Chapter 4 (No Time for Love)

"So, when is the date?" asks Amanda.
"Saturday," replies Megna.
"Wow, he's giving you Saturday night. That's big."
"You think I'd accept anything less?"

The two friends are sharing their lunch break at Irving Farm coffee shop, something they do two or three times a week. They love it here because there’s no Wi-Fi, which discourages any students or remote workers from littering the place with laptops. This is a place for a book or a conversation.

"What's so special about this Raj anyway?"
"Well, for starters, he's hot."
"I've seen you turn down hotter."
"I like how honest he is. He's simple. He doesn't care much for people's feelings or about what other people think about him. I like that a lot."
"But he told you he doesn't want to get married."
"What can I say, I like a challenge."
"More like you like playing with fire."

"What's the alternative?"
"What do you mean?"
"Aren't we all playing with fire anyway? I mean, I've dated a lot of guys, you've dated a lot of guys..."
"Rude! I'll have you know that just last week, I became a born-again virgin. My slate has been wiped clean!"

Amanda and Megna manage to hold straight faces for three seconds before erupting in laughter.

"You know what I mean, they all say one thing and want another. Most of them can't even admit the truth to themselves, let alone the woman that they are taking advantage of. At least he's upfront about it."
"Is it better to get fucked if you know you're getting fucked?"
"I'd like to think so."

"So how was it anyway?"
“How was what, the sex?”
“Of course the sex! What do you think I’m here for, polite small talk?”
"Meh."
"Why meh?"
"He's quite selfish."
"Was he honest about that too?" Megna chuckles.

"We will work on that."
"It's because he's Indian, isn't it?"
"What do you mean."
"You come off as this modern bitch who’s down for whatever, but you're a Bollywood bitch, the whole way. At the end of the day, you are just a Simran looking for her Raj. Oh, Raj! Do you imagine him singing to you in your future, with the dances and such?" Amanda can't help but dance in her seat mockingly.

Megna’s not exactly elated with the remark, but she at least appreciates the reference. How many other white girls would even bother to learn anything about her culture, let alone be well-versed enough to make a reference to the greatest romcom of the 90s? No wonder she keeps Amanda around.

"I'll divorce him if he doesn't."
"I knew you always wanted a desi boy."
"There might be some truth to that. Should we go?"
"Yes, yes, let us return to our lives, filled with work and men that don't deserve us."

They get up from the table and climb the steps leading out of Irving Farm.

"Let's go the long way?" asks Megna.
"Yeah, why not."

They take a left out of the coffee shop and head towards Gramercy Park. A beautiful, gated park in the heart of the city. Only the landowners around the park have access to it. It is the height of luxury in, quite possibly, the most luxurious city in the world.

"You fucking love walking around that park don't you."
"It's my favorite."
"Too bad you have to own one of these billion-dollar buildings to get a key."
"Yeah...too bad," Megna says, almost coyly.

They approach the park and take a left back towards their offices in Union Square. But before the next turn, Megna stops in front of a brownstone with a wooden door, about 4 stories high.

“Everything okay?” Amanda asks.
“Yes.”
"Then why are we stopping here?"
"This is where his parents live."
"Whose parents?"
"Raj’s parents."
"What! No way, how do you know that?"
"I do my homework."

"So that’s what's special about him."
"Like I said, he is so hot."