Namaste New York: A Novel

  ***

  Several weeks passed, and Vijay and Hina had put the cafeteria incident behind them. Vijay was excelling in his research, and no matter how much he tried to control himself, his feelings for Hina kept growing. Lucky was making enough working at the gas station that he was able to send money home to his family, and when he wasn't working or studying, he was enjoying his newfound friendship with Anna. She had seemed to develop a renewed interest in him after Vijay and Hina's cafeteria encounter.

  Vijay and Lucky were still reluctant to share their financial situation with Hina and Anna, so they kept quiet about their family backgrounds and their off-campus jobs. But despite the fact that they didn't have a lot of discretionary cash, it was important to them that they act like gentleman, and they always paid for the girls when they went out as a group.

  Raj, on the other hand, was having a harder time settling in than his roommates. He was still being verbally abused by Pankaj, and physically abused by Manpreet. Manpreet never missed a single opportunity to touch him inappropriately or rub her body against his. She was always wearing clothing that showed off her cleavage, and she was constantly bending over in front of him or grabbing his ass when no one was looking. Raj was getting sick of Pankaj and Manpreet, though he wasn't sure who was more unbearable. Still, he didn't give up the job. Manpreet paid him a nice salary and made sure he got his share of the tips, and Raj needed all the money he could get for his tuition. Plus, all of the extra food he got to take home regularly was a bonus.

  But even more important to him than the money or the food was the restaurant's close proximity to the World Trade Center. Every morning before he went to the restaurant, Raj would get off at Fulton Street near the World Trade Center and wander around Manhattan as though he were looking for something. He tried not to arouse any suspicion with his behavior, but the fact of the matter was that he was looking for something, something very specific, and Raj Khanna was determined not to leave New York until he finished what he came here to do.