Bull's Eye

Chapter 8

"This is unbelievable," Devesh Katdare raged. "It's so incredibly improper! The wedding is in just over a month—how can the Bhandiopdhai family just cancel the engagement?"

"Calm down," said Rubina sternly. "They made it perfectly clear that there is nothing we can do to change their minds. But still, there must be some explanation for their behavior. Divya, do you have any idea what could have caused Raj and his parents to change their minds?"

Divya started. She hadn't really been listening to her father's blustering and her mother's anxiety since she had arrived at their beachside mansion; she had been too busy fantasizing about her future. There were so many possibilities now in every part of her life. Her career could continue to blossom at HankMed instead of working in development and acquisitions for a company that she didn't care about. Maybe she would finally go to medical school, even though she was happy being Hank's Physician Assistant. She could stay in the Hamptons with her friends and family instead of moving to London, where she knew no one.

Maybe she could even be in a relationship with a man she wanted to be with… She tried not to picture Evan in various couple-y situations with her: his arm draping comfortably around her shoulders and occasionally tightening in fright as they watched "Garbage Collector IV" for the third time, strolling hand-in-hand down the beach until Evan decided it would be more fun to push her into the waves instead, not being embarrassed when Hank saw her coming out of Evan's bedroom in the morning, even though she and Evan had spent half the night doing the most wonderfully bad things…

Needless to say, she was not succeeding in blocking out these images.

"Divya, did you hear me?"

Snapping back to reality, Divya said, "Oh, yes, Mum. I heard you. I was just thinking." Which wasn't a lie, really. She had been thinking.

"Have you come up with anything? Anything you said, perhaps, to anger or embarrass the Bhandiopdhai family?"

Divya didn't have to think that far back to know exactly how she had alienated Raj's parents; she just had to puke all over his bathroom and then have Raj explain her various imagined addictions. She struggled to keep her face solemn and said, "Nothing really comes to mind. Perhaps it's for financial reasons."

Devesh waved his hand in disdain. "Financial reasons? Bah. We are two of the wealthiest Indian families in existence."

Divya bit her lip. "Perhaps for political reasons, then. How is Katdare International doing?"

Rubina and Devesh glanced at each other in worry. "Divya… Maybe this is a good time to tell you," said Devesh slowly. "Recently, the company has run into some… problems."

"Legal problems," amended Rubina. "But it's very early in the proceedings, so not much information has gotten out. However, I suppose that if the Bhandiopdhai family heard about it, it could have been the reason for cancelling the marriage. Oh, Divya, if that is the case, I am so sorry."

Divya's joy had evaporated. "I'm more concerned about you two than about Raj and my wedding. What do you mean by 'legal problems?'"

Devesh grunted. "As you know, Katdare International has three major bases: one in New York City, one in London, and one in Bangalore. Naturally, employees are required to travel between the three cities frequently. Recently, several employees from the London branch have developed malaria during their multiple trips to India and are suing the company."

"What?" said Divya, shocked. "It's hardly your fault that they developed malaria. If they had been employing any of the multiple methods of prevention of malaria, they would have been completely safe."

Divya's father rubbed his temples, apparently too incensed to continue. Her mother said firmly, "That's what makes it such a ridiculous lawsuit. We are not at fault for their recklessness. In the end, I am sure that Katdare International will be found innocent of all charges. It's just frustrating. We are renowned for taking very good care of our employees and our ethical business practices, but if this becomes widely known it could damage our reputation. We do not want people to think that we are so concerned with money that we ignore the health of our workers." She took Divya's hand and said earnestly, "If this is the cause for the wedding to be canceled, we are both terribly sorry."

Feeling squeamish with guilt, Divya answered, "If this absurdity of a lawsuit is all it took for the Bhandiopdhai family to feel that they must dishonor us in this way, then they are not worth the time or worry of a Katdare." Rubina smiled waveringly and patted her hand.

"Spoken like a true Katdare woman, Divya," Devesh beamed proudly. "You are blessed with wisdom, my dear. No matter what their reasons are, I am sorry if Raj or his parents have caused you any disgrace."

Divya felt that she should defend Raj. "Raj is still my good friend, but I do believe that is all he will ever be," she said softly.

"Have you spoken to him?" Rubina asked eagerly. "Does he offer a reason for this madness and embarrassment?"

Divya's mind whirred quickly. Since Raj had used her to get what he wanted from his parents, surely he wouldn't mind if she did the same to him. "I spoke to him this morning. He did not know why his parents broke off the engagement, but he said that he was very relieved."

