“How did you end up here?Do your parents live here?”I keep the conversation going.Jimmy's step falters.My hand reaches out to support him.“Are you okay?”His face is tense.“Did I say something wrong?You don't need to answer if you don't want to.”
He takes a deep breath, “My dad wanted me to become a boxer.Then one day, he discovered his son’s more-than-platonic interest in other boys.The thoroughbred became a sick pony worthy only of being put down.I became a black mark for the clan.If I had stayed, they would have killed me, and left no trace of my body.”The pain shows on his face.A thick silence descends between us.
Well, you have gone and ruined the mood, Addy.Destroyed a perfect morning.
“I am sorry.I should not have pried into your personal life.”
Jimmy shakes his head.“I ran away.Lucky for me, I had cleared my twelfth.I caught the first bus from Hissar and found my way to Almora.I did odd jobs at local restaurants till the gym opened.I took my chance and convinced the resort owners to hire me.Access to the gym came with a perk.I started working out, but those were tough days with no money.To build a body, one needs nutrition.By Gods’ grace, I found Sahil.He comes from a decent background.Sahil and a few friends I made along the way helped me a lot.With the help of a gym trainer’s YouTube videos and a local akhara guru, here I am.A self-made man.”He extends his hands to the side in a grand bow.
My eyes tear up, imagining the struggle in his life.Yet, here he is.His frankness makes me want to open the secrets of my life too.“You are brave, Jimmy.I never dared to acknowledge my sexuality.Shoved those dreams inside, afraid of family and society.”
He stares at my hand, squeezing his.When did I reach out?I try to withdraw, but he holds on tight and smiles.“What's a super-qualified professor doing here in the forgotten woods?”
“Has someone been stalking me online?I don't remember any question in your forms for my qualifications.”
“Background check.We don't allow everyone to join.”
“So, what did you find in my background check?”I add air quotes to mess with him.
“Only about a famous Professor Aditya Hirani, giving lectures on history while girls sat swooning over him in the front row.”
“Oh, did the students inform you about the swooning?”
“I know the look.”Jimmy bats his eyelashes and tilts his head on his folded hands.
The big, burly man is an absolute goof.The laughter bubbles out of my chest.
He smiles at his antics, but sobers up faster than me.“But I want to know the real Addy.Why did he leave everything and settle in a small village outside Almora?All alone.Teaching school kids.”
The sun's first rays have started playing hide-and-seek with the forest.I consider my words.Jimmy has been transparent with me; I should do the same.
“Have you ever seen the advertisement where the actor Asrani says, ‘I will change all the bulbs in the house?’”
Jimmy shrugs.“No, but my uncles once mentioned the jingle.”
Shit, what a reminder of our age difference.He stops me from moving away by grabbing my hand.“Oops.Sorry, I did not mean to imply you were old or my uncle.”
“I am not young either.Maybe not your uncle's age, but way ahead of you in years.Anyway, after my divorce, I changed everything in my life, down to my friends.I wanted a fresh start, and the old tethers had to go.Life had become suffocating.Lingering on those binds would have ended in pain for all involved.”I dread glancing at him, afraid of the judgment for abandoning my family.The way all my friends and relatives condemned me.Except for Jatin and Jasmeet, no one listened to my viewpoint.
Jimmy nudges my arm.I lift my head, and he points me to the view.I gasp at the sight.
“Wow, this is surreal.”
When did we reach the top?I admire the lush green treetops plunging into a deep ravine.Leaves glitter in the early morning sun, and myriad shades of green sway in the cool breeze, paying salutations to the giver of life.At a distance, across the blue sky, the peaks of the mighty Himalayas glisten in golden hues.Few are cloaked in a coat of mist, their heads peeking through the fluff collars made of clouds.Thanks to all the nature Gods, this beauty helps wash away the dampness about to seep into my mood.
Jimmy's smile greets me once I complete a full sweep of the view, my arms raised to my sides, palms and face relishing the freshness of the breeze.
“Want to take some photos?”
“Sure.”I hand over my phone.He guides me to the best possible positions and clicks away, showing me each picture once he is satisfied.
“You are good at this.How about a pic of the two of us?I must warn you: I am not great at selfies.Shalini-” I stop and sigh.Why spoil the morning?“Never mind.Where do you want us to stand?”
Jimmy does not flinch at the mention of Shalini or ask about her.He manoeuvres us both to prevent the sun from blotting us out and fusses over capturing the vivid colours in the background.
“Addy, why are you so serious?Make some goofy faces.”He pouts and pokes his tongue out to the side like a dog.
I laugh, watching his face on the screen.“Here.How is this?”He shoves the phone in front of me.The pic is cute.My head is snug against his.Our cheeks touch, and the laugh lines reach my eyes.The sunlight glistens on our hair, making a halo around our heads.Jimmy is making a funny face with his pink tongue poking out from one side, eyes full of mirth.Caught up in the moment, I blurt out, “Will you be my coach?Show me the gay way of life?”
