“Guys, don't kill our guest before we have fed him.”Kiron squeaks.The group disperses at Kiron's command.
“Have a seat, dear.”Kiron guides us to the table.“What do you want to drink?We have beer and wine.”
“I-I stopped drinking six months ago” Aditya turns to me with worried eyes.
“Hey, relax.These idiots may be loud, but they will never judge.”I rub his arm.
“Jimmy is right.This is a safe space, and none of us will judge you.I will get you some orange juice.”Kiron reaffirms my statement.
Aditya smiles, relaxing his stiff back.When he had stepped behind me on meeting Kiron, I thought he would turn and bolt after the over-the-top initiation ceremony.To calm him further, I do an official round of intros.
“Guys, meet Aditya Hirani.He is a teacher and administrator for our local high school.Aditya, meet Sudhanshu, manager at the Sahkari Bank.The one next to the Head Post Office.Brian runs the Rainbow Bakery on Mall Road with his boyfriend, Kenny.Brian is from England, and Kenny is Australian.”
“And I am Kiron.I have a fashion boutique two shops down from Brian's bakery.”Kiron walks in and places our drinks in front of us.
Aditya's smile is weak.“I-” he gulps, and continues - “I am new to this, so forgive me if I make a mistake.”
“Oh my sweet man.You shouldn’t worry if your intention is not to hurt anyone on purpose.Jimmy will give you some basic rules we follow, but you can ask any of us any question,” Kiron reassures Aditya.
This is what I appreciate about my people.They are frank, kindred spirits.We look out for one another in this harsh world.We are a tight group, and we make sure nothing leaves these meetings.Only queer folk who live in and around Almora and whom we all agree on are allowed to the meets.I can count on my fingers the number of people who have been let in, one of them being me.None have lasted except us five.
I surprised everyone with my request to have Aditya join us tonight, but after an hour of grilling and ribbing, they allowed me to bring him.I hope he becomes a permanent part of our group one day.
“So, a birdy told me our Jimmy dear has got mail.”Sudhanshu pulls the reins to the runaway horses of my imagination.
“Ah.I will kill Sahil.”I mutter.Sudhanshu must have spoken to Sahil when he went to deposit the cheques.“Don’t bother about it.It is just an email out of the blue from some agency in Delhi asking me to meet them next week for a potential acting assignment.I doubt I will go.”
Aditya spits his juice.
“Hey, easy now.”I rub his back.
He wipes his face with tissues.“Ignore me.”
“Which agency?”Brian enquires.
“Some Ms Priya, from Zappster Agency based out of Rajiv Chowk, Delhi.”
Aditya sputters and goes into a hacking cough when I utter the name.He waves my concern off and settles on a stool away from me.
“Why won’t you go?This is your dream.”Brian is the eldest and a go-getter, so I am not surprised he wants me to grab the chance.
“Umm.Don’t you smell a scam?I have never acted.I have never done a portfolio shoot.Almora is not a tinsel town.And, I only have six hundred followers on my Instagram account.How do you suppose this agent found me?”I list the points by counting the tips of my fingers.
“Maybe.”Kenny taps his chin.“You did a photo shoot for the guy from Mumbai.What is his name?”Kenny nudges Brian to help him remember.
Aditya watches me.I cringe.Shit, how did I forget?Last year, a few nights of fun between the sheets with Daljit led to an impromptu photoshoot on our trip to Nainital.Nothing sophisticated, but Daljit carried a DSLR.He had a photo boutique in Mumbai and chattered about some film stars who visited his studio.Daljit promised the world and delivered not even a grain of sand.I still hang my head in shame at the whole incident and my naivety.He left me with an ache of hurt and abuse.
“Are you talking about Daljit?I chased him for a month by email and even sent a few queries to modelling agents on my own, but nothing came of my efforts.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch Aditya.His hacking has settled.
“Nah, this has nothing to do with Daljit.The big question itching my mind is why this lady did not even ask for a portfolio and went straight to a meeting.I am not going to walk into a scam.”I lay out my concerns before my friends.
“Hmm, you are right.We should first determine whether the agency is not an escort service or a money swindler.But who can help us?”Kiron wonders aloud.
“You said the agency is Delhi-based.What if we ask someone who lives in those parts to check them out?”Kenny adds his two bits.
All our eyes turn to Aditya.The glass with the orange juice stops mid-way to his mouth.“I—I—” He clears his throat and places the glass on the table.“Yeah, sure.I can ask a friend or an ex-student to scout the place.”
