“So it’s all about ratings and money for you,” Devesh snapped at Toni. “But for my wife, it’s about the restraining order she has against him.”
The audience gasped, and the producers scurried off the set but not before sending a pointed glare at Toni. Devesh left his position on the stage and went to Reign in the audience. “Are you alright, honey?” He looked to Jay, whose expression was deadly and firmly set on Shawn. “Why don’t you take her out of the studio.”
“I’ll stay,” she said, placing a hand on his chest. “I have to make sure you don’t do something that requires me to come up with bail money.”
Devesh pressed a kiss to her lips, causing the audience to voice their approval with “ooohs” and “ahhhhs”.
Shawn grinned at Devesh when he reclaimed his seat on the panel but then put his focus on Reign who kept her attention on her husband. Jay, though, was studying Shawn as though he was ready to tear him apart.
Toni looked at the camera and said, “We welcome Dr. Shawn Newsome to the show. He has a doctorate in African-American Studies, and a masters in sociology. He’s here to speak today on the controversial interracial relationship divide.”
Shawn launched into his normal diatribe about Black women stepping outside of their race to date men of other ethnic backgrounds. “The only reason a White man would be interested in a Black woman is to fulfill some fetish. White men view Black women as either a “mammie” or primal and hypersexual. In order for a Black woman to truly be valued and appreciated, it takes a Black man, not some little White boy with sexual issues.”
The audience murmured their discontent with that volatile explanation.
All of the hosts—except one—looked mighty uncomfortable. They cut to commercial break and when they did, Devesh exhaled and looked in Jay’s direction, mouthing the words that he should take Reign out.
Reign saw the exchange and shook her head. Instead, she gave him an encouraging smile to let him know she was fine.
“And we’re back with superstar Devesh Maharaj and Dr. Shawn Newsome speaking on interracial relationships,” Toni announced. “Before the break, we heard Dr. Newsome’s take on things. Now Mr. Maharaj will speak his peace.”
“First of all, I’m not White, I’m East Indian,” he explained. “And to be honest, there are not enough good Black men for all those wonderful, amazing, talented, and gorgeous Black women out there. Someone has to cross on over to …” He lifted his eyebrows twice. “The Eastside.”
Reign rolled her eyes heavenward as the audience laughed at his pun.
“It’s not a slight; it’s not on purpose,” Devesh continued. “It’s the law of average. Nature hates empty spaces. And those empty spaces in a Black woman’s heart are going to be filled with something or someone.” He put his eyes on Reign. “And let’s hope that it’ll be a grown ass man and not some whiny little boy who’s still trying to figure his life out—no matter how many letters he has behind his name.”
The audience heartily applauded their approval.
“I don’t know what your problem is, Mr. Maharaj,” Shawn said when the audience enthusiastic voices dimmed. “But since you want to take me to task over those letters. I am the type of man that Black women should be with. Black women are always talking about Black men making it and not being with Black Women, but when there are good men, like me, they’re still flocking to White men … or men like you.”
“With all of those degrees,” Devesh countered. “I’m sure you’re very much aware of the numbers. Black women outnumber Black men nearly three to one. More if you count the ones who are not available to them—married, in jail, gay, or those who don’t want to commit to marriage.”
The audience clapped, the more enthusiastic applause coming from Black women.
“They’ll go to their graves while waiting for the Black man who God’s supposed to mysteriously recycle so she can have her turn,” Devesh said. “He took two fish and five loaves of bread, and it became enough to feed a multitude. But I never heard of Him using His power of multiplication to create extra brothers when there are already so many other desirable seeds. Those seeds on the ground might at least bloom into a relationship that is more than a placeholder until a good Black man mysteriously comes along. And it might be the best thing that’s ever happened for both of them.”
This time the audience whooped, hollered, and laughed and Sharon placed an encouraging hand on his shoulder. Sheryl nodded and had an ear-splitting smile.
Shawn’s face darkened with anger. “So now you speak for Black women?”
