Page 115 of Reasons We Break

Simran hands the semiyan to Neetu’s mom and follows Neetu up the stairs. A few of Neetu’s relatives in the living room below peer up at her, which she pretends not to notice. She can imagine what they’re thinking, though.That’s the girl who was inebriated last night. She insulted people at Neetu’s party. Why is she imposing herself—

Neetu leads her to her room. “Don’t mind the mess,” she says, despite the only thing out of place being her unmade bed and the pile of clothes on it. She starts folding her blanket. “Come sit.”

Simran doesn’t move from the doorway. “I’m sorry.”

Neetu drops the blanket. “Simran—”

“I caused a scene last night. In front of your relatives and future in-laws. I’ll apologize to your parents and Gurjeevan too, but I wanted to say it to you first. I’ll do anything to fix things.”

She waits, head bowed, until Neetu sighs. “Simran, look at me.” Simran does, and Neetu walks forward to take her hand. “I accept your apology, okay? But you have to tell me what’s going on. You haven’t been yourself in months.”

She doesn’t feel like herself anymore, either. The secrets run so deep now, she doesn’t know where to start digging them up. “You shouldn’t forgive me so easily.”

“Why not? You just made a mistake. You’re not a bad person.”

“But Iama bad person,” she bursts, and Neetu tilts her head. “If you knew the things I’ve done recently, you’d say so, too. You’d say I’m not fit to wear this.” Her hand drifts to her hip, where her kirpan sits under her clothes.

“Isthatwhat this is about?” Neetu shakes her head. “You and I both know I can’t tell you you’re a bad Sikh. There’s a reason we don’t have priests. Why anyone can lead a congregation. No one is an authority on Sikhi, Simran. We’re all equal in it. That’s the point.”

“But I think Ineedan authority,” Simran whispers. “I can’t tell the difference between right and wrong anymore. I think I need someone to tell me.”

Neetu gives her a look. “You know, there’s a lot up to interpretation in a book of poetry and music like ours, but there’s also a rock-solid historical foundation that tells you exactly what Sikhi’s about. You know what that is?” She doesn’t wait for an answer. “It’s about selfless service to your community. About always being willing to learn. Welcoming people from all walks of life, especially the ones everyone else has shunned. It’s about being brave enough to defend them, even when you know that means everyone will start shunning you, too.” Her voice softens. “Remind you of anyone?”

Simran blinks. Blinks again.

“Don’t get me wrong. I think you make mistakes.” Neetu frowns. “A lot of them lately, and honestly, I’m worried about you. But not for this. What you said yesterday was something a lot of us needed to hear. We’ve all been way too harsh on that Randhawa kid.” She grins and picks up her blanket again. “I mean, he’s kind of funny.”

Later that afternoon, Simran heads to Hillway, courtesy of her mother’s reminder text. Today’s session is at an animal shelter. But when she shows up, Rajan’s name isn’t on the sheet of volunteers. She’s assigned to someone else.

She finds Paul. “I think there’s been a mistake in the assignments.”

“Oh, right. I didn’t have a chance to tell you. Rajan had to leave town on short notice.”

Her heart drops. “What?”

“Yes, it was very quick. His PO phoned a few hours ago. He’s completing his last few days of probation in Halifax.”

He just up and left?Across the country? That can’t be right. Not after last night, when he promised he’d always be around. She feels dizzy suddenly. “Why? What happened? Why Halifax?”

Paul gives her an odd look, and she clamps her jaw shut. Tries again, calmer this time. “It’s just so sudden. Is he...okay?”

“Oh, yes. He actually came by the office earlier to fill out an eval for you. Glowing recommendation.” Paul chuckles slightly. “It’s probably for the best he’s moving on. Don’t laugh, but I’m starting to suspect he developed a slight attachment to you.”

AFTER SIMRAN’S MOMleft, Rajan knew what he had to do. He told his dad his plan, and for once, his father seemed to approve.

Rajan waited until morning before calling Kat. “I need out of Kelowna,” he told her. “I’ve been approached by the Lions.”

As Kat listened, he explained that an old friend had cornered him yesterday. Ordered him to come back to work for the Lions. If he didn’t, he’d pay with his life.

By the end of his story, Kat was typing frantically. “I’m going to make some calls. I’m so glad you told me.”

Once everything was arranged, he called Nick.

It’s early afternoon by the time Nick rolls up in his Benz. Rajan’s sure his dad sees him getting in the car, but he doesn’t care. At this point, it’s pretty hard to screw things up more than he already has.

“So,” Nick says a few minutes into the drive. “Why’d you suddenly decide to take my advice and skip town?”

“You were right, okay?” Moodily, Rajan sinks lower in his seat. “Me staying does nothing for Simran. Actually, it makes everything worse. I just didn’t want to see that before because...” He sighs, finally admitting it to himself. “I didn’t want to leave her.”