Aditya is still unhappy with the fuss about my English-speaking skills.He stands with his hands on his hips and a cute frown.Dressed in a white button-down shirt over dark blue trousers, his dapper teacher persona does things to me, but he will kill me if I give him one more kiss.We have been sneaking around Kiron and Kenny all morning.
“You find every part of him sexy.”Kiron croons, batting their mauve-coloured lids.
“I find Addy sexy too.”My words and goofy grin earn a smack from Aditya.
Kiron rolls their eyes.
Aditya and I have explored every part of our bodies in a slow build-up with blowjobs over the past few weeks.Not my usual style, but I am patient to make the ultimate connection.He is more than a hook-up.Between kisses and spending time in bed, the hunger for him is insatiable.
“Hush.Stop behaving like teenagers.”Kenny admonishes our bickering.“Jimmy should appear polished and at his best.We will not let anyone make our Jimmy feel less.”
“Besides,” Kiron adds.“An author should come across as sophisticated.”
“Why?Not everyone has a convent education.The agency wants to build the backstory of an author from a small town in India.Jimmy is a smart, confident, self-made man.He is no less than anyone.”Aditya bristles.
My heart jumps over hoops at his protectiveness.Apart from my friends, no one has ever stood up for me.Not even my mother when my father and uncles slapped, punched, and kicked me.Without giving two hoots about our company, I gather Aditya in my arms and kiss his forehead.
But he stiffens and pushes me away.“I–I should be getting along.The meeting with the District Education Officer is at eleven.”Aditya scrambles to collect his bag and rushes out, head hanging low, without even a second glance at Kiron and Kenny, the two grinning idiots.
His reaction unsettles me.I scramble to catch up to him.“Hey, Addy, wait.Did I do something wrong?”
He takes my hand and squeezes a reassurance.“Jimmy, the kiss in front of others—”
I interrupt him.“They are friends.”
He stares into my eyes before continuing, “I am new to this.Give me some time to adjust.”
“Sorry if I have upset you.I will be careful.”I lace our fingers together.
“I want to do all these things, but public displays have always made me uneasy.”Aditya squeezes my hand.“Give me some time to become comfortable.”
I rub my thumb on his palm.“Take your time.We will go at your pace.”
“Thanks.Good luck with the photo shoot.”Aditya heads toward the bus stand.
I wait till he disappears around the corner.After a month of practising and learning, today is the big day — my photoshoot for author pics and the modelling portfolio.When I return, Kiron and Kenny greet me with concern on their faces.I reassure them.“Aditya is like a rabbit.Shy and skittish.”
“Hmm.But the professor is a nice person.”Kenny pats my shoulder.
“Yeah, he is.”A kind-hearted soul.Pure and honest.Someone I hoped to find one day — a person with whom I can build a life.My biggest dread is the loneliness after losing my family.I am lucky to find a small group of queer friends in this town, but a life companion is way beyond my dreams.Now, a glimmer of light shines in my heart with Aditya walking into the scene.A new hope rises every day.
“Ouch.”
Kiron pinches me.I must be dreamy-eyed.“Jimmy, are things becoming serious with Aditya?”
I smile at Kiron’s question.“Yeah.”
“Ooh, Jimmy got himself a daddy.”Kenny teases.
“Shut up.”I shove him to the side.“No daddy-shaddy for me.”
“Why not?A mature man brings stability to a relationship.”Kiron gangs up against me, joining hands with Kenny.Kiron speaks from experience.They are well-versed in the dynamics of such a relationship.Sudhanshu is ten years older than them.
“I want to be his equal partner, but Aditya is educated and established in his career.Why would he want to settle for me?I am not even a graduate.”I express the fears nibbling in my mind.
“Don't you dare sell yourself short!Aditya is lucky to have you in his life.You are committed, truthful, and not to mention, hot as fuck.”Kenny fans himself.
“Jimmy, from our meetings with Aditya, I don't think he considers your lack of education a barrier.But, if the difference is a worry, why don't you do something about it?Now you have a safety net and some spare money.”Kiron sits me on a chair, holding my attention with their intense, no-bullshitting gaze.
