Chapter 27

Aman woke up to an empty bed and a steaming bowl full of guilt.  Tamana had left soon after he’d fallen asleep.  She was smart girl and knew exactly when to make herself scarce.  Aman wondered whether she’d done this before, whether or not enticing men in night clubs and spending an eventful night with them was something she did often.  Soft sounds of bangles clinking together drifted into his bedroom.  Aman’s heart clenched with guilt.  Priya.  How could he have done something so malicious to her?

He couldn’t face her, not yet.  He felt so damn guilty! He knew that many men of his stature kept a wife at home and did whatever they fancied with whomever the fancied elsewhere.  He knew his father acted the same way.  And he vowed never to be like his father, but here he was cheating on his wife just like his father had.

“I cheated on Priya.” the word felt bitter as they left Aman’s mouth.

Hiten’s mouth hung open in shock.  He couldn’t even fathom what was happening.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Hiten said with a hint of anger.

“I cheated on Priya last night.  When you left to go off and flirt, I wanted to dance so I found someone.” Aman admitted.

Hiten’s boisterous laughter that followed Aman’s explanation confused Aman.  He was feeling so guilty that he couldn’t even be near Priya, and here his best friend was laughing at him.

“Dancing with another woman isn’t considered cheating. You scared me for a second.” Hiten said.

“I didn’t only dance with her.  We had sex.” Aman continued.

Hiten’s laughter faded fast.  He looked at Aman in disbelief.

“What the hell is the matter with you? Just because bhabhi is a little reluctant doesn’t mean you go off and screw some damn hussy you met at a club!” Hiten exploded.

“I know! I regret doing it.” Aman said, guiltily.

“Did Bhabhi find out?  Are you going to tell her?” Hiten asked.

“She doesn’t know. I’ve been avoiding her. I can’t tell her, Hiten. She’ll hate me.” Aman said.  He’d left early and went straight to Hiten’s house so he wouldn’t have to face Priya.  He felt like such a coward.

“She’ll divorce you.” Hiten replied seriously.

“There’s a clause in our contract that says in the event of a divorce, our merger will be partially dissolved. The losses will be monumental.  Her father would never forgive her.  She’s not going to divorce me.” Aman explained.  He remembered when how she’d cried when he told her father he’d divorce her if he made Payal marry Rakesh even though he never intended on going through with it.

“She’s stuck.” Hiten blurted.

“What do you mean?” Aman asked.

“She can’t even leave you! If she finds out and she hates you, she’ll have to spend the rest of her life with a man she hates!” Hiten said.

“Shit!”Aman replied.  There Hiten goes again, making sense when you least expected it.  He was absolutely right. There was no way Aman could let Priya find out about this.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to see her again?” Hiten asked, not really wanting to know that answer.

“No. The guilt is already killing me.  I’m never seeing her again. I hope Priya doesn’t find out.” Aman replied.

“Who’s going to tell her? There are only three people on this earth that know about your affair.  Me, you, and her.  I’m not telling Bhabhi. You aren’t telling Bhabhi.  She and Bhabhi don’t know each other.  I mean you’re safe, right?” Hiten reasoned.

“You aren’t going to tell her?” Aman asked, knowing even before he’d revealed his secret that Hiten would keep it.

“No.  You’re my best friend.  Why the hell would I snitch on you?  Didn’t do it in school, won’t do it now.” Hiten said with a smile.

“Thanks, Hiten.  How’d it go last night with…” Aman trailed off.

“Aditi.  She’s amazing.  I think I might be in love.” Hiten said dreamily.

Aman rolled his eyes.  Hiten was so dramatic sometimes.

“Did she come here?” Aman asked.

“Yeah she did.” Hiten said with a smirk.  “and boy was she wild.”

“Oh my god shut up!” Aman exclaimed.

“Hey are you going to the business thing tonight?” Hiten asked.

“Business thing? It’s a dinner, Hiten.” Aman corrected, “Yeah I’m going. I don’t know if I’m up to facing Priya though.”

“She had to go with you. What will people think if you show up alone?” Hiten said.

“Damn, I’m going to have to take her.” Aman replied.

“Just stay here and have her meet you there.” Hiten suggested.

“Good idea.” Aman agreed.

He sent Priya text message, telling her about the event tonight and that he’d meet her there.  He then called his secretary and told her he wouldn’t be in today.

“So tell me about this chick.” Hiten said.

“Her name is Tamana.” Aman said.

“And?” Hiten prompted.

“She’s very modern, very forward, and quite bold.  I like it.” Aman said.

“No shit you like it! You cheated on Bhabhi with her.” Hiten replied.

