Sunday night, I slip a packet of research I did on Columbia’s English program under their door. Later, I hear my parents arguing with Dadu on the phone. I have to light two candles to stay calm enough to listen. The conversation starts loud but ends quietly. When my dad comes out of their room, he looks even more resigned than before.

“We’ll start looking at the best colleges for English in the summer. We saw your research, and the English program at Columbia looks decent, but you need to have backup options if it doesn’t work out,” Baba says on his way to the bathroom, and I gape at him. He doesn’t notice, already closing the door, but I can’t even process the words.

I did it. Things worked out somehow, and I can—I can have the future I want.

And I can have my parents, too.

That’s all I ever wanted.

One day, I know we’re going to fight over my general lack of freedom, and we’re definitely going to fight about Ace. But I have to believe those fights will be worth it.

I’ll be stronger. Braver. Bolder. I will win in the end. And Dadu will always support me.

Now that everything is resolved, now that my future is in my own hands, I can recognize Ace was right.

My true bravery was always there, hidden within my strength.

I text Nandini and Cora immediately with the good news, and they FaceTime me in tears. Cora is at the hairdresser and Nandini is at the movie theater, but neither hesitated to call. Of course they didn’t.

“We were so worried about you.” Cora sniffles. “I didn’t know what to do and Nandini said there wasn’t anything we could do, but I just love you so much and want you to be happy.”

“I was right,” Nandini says, but she’s rubbing at her red-rimmed eyes, too. “It wasn’t anything we did. You saved yourself, Karina. I’m so proud of you. We both are.”

“You guys did so much, though,” I say, refusing to let them gloss over their support. “You were there for me. You gave me the space I needed. You supported me from the beginning. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Cora starts crying again, which sets off my own tears. Nandini tries to maintain a cool image, but her eyes are glassy, too.

“We’re so happy for you.” Cora wipes her nose hastily. “I’m going to give you the biggest fucking hug when I see you.”

“This is everything you deserve.” Nandini’s expression is so earnest I have to look away and take a deep breath to keep another round of tears from slipping free.