Chapter 12
Alie is a lie
ADITYA
“I am not doing this.Faking stuff for any damn author.”
Jimmy sits cross-armed, jaw clenched.“Even if you ask me after a hundred push-ups.”
“Or we get you drunk,” Kiron sniggers.“Remember the time Jimmy took off his clothes on a freezing December night, ready to jump into Naini Lake?”They turn to Sudhanshu, who is busy studying the contract.
Jimmy rolls his eyes and huffs out his frustration.
“Calm down.Don’t get your jockstraps twisted, gym boy.”Kiron squeezes Jimmy’s tight shoulders.
This is worse than I thought.Jimmy is dead set against the whole fake-author concept.Sahil met him at Kathgodam railway station and drove to my house.The boys had ganged up on me, demanding a ‘housewarming’ party and calling me out for not inviting them when I moved in.All my protests and reasoning were drowned out in a unified chorus.I agreed, having no reason to complain when they were bringing the food.Besides, the gathering served as an excellent excuse to avoid meeting Jimmy alone after he arrived from Delhi.Safety in a crowd.
“Jimmy, this is a decent contract.I don't see any legal issues.The lawyer we work with can review it and let us know if we need any changes.”Sudhanshu hands the papers to Brian.
“Plus, the money.Wow.”Kenny whistles.“Jimmy, how can you refuse this amount?They are ready to pay you one lakh rupees upfront, another five per cent from the book sales, and double your day's earnings at the gym for every appearance.”
“You get a free model portfolio and all expenses paid trips to book events in different cities.Isn't this what you always wanted?”Sahil adds his two bits.
Double thanks are due to Priya for sweetening the deal.I keep myself busy heating the food, too afraid to interfere, hoping to salvage some positive karma points.Sir Wilfred’s face pops up in my eyes.I give the curry another vigorous stir to shake the British colonel away.
The open kitchen gives me a balcony seat to the unfolding drama.The excitement in the group is bubbling since Jimmy showed them the contract.I haven't gone near Jimmy out of fear.He is bound to ask my opinion.I don't know what I will say if he puts the decision in my hands.Staying aloof also lets me see what others think of my crazy plan.
“Guys, calm down.The money and terms are great, but this fake identity does not sit right with me.Why does this author not want to be the face of his own book?”Brian places the folders on the table and picks up his drink.
“Read between the lines, dear.My guess.The author is still in the closet.He does not want to come out for some reason.And we have all been through this phase.”Kiron swats Brian's arm.“Where is your empathy?Is walking outside in India as our true selves easy for queer people, even if they have white skin?”Kiron throws a challenge at Brian, both with their words and eyes.
“Kiron is right.The author may not be ready to reveal his sexuality.Or what if he is not in a safe space?”Kenny supports Kiron's contention.
“What do you think, Aditya?You haven't spoken a word.”
The rice plate slips, clattering on the black granite of the kitchen counter, adding Hindi TV-serial style melodramatic effects after Jimmy's words.My moment of reckoning is here.
“Would you agree to this arrangement if you were in my place?“Jimmy tightens the screws.Ah, way to increase the pressure.I curse Sir Wilfred again.He should have stopped me from blurting things to Priya.
The entire groups focus is on me.I use the time to collect and throw the spilt rice to dwell on my version of Yudhishthira’s Ashwatthama problem.
Is withholding complete information a lie?Are my actionsadharmaif I do them to support an honest, nice guy in his life?You kept one secret from Shalini, and look where you landed.The relationship with Jimmy is a tender sapling.Won't another secret trample what is building with him?
“I understand the whole fake author concept is bizarre, but if the contract protects you from any liability, the money would be of great help.And they are offering to help you in your modelling aspirations.”I keep myself planted in the kitchen, afraid to reveal my wobbling knees.
“But this is unethical.How do you expect me to lie to myself and the public?I will not build my career on a falsehood.”
