Natasha sighs. “Look, Mom, no offense, but when did you get so scared? You’ve always talked about how it’s important to speak up. Didn’t you get into fights with people because you talked too much when you were growing up?”

Bina leans back in her seat and absorbs Natasha’s words. Maybe she’s right. Maybe decades in America have made Bina a watered-down version of her younger self.

“Oh, so now both my daughters are pretending they’re my mother?” Bina asks.

Suhani says “No” at the same time Natasha says “If that’s what it takes.”

“I understand what you’re saying.” Bina takes a deep breath. She refuses to let herself cry. “But now is not the time to confront anyone.”

And then, before Natasha can convince her otherwise, Bina turns in the cul-de-sac and heads straight home.

Nine

Natasha

NATASHA: Damn, he actually knew me. Really knew me.

IFEOMA: Who? Karan?

PAYAL: Why are you talking about him? Are you drinking?

NATASHA: Only a little.

Natasha hides her wineglass as if her friends can see it. She also gets out of Karan’s Instagram feed. He hasn’t added anything new in weeks. He also hasn’t deleted the pictures of the two of them.

She should have just said yes. Who cares if it felt too soon? Anything has to feel better than this, this never-ending pang of missing the one person she’s spoken to every day since she was a baby. She considers telling her friends this. But this time she knows they won’t get it.

PAYAL: You better not be prepping for another comedy contest behind our backs.

IFEOMA: Agreed! And you don’t need him. You have us. Sounds like you kicked ass the other night.

NATASHA: It felt like the audience loved it. The comedy club is supposed to call me any minute now to let me know if I made it to the next round.

IFEOMA: You obviously did. You’re going to win the whole thing. Now it’s just onward and upward.

Ifeoma sends a GIF of Michelle Obama pointing to the sky.

PAYAL: Agreed. Onward and upward.

IFEOMA: Maybe it’s not the best idea for you to stay at your sister’s place.

NATASHA: I’m good for now. Seriously.

IFEOMA: Come stay with us. Jordan won’t care. We have an extra bedroom.

NATASHA: Y’all are studying all the time. Don’t need a third wheel.

PAYAL: Do it! Also, I know Karan believed in you and all but tbh, I dunno if he could have really handled it. He’s all proper and safe at the end of the day. Probably needs someone like his mom. Don’t they all?

NATASHA: Maybe you have a point.

PAYAL: I know. Also, anyone down to go to Barcelona Wine Bar Friday? I’ll be done with the freaking MCAT!!!!

NATASHA: Can’t wait!