Chapter 5 #2
“I mean, I’m a senior partner now, so I can’t just casually put myself out there on these apps.
People take screenshots, and things can go viral in a heartbeat.
I need to…uphold the firm’s reputation,” Manisha said, her voice trailing.
The words “uphold the firm’s reputation” got caught in her throat for a second.
“Okay, I see where you’re coming from,” Deena said placatingly, though she was giving her a bewildered look.
“Sorry, it’s just that a lot has happened to me since—”
“Since my brilliant cousin got her promotion, right?”
Manisha hesitated again. She was really growing tired of all the fibbing. And if the pangs in her sternum were any indication, her body was growing tired of it, too. But telling the whole truth…that was bound to bring her more pain. More shame…“Yeah, something like that,” she said finally.
“Don’t worry, we can navigate this. There’s got to be something we can find for you and all your dating needs,” Deena said, returning her focus to her phone.
Manisha threw her hands up in front of her, palms out. “Hold on! There’s something else I need to take care of before I think about dating.”
Deena glanced up from her screen. “If you’re looking for a good waxer while you’re in town, I’ve got one on speed dial…”
“No! Deena.” Manisha scrunched her nose. “You won’t believe what my mom brought up this morning. Are you ready for this?” She leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Freezing my eggs.”
Deena’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Like, those eggs?” She gestured to her lap.
“Don’t point to them that way, Deena,” Manisha replied, instinctively covering her lower half with her hands. “Anyway, she handed me a cheque for twenty grand and told me to make an appointment with some doctor here in Baskin…Dr. Rocky?”
“A twenty-thousand-dollar cheque? Just like that?” Deena asked, her eyes huge.
“Yup. I couldn’t believe all the zeros attached to it. I made her take it back, though. I mean, save that for the wedding, right? That’s what Mom said anyway.” Manisha laughed weakly.
“Absolutely! Save it for your wedding,” Deena agreed. “Your parents are some of the hardest-working people I know. Plus, you could probably make that kind of money in like a day.”
“I also manage to spend that kind of money in like a minute,” Manisha murmured quietly.
Deena waved her hand dismissively. “But seriously, what’s the big deal with freezing your eggs? We’re modern-day boss babes. All the goris have been doing it for ages. There’s no reason us Desi girls can’t hop on the egg-freezing bandwagon, right?” She shrugged casually.
Just then, a shadow loomed over their table. “Well, well, well, look who it is. Again.”
Startled, the cousins looked up to see none other than Rohit Khanna.
“Hey, Deena. Long time no see,” he said, placing two glasses of sparkling water on the table. Turning to Manisha with a smirk, he added, “Can’t say the same to you, though.”
Manisha felt her stomach drop. Of course he’d be here right now. God, how much had he overheard? The unlucky lemons struck again. She scowled at him as she took a sip of water.
“Oh, hey, Rohit! It’s been ages. I think the last time I saw you was at Neena’s wedding last summer. What are you doing here?” Deena asked.
“Didn’t you hear, Deena?” Manisha replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Rohit’s dad owns Chai Time.”
Rohit raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you do know my name. Progress!”
Manisha rolled her eyes. “I was too busy dodging your rude comments and behaviour to bother with names earlier.”
Rohit crossed his arms in mock anger. “My rude comments?”
Deena glanced back and forth between her cousin and Rohit, clearly delighted by this unexpected rivalry. “Do you two…know each other?” she asked, eyes gleaming.
“We had the distinct pleasure of bumping into each other earlier today.” Rohit smirked.
“More like his ridiculous car had the distinct pleasure of almost crashing into me while I was trying to bring the car around for Mom,” Manisha jumped in.
“Excuse me, that’s not what happened,” Rohit retorted.
“You’re right,” Manisha nodded earnestly. “You were practicing for the Daytona 500 in Uncle Parm’s parking lot.”
Deena blinked, her confusion deepening. “I am so lost right now.”
“Let me give you the CliffsNotes version, Deena,” Manisha graciously offered.
“Earlier this afternoon, Rohit decided that his luxury Lamborghini had some sort of divine right to any parking spot—specifically the one I was patiently waiting for. He swooped in like a hawk, gave me a lecture on my driving skills, and then zoomed off like he was late for a race.” She turned to Rohit. “Sound about right?”
