Chapter 29 Veera

Chapter 29 Veera

The board meeting was fast approaching, and Deepak was acting like everything was just fine and dandy at home. He held her

at night when they slept. They walked down to the bakery in the morning, he bought her lattes, and he asked her for her opinion

about Illyria Media Group investments. He stood in front of her whiteboard and helped her figure out a business strategy so

she wasn't relying on Illyria Media Group to continue. Veera also had told him about Sana and Olivia's relationship. They

both had to come to terms with the fact that the couple was a permanent fixture in their lives.

And now, it was finally Karva Chauth.

As a holy day where women fasted for their husband's prosperity, it was an incredibly patriarchal practice, but Veera wanted

to be a part of the ceremony, just once, for herself. Their marriage was a religious and ethnic one, which meant that it was

completely reasonable for her to do it.

So she got dressed before dawn and followed the instructions the aunties had texted her about the morning ceremony. Deepak

had been so sweet to her and climbed out of bed as well so he could help her get ready for the day.

Then her mother-in-law had showed up at her door at four a.m. from their New Jersey home. She'd carried bags filled with food and ritual things Veera didn't know she needed. With Deepak's help they had set plates for her, helped her with the pooja practice, and ate before sunrise.

"This is your first Karva Chauth," her mother-in-law said simply as she ran a hand down Veera's hair. "Married women take

care of one another today, and as my daughter-in-law, you are my responsibility. My suggestion is to sit and watch Keeping Up with the Kardashians . They never eat on that show, so it won't tempt you, and there are enough seasons to get you through the day."

Veera laughed, then hugged her mother-in-law as tight as she could, appreciating every moment with her.

After she left, Deepak nudged Veera back into bed, cupping one hand over her breast as he wrapped around her and slept.

At noon, he left her side to get dressed for the office. He had to go to work for a few hours because of how close they were

to the board meeting, and his father's impending retirement. But he gave her a long, lingering kiss and a promise for late-night

cheesecake after she broke her fast.

When he returned at seven, he helped her carry her thaali out to the garage so he could drive them into New Jersey.

The end of the night celebration for Karva Chauth was going to be at Kareena and Prem's house since that was the most convenient

place to meet for family and friends. That was what Kareena always wanted, Veera thought. She was happy her best friend was

surrounded by so much love and community like she'd always dreamed.

"Whoa," Deepak said, as he pulled the car up against the curb in front of the house. The driveway was packed with at least

four cars. "This is a lot of people, Vee."

"I told you that you didn't have to come," she said softly.

He put the car in park and turned in his seat. His eyes were full of warmth as he cupped a hand behind the back of her neck and squeezed. "It's your first Karva Chauth," he said. "Of course I want to be here with you. Technically, I should be here for you, since you're supposed to look at my face and then the moon before I feed you with my own hand."

"I haven't eaten all day, and you want to make smug alpha-hole jokes right now?"

Deepak grinned, unaware of how his life hung in the balance. "You really didn't have to fast for me."

"No," she said. "I'm fasting for myself. I needed some time to find clarity."

"Clarity?" he asked, as he unbuckled his seat belt. "From fasting?"

"Monks do it all the time. Pandits, too. And our aunties."

"Yeah, they're not the best example, Vee. Is that the kind of clarity you're looking for?" There was a questioning tone in

his voice.

"Let's just go," she said. Then she got out of the car and when he met her on the sidewalk, they linked hands and walked side

by side up the walkway.

The door was open, just the way that Kareena and Prem usually left it for parties. Upon entering the foyer, the thick aromatic

smells of chickpeas, curried potatoes, and sweet semolina and raisin halwa filled the air.

There were string lights over the doorways and as they walked down the short hall into the large open space that now held

both the living room and the kitchen.

When the aunties saw her, there was an echo of cheers. "The bride is here!"

As they swarmed around her in red silk fabrics, their mehndi hands waving in welcome, Deepak whispered in her ear, "Why are

they calling you the bride?"

"Because it's my first Karva Chauth," she replied. That was why she'd opted to wear the same red sari she'd worn when they'd gone to Deepak's parents' house. She also had her gold bangles on, her mangalsutra, and the ring that Deepak had bought for her in Goa.

She was pulled forward, separated from Deepak like two pieces of Velcro ripped apart. The irony wasn't lost on her that a

celebration of womanhood, of marriage, was more about the community of women that celebrated and less about the men that claimed

they were a central figure in the practice. She followed the aunties and her mother-in-law as she carried her thaali to the

living room.

Kareena and Bobbi met her next to the Pooja platform with silver trays in hand, as they leaned forward to press kisses to

her cheeks.

"Hi, bride," Kareena said, before she touched the small gold baliyan at her ear. "I feel like I haven't seen you since Bobbi's

engagement."

"That's because I don't think you have," Veera replied.

"I'm glad you were there," Bobbi said, as she wiggled her finger to show off the pear-shaped diamond.

