Chapter 23 #2
Taking a deep breath, Manisha shut her eyes, as though she were reliving the journey that had brought her here.
After what felt like maybe too long, she spoke, her tone one of both reflection and resolve.
“I used to think I wanted to be a lawyer. It seemed like the right path—the kind of job where I could make an impact, where I could help people, where my parents would be proud. But once I stepped into that world, it felt…too easy. The work was predictable, the challenges weren’t as demanding as I’d imagined.
So, I set my sights higher—I aimed for senior partner at one of the biggest firms in the UK.
I thought that title would push me, would make me feel like I was truly achieving something. ”
She paused, her gaze distant, lost in thought for a moment.
“But here’s the thing,” she continued, her tone shifting slightly.
“At that level, you start to see things differently. We had clients—good people—who came to us desperate for help. But they couldn’t afford our fees.
And when I suggested that we take on some pro bono cases, the firm shut it down.
No room for charity, no room for doing what felt right.
It was all about the billable hours, the prestige, the bottom line.
The more I saw of that, the more disillusioned I became, and the further I withdrew, until the work that had once felt like a calling just started to feel hollow.
And I realized—perhaps too late—that success, at least the way I’d imagined it, wasn’t worth sacrificing the kind of values I thought I’d always had. ”
Her eyes met Rohit’s again, the light in them now tempered by a quiet wisdom. “That’s when I knew I had to step away. To find something that would challenge me, but in a way that felt meaningful again.”
“That makes perfect sense,” Rohit said. “Your heart wasn’t in it anymore. You wanted to help, but you weren’t allowed to.”
“Exactly!” Manisha’s eyes lit up as she spoke, her voice carrying a warmth that seemed to radiate from within.
“Lately, there’s been this fire inside me—this longing to spread love.
I know it might sound cheesy, but it’s like I can’t shake the feeling that I’m meant to help people find real happiness, to guide them toward the kind of love that’s life changing.
It feels bigger than just a wish; it feels like a calling.
I know I’ve got something to offer, some way to make a difference, but the path is still a little unclear. I’m still figuring it out, you know?”
She shrugged, but the gesture was light, almost as if she was letting go of any pressure to have it all figured out. “But I can feel it, deep down. I know one day, I’ll find the right way to share it.”
And the right person to share it with.
Her words carried a quiet confidence, as if she understood that the journey was just as important as the destination.
Rohit studied her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful.
He nodded slowly, as if he could sense the depth of her conviction.
“I have no doubt you will,” he said with certainty.
“Your passion is clear. I can feel it in everything you say. And it sounds like you already know where you want to begin. Right here, in Baskin.”
Manisha sighed, leaning back in her chair and gazing out at the stars.
“I know it sounds weird, but it’s like I was called to come back home.
Maybe all the aunties up there were yelling at the universe to drag my butt back to Baskin.
” She laughed softly. “I didn’t expect it, but here I am.
Honestly, someone needs to write a handbook for people in their thirties.
There have been so many twists and turns in my life lately that I can’t keep up. ”
Rohit chuckled, a sympathetic look crossing his face. “I hear you. Not too long ago I was engaged, living in Europe, planning a wedding…and now, look at me. Life really has a way of throwing curveballs, huh?”
Manisha lifted her glass with a smile. “Cheers to that,” she said, clinking her wine with his. “To the unexpected paths and the adventures they bring us.”
“Or the ones they mercifully steer us away from, like the ‘biggest wedding in Baskin history.’ Wasn’t that what the Baskin Daily called it?” Rohit replied, shaking his head in disbelief.
Manisha laughed. “At one point, they even said it could rival the Ambani wedding!”
“It was completely out of control,” Rohit said, a hint of disgust on his face.
Manisha paused, then asked cautiously, “So, what made you return to Baskin after everything that happened with Lucky? It must be tough dealing with all the judgmental looks from people who were supposed to be guests at your wedding.”
Rohit raised an eyebrow, a little amused. “Including yours?”
Manisha wiggled her head in a mock apologetic gesture.
“Okay, guilty. I admit it—I was quick to judge. But I guess I felt some kind of connection to Lucky, you know? I could relate to what she went through. All you did was pack up and come back here, but she had to figure out how to pick herself up again.”
Rohit frowned. “What do you mean?”
Manisha sighed. She was really going to do this.
“Well, my ex—Oliver—cheated on me, too. And even though I can see now that our breakup was for the best, his betrayal still stings. It’s tough when someone doesn’t consider your feelings at all, and then they just move on with their life, while you’re left trying to figure out what your next step is. ”
Rohit’s expression shifted, indignation colouring his features. “Wait, hold on. I’m not sure what you’ve been told, but—”
Manisha cut him off, raising her voice. “The same thing everyone else heard. You were supposed to be happily engaged, and then, out of nowhere, you cheated on her. You broke Lucky’s heart and her family’s, too—”
“I have to stop you right there. That’s not what happened.
” Rohit spoke quickly and forcefully, in a tone she’d never heard from him before.
“I’m so tired of hearing this garbage. I am not this guy everyone’s making me out to be—a liar, a low-life, someone who…
hurts people.” The last words came out as a croak, as though it pained him to say them out loud.
His eyes, too, blazed with so much hurt and anger, it was hard to not look away.
She was slightly relieved when he ran a hand over his face, taking a second to gather himself.
