“You get the ingredients. I’ll wash the pan we used for the rice.”

She squeezed his arm and got to work.

“That smells amazing,” he said as the chai came to a boil.

When she gave him a taste his eyes did things they should not be doing here in public.

“How are we going to pour it without a strainer?”

“Is a paper napkin considered a utensil?” Rico pulled one from a roll.

Well, someone would stop them if it was. Ashna placed a napkin on each cup, gave it a poke to make an indentation, and poured.

DJ started to count down the last ten seconds. Ashna finished tearing some mint and sprinkled it on the rice. Just as he called out “Time’s up,” Ashna stepped back and tossed the knife high up in the air.

The entire studio went silent, holding one long combined breath. The knife spun in the air, the sharp silver edge catching the light, and landed neatly back in Ashna’s hand.

The crowd went crazy.

Rico picked her up and spun her around.

As the food was being transferred onto trolleys to be taken to the judges, China announced that their families were in the audience again.

The one-way screens between the staging area and the audience were moved away and there they were: her family. Her uncle and aunt; Nisha and her husband Neel; Mishka; Trisha; Yash; and right there squeezed between Trisha and Nisha, Mom.

Her mother’s eyes shone with pride. She winked at Ashna after a quick look at Rico.

Ashna searched the audience for Zee, but he wasn’t there, and her heart twisted.

As soon as they went to break so the contestants could mingle with their families, China brought Rico an iPad with Zee on live video chat.

Zee and Tanya were squeezed tightly together in the frame. Tanya was even more stunning than Ashna had imagined, hair in braids and beautiful black eyes that swept up at the edges. They were supposed to fly out last night, but Tanya had felt sick and they had gone to the hospital and found out that Rico was going to be an uncle.

“Another godchild, Uncle Rico,” Zee said.

“Bring it on, mate,” Rico said, joy brightening his face.

Just as Ashna and he said bye, her niece flew at her. “Ashi Maushi! Can you introduce me to Danny? He was so amazing!”

“Why thank you, darling.” Ashna squeezed her. “I’m so touched to have you rooting for me.”

“Well, of course you’re going to win. Because everyone loves you and your new boyfriend.”

“Mishka!” Nisha said.

“Come on, Mom! You and Dad said it too. Don’t you always say we don’t have to pretend with family?”

Nisha let out a resigned sigh.

Yash and Rico pumped each other’s hands like they were long-lost loves too, and it made Ashna giggle.