “I don’t know. Probably. But I don’t want him to leak it to Mom and Dad.”
“You might as well tell him. He’s going to figure it out anyway. He always knows the truth.”
