*And now they are arguing and it is a scene practically, if a small and hushed one, and they're putting their hands on one another and Evan is bringing up things and more than anything Amrita wishes they would just stop--but the pet name twice-repeated jerks her out of her paralysis like cold water.

She stares at Rajiv and on the concern written on his face, but the gulf between them has only widened, and it's visible in her expression: a great and whistling emptiness. Her words are polite, but there's a terrible finality to them. Her hand tightens around Evan's arm, a warning.*

Thank you for coming.