“And it turned out to not be true.”
“But you found it exciting,” Zoe said. “You liked knowing where you came from.”
Meena shrugged. “I don’t need to know my ethnicity. I belong in the world. I guess that’s enough. After all, I have you and a few new friends. I can be a part of a group with people I know.”
Zoe took a sip from her water bottle. “You’re different. More . . . I don’t know if open is the right word. But something.”
Meena nodded. “It hurt finding out the truth. I ran because I realized how much I wanted that connection. I know I’ve . . . kept people at a distance.” Meena cleared her throat. “Including you. I’m going to try to find a balance, figure out who I am after this speed bump.”
“More like a giant hill to jump over,” Zoe said. “You’re lucky I don’t let people leave me. It’s my baggage. Thanks to divorced parents with their new children, I collect people who I want in my life and make sure they’re never allowed to drop me the way my parents have done.”
“I promise not to resist,” Meena said. “Not as a resolution or anything. I want to be as good of a friend to you as you are to me.”
“Does that mean you’ll now have a five-year plan? Remember birthdays, share your accomplishments and your failures?”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
Zoe threw a present at her and Meena caught it. It was the same present Zoe gave her each year. “This time don’t treat this like a collector’s item. Use it. It doesn’t have to be five years.”
Meena flipped through pages of dates and times. “I guess I could write in my dates for assignments. Roughly plan out a week or so to come back here.”
Zoe took it from her. “You’re doing it wrong.” She grabbed a pen from the desk. “This is a passion planner. It’s about visualizing your future, putting it on paper, and committing to it. Let’s see. We’re going to start you on baby steps. What do you want out of the next three months?”
“Work.”
“Besides work.”
Meena was at a loss. She shrugged. “What are you writing down?”
“Date someone,” Zoe stated. “That’s your goal. Not to go on one date but see someone for at least three dates.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Meena said. “I’m going to be working, I don’t know how long I’ll be in one spot.”
“That’s the beauty of this.” Zoe pointed her pen at Meena. “If you commit, you have to find a way. Plan for it. How long is your assignment in Seoul?”
“A week.”
“Then you’re going to be there for a few more, right? Build in a little time to socialize. Or reconnect with your network there. Maybe you can see someone you already know in a different way. You don’t have to fall in love. You just go on a first, second, and third date with the same person. That’s nothing. Baby steps.”
“It’s not feasible.”
Zoe plopped on the couch and curled her legs under her as she crossed out what she’d written. “Let’s see, what’s even a smaller step than that? Got it. The guy you met in Boston, the one across the hall, your goal is to text him.”
Meena shrugged. “I can do that.”
Zoe looked at her. “Not just a text; you have to flirt with him. If he flirts back, you must keep at it. For three months.”
“What’s the point?” Meena asked. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back in Boston. It’s not really fair to start something . . .”