“You didn’t tell him where you were going, did you?”

“No, of course not. But he knows where I work, so he came to the bank and asked me to go out for lunch with him. He was polite, but when I refused to go with him, he threatened me. He started swearing in Gujarati, ‘Salli, tara tukede-tukda kari fanki daish.’” She began sobbing.

“Bapre! He wants to cut you in pieces and throw you out! Mohini, he’s going to kill you if he gets a chance,” I said. I paused for a breath. “Listen, do you have any money?”

“I have some, and I can borrow from Karen.”

“Take the earliest flight and come home.”

“What will happen to all of us . . . ? You . . .”

“Come home. You’re much more important than any fake reputation. Call Sarina’s house and leave a message with your flight number and when you’ll be arriving. I’ll be at the airport to meet you.”

When I got back to the car I asked Sarina, “Is it all right if Mohini stays at your house with me?”

“Of course.”

“Shouldn’t we ask your parents?”

“No, Jeeta. If they know about it, then they’ll have to worry about not telling your mummy. If they don’t know, no one can blame them.”

“But then you’ll be in the middle.”

She put her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”

“It’s only for two days, until Pappa comes home; I hope it works out.”

“Quit worrying. My grandfather used to hide freedom fighters in his house for days when the whole British Raj was looking for them. I can certainly be brave enough to keep Mohini for two days.”

On Saturday morning, I was edgier than a monkey. After lunch I got my bag ready and told Mummy that I was going to Sarina’s house.

“Do you have to go? You’re not completely cured.”

“I promised her months ago.”

That night Mohini and I were both tired: she from her long trip, and I from going to the airport to meet her. I didn’t notice when we passed by the Haji Ali Dargah tomb and the Race Course. All I remember was holding Mohini’s hand as we drove to Sarina’s house. I wished we could’ve talked, but it was after two A.M. by the time we’d parked the car in Sarina’s courtyard. Mohini took a shower, and then we went to bed.

After a long time I was able to sleep well, knowing that in the darkness I could hear her breathing and reach with my hand and touch her.

I came home the next morning, right before Pappa arrived. After he finished his tea, Mummy went to take her shower. That is when I told him what had happened. His face seemed to shrink and his lips trembled.

After a long silence, he asked, “How’s Mohini?”