Chand nods and takes a sip of wine. There’s no doubt that he’ll be cut off from any further drinking before the reception even starts.

“I understand what you’re saying, but this really doesn’t sound like the best use of everyone’s time,” Bipin says.

“What?” Bina keeps her voice firm. “Why not?”

She waits for Bipin to respond, but to her surprise, Anita says, “We have so many opportunities to meet and have fun together. I don’t know if we need another one.”

Bina knows she should just let it slide. She should smile and nod politely and move on. They are at a wedding reception, after all.

But something tells her not to back down. Maybe it’s a combination of Deepak’s faith in her, the residue of what happened with Anita, and something bigger, something with force.

“We do need another one,” Bina says. “It’s important for us to stop coming together just to talk about recipes and celebrity gossip. That’s all fun and fine, but we need more. And why are we just there for each other for all those happy milestones—babies, weddings, anniversary parties?”

Bina hadn’t actually thought of that point until now, but when the words leave her, she knows how true they are. “We need to also support each other through our embarrassments and frustrations, our victories.”

“Bina, no.” Anita drops her fork and knife onto her plate. The clink echoes through the hall.

Bina processes the moment as a blur, a hazy collection of sounds and colors, as her best friend’s words sink in.

“Anita.” She keeps her composure. “Do you think you should calm down?”

“You should,” Anita says. “Maybe some of us don’t want something like this! Did that ever occur to you? That maybe you should try to make things better instead of worse?”

“I’m not making anything worse!” Bina says. “I’m trying to help!”

It takes her a few seconds to realize that the deejay has stopped talking and is facing their table. Of course she spoke in the rare pause between the program items. Damn it.

Little by little, a hush spreads over the hall. Guests turn toward them. Someone even has an iPhone out. Great.

The hope pours out of Bina’s body, unwanted, and is replaced by a suffocating humiliation. But she keeps a strong smile on her face. There are murmurs coming from the far end of the room, from people probably just now hearing that there’s drama happening here.

She stands up, cups her hands around her mouth, and says, “Sorry for the interruption. Let’s keep this party going!”