“I do, back home. But you know, when I was a kid and had friends or relatives come back with fake accents, I hated it! I just get disgusted with myself if I as much as sneeze in American accent when I am here. And frankly, living with Maya and family washed me off it in the first two days. I just love speaking like this.Mumbaiya English.”
“Next question.”
“Lastquestion.”
“Yes — last one.”
“Spit it out, then it’s your turn.”
“What was the one thing you hated about me?”
“Past tense?” She poked. “So sure it is not still valid?”
“I’m sure.”
“You are so obnoxious, and entitled, and…”
“One thing, Ritu. One thing.”
“That’s not even what I hated about you.”
“Oh.”
She chuckled.
“Your self-centredness.” She held her hands up immediately. “No offence. That’s how you came across.”
“Ok, ego shattered.”
“You have a whole couture company, plus your partners and suppliers, plus your customers and fans to massage your ego. It’s not about to even shake with my one word.”
“You’d be surprised.”
She stilled. He stilled. Their gazes latched.
His breathing was slow, his heartbeat mellow. This was the first time on this trip that she had undertaken as his doctor that she was actually even noticing his heartbeat. Her quick beats from his ‘5 Whats and 1 Thank You’ quietened now. Synced to his. This was getting dangerous, this syncing of heartbeats. She could offer hers to get his to calm down, not the other way around.
“Alright!” Ritu exhaled. “Your turn.”
“Go on,” he rolled his eyes.
“This, this, entitlement. This bored way of looking at people — I hate that too.”
“Hated,” he corrected.
“Hate.”
He smirked.
“So, your first ‘What’ is…” Ritu thought to start with some softballs like he had. “What is your favourite song?”
He made a face.
“Nilay!”
“A song? Really?”
“Yes. Now answer.”
