My So-Called Bollywood Life(56)

“I got it,” Dev said, and took it from her.

She was about to argue, but her phone started buzzing. When she saw that it was Raj, she moved to decline the call.

“Go ahead. We’re almost done. I can meet you outside.”

Winnie sighed. “Okay, I’ll be like two seconds.” She got up and wove through the cluttered tables and chairs toward the exit.

“Kamina, kutta, sala,” she said sweetly when she answered.

“Listen, I may be a bastard right now, but I’m not going to help that asshole, especially with the information I just found out.”

Winnie peered through the glass at her boyfriend. Dev was handing a few bills over to the waitress. “You have five seconds before I hang up on you.”

“No matter what you think, I still want to help you. We were friends before we dated.”

“Raj, spit it out.”

    “Dev’s name. It’s shortened. He’s registered with the school as Dev Khanna, but my mom’s friend’s cousin is good friends with his mom, and his real name is Ramdev. His name starts with an R. He knows about your prophecy and he lied to you. I don’t get why he didn’t tell you sooner.”

She looked at Dev through the restaurant window as he finished paying. No way.

“Raj, Dev is not a liar. You are.”

“Oh yeah? Ask him. He’s been going by Dev for everything. Class rosters, online presence, whatever. But his birth name is different. Don’t you think if he can lie about this, he can lie about stealing the film-club money?”

The dosa she’d enjoyed turned in her stomach, weighing down on her. “No, you’re lying. Dev wouldn’t do this to me.”

“Why would I lie to you about this? Listen, I know you hate me, but like I said, we were together for a long time. I’m the one who, despite everything, knows you better than anyone. And you know me.”

Winnie didn’t want to hear any more. She couldn’t hear any more. She ended the call when Dev stepped outside.

“Everything okay?” he said.

“Let me see your driver’s license.”

He hesitated. “You want to see my license?”

“Yes,” she said, and waited.

“Winnie.”

“Now, Dev.”

He pulled out his wallet and paused a moment before he passed her his license. She snatched it from him and searched for his name. There it was, in plain sight: RAMDEV KUMAR KHANNA.

    “I was going to tell you. I tried to, but…”

She tossed the license against his chest. “Why didn’t you? Why did you lie to me about this one thing that I shared with you that you knew was such a big deal for me?”

“I didn’t exactly lie….”

“A lie by omission is still a lie, Dev! Why did you do it?”

“You know I’ve wanted to be with you since freshman year.”

“Is it because I used to be Raj’s girlfriend and now you want to get back at him?”

“No! Winnie, it’s important to me that you like me for who I am. Not like with Raj—”

“What about Raj?”

“Well, we all know you only dated him for your star chart, not because you really liked him. That’s pretty easy to see.”

Her mouth fell open. “Is that the type of person you think I am? Of course I liked him! What kind of human being does that make me if I stayed with the same guy for three years just because of an astrology prediction?”

“But you never loved him.”

Guilt cast a shadow over her heart. “That’s none of your business.”

“Of course it’s my business!” He took a step forward, and Winnie retreated. He held his hands up as if to show her that he wasn’t going to touch her.

    “If you loved Raj, then I never would’ve had a chance now. You’d try to make things work with him. I wanted things to be different for you and me.”

“You’re not getting it, Dev. I thought I was making my own choices when you and I started seeing each other. I was creating the destiny that I wanted for myself. How do you think I feel now that I know I’ve been manipulated? You played me.”

He stepped closer, cupping her face in her hands, and she felt his calloused thumbs brushing away her hot, angry tears. “I wanted you before I heard about the prophecy.”

“But you lied,” she said. “Now I can’t be sure if I’m making this choice on my own or if…To think I almost gave up the co-chair spot because Reece doesn’t want you in the festival anymore.”

His hand dropped limp at his side. “What? You’re still festival chair? After what Reece has done to me, I can’t believe you’re still a part of that.”

“What, did you expect me to quit?”

“Yes, actually. Because your boyfriend got suspended.”

The word boyfriend was like a kick to the gut. When she didn’t say anything, Dev started toward his car. “Well, I guess I have answers, too. Don’t you see, Winnie? This is why I didn’t tell you my full name. I’m just a rebound to you.”

    “You were never a rebound,” Winnie said, running the back of her hand over her nose. She couldn’t stop crying now. “I’m trying to be smart, Dev. Unlike you, who decided lying was the best way to get what you wanted. Do you think I can try to help you clear your name if I’m out of the film festival altogether? Or are you looking for me to make some grand movie gesture?”