He climbed up the steps two at a time. Dev was going to make Tina listen to him. He was going to convince her once and for all that he didn’t want Shreya. He didn’t want anyone but his wife.
Dev strode into the bedroom and stopped abruptly when he discovered Tina wasn’t there. His anger flashed white-hot at the thought that she had moved into one of the guest rooms. He swung around and marched to the nearest guest room. If Tina was trying to make a statement by leaving his bed, she had picked the wrong night.
The bedroom was undisturbed. Something close to panic mixed with his anger and it was a volatile combination. He slammed open the door to the next guest room and he found it empty. He systematically checked every room on the top floor as the urgency pulsed through his veins.
Had she left? Fear, cold and hard, twisted in his stomach as he hurried down the stairs. Was this one truth too hard for her to swallow? He had to admit that the evidence was building up against him.
As he hurried through the drawing room and the massive dining room that had held so many parties, he heard a strain of music. Dev lurched to a stop, listening. The song was familiar. It was from one of Tina’s favorite romantic movies.
He pivoted on his heel and walked straight to the kitchen. He faltered to a stop when he saw Tina. The relief crashed through him so hard that he slumped against the door frame.
She was barefoot but still wearing her silver beaded dress. She leaned against the granite counter as she watched Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge on the TV mounted on the other side of the wall. Shahrukh Khan and Kajol were embracing while standing in a field of yellow flowers. It took him a moment to notice the small coral-colored pot on the stove. He inhaled the scent of khichri, the simple comfort food of rice and legumes.
Tina had cooked? This was the first time he had seen her cook since she had returned. It had been something she had enjoyed but she’d lost interest after the miscarriage. He wasn’t sure what it meant now. He wanted to see it as a positive sign but he knew to tread lightly.
“You’re still here.” His voice came out rough and low.
She jerked and looked around. The small plate in her hand held a mound of khichri tinged yellow with turmeric. She scooped up the rice and legumes with her fingers and carried it to her mouth. “Where else would I be?”
Her mother’s house. A hotel. Another country. Anywhere but here. He slowly approached Tina, unable to read her mood. Uncertain about his welcome.
“You want some?” she asked, holding the thick rice with the tips of her fingers.
He shook his head. That wasn’t the question he had expected to tumble from her lips. What was going on?
“I didn’t tell Shreya about our agreement,” he said. “She had overheard us in the courtyard the night you returned.”
Tina slowly lowered her hand and placed the rice back on the plate. She stood still for a brief moment. “I should have known.”
Dev reared his head back. “You believe me?” He had thought he was going to have to convince her. Get on his knees and beg for her to listen.
“Yes,” she said as she reached for a cloth napkin and briskly cleaned her hands. “I’m not going to lie. I first believed you told her. I almost didn’t discuss it with you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Tina trusted him enough to confront him with the information. She had stayed and waited for his return. That had to mean something. “Shreya has also learned her lesson.”