“I don’t have to speak for Black women because I only have to focus on one woman.” He took a sip from the coffee mug and returned it on the coaster. “A woman I love, a woman whose spirit I’m not going to crush just to satisfy my ego. You have a wife—she’s your business. I have my wife—she’s my business. I’m not all up in your finances. I’m not all up in your bedroom.” From the corner of his eye, Devesh saw Sheryl and Sara nodding and putting the evil eye on Shawn. “Your ego took pleasure in hurting Reign. I take pleasure in helping my woman to heal.”
“My woman?” Shawn examined Reign before looking back to Devesh. “Sounds like some cave man white boy mess.”
“Too many men have used the word wife in a way that implies property. Saying my woman is primal, instinctual.” Devesh’s smile disappeared as his eyes narrowed to slits when they focused on Shawn. “It means I will nail someone’s balls to the wall if they come at her the wrong way.”
“Are you threatening me? On live television?” Shawn said, shoulders stiffening.
“Not threatening anyone. I’m going to need you to keep my woman’s name out of your mouth.” Devesh leaned in, causing Shawn to slide back. “See, you’re not upset about the most important part of the equation. You’re upset about the money. If I wasn’t rolling in it right now, you wouldn’t blink about who I chose as my mate.” Devesh wagged a finger in Shawn’s direction. “So my brother, you’re going to have to stay mad—I mean the next seventy years worth of mad, because I’m going to be loving my woman until there’s no more love to be had.”
Amid the roaring applause, Jay hopped from his seat next to Reign, tipped out on the stage like he was a teenager sneaking into the house after curfew, extended his fist to Devesh for a pound.
Devesh tapped his fist to Jay’s right before Jay slow-walked past Shawn giving him the evil eye, then tipped back out and took his seat amidst laughter from the audience.
“She didn’t want you,” Devesh said to Shawn. “How could she after you hurt her like that?”
“I was tipsy.”
“A drunk body speaks a sober mind. You were thinking it. You just weren’t prepared for her to put your ass in the hospital behind what you said.”
Toni piped up. “What did he say?”
Devesh ignored her and said to Shawn, “Instead of being happy that she’s moved on in her life, you’re all on the airwaves about what we’re doing wrong.” Devesh flipped a stony look at Shawn. “It’s obvious you’re still in love with her because you seem to be campaigning for her to take you back, because I don’t see you dragging any other interracial couple through the ringer this way. You have a wife, that’s the only Black woman you should concern yourself with. Why don’t you make sure you’ve handled that business and leave mine alone.”
Toni asked again, “Tell everyone what he said to her.”
“Oh no, I’m not breaking my wife’s confidence,” Devesh said to her. “And you all pulling a stunt like this, should not be rewarded with any inside information.”
Toni shifted her focus to Shawn, who lifted his chin in defiance and said, “I mentioned that she could lose a little weight.”
“That’s nowhere near what you said,” Devesh snapped. “You know it wasn’t anything so tame. If I had said something so foul to any woman, I’d find a way not to own up to it, too.”
Shawn found a sudden interest in his shoes.
Devesh unclipped his
mic, stormed off the stage, extended his hand to Reign who stood and placed her hand in his.
Jay was right behind them on the way off the set. He turned to the cheering audience and the panel, gave a head nod and the “Peace, we’re out” sign.
Chapter 33
The Maharaj women arrived at Reign and Devesh’s new home before dawn intending to pull Devesh and Kamran from their beds and out of the house. They were to prepare breakfast as a start to their observation of Karva Chauth (), a one-day festival where married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands.
The closing took place a few days before. Reign was excited to have their first guests, besides Jay and Elise, to walk into the home that was slightly smaller than the Maharaj place. This home was eight thousand square feet and situated in the oceanfront community of Pelican Point. Guests had to enter a front gate that provided some protection from fans and Paparazzi who were quickly taking an interest in seeing a bit more of Devesh than he would like. Exquisite stonework covered the exterior, artisan lanterns brightened the perimeter, and walnut, stone and ebony floors glowed from the interior. Gardens and covered porticos led to the glass mosaic-lined pool that was perfect for Devesh’s early morning swims.