They descended into a brief awkward silence.

Had that ever happened to them before? Had they ever had awkward silences between them? Their texts had been strained, and

no one addressed the argument that had unfolded on their last video chat.

"Bobbi, are you fasting, too?" Veera finally asked, as she admired the palazzo pants and kurta Bobbi wore.

"Nope. But last year, Prem asked Bunty and Deepak to come and keep him company," Bobbi said. "I tagged along. Same deal this

year."

"Where was I last year?" Veera blurted out.

Bobbi cocked her head. "I think at the time you had just flown to Madrid. It was right after the merger."

"I didn't even know this was going on."

Maybe they should have taken the time to talk about their feelings , Veera thought, because she definitely sounded bitter now. Dammit. She was so sick and tired of this bullshit. Of the secret

plans that weren't intentional but hurtful all the same.

To Bobbi and Kareena's credit, they looked regretful.

"We need to talk," Kareena said.

Before Veera could say anything else, Mona Auntie called Bobbi's name from across the room. "I have to go help with the setup."

Then she was gone, and Veera was watching her look just as comfortable as Kareena in this community of women.

"I should probably help, too," Kareena said. "Why don't you join us?"

Veera nodded. "In a minute."

She just needed a minute.

When she was alone in front of the pooja platform, she debated her options. Outside or downstairs into the basement where

Deepak and the guys had escaped? No, people would notice she was missing.

An arm looped around her shoulders before she could take another two steps toward the kitchen, and she was pulled into a familiar

embrace. "You look beautiful," the woman said.

Veera turned to look at Deepak's mother and gasped in relief. "I didn't know you were here!"

"I was just freshening up in the bathroom. I saw my son skulk away into the basement with the other spouses. So? How are you

feeling?"

"Hungry."

Mrs. Datta laughed; her firm grip on her shoulders was an anchor that Veera hadn't known she'd needed. "Don't worry, darling.

You'll have more than enough to eat soon. Will you come with me for a second?"

Veera looked at the room, the flurry of women cooking and setting up their silver trays. "Sure."

She held Veera's hand and led her back toward the front door until they were in the foyer, and the sounds of conversation

were muffled. When they were alone, the older woman took a small silk pouch out of her shoulder bag and handed it to Veera.

"It's your shagun," she said quietly.

"Shagun?"

"It's a gift that a mother-in-law gives to her daughter-in-law. Some mixed nuts and dried fruit. There is some money for you

as well and a coffee shop gift card. New lip gloss, too." Deepak's mother wrapped her hands around Veera's folded hands, her

expression serious. "I know it's not a day for me to ask something of you, but I feel like I should."

"Sure, what is it?"

The woman looked over her shoulder and Veera realized she was thinking about Deepak.

"Your father is going to vote against my son at the board meeting."

Veera nodded. Even as Deepak and Veera had worked on her business plan, they'd talked endlessly about what Deepak could do

to position himself as the strongest candidate and win some of the naysayers to his side. She'd called her old contacts, she'd

spoken to Margaret, and she'd even reached out to a few team members who worked for her father to ask if there were any weaknesses

they could explore on the board.

"Deepak has been... worried," Veera finally said.

"My son doesn't have a shot in hell," his mother said bluntly. "I know when we spoke in your home that we advised you not to get involved. There is one exception and that is when your children are impacted. Deepak will lose the vote if Olivia, your father, and Narinder and a few of the other staunch supporters of Malkit vote against my son. I know you and your father haven't been on speaking terms, but if there is any way you can convince him to think about Deepak in an objective way," she said softly.

"He'll never listen to me," Veer said, her laugh humorless and broken. "He didn't even listen to me when we were working together.

He tried to sabotage my proposal before I had a chance to even propose it to the company formally."

"All I'm asking is for you to try." She reached out and squeezed Veera's hands over the shagun pouch. "This may be the only

way to change his mind. As Deepak's wife, and your father's daughter, I can't imagine how difficult this is for you. And because

of the way your marriage began, I'm sure there are a lot of people who are doubting my son's sincerity and honesty about how

he's going about getting this role."

Veera gaped. "Excuse me?"

Deepak's mother's eyes sparkled, and they looked so much like her son's. "We all know that there was a bit of sharab involved.

We know that it wasn't intentional. But both of you look so happy now, and that's all that matters."

Veera could barely speak, but she managed to get out, "How long have you known?"

The older woman laughed, her head tossed back in gleeful joy, before she straightened the pallu on her sari. "Darling, we've

known from the beginning. We kept waiting for one of you to crack, but you've fallen in love, which is exactly what we hoped

for."

She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Veera's forehead. "You're stronger than all the men in that office," she whispered. "You're stronger than your father. And no matter how it happened, I'm grateful that you're my new daughter." Then with one pat on her arm, she turned to reenter the living room.

