The day Ravi departed for Rome, Sora dressed in one of Ravi's Misra Menswear sweaters. It was snug across the chest and warm as he was to the touch. She'd picked it up off his armchair while he was packing and put it on.

He spent so much time at Sora's he ended up doing most of his packing from her place and only went to the condo for things he hadn't yet thought to stow in her spare rooms. He should come back to stay. He's here most of the time anyway. Why shouldn't this be his home again? The Misra and Gallegos families were so entwined that they all ended up owning the same real estate over time, exchanging it over and over in a neverending cycle of marriage gifts, bequests, and divorce settlements.

"How am I supposed to go when you're wearing my clothes?"

"I wear your designs at least once a week."

"You know what I mean. You look..." A rumble of frustration quaked in his chest. "You're making it hard to leave."

"Just means you won't forget what you're coming home to."

"It's gonna be a long lonely flight."

"It better be lonely."

"I might call."

"Call me. Text. Facetime is good for all sorts of long-distance fun."

Ravi grabbed her by her waist and pulled her down onto the bed on top of him. "I'm not gone yet."

"Your car could be here any minute."

"I'm here right now." He caught her lips with his, slipped his hands into her hair.

He was late for his flight again, but since he owned the jet, it didn't leave without him.

...

...

The eleven-bedroom mansion was lip up with diyas (oil lamps) when Sora arrived with Tommy swaddled in his winter coat and her in her earmuffs and gloves. Even for California it was getting chilly. The front steps of the house was decked out with Rangoli patterns out of fine red and black sand illuminated in the gorgeous firelight. She followed the other late comers, pointing out all the lovely things for Tommy though he likely wouldn't remember.

"Sora, welcome."

Sora turned to return Manendra's greeting. She smiled at him, but it felt stilted even to her. They'd been friends once. If she trusted her memory, he'd one lamented that her sons hadn't chosen to chase after her instead of Hana. What a change a few years made.

"Thank you for inviting us."

"Of course, you're family."

Sora bit her tongue lest she question whethere that familial loyalty had been a year ago when she needed a family to defend her from Anthony and Hana's machinations.

"Thanks," she replied, lamely. "This is amazing, what you've done here. Everything is beautiful. It smells beautiful." Her stomach rumbled in assent. She'd been too nervous to eat, and she was sorely regretting it.

Manendra chuckled—Ravi laughed like he did. "Let me feed you—both of you. It's going to be a long night. We don't want you falling out and missing the fireworks."

"Fi'woks!?" contributed Tommy. He may not know much but he knew what he liked, and he loved anything colorful that went boom. Sora was going to be worried about that if it lasted into her son's teen years but for now it was adorable.

"Yes, Tommy, fireworks. You're going to love it." He led them through the finely-outfitted throngs of Misra guests, there were a hundred easily, and waist staff. This was a fully catered event. Sora couldn't guess how m any course, but it was obvious the patriarch had spared no expense in outfitting the celebration. Manendra introduced her to some of his colleagues as Ravi's partner, which was great if incredibly strange. How had she gone from being enemy number one to being an honored guest? She didn't trust the sudden turnaround.

Then she found herself in front of the buffet spread of rich foods being constantly replaced as they were consumed. Servers circulated carrying trays of lassi and other drinks. Sweets were sticky in small hands as children dashed throughout the festivities, tinkling like bells in their fine gold jewelry. The Misra sarees shone as far as the eye could see.

"I'll have to leave you here, I'm sure there are plenty of people looking forward to catching up with you. I'll be on the pool deck if you need me. Try to enjoy yourself."

"I will. Thank you."

"No need to thank me, I think we can agree it's about time."

That they could.

Sora was negotiating with Tommy to get him to try mint-tamarind chutney with his samosa when Hana darkened her corner of the festivities.

"You'll have to sneak it to him. He won't eat it if he can see it." She nodded to her son, Dhiren, who had dashed forward to give Sora a hug as soon as her saw her.

"Hey, Aunt S." She mussed his neat hair playfully.

"Hey, kid. You having fun?"

He shrugged, but she could see the dimples indenting his cheek and the food on the corner of his mouth. He was having the time of his life.

"Good."

"I didn't think you'd come," Hana said, returning to what she considered her rightful place as the center of attention.

"I was invited and I wanted Dhiren and Tommy to get to spend the evening together. Besides, you know how I feel about fireworks." Sora loved beautiful things and had all her life, it was little wonder she'd be here.

"You know how to create them; how could you resist?"

"That makes two of us." Sora kept her voice pleasant. Dhiren wasn't so young that he wouldn't notice his mother and aunt sniping over his head. He was playing with Tommy's hand and telling him about all the sweets and gifts he was going to get tonight.

"Mom, can I dress Tommy in my jodhpuri from when I was little so we can match?" All of eleven, Dhiren was handsome in his white jodphuri embroidered with gold.

Hana squinted as if unsure. Sora suppressed her disbelief; she wouldn't be surprised if Hana had suggested it before they arrived. "I think that's a splendid idea. What do you think, Sora?"

"Only if you don't mind sharing."

"No way, he's my brother. Can I take him?"

Sora reluctantly let her little boy go. Tommy went, babbling, to his favorite cousin. In their minds, there was little distinction between cousins and brothers who spent all their time together. Sora supposed the boys were on to something.

"Dhiren takes good care of him," Sora remarked once the boys had gone.

"He's caring. I'm proud of him."

"You should be." Sora crossed her arms, wishing it weren't so unbearable to for her to speak to her older sister. They had always been at odds on some level, yet this was the worst it had ever been.

"It's a shame Ravi couldn't be here."

"He had other matters to handle and suggested I come so I wouldn't miss the celebration. It's been a few years, I've missed so much."

"You know, Manny, he can never resist the chance for a good party. It brings the family together."

"That it does." So did a good family feud. "How are you? You're looking well." Hana wore a violent saree adorned in gold beading. She glowed like a goddess floating above the ground. When doesn't she? Sora felt lacking in comparison. That was nothing new and she refused to let those feeling speak for her again. She wasn't a child.

"I feel well. I'm sure you've heard the news."

Sora hummed in acknowledgement. "I did." Many, many times. The notifications no longer felt like people looking out for Sora's best interest.