The Rummy Club by Annop Ahuja Judge

Author:Annop Ahuja Judge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby

Priya

“Happy birthday, Mom.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

“So Mom, have you got any big plans for tonight?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call them big, but it’s our rummy night at Auntie Mini’s house and I know all the girls will make a fuss.”

Silence on the other end. From the sound of the wind in the background, Anya is rolling along a freeway somewhere at high speed.

“Well, Mom, you know I could always skip my dance class and come over to take you out for dinner. Or if you’re willing to miss the cards session, you could drive over to Berkeley, and I’ll take you to that fab tapas place on Grant Ave. All my friends have been raving about it for weeks!”

Priya smiles at the thought of celebrating her birthday at some joint suggested by Anya’s friends at Cal. She’s not overly fond of the crowded hole-in-the-wall restaurants they frequent. But it’s sweet of the child to think of her.

“No, my dear. It’s totally fine. I know how important the dance class is to you. Besides, you and Sameer are coming over on the weekend anyway.”

“Oh, yes! I’ll see you then.” Priya hears her daughter’s relief. The road noise vanishes in the background and she guesses that Anya is closing the window.

“Hey, Mom, remember I told you about my roommate Anjali? I was telling her about your potato paranthas with homemade ghee, and she got all teary-eyed. She misses her family so much. So is it okay if she comes home with me for your birthday?”

“Of course, you can bring her, Anya baby. Where do Anjali’s parents live?”

“Somewhere on the East Coast. Mom, I’ve got to run. I’m late for class! But, I LOVE YOU! hope you have a wonderful time tonight with your friends.”

Priya is still smiling when the phone goes dead. The last three months have not been easy on any of them, but for the moment, it seems that her kids are getting settled back into their old routines and the upheaval in their lives has subsided somewhat.

It’s been harder for her. Priya can’t bear to be near Vik, though he’s tried—many, many times. Wooing her with her favorite white lilies and with Godiva chocolates. reservations for romantic dinners at old haunts where they had cozy meals in happier times. Priya remained unswayed.

He descended into angry tirades—obscenities over the phone, calling her “a fat garbage of a woman.” Priya restricted all communication to e-mail or text. enough, Vik. I’ve had enough. We have broken our hearts, we have broken our home, and we have broken our marriage. We have nothing left. It’s time to go. Punditji’s words from the Vedas finally register: “Look at the clouds, how they roll on. Look at us, how soon we’re gone.”

It wasn’t until she hired a divorce attorney who sent Vik the dissolution of marriage papers that he realized she meant business.

Of course, Vik hired his own attorney, a blonde playboy with flamboyantly starched shirt cuffs and a cocky swagger in the courtroom. Priya observed the lawyer’s sly glances to see if his threats and accusations were having their intended effect.

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