43. Aarti
AARTI
T wo days later, we arrived at the Ritz-Carlton for the party. Sameer and Tara were right behind us in the car we had arranged for them. The sidewalk was lined with reporters and paparazzi. Tourists and local crowds thronged alongside to get a peek at their favorite celebrities.
Cameras flashed as Sujit exited the car and came around to hold the door for me. I stepped out in a designer gown accessorized with a specially created Bvlgari necklace.
Sujit and I waited, smiling for the cameras, as Sameer and Tara joined us. Tara looked luminous in her gown with a smart updo. I had ordered a special bracelet and earrings set for her, which now adorned her body. Sameer looked dashing as always, but I only had eyes for the man who ruled my heart.
Sujit looked breathtaking, effortlessly so. We posed for pictures, talking, laughing, and taking our sweet time to step indoors. Every act was meticulously choreographed.
When I spoke with Tara two days ago, she was thrilled at the idea.
Shattering bigotry and challenging regressive social conventions were among her favorite things.
She readily agreed and assured me that Sameer would be happy too.
Sameer’s peaceful face said he was here willingly.
That Tara had not needed to force him to participate in this scheme.
As hosts, we were the first to arrive. Soon a long line of luxury vehicles dropped off high-profile guests, most of whom were here because Sujit had personally invited them.
Mary Beth and Ezzie arrived soon after. Food, drinks, and music flowed.
People who needed to network found their connections and chatted.
Friends found each other and settled around the tables.
There was no agenda to this party, except to showcase the four of us together, Sameer and Tara, and Sujit and me.
When we had finished going around the room, saying hellos and welcoming everyone, the four of us sat with a carefully chosen group of reporters at a table. Sujit’s PR team had already sent them a statement, which we had looked over and edited.
The questions posed by the reporters were friendly, and we chatted.
“Tell us how you met,” one of them asked.
We shared our story, leaving out the personal details of having connected over our heartaches.
“It was a business association that turned into a comfortable friendship,” I said, casting a smile toward Sujit.
“Which turned into love,” the reporter completed, a sincere smile gracing her muted pink lips.
“Yes,” Sujit said and held out his hand for me. “I mean, how could I resist her? She’s beautiful and brilliant. I stood no chance.”
As a wave of gentle laughter rolled around the table, I found myself blushing at his words.
Both Sameer and Tara had wide grins on their faces.
“And we couldn’t be more thrilled for them,” Tara added.
“What caused the breakup, if you don’t mind my asking,” another reporter inquired, directing the question at Tara.
“Not at all. We were college sweethearts who grew apart. We just met at the wrong time, and things blew up from there.” Tara briefly shared their story.
Sameer leaned forward. “And I want to add that the rumors spread about Aarti after the breakup were misogynistic and completely unacceptable.” I was taken by surprise at his furiously strong words.
Tara nodded. “Yes, it was between two people, and to drag someone through the mud like that was evil. The rumors were just that, lies and fantasies. They didn’t have a kernel of truth to them.”
A warmth spread across my chest and enveloped me. In addition to Sujit, both Sameer and Tara had my back. Maybe this was what true friendship looked like. My circle of friends was increasing and it didn’t fill me up with dread. Quite the contrary, it made me feel loved and cherished.
The reporter who had asked the question agreed. His lips parted in appreciation, scanning the four of us. “It is certainly not commonplace to see the kind of cordial relationship you seem to have with your exes.”
“The truth is, it is because we respect our exes that we are able to find solace in their happiness. If you really care about someone, how can you see them unhappy? Why would you want to see them unhappy?” Sujit was a master with words.
And here I thought I was the more astute one.
I smiled with pride at the man who’d be my partner for life.
Under the table, I squeezed his hand. Without glancing at me, he squeezed it back with love and reassurance.
“Can you talk a bit about this rumored legislation?”
Sujit elaborated on the need to eliminate systemic hurdles to education to create a more equitable playing field.