A magnificent paneled office anchored one wing of the main level, with a stunning dining room and formal living room at the other. The master retreat had two fireplaces and sitting rooms. Six bedroom suites, multiple media rooms, a gym, elevator, and a masterfully designed kitchen topped off the elegance of the place. Thanks to Anaya’s diligence and their patience at waiting out the buyers who became a little greedy and pulled back when they thought they could get more money for the place. When Anaya told the Seller’s agent that Devesh was going to walk away from the deal and put stakes on another property, the owners caved.
Devesh had offered Jay a suite in the new house and he first declined saying, “The next move I make is buying this condo. I’ve already started that process with Anaya. Your one year rent-free deal is up in a few months.”
He could totally respect those sentiments, but Devesh knew Reign really wanted to have all of her children in one place—at least for a while. So he sweetened the deal saying, “How about you buy the condo, lease it out and rake in some cash for your life index, and still have yet another year with no living expenses. Then you an Elise can save up to get a house close to us.”
“Sounds awesome, but no.” He eyed Devesh for a moment. “Didn’t y’all just leave a spot that had like a kabillion folks living there?”
True, but two was a far cry from a kabillion. “How about two?”
Jay hesitated, and Devesh could tell he was mentally calculating things against his life index number, so Devesh said, “Three, and you get to have your own studio space to write off on taxes?”
“Sold,” Jay said, obliging a fist bump. “But I need to talk it over with Elise. And let’s revisit this idea in a few weeks. You might like the privacy that comes with having the house all to yourselves.”
“As huge as the place is, I won’t see y’all for at least two weeks.”
“True that,” Jay replied, laughing.
Now a few days after that conversation, Kamran stumbled his sleepy form into the kitchen where all the women had settled. Leena was stationed at the juicer, her favorite thing to do with Anaya.
Karva Chauth is a special time for women to commune and learn more about each other and exchange gifts. Even unmarried women sometimes joined in, fasting for their fiancés or desired husbands. In the hopes of bringing unity between Reign and the Maharaj women and their friends, Mumma suggested that the first meal on this year’s celebration should happen for Reign, to bless her new home.
Kamran frowned and said, “Why is Leena allowed to stay and I have to leave?”
Devesh lowered to Kamran’s eye level. “Because this is a woman’s festival.”
“And they’re going to have food?” he said, yawning, eyeing all of the breakfast items.
“A little this morning, but not any real food until later tonight,” Devesh explained. “There’s going to be a major spread at moonrise at Mumma and Papa’s place, but only some for Leena and her other girl cousins for the rest of the day.”
“Well, in that case,” he said, shaking his head and sending a sorrowful look toward his sister. “Let’s hit the road.”
The women all laughed at him. Aunt Kavya planted a kiss on the top of his head.
Kamran embraced his sister, mother and the women and ran to Devesh.
“We can go hang out with Jay or go to Papa’s.”
“Why don’t we get Papa and take him with us to Jay’s?” Kamran offered. “Jay just got some old school video games. Papa loves Pac Man. Me too.”
Reign exhaled, accepting that there were some things that she was not going to control. Video games was one of them. She reached in, taking the purple garment that Anaya held out to her, but put her focus on Kamran, simply saying, “Have a good time.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
The fasting women collectively sat in a circle and sang while performing the feris, the passing of their thalis around the circle. Reign ended with her own prayer of the 23rd Psalms, followed by the 112th Psalm, which Anaya translated into Hindi and the women all found to be beautiful and fitting. Only a few people knew Reign spoke Hindi.
When she was done, Reign was silent for as long as she could manage, but had to ask, “Why do we observe this holiday? How did it begin?”
Anaya settled onto a large purple cushion and said, “Some believe that since the men were off to war with the British and left their wives and children, the wives would get together to pray for them to come back safely.”
