Silently Falling in Love: Again (Edited)

Chapter 41 - Gala Planning

Translation for Tu Koi Aur Hai - love this song - the words are relevant to the chapter http://www.bollymeaning.com/2015/10/tu-koi-aur-hai-lyrics-translation.html

Alex – March 2008

"We're ready for tonight's meeting, right?" Anjali asked as she hiccupped, "Excuse me. Alex you can't let me drink so much at lunch. We still have to make copies of everything, and I need to be sober when I pick up the kids from school."

Seeing Anjali tipsy after a few glasses of wine she seemed more like herself. "Do you want me to pick up the kids for you if you're in that bad of shape?"

"That's sweet of you to cover for me when I'm drunk but let's not let it to come to that. Now come on give me our list."

"You have the list," I laughed harder. "You're in bad shape."

"Oh shit, you're right I have the list." She reached down in her oversized bag and dug for several moments before pulling out the booklet with gala notes.

"Alex is that you?" I heard a voice near me. I caught my breath as I stood up and grabbed the edge of the table to stabilize myself. Anjali wasn't the only one who had a little too much to drink.

"Sam what are you doing here?" I asked as I extended my right hand out to him.

"Same thing as you, having lunch," Sam teased.

Anjali started to stand, and I worried what might happen.

Sam looked down at her. "Please don't get up on my account."

"Sam this is a friend of mine, Anjali. Anjali, this is Sam an old classmate from college and one of my best friends," I said hoping she'd be able to hold her liquor for a few more minutes.

Anjali extended her hand to shake Sam's hand, "Very nice to meet you."

Sam looked at her wedding band and then looked at me as I sat down.

"Anjali and I are both parents at the kids' school, and we're the lucky ones in charge of organizing the annual auction and fundraiser."

"And you're being good Samaritans and doing a little wine tasting to make sure everything is perfect for the event," Sam said looking at the empty bottle of wine.

"Anything for the kids," Anjali said looking as charming as ever with her thousand-watt smile.

"Anjali, I believe we've met before. You look familiar. Have we met at Alex and Chris' place?"

"No, I don't believe we have," Anjali answered, looking uncomfortable.

"Are you on the board of the New York City Ballet?"

"No, I'm not on any boards," Anjali responded to Sam, but looked over at me.

"Alex, you're sure I haven't met Anjali at your place?" Sam asked again while giving me a strange look.

"No, Sam, you haven't been to my place in a while." Then I realized my mistake after answering.

Sam looked over at Anjali again.

"Were you at the Clinton Foundation annual gala a few months ago?"

"Yes, I was. Is that where we met?"

"Yes, I believe it was. You're married to Raj Malkani aren't you? He's at Goldman, right?"

"Yes, that's my husband."

"Your husband worked on a deal for us several years ago when we bought a company. He's a great guy. It is a small world that you're friends with my good buddy Alex."

"Yes, it is a small world," Anjali said as she placed the auction papers on her empty plate since our entrees hadn't come yet.

"How is Raj doing?"

"He's great, he's busy working on deals as usual. One deal ends, and another one begins."

Sam turned to me, "And how's Chris? You need to bring her and the kids by the house soon. We haven't seen you since New Year's Day."

"I'll bring the family by soon," I answered.

"I'll let you two get back to your planning. It was a pleasure to meet you again Anjali," Sam said as he walked away but then turned back to us, "Listen, I just spoke with Arjun and he said he's bringing the family to visit soon, over spring break, make sure you bring him by. I haven't seen him in years, and I'd love to."

"I'll bring him by," I said as I waived to Sam. If Sam had spoken to Arjun, there was no way my stupid little brother had kept his mouth shut about his theory of me having an affair. Sam's odd behavior and mentioning Chris and Raj was a sure sign he suspected Anjali.

"Anjali let me look at that list," I said and reached over the table to grab the paper.

I glanced at the sheets of paper, "Venue, Invites, RSVP's, Donations for the auction, Music, Food, Alcohol, Auctioneer – it's all looking good. Tonight, we need to confirm the set-up and clean-up crew, so we don't get stuck doing it all. Also, we need to confirm with Carrie on the Valet Parking, she's kind of flakey. Oh yeah, did I tell you the raffle tickets are selling like hotcakes and we're still a month away." I continued to babble away on the details of the auction, and I didn't notice Anjali was silent.

I looked up and Anjali was as pale as a ghost.

"Anjali, how much did you drink?" I asked as our waiter brought our entrees and served us.

Anjali looked at me and then the waiter. Whatever she wanted to say; she wanted to save until he left.

A few moments later the waiter left as quietly as he came.

"What's the matter?"

"Your friend thinks we're having an affair, doesn't he?"

"No. What makes you think that?" I said lying through my teeth.

Anjali looked at me. I needed no words.

We finished our lunch quickly and quietly.

Anjali ignored me for the rest of the day and when I saw her later that evening at the PTA meeting; she seated herself between two other moms rather than her normal seat next to me.

During the meeting we hashed through the mundane auction details with little fanfare.

Anjali avoided me at the end of the meeting, and I watched her rush out with the other moms for a drink. She didn't ask me to join them. It hurt she didn't invite me; but then the scene from lunch was etched in my memory. The guilt started to eat around my heart. I knew she was doing the right thing distancing herself, but it still hurt.