Rohit stared at Manisha, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. “That’s completely wrong! You accosted me, gave me a lecture on my driving, and threatened to stab out my tires!”
Deena laughed, shaking her head. “Okay, I think I’m in the wrong episode of this soap opera!”
“Actually, I think you’re right on track with Lawyers and the Lies They Tell You,” Rohit said.
Deena laughed until she noticed Manisha’s disapproving glare and abruptly stopped. “Oh, come on, that was kind of funny.”
“None of this is funny,” Manisha said between clenched teeth.
“And this all just happened today?” Deena said.
“Yes,” Manisha and Rohit replied in unison.
“Wow. And I thought I was having a bad day what with Mr. Saliva Lips,” Deena said, taking a big gulp of water.
“Why are you even here?” Manisha asked Rohit.
“Why wouldn’t I be here?” Rohit frowned.
Manisha shrugged. “I’m just surprised you’re not too busy with your extracurricular activities.” This time, Deena shot her a look, and Manisha blinked at her, feigning innocence.
Rohit frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, I was just referring to your hobby. Luxury cars.”
“Well, I’m just surprised you have such a low opinion of my cars when you clearly have very expensive taste,” Rohit said, gesturing to Manisha’s bag.
Manisha let out a hollow laugh. “Look, I earned this bag. I worked hard for it—went to school, took my LSATS, went to grad school, and got a job. You do know what a job is, right, Rohit?”
“Yeah, thanks, I know what a job is,” Rohit said. “In fact, I’m at my job right now. Chai Time—I’m running it.”
“I hope not into the ground,” Manisha said under her breath.
Deena gave Manisha a warning look. “That’s so great, Rohit. Liven things up in Baskin.”
Manisha looked at her watch.
“Where is your dad, by the way? I’m supposed to be meeting him.”
“You are? Too bad—he’s not here.”
“Fine.” Manisha had already spent too much time talking to Rohit Khanna. She wanted to get back to gossiping with Deena. “Can you just give these to your dad?” She held out the envelope of papers. “I highlighted a few areas he should look at more closely, along with some comments.”
Rohit took the envelope from her and pulled out the stack of papers. “Look, like I said, my dad’s not here and won’t return for a week or so. He’s on a plane right now to India. Can you walk me through your comments? He’s brought me up to speed.”
Manisha immediately shook her head. “No, I can’t,” she said. There was no way she was going to spend more of her free time with arrogant, cheating Rohit Khanna.
“Why?” Rohit asked. “What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is that I don’t think I’m the right person to offer you legal advice, Rohit,” Manisha said. “I’m a woman with morals,” she added. She couldn’t help herself.
Rohit jerked his head back, then leaned forward with narrowed eyes. “Sorry?”
He looked so vexed that Manisha felt herself blush. “Moral obligations,” she sputtered, “to my family.”
“Oh, just help him, Manisha!” Deena hissed.
“I just don’t think I have the time,” Manisha said, shaking her head.
“Look, a lot was going on this morning and—” Rohit began, sounding almost apologetic.
“I’m over this morning,” Manisha interrupted.
“Are not!” Deena countered in a singsong voice, a giant smile on her face.
Manisha glared at her. “I’m glad you’re finding this all quite amusing,” she muttered.
Rohit shook his head and stuffed the papers back in the envelope.
“Whatever,” he said, turning sharply on his heel to leave.
He took one step before whirling back around to face them.
“For the record, I have morals, too. Like treating others with enough respect to hear them out,” he bit out, then stormed off to the back of the café.
“He sounded mad.”
Manisha shrugged, her expression indifferent. “Of course he’s mad. He’s upset because we all know the truth. I’m sure he’s spinning his own version of events.” Like someone else I know. The thought of Oliver darkened her mood. “He’s a cheater, Deena. That’s what cheaters do.”
Deena sighed heavily. “What actually happened at Uncle Parm’s?”
Manisha rehashed her squabble with Rohit, sparing no detail. “And then, of course, I had to see him here,” she finished, crossing her arms in frustration.
