Jimmy smirks at the mention of a statue.I pout and move away from him.“Forget what I said.I will not make a fool of myself sharing my childhood dream.”
“Aw, sorry.Stay.I will be a good boy.Please.Pretty please.”He pulls me into him.
I huff out my protest and stick my tongue at him.“In sixth grade, a documentary on Greek history hooked me like a fish.Whenever alone, I would play the role of a great explorer in my imagination.”
“Let us do it.”Jimmy’s eyes brighten.
“Let us do what?”I am puzzled by his sudden excitement.
“Let us go on a quest.You are a history expert.I have walked the trails in Uttarakhand.When we are free on any Saturday or Sunday, we pack a bag and go off to a location, speak to people, and explore.”Jimmy shakes my shoulders, pleading with his eyes.
My laughter bubbles over with happiness at sharing a dream with him.“Yes, Mr.Jimmy Indiana Jones, we can go explore together.”
“Am I sexier than Harrison Ford?”Jimmy wiggles his eyebrows.
I am surprised he caught on to the reference.
“What?”He stares at me.
“You are so much more.”
Jimmy plants a kiss on my cheek.“So, Mr Starwatcher, as a future explorer, teach me to read the sky.Maybe one day I can help you find our way through the forests.Show me theSaptrishi.”
“Easy.”I survey the sky and locate the Ursa Major.“There, at seven o'clock.Four stars aligned in a sort of square with a tail of three stars.”
Jimmy reaches out to my extended finger and brings the tip to his lips.“The only twinkle I have eyes for is right next to me.”
“Aww, has the romance book rubbed off on you?”I shove Jimmy's shoulder.He turns over and crushes me below him, kissing me hard.I open my mouth and allow his tongue in, relishing the connection.Our hips rub against each other, making me whimper.The moan is loud in the silent night.“Jimmy, we are outside.”I remind him.
He plants a soft kiss and lies on his back, gazing at the sky.“Addy, do honest, kind-hearted people become stars after they die?”
“Hmm, perhaps.Or they are only stories to keep our hopes alive, a way to connect to the people we love long after they are gone.A memorial in the sky.”
“Like Col.Wilfred.”Jimmy tickles me.
I squirm away from his touch, giggling.“No, not like Col.Wilfred, dummy.I did not know him in person.”I use the distraction to take my revenge on Jimmy.We grapple on the ground, finding places to tickle.He, of course, overpowers me, pinning my arms above my head.He licks a trail of wetness from my wrists down my arms before capturing my mouth with another kiss.Unfortunately, his lips part too fast, leaving me panting for more.
I gaze into his eyes, filled with desire.An ache builds in my chest, longing gripping me tighter by the second, but confessing my love at this moment is early.Jimmy is too young for me.His entire world is only opening now.And I am unsure how to undo the lie on which I have built our relationship.So, I say the next best thing.“Jimmy, you are my star.”
He stares at me.A fleeting emotion passes over his face.“What's wrong?”I blurt out.His silence worries me.I try to cover my tracks.“What I meant was, you will be a star someday.A star in this world.”
Jimmy stiffens and falls by my side.Shit, I have made this worse.He moves my hand over his chest.“Addy, I am not sure if this Delhi gig will work for me.”
“Why?”I try to hide my worry by resting my head on his chest.Did something happen in Delhi?
He sighs.“At the recording studio, everyone was welcoming, but in a calculated way.The eyes and the words had no warmth — only professionalism.I worry the world of glamour will change me.I will lose my friends.Lose my connection to Almora.”
God, this sweet man.What is a devil like me doing with this angel?
“No, you won't.Remember where you came from.Where you started?Jimmy, you have faced a dark phase in your life.The memory of those painful days will keep you rooted.”I trace the contour of his muscled shoulder, firming my resolve to pick every thorn in Jimmy's path.
He rakes his fingers in my hair.“Addy, will you keep me rooted?Will you be with me on this journey?Not let the success go to my head.”
Oh boy, am I in deep trouble?