“She’s married.” Aman admitted.

“What the hell?” Hiten questioned in confusion.

“She was unhappy.” Aman tried to say.

“That doesn’t mean you just go around cheating on your spouse! This is beyond messed up!” Hiten exploded again.

“Hiten, I’m sorry. I...don’t know what to do.” Aman apologized.

“Don’t see her again.” Hiten demanded.

“I won’t.” Aman promised.

Priya looked at her phone and saw that Aman sent her a message telling her to meet him somewhere for a business dinner.  She felt sad that she hadn’t seen him in so long and wondered how angry he was with her.  She tried calling him, but his phone was off.  She then tried his office only to be told by his secretary that he called and said he wouldn’t be in today.  Priya was so confused.  Where could Aman be?  Was he avoiding her?

She absent mindedly looked through her closet, searching for something fancy but not too fancy for a business dinner. She didn’t know how people dressed at a business dinner. Aman had always taken her to parties, where polite mingling was encouraged.  She wasn’t sure what she would talk about at a business dinner.  Priya dreaded going.  She wanted Aman to answer all of her questions and to mitigate her uncertainties, but he was nowhere to be found.

Finally, Priya settled on a multi-colored sari whose white skirt was slightly flared at the bottom.  The black drape of the sari contrasted sharply with the white skirt part.  The green and blue patterned blouse added a splash of color to the outfit.  She wrapped the drape around herself just as Aman had done when she wore that slightly over exposing sari to Nikhil and Neha’s anniversary party.  Priya felt so sophisticated in sari of that caliber.  She was sure Aman would approve.  Even though the dinner wasn’t for a few more hours, Priya finished getting ready and perched herself on the sofa in the living room.  She tried calling Aman a few more times, but his phone remained off.

Later that night, Aman and Hiten arrived at the hotel where the business dinner was being hosted.   All of the biggest businessmen and women from New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and the surrounding areas had been invited to attend.  It was a prime opportunity to create new business contacts.  Hiten had invited Aditi to be his date, so Aman and Hiten had picked her up on the way.  She was dressed in a long, one shouldered white dress that showed off her back.  Hiten could hardly keep his eyes off her.  Priya still hadn’t arrived. Aman sent his drivers almost an hours ago.  He was nervous about seeing her after they’d had an argument and after he’d done the unthinkable to her.

“Bhabhi! You look great!” Hiten exclaimed once he sighted Priya.

“Thanks.” Priya said quietly.

She and Aman locked eyes.  For the first time, Aman was the first to look away.  He couldn’t bear looking Priya in the eyes.  She walked up to him, but didn’t say anything.

“You look beautiful.” Aman blurted, saying the first thing that came to mind.

“Thank you.” Priya said.  She was relieved that Aman was actually talking to her.

“Bhabhi,” Hiten said, sensing the tension between Aman and Priya, “This is Aditi. I met her last night.”

“Hi Priya! It’s so nice to meet you.” Aditi greeted.

Priya greeted her back.  Hiten watched the two ladies closely, hoping that they would be good friends.  He knew he could never date a woman that Aman’s wife didn’t get along with, and he really liked Aditi.  Aman noticed Hiten’s intense concentration on Priya and Aditi and normally would’ve pointed it out to embarrass him, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak around Priya.

“Well, let’s get going, girls.  We’ve got some mingling to do before dinner.” Hiten announced.

Aditi linked arms with Hiten as they entered the parlor room where the pre-dinner mingling was to take place.  Aman followed behind them without so much as looking at Priya.  Confused and a little saddened by Aman’s behavior, Priya silently followed behind him.  Throughout the first bout of mingling, Hiten and Aman stayed together as they were business partners.  Priya was relieved that Aditi seemed to know less about business matters than she did. They would sometimes start their own little conversation on the side, leaving the men to deal with the business talk.  Later, Aman and Hiten split up much to Priya’s dismay.  She’d lost her newly found friend and had no one to talk to.

Out of the corner of her eye, Priya thought she saw Rakesh mingling with some other businessmen in the corner.  She turned around to get a better look. Lo and behold, it was Rakesh!  Priya, who was walking a little behind Aman, rushed up to him and clutched his arm.  Aman stopped abruptly.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, confused.

Priya didn’t answer right away.  Her grip on Aman’s arm tightened.  He removed her hands from his arms.

“Priya,” he prompted.

“Rakesh.” Priya whispered, looking down.

Aman looked around.  When his eyes landed on Rakesh, his fists clenched together and his jaw tightened.  Rakesh caught Aman’s eye and quickly looked away.

