The Centre(73)

“Did you honestly think we wouldn’t have a system in place to contain security breaches?”

“Contain?”

I felt unsettled, but I wasn’t going to let him have the upper hand.

“You think I fucking care? Tell her. And go through my iCloud too. Be my guest. Use every fucking tool in your ancient handbook, man. You’re only resorting to threats ’cause you know you can’t buy me off.”

“Oh, don’t fool yourself, darling,” he said. “Everyone has a price.”

“Listen, Uncle-ji,” I pointed to the time on the dashboard. “I don’t want to miss my flight, okay?”

He turned on the ignition and carried on driving toward the airport. We didn’t exchange another word.





TWELVE


When I told Arjun that I wasn’t scared of him, it was mostly bravado. The truth is, I knew that man could harm me in ways deep and long lasting, whereas I could hardly ruffle a hair on his head. But there was one thing I could do. I could, finally, reach out to Naima. I texted her the day after my return.

I’m back. How’s chotu Billee?

Oh yay. B’s a fluffball as always.

I’ll drop him off tonight?

Yes please.

“You okay?” she asked when she saw me a few hours later.

She set Billee’s carrier down and unlatched it. He emerged, sniffing cautiously before we commenced our rituals of reunion.

“Hai chotu Billee. Welcome home,” I cooed and petted him. He let out a little meep in return and instructed to touch noses.

“You look tired,” Naima said. “Jet lag?”

“A little. What’s this?” I asked, pointing to Billee’s expanded tummy. “You didn’t play with him?”

“He doesn’t like to play. Only wants twenty-four-seven belly rubs.”

“You have to make him. Look.”

I found a ribbon toy and waved it around in the air. Billee raised his head and looked at it with rounded pupils for a second before flopping over on his back.

“Told you. So, what did you get up to? Did you see Humayun’s Tomb or whatever?”

“I saw so many things, and I need to tell you about all of it, but first, oh my god, the invite. It’s beautiful.”

While I was away, Naima and Azeem had set a date. The wedding was in six months, and she’d sent me the invite that morning. I lingered on the topic because I wanted to make up for hurting Naima. Also, I didn’t want to jump straight into my news without properly honoring this development in her life first. Whether I approved or not, I’d decided, was irrelevant. In fact, I figured that if things did go badly (which they would), she’d be more likely to come to me afterward if I supported her now.

“I’m excited,” I continued. “We should start dance practice soon, there’s barely any time.”

She scrutinized me. “Are you sure you’re happy about this?”

“Naima,” I embraced her, “so happy.”

She softened with relief. “Oh, thank god, ’cause you’re right. There’s so much to do. So much to fill you in on. I got worried, you know, while you were away, that I’d been replaced in the best friend department. Tell me if I have, okay? I can take it.”

“Well, firstly, never. But also, truth is, I’m not sure Shiba and I are friends anymore.”

“Oh no, why?”

“It’s a long story. Actually, Naima, about that. There’s something I need to show you.”

I flipped open my laptop, plugged in the yellow USB, and showed her the audio file.

“It’s a couple of hours long—”

“Please don’t tell me you two recorded an album.”

I laughed. “No. Nothing like that. It’s just, I’ve been uncovering this whole … situation. It’s bizarre. Surreal. And I need your help. I wanted to tell you earlier, but I didn’t have the words.”

“What is it?”

“It’s all in here. The whole story, start to finish. Would you listen to it?”

“All of it?”

“Please.”

“Can’t you just tell me?”

“I wouldn’t know how. And some of it is just … it’s just not stuff I want to repeat. Just take it home with you. I’ll make you a copy.”

“I want to listen to it now.”

“Yeah?”

“At least the beginning. Just make us some tea, and I’ll sit here and listen.”

And so, after swearing her to secrecy, I handed her my headphones.

“Can I listen without?”

“If you want to.”

“I’d prefer it that way.”

I went to put the kettle on and Naima pressed play. When I returned with the mugs of tea, I heard myself repeating Naima’s own words.

“You are searching for the reasons for your discontent outside yourself, when the discontent itself is the reason for the discontent.”

Naima hit pause.

“I didn’t say that.”

“I mean, maybe not that exactly, but definitely something like that.”

“It sounds like you’re taking the piss out of my livelihood! Why are you so cynical?”