“Others believe that the festival happened around wheat-sowing time, the beginning of the Rabi crop cycle,” Mumma explained, holding Leena close. “Big earthen pots, in which wheat is stored, are sometimes called Karvas, so the fast might have been a prayer for a good harvest.”
Aunt Kavya took hold of Reign’s hand as Anaya translated her words. “There is another story about the origin of this festival. Girls barely in their teens would get married, go and live with their in-laws in very remote villages. Everyone would be a stranger to the new bride. If there were problems with the husband or in-laws, she would have no one to support her. Telephones, buses, and trains were not heard of in those days. People had to walk almost a whole day to go from one place to other, so her own parents and relatives would be too far away to help if she needed them.”
Reign leaned forward and rested her chin in the palm of her free hand, taking in the exotic flow of Aunt Kavya’s words before looking to Anaya for the translation.
“A custom started at the time of marriage,” Mumma added, pulling Reign’s attention from Aunt Kavya. “The bride would make friends with another woman in her new village. They would be recognized as kangan-saheli, which is something like god-friends, or dharam-behn, or god-sisters. These were lifelong bonds. The new sister-friends would keep each other’s confidence. The family would recognize the sister-friend as a revered member of the family who stood in the stead of the bride’s real family. Karva Chauth started as a festival to celebrate this special bond of friendship between the brides and their god-friends.”
“So, is Aunt Kavya my kangan-saheli?” Reign asked, causing the women to burst into giggles and laughter. “What’s so funny?” she asked, looking from one woman to another. “She’s the first woman who accepted me when I came.” She frowned, looking around at the women.
“The bride’s new friend would usually be of the same age, maybe a little older,” Anaya answered, seemingly put off by the fact that Reign would align herself with an elder instead of someone who was closer to her own age.
Reign stroked a finger on the weathered hand that had not released hers since the beginning of the last prayers.
“I would be honored if you would consider me your kangan-saheli,” Anaya offered. “I might not have been an advocate f
or your relationship with my brother in the beginning, but I was wrong for letting my own issues cloud my judgment. You have been the best thing to happen to my brother. His happiness and yours are all that matters.”
The two women embraced and the smiles from the rest of the women brought warmth to Reign’s heart.
“In earlier times,” Aunt Kavya began, in her halting English, causing several women to smile. “The sister-friend was not someone related to the groom’s family. The bride couldn’t very well complain about the groom or his family to someone who knew them so well.” She held one hand out to Anaya and said, “We could change that part of the tradition, don’t you think?”
Anaya kissed her aunt’s cheek, then scooted close to Reign. Her voice caught in her throat and her eyes filled with tears. Reign was impressed with Aunt Kavya’s progress with English. She’d absorbed enough of it over the years, but had been hesitant to use it because her husband had preferred her to remain silent.
Mumma left her place next to Sana and Priyanshi. She moved onto one of the cushions nearest Aunt Kavya as she launched into another version of the origins of Karva Chauth.
“A beautiful queen called Veervati was the only sister of seven loving brothers. Her first Karva Chauth as a married woman was at her parents’ house. She began the fast after sunrise but by evening, was desperately waiting for the moonrise because she suffered severe thirst and hunger.
“The seven brothers couldn’t bear to see their sister in such distress, so they created a mirror in a tree which made it look as though the moon had risen. The sister was deceived into breaking her fast before the appointed time. The moment she took that first bite, someone came to tell her that her husband, the king, was dead.”
Some of the women looked shaken, as though they didn’t want to imagine life without their own husbands. A few of the others were looking like they wouldn’t mind switching places with Veervati. Interesting.
Aunt Kavya continued the story with, “Veervati was heartbroken, and wept through the night. A Goddess appeared and revealed to Veervati what her brothers had done. She told the queen to repeat the Karva Chauth fast with complete devotion. When Veervati did as she was told, the Goddess was forced to restore her husband to life.”
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