“Priya, he won’t bother you tonight.” Aman said.

Priya looked uncertain.  She looked over at Rakesh and back to Aman unsurely.

“I promise. He won’t touch you.” Aman said.

“Just don’t leave me alone tonight, please.” Priya pleaded.

Aman hesitated before finally agreeing.  That last he wanted to do was be with Priya throughout the whole event.  He was still trying to keep a fair distance from her.

“Aman, I can’t even deal this intense boredom!” Hiten exclaimed as he and Aditi joined Aman and Priya.

“Stop complaining.  Do you have any idea what kind of progress we’re making by meeting all these people.  I already have a dozen meetings set up to discuss major expansions.  This is going to bring in incredible profits.” Aman replied.

“This is why we’re partners. You handle all the profit junk, and I just tag along and nod like I know what the hell is going on.” Hiten said with a hint of sarcasm.

Aditi giggled, and Aman and Priya smiled.  Hiten was such a character!

Priya’s eyes landed on another woman who was wearing a sari. They were the only two in the entire parlor room wearing sarees.  Her sari was a plain dark blue color, and the drape was worn so that it covered her head.  Priya watched as her husband engaged in a discussion, while the woman in the sari stood by looking thoroughly bored. Hiten and Aman went to join the group that the woman in the sari was in.

“Hi. I’m Satish.  I’ve heard alot about your work here in New York City.” the only Indian man in the crowd greeted Aman and Hiten.

“This is my wife, Tamana.” He continued.

Aman looked like he’d just seen a ghost.  His face paled and he looked extremely disturbed.  Taman looked at Aman and briefly smiled before maintaining her always solemn demeanor.  Aman looked at her husband as Hiten introduced them.  The first word that came to his mind was old.  Tamana’s husband had to be in his forties.  He was a little overweight and clean shaven.  He was tall and wore glasses.  Aman glanced at Priya, thinking how fortunate he was to have to have his marriage arranged with someone so beautiful.

Aman needed to leave.  He needed some air.  He never wanted to see Tamana again and here she was standing in the same room as Priya.

“Excuse me.” Aman said, quickly backing away from the crowd.  He left the parlor and went through the lobby.  He made his way out to the very secluded terrace area on the second floor.  As soon as he stepped outside, he felt someone grab his arm.  Thinking it was Priya, he turned around with a fake smile plastered on his face.  It wasn’t Priya who’d grabbed his arm, it was Tamana.

Aman’s smile faded immediately.  He pulled his arm away and tried to make an escape.

“Aman, wait!” Tamana cried.

Aman stopped, but didn’t turn around to face her.

“I need you.” Tamana whispered.

She walked around to face him.  She kissed him unexpectedly.  Aman resisted, and roughly pushed her away.

“We can’t!” He nearly scream at her.

“Why not? Come with me.” Tamana took his hand and led him back inside the hotel.  She found a coat closet in the lobby and pulled him inside.

“Why the hell are we in here?” Aman asked, frustrated at the whole situation.

“Aman, I need you right now just like you needed me last night.” Tamana said.  She nuzzled his ear and kissed him again.

“Tamana, wait.” Aman said, pulling away from him.  “My wife is…”

“She won’t find out.  Please, Aman.” Tamana begged.

She pushed Aman against the wall and pulled off the jacket of his suit.  She pressed her lips to his and fiddled with the buttons on his shirt.  She threw the drape of her sari off, exposing the low cut blouse underneath.  She kissed him again.  Aman pulled away from her.

“Stop it Tamana!” Aman shouted.  He knew he couldn’t bear the guilt of making this mistake again.  Aman could already feel a wave of guilt washing over him as he surveyed their undone clothes.  Tamana looked like she was going to cry.  Gone was the confident and bold woman  he’d met last night.  Standing before him was someone a lot more vulnerable.

“Did I do something?” she asked suddenly.

“No, it’s not you. I just can’t do this. I can’t betray my wife.” Aman replied.

“You’ve already betrayed her!  You don’t even love her. Why does it matter?” Tamana said spitefully.

“It matters because I care about her. I never want to hurt her.” Aman replied.

Before Tamana could say anything further, they heard the door knob jiggle.  Someone was about to open the door!

Oooohhh they’re about to get caught in the coat closet together!! It’s so high school haha.  Who do you think is standing on the other side of the door?

(Priya’s sari on the right btw. Totally sophisticated, right?)

Okay, quiz time.  What movie also had character named Hiten and Aditi? Hint: It’s a Bollywood movie Hint (again): Shahid Kapoor.  That’s all I’m saying! First person to guess the correct movie gets the next chapter dedicated to him or her!

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