ANITA: Can we meet sometime?

Bina responded right away. Of course.

She’s not sure what to expect when they’re face-to-face. Things between them may not be the same ever again. But for now, all she can do is take it one day at a time.

“Well, Gloria Steinem is a fitting nickname for you, seeing as you will be making a public speech soon.”

Bina got the e-mail two weeks ago from TEDx asking her to speak about the power of women’s support groups.

“I still can’t believe that’s happening,” Bina says. She’ll be on a stage. A real stage. It won’t be in the way she always envisioned, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying. She spent so many years tied to one picture of fulfillment that until now, she didn’t allow it to take any other shapes.

And Natasha’s helping her with her speech. Who would have thought that Bina’s middle child would be guiding her on how to captivate an audience? Then again, Natasha’s taught their whole family how to be more vulnerable. And maybe that’s the only way to truly get a sense of belonging with yourself and others.

“Believe it! After all that crap, this is what you’re doing,” Mona yells. “Screw Bipin!”

“Yes! Screw him!” Nita, Mona’s neighbor who recently joined the group, echoes Mona and adds a fist punch into the air.

“Screw Bipin? Really?” a soft voice behind Bina asks.

Bina turns around and is looking directly into her friend’s round eyes. “Kavita. Oh my God! What are you doing here? We’ve been so worried about you.”

“We have!” Mira exclaims.

“I got an apartment down the street.” Kavita’s manicured hand motions toward Peachtree Street.

“You’re living alone in Midtown?” Bina asks. “Really?”

“Really!” Kavita nods. “See? Your Devi isn’t the only one.”

“Oh, she’d love to know that,” Bina says.

“She already does. I’ve been talking to her over the past couple of weeks to figure this out,” Kavita says.

“How did this work out for you? Are you okay?” Bina hugs her. Kavita’s smiling when she pulls away. Her eyes have a brightness to them, as if she just woke up from a good nap. “You look okay. No, more than okay. You look amazing! Let me see you!”

“Let us all see you!” Mira exclaims as she and all the other women cluster around Kavita.

Kavita does a slow, sheepish twirl as they all take note of her look. Emerald-green dress with a flared skirt. Sleek bob cut. Gold studs in her ears.

Bina and Mira exchange a glance that means This calls for another whistle. They blow a series of whistles for the next several seconds.

“Don’t hold back on us,” Mona commands. “How did you do it? What did Bipin Bhai say?”