After we returned from the village, Vishnu and I spent New Year’s Eve at Mausi’s.
Early in the afternoon, one of the volunteers working undercover in Sonagachi to develop a new raid plan had met an older prostitute who claimed to know Asya when they saw my photo. When she told him to wait, he sent a text message to Vishnu, who ran to tell me. I was helping Mausi trim her jasmine flowers in the garden as he ran out.
Mausi made more chai, and we all sat in the kitchen, just waiting. The whole time we waited, my heart was racing. I knew it. I knew she would come back to me by the New Year.
Over an hour later, Vishnu’s phone rang. He answered on the first ring. I watched his face for clues, for an answer. He looked down and ran his fingers through his hair. When he hung up, he explained that the prostitute had returned with her pimp, who demanded money for talking to her. They started chasing the volunteer for his watch, his phone, and any belongings. He threw it all at them. Luckily he had teamed up with another volunteer, who was waiting in the car.
She had conned him. Mausi rubbed my back gently.
“I can stay home, beti.” Mausi had New Year’s plans, and while I was disappointed, I did not want her missing her time with her friends. Mausi was going to a kitty party with her girlfriends, a few aunties who made it a ritual after she lost her husband. I looked over at the bowl of fresh kheer she had made to bring over as Vishnu answered.
“No, Mausi, don’t worry. You go. I can show Amla the ball drop, and we will order fire pizza—not like New York, but it will do.”
We saw Mausi out and hugged her. Then Vishnu plopped down on the couch, and I followed. “We are in the future here in India because of the time change, so we can watch it tomorrow on New Year’s Day.” He showed me a video from a previous year, of him and his friends shivering outside and counting down, surrounded by what seemed like a million people.
I could tell it made him happy to see his friends. He was leaving for New York soon to return to medical school. I was to continue with my studies and would help Ladki Rights search for Asya. Asya and I had never had many friends; we only had one another. There were a few girls when we were young, but Mummy always said we preferred one another.
I thought of my friendship with Amira and how jealous Asya had been. Was I insensitive back then? I thought I was drawn to Amira for her guidance, but was it that or because she was so liked? Or was it because it bothered Asya so much? Would I be able to make friends in university?
“Hello? Earth to Amla?”
Vishnu had tried to show me another video.
“I’m sorry, I was lost in thought.”
“What are these thoughts?” He sat closer to me and waited. If Mausi had been there, I would have moved away from him out of propriety, but lately, I capitalized on these moments when she was not around. I would lean my head closer to his while we looked at something; or when I rode behind him on his scooter, I hugged him a bit more.
I shook my head and smiled.
He was looking at me, and I felt my body tingle as he brought his face closer.
When we kissed, I let my lips melt into his.
“Are you okay?”
I leaned in and kissed him back. I had fantasized about our kiss. Yes, I was okay. I was safe. I was happy. I wanted to be with him. I felt so alone without Asya, especially after leaving the village, as if it was behind me once again.
I was surprised when I felt him move away.
“Asya, I think if you come to New York, it will not only help you but . . . also I like you . . . very much.” I watched his face, the softness of his eyes. How he always thought before he spoke. “Our organization has a policy which I cannot break. If you agree, I can talk to the board for permission. For us to be together.”
“To be married?” My heart was beating.
“Yes, if that is what the decision is.”
There was so much to admire about Vishnu, and I knew the feeling in my heart for him was more than friendship. I nodded as he playfully tugged at my hair and showed me the second video of his New Year’s. I half-heartedly watched, letting myself daydream of being with him.