“It’s hard to believe he would behave that way, especially considering the Khanna reputation,” Deena said. “Just playing devil’s advocate,” she was quick to add.
“His last name didn’t seem to matter when he was getting busy behind Lucky’s back,” Manisha snapped, her voice full of resentment.
“Sounds like he’s back for good, though. I heard he sold his tech startup for millions,” Deena remarked with raised eyebrows.
Leaning in closer, Manisha glanced around to make sure the coast was clear, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “I also heard he was involved with the CEO who took over for him—some blonde named Suzy.”
“Manisha, you know how rumours can get blown out of proportion around Baskin,” Deena replied, trying to temper the gossip.
“Poor Lucky,” Manisha muttered, her tone dripping with bitterness as she recalled her own sting of betrayal.
“I always thought Rohit was an intelligent, stand-up guy. He’s got an MBA, comes from a respectable family, and every auntie just adores him,” Deena added.
“Adored. Past tense,” Manisha corrected. “And I doubt he really earned his MBA. He probably just used his parents’ money to pay his way through.”
Deena frowned. “I heard he even studied in France…”
“Studied the women in France, more like,” Manisha shot back.
Deena laughed, shaking her head. “True, but I bet the women were studying him, too. He’s handsome.”
“Ew, Deena. Get a grip,” Manisha replied.
But her body betrayed her, turning to get a glimpse of Rohit.
He was chatting animatedly with a customer, his face alight, thick, wavy hair falling into his eyes.
She couldn’t help but notice his straight teeth and how taut his T-shirt was around his biceps…
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she turned back to Deena. “He’s just insufferable. The way he carries himself—that’s what makes him so unattractive.”
“Can’t say I noticed that. He’s friends with Sammy, right?”
“They’re the same age, but I don’t remember Rohit being around when we were younger.”
“I bet he was so spoiled,” Deena conceded. “My parents have money, but not Khanna money. I heard they’re always jet-setting somewhere. But the mom apparently had a huge hand in growing the art scene here in Baskin—or something like that.”
Manisha scoffed. “I doubt she passed that down to Rohit. You know, I actually can’t stand the sight of him. Cheating bastard.”
Deena reached over and squeezed Manisha’s hand. “He’s not Oliver, Manisha.”
“I know he isn’t, but he did pull an Oliver: lying and humiliating a woman he was supposed to love.”
Deena nodded in understanding. “So, what now?”
“I’m going to make an appointment with Dr. Rocky. It’s the least I can do for my mom, and you’re right. I can be a modern woman and even freeze my eggs if I want.”
“Great! But what about him?” Deena nodded toward Rohit.
Manisha glanced over her shoulder, where Rohit was now staring intently at the papers. “What are my options again?”
“I’m sorry, Manisha, but you really only have one.
The Khannas are like royalty around here.
Our families owe a lot to theirs. Remember how Uncle Jas helped your parents and mine settle in Baskin?
Then he helped your dad get Bombay Accessories off the ground.
We can’t just ignore Rohit; it would be so wrong.
And didn’t you say his dad came by your house and handed over the documents? ”
Manisha nodded slowly. “Yeah…”
“You just have to approach this as a professional matter. Push your feelings about Oliver aside and look at Rohit as just a proxy for the real client, his dad. This is for his dad and yours.”
Manisha recalled her father’s pride from earlier that day. A profound sense of guilt washed over her. He would be devastated to know how she had handled the situation. “Did I mention how much I hate that you’re right?” she grumbled. “If I do it, it’s for his dad, my dad, your dad…”
“All the Baskin Indian dads,” Deena chimed in, laughing.
Manisha stole another glance at Rohit, watching as he pored over the documents. He looked so serious, but confusion was etched deeply into his forehead. He was completely lost.
“Just look at him, Manisha. He’s buried under all those papers,” Deena murmured, her tone filled with concern.
Manisha continued to study him, chewing on her bottom lip. Finally, she winced and then expelled a heavy breath. “Alright, I’ll help him,” she said, pushing up from the table to stand.
Deena looked at her expectantly, jerking her head in Rohit’s direction.
“Later.”
With that, she grabbed her cousin’s arm, pulled her to the door, and got the hell out of there.