Samir shakes his head, his expression growing tight. “But that’s horrible. You’re not a puppet. You shouldn’t have to worry about every single thing you do. I’m sure Ma and Baba would understand if you told them the truth. I know they’re proud of you. Remember when you cooked biryani for the first time? Ma bragged about it to all the aunties. And every time you get straight As, Baba prints out your report card and puts it on the fridge.”

I smile weakly. “It’s nothing compared to the way they treat you. You’re blinded by their love for you.”

“Myra Apu...” Samir frowns. “How long have you felt like this?”

I suck my bottom lip into my mouth, considering how honest to be. “My whole life, Samir,” I say finally. This conversation isn’t the place to lie. “It’s nothing new. I’m sorry I never talked to you about it before. I wasn’t... I wasn’t brave enough.” I swallow roughly. “But I’m trying now.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Samir says sharply. I look up with wide eyes, worried I mistook his tone of voice earlier, but then he says, “Dude, you silently lived through that without ever complaining. That’s mad brave. How could you ever think otherwise?”

My throat closes up. Those were the last words I expected from him. “I don’t quite know about that.”

“I do,” he says, unfaltering. “I’m sorry if I helped contribute to...the situation. I’ll be careful in the future, and if there’s anything I can do to help, tell me. If you need me to cover for you again or make up an excuse to get us out of the house, or you just need to, I don’t know, vent, I’ll figure it out. I don’t want you to go through this alone.”

A tear slips down my cheek and I use my sleeve to wipe it away. “Thank you, Samir.”

“Oh, don’t cry,” he says, looking disturbed. “It wasn’t that deep.”

I laugh hoarsely. There’s the brother I know. “It was definitely that deep.” I stand up and walk over to him, holding my arms out. He sighs but doesn’t move away, which I take as invitation to wrap my arms around him from behind.

“It’s no big deal.” Samir looks up at me and winces slightly. “Hey listen, I’ve got your back and all that, but uh...is this thing with Ace really worth it?”

I freeze. “What do you mean?”

He sighs, shifting his gaze to the ground. “You know Ma and Baba are never going to approve. Is this worth it? Have you really thought about it then?”