Page 183 of 12 Years

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Tania sat back up on the bed. ‘You don’t find me attractive anymore?’ she said.

‘Are you kidding me? You were the most gorgeous girl at Ling Ling tonight.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes,’ I said. ‘Every guy was checking you out, baby.’

‘But you don’t want me.’

‘It’s just tonight. I’m tired.’

‘Is it my lips? I need to get more fillers.’

‘You get fillers?’

‘Of course, all my friends do. There’s this Botox place in the Marina.’

‘Your lips are fine. And you’re so young. Why do you need Botox?’

‘Is it my boobs? You don’t like them anymore?’

‘Come on, Tania. You’re perfect. You have a model-like figure.’

‘I can get them changed. Any way you want. You want them bigger?’

‘What? No. Please, Tania, relax. I’m just not in the mood today. Must be all the work stress. I’ll see you soon though. Okay?’

Before she could suggest other cosmetology treatments, I said, ‘Your Porsche is in the driveway, right? Come, I will drop you to the porch.’

Once alone in my bedroom, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. I picked up my phone. There was a message from Payal, sent several hours ago.

‘Thanks again for taking me to the temple and the gurdwara. Felt wonderful. Have a great evening.’

I noticed she was still online. What was she doing up so late?

‘You’re welcome, Payal. Am glad you came,’ I replied.

‘Hi, up so late?’ she texted back instantly.

‘Yeah. Just came back home from the birthday dinner. What are you doing up so late? It’s almost three,’ I messaged her.

‘I was asleep. Woke up and then I couldn’t go back to sleep.’

‘Why, what happened?’

‘No idea. Also, I felt a bit hungry. Maybe I didn’t eat enough at the langar.’

‘Oh no. You should’ve.’

‘Or maybe I’m just being greedy, but am craving something.’

‘Craving what?’

‘A snack. Something unhealthy. I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s unhealthy.’

I replied with three crying-with-laughter emojis, and then added, ‘Order something from room service.’

How was this simple chat with Payal more fun than having Tania naked in my bed? Was I losing my mind? Was I not a man anymore? Or was I just too old?

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