“Hey, don't worry.I will take extra precautions.”
Jatin and Priya take my reassurance with scepticism.She walks out, giving me privacy to dress up.
“Aditya, don't push what happened today under the rug.Verbal spats are manageable, but physical violence?”Jatin leaves his main worry unsaid.
“Jatin, they won't kill me.”Or will they stoop to such an extent?I turn away from Jatin, hiding the tremor in my hand as I button my shirt.
***
JIMMY
Where are you?
I stare at the message, willing the app to show me the three dots.But even after thirty minutes there is no response from Aditya.His silence is worrying.He should have been here by now after he met with his ex-wife.The anxiety increases when Priya arrives and sets the book launch event in motion.She is busy with the marketing team, so I don’t bother her and shoot off another message.
We are starting in another five minutes.Addy, please, please answer.
After another excruciating minute, my phone buzzes.
At the gate.
The message is a relief.I look up and find the man smiling at me from across the crowd.The nerves twitching inside settle as Aditya walks in and sits at the back.I understand his request to stay anonymous, considering he is not out to everybody in his circle, but I am no celebrity.Who will even notice?After the court verdict two months ago, we could at least have held hands and introduced him as my boyfriend.He shot down the idea outright.Not wanting to dwell on the hurt, I focus on the event today.
Wow.Four years ago, as I hitched a ride on the truck, I never imagined seeing this day.A group of close friends, a decent, respectable life as a gym instructor, and now this.A career as a model and a man of my own by my side.
“Ready for your shot at fame?”
Priya puts a break to my spiralling thoughts.Here goes.After introducing me and the book, she gives me the mic to read a chapter we had chosen.Once I finish, there is applause.The crowd is decent, about thirty people, well-dressed and educated by their appearance.Two photographers hover around, taking snaps from different angles.The event is being recorded for showing on local networks and Instagram.My eyes land on Aditya.His beaming face confirms I have passed the first test.
“We will now take questions from the audience, followed by a book signing.Please do stay for the high tea, snacks, and a chance to interact with the author.”Priya lays out the plan for the rest of the event.
The first question comes from a reporter from a Delhi-based newspaper.“The book is set in a small town.How much of your life is reflected in the story?”
“A writer builds imaginary characters and worlds.Their own experiences colour a lot of the world-building.But, in this story, not everything is about me or my life.Akhil, the main protagonist, is not me.”The well-rehearsed answer rattles off my lips.The reporter takes his seat.The next question is expected, but still silences the buzz in the room.
“Are you gay?”The lady in a magenta silk saree with coiffed white hair asks.Aditya, sitting two rows behind, cringes.
“Why only gay, ma’am?Why not bi, pan, demi or asexual?I can be whatever I want and not owe you or anyone an answer or a label on my head.This story is more than my sexuality.”I play cool, not letting the challenge in the lady's eyebrows faze me.
“So, is this an own voices novel?”She persists, trying to stir up a controversy.
“Oh, thank God, Akhil is not a serial killer.”I pause and give an exaggerated eye roll to add some drama.“Otherwise, you would accuse me of murder.”The response wins a wry smile from the lady.She sits back.A few more questions are taken before Priya moves us to the next phase.
Booklovers line up before the table where I am seated.A few engage in brief chatter, and some even flirt.But, gosh, when is this going to end?My cheeks hurt with the fake smile plastered over my lips since we started.
“Uff.Some people.”Aditya shakes his head at the old lady.“But I loved your response.”He pushes a copy of the novel towards me.He is the last man standing in the queue.
This time, my grin is genuine.“I have great teachers.”I wink at him.He turns his head left and right before giving a smile.
“Excuse me, but we have a party to attend.”Priya interrupts our smiling match.
Aditya flinches when he turns.His feet wobble, forcing him to grab a chair — hell to this stupid drama.I reach out and touch his arm.“Are you okay?Is something wrong?”
“No.Nothing.”He steps aside, out of my grasp, letting my hand fall.He braces himself and turns to me, “I slipped on the stairs in my hurry to reach on time.”
I am not convinced.He is hiding something.I want to take him aside and find out why he is limping.Did something happen at the restaurant?
Priya does not give me a chance.She ushers me into a separate room with large murals of book readers of all ages and posters of some classics plastered on the walls.The platter of patties, samosas, and assorted pastries doesn't excite my taste buds.All I want is to talk to the adorable man in tweed.Aditya follows, but lingers at a distance.I hate this stranger's act.He should be by my side.I should be taking care of him.