“The truth is, Lucky broke us. She cheated on me.”
Manisha froze. A high-pitched ringing sounded inside her ears, and for a second, it felt like the whole world was turning in on itself.
“Wait…what? Lucky cheated on you?”
Rohit nodded, and, his voice thick with emotion, said, “Yeah. We hadn’t been happy for a while.
In the beginning, I loved her. The real her, the Lucky who cared about people, who made seva a priority and wanted to make a difference.
But as time went on, I saw another side of her—the side that only cared about money, status, and appearances.
And that’s when things really started to fall apart. ”
Manisha’s eyes widened as Rohit continued.
“When my mom was on her last breaths, Lucky…she was on a shopping spree. I was grieving, and she was buying luxury cars. Do you know what else she was doing while I was losing my mom? She was sleeping with my best friend, and—” His voice faltered. “She got pregnant with his kid.”
Manisha gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.
“But I never cheated on her,” Rohit added firmly. “I lost my mom, my best friend, and my fiancée all at once. But no one wants to talk about that. Instead, they want the juicy story, the one that paints me as the villain.”
Manisha, speechless, struggled to process everything. “I…I had no idea.”
Rohit nodded, his gaze falling to the ground. “Her parents thought the best way to deflect attention from Lucky was to spread lies about me. They didn’t want anyone to know the truth—that their precious daughter had used me for money and status, only to walk away for someone wealthier.”
Manisha’s heart sank as the gravity of his words settled in. “And those stories…those are what we all believed. I’m so sorry, Rohit. I feel awful. My parents always told me to tune out the chatter around me, but I didn’t listen.”
“At least you know the truth now,” Rohit said heavily. “I just wish more people could hear it instead of the version they’ve been fed. But no one wants to. It’s hard, you know? Even at the temple, they’re still talking about what I supposedly did to Lucky.”
“I’m sorry,” Manisha said earnestly, her voice full of regret. “I shouldn’t have listened to gossip.”
I shouldn’t have helped spread the gossip.
“I know what it’s like to be misunderstood,” Manisha said quietly. “It’s like carrying a weight that no one else can see.”
Rohit let out a bitter laugh. “Most people in this town still don’t know the full story. But that’s the way it is, isn’t it? The more destructive version always seems to win out.”
Manisha gave him an empathetic look. “I’m really sorry for being part of that, Rohit. I didn’t mean to add to your burden. I guess seeing you and Suzy together…”
“She’s really been there for me this past year. Sometimes, I feel like she’s too good for—”
“Hey, don’t say that,” she interjected.
He shot her a grateful look. “All I want is to focus on building something good together, you know? I’m determined to make something of this place, and I can’t let the past weigh me down. Even if half the town is still whispering about me, I refuse to give up. My mom wouldn’t have.”
Manisha smiled gently. “And you won’t, either. People are always drawn to a scandalous story. But that’s not who you are. You’re creating something good for the future of this town.”
Rohit turned to her, his expression softening with gratitude. “I really needed to hear that. I’ve been stuck in the past for too long, but I can’t let it hold me back anymore.”
Manisha’s voice was warm as she spoke. “And you don’t have to do any of this alone. I’m here, and I’ll help in any way I can. Consider me your friend.”
The words slipped out before she fully realized what she was saying. It felt right, though.
Rohit returned her gaze with a genuine smile. “I could really use a friend.”
“Well, then it’s settled. As your friend, I’ll take care of all the permits for this place. I’ll handle the paperwork at city hall, so you don’t have to worry about it. Consider it done.”
Rohit’s eyes brightened with relief. “Really? Manisha, you have no idea what that means to me. I was dreading the trip to city hall, especially with all the nosy uncles and aunties hovering around.”
“Of course,” she said with a warm smile. “I’ll take care of everything—just think of it as a friend helping out another friend.”
He let out a deep breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing. “I really like the sound of that.”
Manisha’s stomach rumbled loudly, cutting the moment short.
“Oops, guess that’s my cue to go,” Manisha said, laughing sheepishly. “I haven’t eaten much today.”
“Why leave now? I’m hungry, too, and I’d be happy to fix that for you.”
Manisha hesitated for a moment looking at her phone. “You know what, I’ll stay.”
“Perfect! Let me whip up my world-famous grilled cheese. It won’t take long, promise. And it’ll pair great with this.” He held up his wineglass.
“World-famous, huh? You’ve got big shoes to fill. My dad makes the best grilled cheese sandwich I’ve had in Baskin.”
Rohit chuckled. “Not sure I’m ready to challenge Papa Patel for his crown, but I’ll give it a shot.”
Manisha grinned. “Deal. But just to warn you, my mom always says, ‘If you find a guy who can cook, you’ve hit the jackpot.’ Looks like I’m one step closer to striking gold with my new friend.”
Rohit shot her an amused look. “Well, my mom always said, ‘If you find a woman who loves to eat, you’ve hit the lottery.’ So, looks like we’re both rolling in riches.”
They both laughed, the camaraderie between them growing stronger.
As they stood to head back inside, Manisha paused at the door and glanced up at the night sky.
A shooting star streaked across the heavens, and without thinking, she repeated her quiet wish from just a few nights ago.
One day the universe would bring her her Prince Charming.
And maybe that someone would make her killer grilled cheeses.
The thought made her smile as she absentmindedly squeezed the pocket where her phone was tucked.