"Relieved?" barked Devesh. "What an outrage."

Divya quickly interceded, "He said that he was relieved because he thought it would be better for both of us to make our own decisions. Dad, you just said that I was blessed with wisdom. Wouldn't I be capable of deciding my own destiny?"

Rubina attempted to cut her off. "Divya—"

Divya interrupted, "And isn't Katdare International all about looking to the future? I respect and admire our culture, but arranged marriages are an antiquated tradition. This family is the face of the company…Do you really think that it's sensible to claim to be the new, modern face of Indian business, while marrying me off in an archaic ritual?"

Her parents looked stunned at her outburst. Emboldened, Divya continued. "Most importantly… As parents, don't you want me to be happy? I could never be happy with Raj, or any man that I didn't choose for myself. I could never be happy in development and acquisitions—whatever that means—because my passion is medicine. I love my home, the Hamptons, my friends and family, my job—and you would take all of that away from me for what? Money? Business connections? To feel like you've upheld tradition?"

Oh, God. Why was she doing this? She was ruining the relationship that she had worked so hard to maintain. All through her engagement, she had swallowed these outbursts, but they erupted as soon as the thing she feared most was no longer a problem.

"Divya," Devesh hissed. "Do not say such things. We are your parents, and will not be spoken to with such impertinence."

"But Devesh, she's right."

Rubina couldn't maintain eye contact with her husband or daughter, so she looked at a rather ugly ballerina figurine instead as she carried on. "I suppose that the trouble only arose when the things you wanted began to differ from what your father and I wished for you. You're independent and fierce. I saw these things in you, and was afraid of them." Her voice cracked with emotion.

Devesh stared at his wife. "Rubina…" he murmured.

"So I felt that we had no choice," Rubina continued solemnly. "I thought we were going to lose you. You are young, Divya, and know little of the world. But I suppose that's our fault; we've sheltered you since you were a child. We've made the decisions for you that any American woman would make for herself, trying to pull you back to our culture… And to us. But now I can see that I was foolish to do this."

Divya could barely believe her ears. Rubina smiled at her lovingly, though forlornly. "Your father meant it when he said that you are wise, my child. And you are right… You would be very capable of deciding your destiny, if we were to fully let you. Your father and I want you to be happy… We just thought that we could choose the path to your happiness for you." She paused to collect herself before saying, "But it is time for you to choose your own way. Make your own decisions… Your own mistakes…. Your own joy."

Stunned, Divya stood in silence for a few moments before launching herself into her mother's arms. "Oh, Mum," she whispered tearfully into her dress. "I love you."

"And I love you, my dear."

When they separated, Devesh seemed to be somewhere between tears and laughter. "Oh, the two of you," he hiccupped. "Must you always be so dramatic?" He chuckled hysterically, and Divya gave him a hug as well.

"Mum," Divya said, suddenly suspicious. "What brought about the change of heart? Don't tell me it was Panditjii. Psychics are not reliable sources of good judgment."

"Panditjii is not a psychic—he is a spiritual advisor," Rubina responded haughtily. "The two are very different. And so what if he did lead me to this revelation? Perhaps you should schedule an appointment with Panditjii. I want grandchildren, dearest, and without Raj, you may desire some guidance to find a husband."

Divya decided to ignore this. "So I can stay in the Hamptons?" asked Divya.

"If that is what you want," answered Rubina.

"And I can work at HankMed?"

"Yes."

"And I can date whom I want?"

Rubina tucked a lock of Divya's hair behind her ear. "I suppose," she conceded. "Though he should be well-behaved. None of these wild men that you see running about, with their tattoos and cults."

"And he should have some social status and financial security," added her father.

Her mother nodded emphatically and said, "And we would prefer you to marry an Indian boy. Though it is, of course, your decision, darling."

Divya pursed her lips. This was not totally unexpected. She decided that she should take what she could get from her parents and kissed them both on the cheek. "I'll let you two get to work," she said, no longer bothering to disguise her jubilation.

"Yes, we are supposed to be on a conference call right now with the legal team," said Rubina. "Goodbye, my darling. We'll give you a call in a few days, once all this fuss about malaria has died down. Don't forget to schedule that appointment with Panditjii."

Divya left them in their ridiculously posh mansion and clambered into her car. As she turned the car on, her mind wandered from malaria to rabies…

Maybe Mr. McAvery didn't have rabies after all.