Page 54 of Stumped

Some would call the four of us—Tamara, Millie, Krys and I—workaholics and it’s not too far from the truth. We know how to turn off our work brains, but if something comes through while we’re out, we’re instantly trying to solve the problem. So on the nights we meet, we put our phones on airplane mode so we don’t get sucked into emails and texts from anyone outside ofthe group. Krys and Millie’s partners are always aware of where we are, so if something comes up, they know where to find us. Thankfully in all the years we’ve been doing this, nothing of importance has happened while we’re out.

However, I’m itching to check my phone because I want to make sure Elias is okay.

But sinceIset the rule in place, my girlfriends will tease me endlessly. So I force myself to think about anything else. Like how crowded this bar is andwhy are there so many young people under one roof? Shaking my head, I turn to Millie and Tamara leaning into each other as they cackle.

Krystina, Millicent, Tamara and I became friends one month into our first year of college in Mumbai. We spent the next three years navigating the trials and tribulations of college life. We had big fights and bigger make-up sessions, we snuck out of the hostel countless times to go partying and stood by each other when the warden caught us sneaking in the morning after. Even though we had different majors, we helped each other through our exams and assignments, showing up even when we weren’t asked for help.

After college, we went all over the place for further education. The distance didn’t break us apart, even though it was hard at first. It got easier once we were all in India again. And in the last fifteen years, we’ve been there through heartbreak, marriages, divorces, miscarriages, births of children, deaths of parents and every time a job gets the best of us.

This kind of friendship stands the test of time.

“Why are there so many people here tonight?” Krys asks as she returns with a pitcher of margaritas.

“Itisa Friday night,” Millie slurs.

I gather the empty glasses and top them off. We do our best to try new places every month, for the sake of variety. We also make sure never to meet over the weekend for this very reason,but we had no choice this week. Krys and her family are off on holiday soon and Millie and her fiancé are starting the process of adopting a baby.

“Does it make us really old that we’re complaining about people?” I ask and take a big sip of my drink.

Tamara snorts. “Weareold. Well, older than most of the kids here.”

We do a sweep of the space and shake our heads. It’s hard to tell how old they are since most teenagers look like adults these days.

“Speaking of kids,” Krys starts, untying her hair from the complicated up-do she had it in all evening, “mine wanted to know why theirauntieshaven’t come visiting in a long time.”

“Ugh, I miss your kids.” I pout at the realisation it’s been six months since I’ve seen them.

“Please tell me you said we’ve been off saving the world,” Tam offers.

“Something along those lines.”

I narrow my eyes. “You better not have made us sound like assholes.”

“Venkat told them you’re being badass boss babes and that shut them up. They didn’t know if they should reprimand their father for sayingassor decipher what it meant.”

We burst into laughter, shaking the table and squeal loudly, hands reaching for the pitcher so we don’t spill it. Tequila is sacred in this group.

“I’m glad you two found the good ones in the world,” Tamara mumbles, knocks back her drink and refills her glass. It’s only been a few hours since she told me about dumping Kabir, but she ended things a week ago and stewed in it by herself for that long. Krys and Millie never liked him either, but unlike me, they didn’t say anything. We’ve learned from past mistakes notto get involved in each other’s relationships—unless absolutely necessary.

“Fuck Kabir for not being everything he was supposed to be!” Krys says loudly.

Millie smacks the table, making it wobble. “Fuck him! You deserve better than that piece of crap.”

All three of them turn to me and I roll my eyes. “Fuck Kabir,” I say halfheartedly, because they know the truth.

Millie and Krysboo, drawing the attention of the people around us and Tamara laughs as she wipes at her eyes.

“Who is Vee fucking these days?” Krys asks.

“Well…” Tamara starts and I shoot her a glare.

Getting to my feet, I smooth down my dress. “That’s my cue to pee.”

Another round ofboos echo behind me and I laugh as I head to the restrooms. When I’m done, I gather my hair into a ponytail and step outside as a loud groan startles me. I follow everyone’s attention to the television and see a cricket-themed commercial.Of course, it would follow me everywhere. I shuffle through the people and look up again as the field comes into view. The score appears at the bottom and I wince at the Renegades losing another wicket with only eighty runs on the board. The camera gets close on the batters standing in the middle of the pitch and my heart clenches—I recognise one of them.

The shorter one looks stiff, moving slowly as he tucks the bat under his arm and rolls his neck. Between video clips and seeing him naked in my flat every single day, I can read him so clearly even at this distance. He fidgets, shifting from one foot to the other, something he does when he’s anxious. If he wasn’t wearing his helmet, he’d be running his fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends and smiling nervously. He bumps gloveswith the other player and turns to walk to the crease and my mouth goes dry.

I’ve always thought the Renegades yellow uniform is a crime, but it looks so good on him. The jersey fits his torso perfectly, highlighting his strong arms. The pants hug his thighs and his ass, and on his back is the number nineteen withJosephprinted below it.

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