If anyone else heard what Dad had just said, they’d probably assume he was referring to Natasha, who, to everyone’s surprise, got into the gifted program right away.

“That racist fifth-grade teacher was the worst,” Suhani says. “And I can’t believe we all forget that Natasha is the one who used to do well in school, without even trying that hard.”

Suhani always took pride in her ambition and steadfast work ethic. But is it possible that Natasha was more equipped to achieve while Suhani had the potential to take more risks? She thinks back to the times Natasha told her she wanted to be different from Suhani, have her own things going for her. Did both of them become who they are just because that’s how they were shaped by their worlds? And were they both pushed to become the opposite of each other? Were they like a photograph and its negative, their complementary parts exposed and darkened?

“Natasha’s never needed anyone to push her when she decides she wants to do something,” Dad says. “And that day, she wanted to make sure we knew we were making a mistake by even considering Roshan could be a better fit for you. And she reminded us of how much happier and, really, bolder you became once Zack came into your life.”

Suhani taps her fingers on the marble island in the center of the kitchen. Each tap is a tidbit for what Dad told her. Tap. Zack was willing to go to med school. Tap. Her parents ran into her ex-boyfriend, who wanted her back. Tap. Natasha defended Zack. Tap. Suhani wasn’t meant to succeed.

“Wow, this is all a lot.” Suhani feels a sting of impending tears as she runs through all of it again. She has a sudden pang of longing for her sister. For years, she assumed Natasha either didn’t understand her or, worse, resented her. But now she sees that her sister gives her a type of safety nobody else can.

“Of course, it took a lot for us to realize we needed to change,” Dad says, echoing the words he used during his speech at Suhani and Zack’s engagement party. She’ll never forget how Dad raised his champagne glass, looked at her with a soft smile, and in front of all their family and friends said, “Beta, this is exactly why we came here, so you could choose the life you wanted.” As the St. Regis ballroom filled with applause and a wave of “aws,” Suhani realized how much she had underestimated her parents. And because they accepted Zack, all the uncles and aunties did, too.

Natasha was right. Zack did make her different. Someone more willing to take risks, to not be so afraid.

She unlocks her phone, opens her e-mail, and types a response to Dr. Wilson: