2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #2 discussion

Tracy agrees to consult with Katie Pryor from Missing Persons about a young woman , Kavita Mukherjee, reported missing by her roommate. Of all the information shared by Aditi Dasgupta about their last encounter when she returned from India, what stood out for you, if anything? What impressions did you first form about Kavita?

At first, I thought Aditi hurt her best friend by caving to her family's pressure. I suspected a little jealousy and a desire to strike back at her friend.

It surprised me that Kavita didn't receive an invitation to the wedding or get some type of notice. I expected that Kavita would be upset; her hurt feelings are expected. There was a little feeling that Aditi was holding something back. It felt like she was afraid to share in front of her husband.

I was struck by the suddenness of Aditi’s decision. She was gone for a long time and they were closer than sisters. I felt like Aditi was being forced into something she really didn’t want to do, finally succumbing to the pressures of her family. I thought Kavita may have felt betrayed. I didn’t understand why Kavita never saw this coming. Either Kavita refused to see what was in front of her or Aditi wasn’t being honest with her.

Aditi confused me for the longest time.

Me, too, Sharon. But, she cleared it up for me by the end.

I agree. It is hard to be the second best for so long.

Was she jealous of Kavita or just resigned that she’d never attract men the same way?

I thought she was jealous because school and men came so easily to Kavita and Aditi was just accepted because of Vita.

I leaned towards that and I thought Kavita’s success just made her feel even more insecure about herself.

I think Kavita was hurt that Aditi didn't tell her she was getting married. And she wasn't invited to the wedding. To go from being her best friend and roommate to being blindsided by the news was a little much.

I agree that Aditi was a little jealous of how easy everything was for Kavita. But she was also resigned to the fact that the guys weren't going to be flocking to her the way they did her friend. If she wanted to be a mother, letter her parents arrange a marriage may have been the easiest way.

That’s where I ended up about Aditi, too, Robin.

I agree. But I also found it a bit sad to think that Aditi thought it was the only way she'd ever get a husband and family. I felt that with her smarts, she was selling herself short.

I didn't ever think she did anything physical to Kavita - not really. But there's no doubt that she caused her a lot of mental pain by keeping her marriage from her.

First let me say, I listened to the audio - it was super hard keeping these two girls names straight in my head for the first little bit of the story.

Kavita was understandably upset to find out that her friend caved and got married when she was home. Also, to not be included or at least told about it until it was done. That was pretty shitty of Aditi - especially since it sounded as if Aditi was thinking along these lines before she even went home.

I didn't suspect Aditi she genuinely seemed worried but her husband who wouldn't let her out of his sight - I was wondering how controlling is he - would he get rid of the best friend so he wouldn't have to worry about his wife changing her mind.

The scene - the ripped up check was odd to me when we first find out about it.

Jonetta/Sharon - I agree she was jealous of Kavita - as we come to learn for sure later on in the story. I do think Aditi was selling herself short but it obviously was hard for her to be 'looked over' for so long. Sad that (in general) we woman always compare ourselves to others - I'm not sure men do this as much as we do.

Melissa, it bothers me immensely that so many women will view success in others with bad envy. We are our own worst enemies sometimes. Imagine how powerful we’d be in the workplace if we stood firmly beside each other and celebrated each of our successes.

It’s human to be envious but you can also feel happy for that person simultaneously. I think deep down Aditi just felt worse about herself as opposed to having bad feelings about Kavita. She was a complicated character.

Definitely agree with you Jonetta - we are our own worst enemies. Plus - we never seem to think that we don't really know what the other person is going through. On the outside everything can look/appear perfect or easy but that might not really be how it is. I remind myself of this all the time.

That’s a great way of being, Melissa.

I agree too. Women fight each other too much. For the longest time, women wouldn't mentor other women. How silly is that? Men mentor men all the time. They never worry that their mentoring can mean they will lose a job.