Pt 1, Pt 2

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James: "Usual time today?"

Jyothi: "Yes!"

Thanks to texting, there is no more guessing if we'd run into each other. Three weeks into our first run in, it's a habit to see him everyday. Working from home is no longer preferred. Online shopping is a daily thing. Dressing up, doing my make up is a requirement. Even Venkat begins to notice subtle changes leading often to passive comments like who are you trying to impress. I wish he'd compliment me instead.

Two years into marriage I've forgotten the constant beeping of my phone and the odd messages out of my muted Whatsapp groups. I start getting used to my phone lighting up in the middle of meetings and the urge to check what it says and gradually to check for texts out of anticipation. It feels good to be active again.

James: "I'm going to karaoke at 6 with friends, join us"

Karaoke at the bar on the Brooklyn waterfront is our Wednesday thing. Being The first few times were scary, but singing with James and his friends has been an outlet and has made me more confident.

Jyothi: "For sure!"

I'm on time and we get drinks awaiting our turn. I stick to my diet coke as someone who is not much of a drinker except for special occasions. He introduces me to his friends - Paul his coworker, Christian who he met at his boxing class, Christian's girlfriend Angela, Pooja the PhD student I met last week and Pooja's friend Rachel. The thought of introducing Venkat crosses my mind again and I decide against it. Not his scene. It's our turn.

I get back home later than usual to find Venkat watching a show on Netflix. I tell him about the karaoke with friends and singing Blank space to be met by his surprised stare.

"I can't believe that's you", Venkat said looking away from the TV at me for a few seconds.

"Yes! I loved it. It was such a new experience. Come with me next time", I hopefully said.

"You know I'm not into that. It's too loud for me." He said as he pulls up the next episode of the show we're binging.

My mind oscillates between watching The Crown and singing with a group of people I just met. "This really isn't me". I smile to myself thinking about the experience and the new friends I made. James who's been keeping in touch everyday, challenging me and opening me up to new experiences. And Pooja, are they dating? Or just friends? I recollect the texts he had shown earlier...."You own me". I'm sure they're dating. Are they in a relationship? James said it's different. And I don't sense any jealousy from Pooja. Quite the opposite...encouraging me to be part of them, and not minding that James and I have been texting each other. My phone vibrates bringing me out of my thoughts.

James: "You were great tonight"

Jyothi: "Thanks! I enjoyed tonight. And thanks for pushing me. I was way too scared. lol"

James: "I like how you're open to new experiences. Isn't it more exciting than binging the crown?"

Jyothi: "The crown isn't too bad lol. But I definitely prefer hanging out"

James: "We'll do something else next time. Something more exciting and new. Just the two of us"

Jyothi: "As friends. It's not a date. You already are going out with Pooja, remember?"

James: "It's definitely a date. Pooja won't mind. Now get back to your husband Mrs. Jyothi"

I instinctively smile and get back to watching the show like he said.