“For too long, people with means have controlled everything from education and opportunities to sexual autonomy and rights of minorities, often to the detriment of societies. I can’t change everything, but I will certainly try to change what is within my capacity.
That means equal and accessible education for every child, regardless of where they live and who they are. ”
Their recording devices were on, but all reporters took furious notes on their pads.
“And do you foresee any opposition to this?”
Sujit chuckled. “Well, if it has found its way into a gossip column, someone certainly is worried.”
“Are you worried?”
“I’m never worried when doing the right thing,” Sujit answered with honest conviction. “On the other hand, those who are resorting to spreading filth and lies are certainly worried. As they should be.”
My heart thumped. That was a direct threat to Manoj and I knew at that moment that he was done for.
The interview wrapped up after a few more questions, and I heaved in relief. Sujit escorted the reporters toward other influential people who would be quoted about this party.
Tara covered my hand with hers. “How do you feel?”
“Happy,” I said and as I looked up at her, my eyes fell on Sameer.
He held me in a gentle gaze, a soft smile trained on me.
Tara’s eyes flitted between us, and she said, “I need a drink. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Sameer gazed at her lovingly and nodded with gratitude. When Tara stepped away, his unfazed smile returned to me.
“Can you forgive me, Aarti?” he asked, his voice filled with guilt.
I moved to the chair Tara had vacated. I smelled his cologne, enigmatic but now unfamiliar and distant. “I must apologize to you, Sameer?—”
He didn’t let me finish my sentence. “Never,” he said with determination in his voice. “I hurt you. I’ll be the one apologizing to you for life.”
“I apologize for never giving you a chance to say your piece. You kept coming to my home, and I kept refusing to see you.”
“That was your prerogative. I don’t hold that against you.”
My eyes darted to Tara in the distance. “I see the kind of friendship Sujit and Tara have, and I feel envious. When I confided in Tara, she was happy for Sujit. I want that with you. I want you to be happy for me. I want to be happy for you. I should’ve been happy for you.”
“We can start anew,” he said. “You’ll always have my utmost respect, Aarti. Nothing can take that away. I owe you for being kind and generous when we were together. If we had married, we might not have been this happy, but you would’ve always had my respect and loyalty.”
His honest words tugged at my heart. I was grateful to him for spelling it out without duplicity. I raised my tentative eyes to his. “Are you happy for me, Sameer?”
He took my hand and patted it. “Very,” he replied.
“If you remember, I’d said that you’re a phenomenal woman, and you deserve someone who loves you for who you are.
Someone who would appreciate you completely.
I’m glad you found him. I’m even more pleased that it’s Sujit, because I was ready to give up Tara to him. ”
“What?” My brows furrowed in confusion.
“When I first met Sujit, I was so impressed with him, I thought Tara deserved better than me. Tara deserved him. I told her so.”
“Didn’t she smack you for that?” I teased with a smile.
He chuckled. “Well, we did have a fight, but we sorted it out. What I’m trying to say is that if there was anyone I would’ve wished as a partner for you, it would be someone like Sujit. I’m not just happy, I’m thrilled for the both of you.”
A tear threatened to run down my cheek. He swiped a napkin from the table and snuck it to me discreetly. He knew I hated displaying tears. His gesture conveyed he still cared for me and it comforted me.
So this was what closure felt like!
I swiftly dabbed the corners of my eyes, and we saw Sujit and Tara walking over with flutes in their hands.
“Champagne for everyone, sparkling white for Aarti,” she said, placing a long-stemmed glass before me.
“To us,” I said.
“To true love,” Sujit said.
“And great friendships,” Sameer added.
We all looked at Tara. Her eyes flitted between the three of us, and she shrugged. “What? You took all the good ones. What do I toast to?”
We laughed.
“Okay, here’s one. To our happily ever afters.”
“Amen,” I said, and we clinked our glasses.