“And where are you going?”Sahil questions me as I step out of the gym.
“Some errands to take care of.”He does not need to know my actual destination.
A swift kick and my Bullet roars to life.I can't stop the smile from breaking out.The post-rain breeze is cool, so I zip my jacket and rush to Aditya's home.He and I have been together for only two months, but he is the first person I want to share this news with.
***
The door opens evenbefore I turn off the ignition.Aditya stands on his porch in a thigh-hugging pair of blue shorts and a well-worn white t-shirt.“To what do I owe this pleasure?”
I put the bike on the stand and stride to his door.Gathering him in my arms, I swirl around with his hands on my shoulders.
“What's the good news, Jimmy?”He is all smiles and wonder.
“We did it, Addy.My first print ad is slated to be published in the GentsRUs magazine, and the next shoot is for a top men’s wear brand.”
“Wow.Superb.When did you find out?”He asks as I help him to stand.
“About an hour ago.”I hold on to his warmth.“Priya sent me the email and a copy of the ad.”
“Show me.”He goes to pull out my phone.Our hands tangle as we fumble to extract it from my tight jeans.
“Here.”I unlock my phone and show Aditya the pic.
“Is this the Dhokaney waterfall?”He runs a finger on the screen with a wide grin and sparkling eyes.“Umm, this is so exotic.You are a sex god in the beach shirt and tight khaki shorts.And these abs, Jimmy, people will line up to cop a feel.”His finger lingers on my midsection, exposed by the open white shirt with yellow and red palm tree print in the photo.
“The only one who has permission to touch these is right beside me.”I take Aditya's hand and rub the fingers against my stomach.The traitor inside growls.
“Oh, someone is hungry.”Aditya squeezes my stomach.“Let me feed you.I made some Dal and rice.”
I will be in big trouble if I continue succumbing to his cooking.I can sense a before-and-after relationship photo with #throwback in my near future.
Aditya reads my hesitancy.“Brown rice, dear.I, too, am trying to match you.I also made a chickpea, sprout, and paneer salad.”
“Were you expecting someone?”I tease him at the buffet-like list of dishes.
“Why?Are you jealous?”
“Who says I am jealous?”I flex my biceps.“Only measuring the competition.”
“Well, you need to lift heavier weights.This won't do.”Aditya runs a circle in the air around me before jabbing my chest.I grab his finger, but he pulls away.“So, do you want to have dinner?”
“Only if the cute chef later serves desserts.”I wink and follow him inside, my hands resting on the plump love handles.I need to talk to Sahil; he needs to make sure they don’t disappear.
“No free dinner, Jimmy boy.You have to work with me in the kitchen.”Aditya wriggles his way out of my grasp.
“Do I get double the dessert if I help you clean up?”I pout while taking the casserole from his hand and walking to the dining table.We work to set the dinner.Aditya's house is like a second home to me now, as I spend most of my time here.We have so many meals together.The comfortable companionship and Aditya's delicious home-cooked meals always have me craving more.
“When and where is the Raymond shoot?”Aditya asks, between a mouthful of food.
“In Delhi, on the same day as the talk show.Addy, will you come with me?”I want to spend some time with him in public.Go and watch a movie.Sit in the last row, corner seat, holding hands in the dark while we share popcorn and salted lips while a romantic song plays on the screen.Stuff we can't do in Almora without attracting unwanted attention.Delhi should be safer, I hope.
“Ah, I would love to, but on a weekday?”Aditya raises his shoulders in question.“We will be in the middle of unit tests at the school.”He wipes his lips with a napkin after finishing his dinner.
“I wanted to see Delhi together with you.”I shift the last rice grains on my plate, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
“Hey, don't be sad.I will accompany you next time.”He takes my hand in his and squeezes.
“Promise?You won't back down with another workday commitment?”
