Secrets of a Bollywood Marriage(35)

                “I thought we were in this neighborhood because you wanted to get chaat,” Dev said.

                “I want that, too.” For months she’d eaten only for sustenance, for fuel. Nothing had tasted good and it had been a chore at every meal to spoon the food into her mouth. Yet it was different since she had returned to Mumbai. She noticed the toasted warmth of cumin or the bite of cayenne wafting in the air and needed to taste it. Experience it.

                “Are you sure you don’t want to go to a restaurant?” Dev said as he placed a protective arm on the small of her back as a barefoot child with spindly arms and legs ran past them. “There’s a really good one on the other side of Mumbai.”

                Other side. She knew he really meant to say the good side. The glittery and elite world where he ruled. The exclusive neighborhoods that she still couldn’t enter if she didn’t have the Arjun name and clout behind her.

                “Those restaurants are not authentic. They make appetizers and snacks that are inspired by chaat,” she declared with her nose in the air. “You have to get chaat from the streets. Tell me you’ve eaten something from these wallas at some point in your life.”

                He shook his head. “My family considered it unhygienic.”

                “That just adds to the taste,” she teased him. “I can’t believe you haven’t been to a bazaar or eaten street food. You need to see more of Mumbai.”

                “I was born and raised here,” he reminded her.

                “Not my Mumbai.” She flashed a smile of thanks to the paan walla as she accepted the stuffed beetle leaf that lay on a small square of tin foil. As Dev paid with rupees, Tina tucked the treat in her mouth, resting it between her teeth and the inside of her cheek. She tilted her head back and moaned. “Ah, now that tastes like home.”

                Dev looked away abruptly. As if he couldn’t stand the sight of her. Her stomach twisted and suddenly she wanted to spit out the paan. “Are you sure you don’t want to get one of your own?” she asked.

                “I’m sure.” His words were clipped with anger. “Let’s go find some chaat.”

                Tina hated his mercurial mood. He had never acted like that before and yet it was happening constantly in the past two weeks. Just when she thought they had found a truce, it slipped away. It was like dark storm clouds rolling in suddenly and blocking out the sun.

                She also noticed that he hadn’t touched her in two weeks. The briefest touch and flirty banter teased her, had her waiting for his next move, but nothing happened. He didn’t hold her through the night or swoop in for a kiss.

                She was glad about that. Just thrilled. Tina always knew that this day would come, when he no longer found her attractive. It was bound to happen. She may not have a hold on his senses, but he would never know how weak she was for him.

                “Aloo tikki sounds good, doesn’t it?” she asked with determined brightness. “I’ve always had a weakness for potatoes. Ooh, no. Forget that. What about panipuri?” Her hands fluttered in front of her mouth as she thought about the crispy treat that was filled with spicy water. “I haven’t had that for ages.”

                “You could have had that months ago if you had returned home with me.”

                Tina decided to ignore that comment. “We should move faster before someone recognizes us. And unless you want to start a mob, stop giving money to the beggars.”

                “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dev’s attention was straight ahead as they navigated the busy sidewalk.