“Romance, dear.These are expressions of love.Take, for instance, all Hindi commercial movies.You find the hero and heroine breaking into a song on the streets every thirty minutes.How many of us prance around trees with our lovers in real life?”Aditya snaps.
“Ooh, someone is itching for some romance.”I tease him with a wink.He slams his glass on the table and walks off.Oops, I tickled my tiger.
“You are an idiot.”Kiron pinches me again.“He is trying to help you.”
“Ouch!Stop hurting me.I was only joking.”I swing away to avoid the hand with bright red fake nails moving in my direction.
“Don't be a goof.Go make up with Aditya.”Kiron shoos me out of their living room.
The four of us gathered to review the book copy Priya sent after I signed the contract last week.The book I am supposed to have authored.I never read, and romance is the last thing on my mind.I would rather watchPari, the horror film, thanMaine Pyar Kiya.
The gang, though, is serious about this stuff.A schedule has been devised and shared on the WhatsApp group chat; each is coaching me on a different aspect.Kiron and Kenny are my grooming and etiquette specialists.Wednesday is their designated day.Brian teams up with Kenny for English lessons on Monday, as foot traffic is lower at their bakery.Aditya and I will work on Saturdays to go over the book and develop my backstory.The group will not let me rest.Sunday afternoons are booked with Sudhanshu and Sahil to grill me on all my learnings from the week.
“Hey, I'm sorry.”I pull Aditya against my chest, resting my chin on his shoulder, aligning our cheeks.He stiffens and tries to move away, but I hold him tight.“Addy, please don't be upset with me.I will take things seriously going forward.”My kiss on his cheek relaxes him.
He turns and faces me.“Jimmy, I don't mind the fun, but we have only a month to get you ready before your first talk show with the book blogger.”
“Yeah.I promise to finish reading chapter sixteen before the evening.What did you call the first part?”Aditya showed me a YouTube video about writing novels.
“The first act of the story.The part where an author introduces the protagonists, creates a hook to entice the reader, and starts putting together the first signs of conflict in their relationship.”
“So, did our fight last week mark the end of the first act?”His breath hitches when I lower my head and nip the nape of his neck.Aditya is so bossy when he falls into the teaching mode.“Will you explain in more detail, sir?I would be grateful for some extra classes.One-on-one tutoring, only you and me.”I coo into his ears.
“Harrumph!”Kiron stands at the door.“Naughty boys.I sent you to make up, not make out.”
Aditya shoves me aside and jumps to stand a foot apart, flustered at being caught.“I—I—We—” he stammers.
“Honey.”Kiron places their manicured hand on Aditya’s shoulder.“We are all adults here.I came to call you for lunch.”Kiron combines the exaggerated flutters of their false eyelashes with their devilish smile.“Only if you are still hungry for food.”They wink, waving a finger between Aditya and me.
We follow Kiron inside, my hand on Aditya's waist.When Kenny smiles at the two of us, he tries to squirm away, but I pull him into me, joining us at the hips.
“Ah, the young love birds.”Kenny rests his chin on his hands and flutters his eyelashes like a cartoon character.
“Shut up.”Aditya manages to extricate himself from me.“Behave.”He glares at the two of us before walking off to help Kiron in the kitchen.They return with the dishes after a while.All four of us take our seats at the dining table and dig into the food.
The cool mountain breeze wafts through the open windows.We eat amid intermittent bird calls, the glow of the afternoon sun filtering into the room.I rub my thigh against Aditya, relishing the warmth of his touch.The banter tickles my bones.My chest swells at the moment’s serenity.My heart is elated and at peace.I am amongst friends.I glance at Aditya, catching his eye.He smiles.Are these the first whiffs of love?
***
ADITYA
Inearly blew my gasketat Jimmy's judgmental words.This book reading will be a barefoot walk on a cobbled stone path.Kiron and Kenny are already lined up to read my novel after Jimmy.Advanced reader reviews are welcome, but the comments from this circle of friends are too up in my face.I will have to digest their unfiltered views, delivered without any pretence or consideration for my sentiments.The trauma serves me right.
“Isn't the tree pretty?”
Jimmy draws my attention to a deodar tree in our path.The trail bifurcates around the thick stem, reaching the sky.Extensive branches spread above the path, allowing sunlight to trickle down, creating a mosaic of light and shadows.
He pulls me near.“Want to dance with me?”
I am confused, but the smirk on his face makes me realise what he is trying to do.“Who dances around trees?”I show my indignation by planting my hands on my hips.
“But you are a romantic, aren’t you?Come on, indulge me for a bit.I will sing a song.”Jimmy pouts.
“No.I don't want to scare the wildlife with your braying.”
Before he reacts, I run away from him.
“What?”Jimmy shouts and follows me up the slight incline.By the time I reach the top, I am breathless.He, though, doesn't break a sweat.Instead, he picks me up from the waist and swirls around.