Veera sniffled back the tears and pressed a hand to the ache in her chest. Her fingertips brushed her mangalsutra. She remembered

when Deepak had first tied the priest's beads around her neck during their ceremony and how much she wished it was real. Somewhere

along the way, it had become so much more than a fantasy, than a wish.

She looked over at the hallway that led to the kitchen and took a moment to open the shagun pouch. Inside, she found the lip

gloss, the gift card, and the dried nuts, as well as a small box of luxury chocolate, a ridiculous amount of cash, and a tiny

jewelry box with a card.

She read the card first.

These were my first Karva Chauth gifts from my mother-in-law. She was a witch, but she had great taste in jewelry. Now these

are yours.

She wished her sister was there to see how happy she was. To know that Veera was finally finding her place.

Her phone buzzed at that moment, and she saw a message from Sana. Veera's hands tightened on her phone.

SANA: Where are you?

VEERA: At Kareena's house for Karva Chauth. Where are you? You haven't answered any of my calls for the last week!

SANA: It's a bit of a story. I'll tell you soon.

Veera stared at the text. Well, that was ominous, she thought.

"It's almost time!" Kareena's voice echoed throughout the house. Someone began singing an old folk song and other voices joined

in.

Veera peeked out the window and could see the faint shadow of the moon through a stray cluster of clouds.

A full moon was the sign that it was time to eat, but it was also a time for people to lose their common sense.

Praying for the best, Veera reentered the living room and walked over to the small table that held every married woman's thaali.

There were flowers on it, along with a small diya, the flame burning bright and hot. Uncooked rice, symbols in wet red tikka

powder, a coconut on a bed of palm leaves. It looked exactly like all the pictures she'd found online and included all of

the elements that the aunties and her mother-in-law mentioned.

"Come sit with me," Kareena called out from across the room. She motioned for Veera to join her on the floor. The couches

had been pushed to the edges of the space, and the coffee table had flowers and a statue in the center. The women all spoke

at once while they adjusted their saris, dupattas, and salwars as they formed a circle facing one another.

"I will lead the pooja again this year," Sonali Auntie said from her position as she put her tray on the floor in front of

her.

"You will do no such thing," Falguni Auntie snapped. "You take your time, and we're all hungry here." She'd given up her Crocs

but she still wore fuzzy socks on her feet that clashed with her red salwar kameez.

"This is not about food, but about spiritual fulfillment," Sonali Auntie responded.

"I'm too hungry for this," Mona Auntie replied.

"You're all weak," Farah Auntie added from her spot on the couch outside the circle. "Haven't you ever heard of Ramadan? Now try that fast." She held a camera as if to take photographic evidence of the event.

Veera listened to their fight with amusement, enjoying the way that everyone was together. Her mother-in-law sat next to her

and began explaining what would happen next.

Then Mona Auntie began to sing, and Veera was told how to pass her tray to the right and take the tray from the left. After

she was able to pick up the words, or at least what she thought they sounded like, her voice joined those around her, melding

with the aunties', with her mother-in-law's, and with Kareena's.

This was for herself, but also for the part of her that wanted to claim a space in a community that didn't make room for the

single thirtysomething woman she had been. She had a right to be here, even though she hadn't gotten legally married. Her

cultural marriage was a real one. She belonged.

Right?

After they finished telling the story of Karva Chauth, Veera went outside with the rest of the women and held her mesh channi

up to the moon, then she turned to look at Deepak, who stood fidgeting in front of her as his mother took pictures of them

together with her giant iPad.

When he came into view through the mesh sieve as she held it up between them, he smiled at her. Then in true Bollywood fashion,

he pointed at the moon and gave it a thumbs-down. Then he pointed at her face and nodded.

This was the charming side of Deepak, the part of him that had rarely come out to play, the part that she had fallen in love

with.

Veera put her sieve down, and Deepak took her to a corner where he held the tray between them and fed her the first bite.

"Now me," he said, smiling at her before opening his mouth wide.

She giggled. "Deepak, this is for those who fasted."

"I did fast," he said.

Her eyes went wide. "What? What are you talking about?"

"I fasted," he said. "If you weren't going to eat and drink all day to bless our marriage, then I was going to do the same

thing. We're in this together. We've always been."

Veera looked over at the couples, including a laughing and loving Prem and Kareena before she turned to Deepak again. She

felt that every moment they'd had together over the last couple months meant more to her than he could ever realize. She didn't

want to wait until after the board meeting anymore, she didn't want to see if he'd choose his company or make a decision about

their relationship over her.

Because she knew that she could trust him to always choose her.

"Deepak, I have something to tell you..."

"Looks like I got here just in time."

Deepak turned first and the shock on his face was enough to have her whirling around, juggling the tray in hand.

Olivia stood holding a Fendi bag in one hand and wearing a red close-cut dress that made Veera think she was there to commit

murder.

And she was looking right at Veera's husband. "Hello, ex-fiancé. I think it's time we finally talked."