“Stop checking your watch,” Priya admonishes me and pulls me to meet a reporter.Aditya smiles as I walk past him.A small gift to carry me through the remainder of the evening.I can't wait to get out of here and join the Delhi Pride parade.No one will stop me from hugging and touching my man.Not to forget kissing him silly.We are allowed to kiss in public now without being arrested.
But before the snogging, Aditya and I will have a stern talk about whatever is bothering him.
Chapter 22
Pride and fall
ADITYA
Phew, too many close calls.Jimmy should be careful.The way his eyes searched and lingered on me, a discerning gaze would make the connection.I hope no one paid attention to the gentle brushes of the arm or his fingers tracing the back of my hand whenever Jimmy passed by me.
Priya had invited a carefully curated list of people, which I had vetted to ensure no one from my past circle of acquaintances was included.The agency personnel were not strangers.The rest of the book launch went as per the script.Jimmy handled the questions like a pro.
I wait for him at the corner of B block in the outer circle at our pre-determined place before joining the Pride parade.Brrr.I grit my teeth and cover my neck with my scarf.Delhi is cold in November, but not as chilly as Almora.The gang had reassured me about Almora.The place had not received snow for years.I should survive my first winter in the hills, with Jimmy to warm my bed.
“Hi, Mr Latecomer.”The point of my affection appears.Jimmy places his hands on his hips, looking me over with a stern face.Shit, I am about to be whipped.
“What happened?Why are you limping?Where did you fall?”He squeezes my shoulder.
“Ouch.”I wince and clasp my arm.The pain stings, and my eyes water.
“Oh, shit.”His eyes soften with concern.“Addy, we should find a doctor.”
“Already showed a doctor.Nothing to worry about.”Unfortunately, my raspy voice is not convincing.
“We should go to your room.You should rest.Do you have ice in the refrigerator?”He grabs my hands and pulls me towards the Metro station.
“Whoa.Stop, Mr Hotty-shotty.”I try to bring Jimmy's temperature down with some endearing words and a smile.He is having none of my lame efforts at distraction.One quirk of an eyebrow and all the secrets come tumbling out.I narrate the events at the restaurant.
He is shocked.He balls his hands and lets out his frustration in curses.“What the hell, Addy?Why did you not call me?I would have punched the daylights out of the fucker.”
“How would your beating Rahul have calmed things down?I have no intention for you or me to ever land in jail.Besides, the book show is important for you.”And to me, today's events are a stark reminder of why having Jimmy as my fake author persona is a correct decision.
“Addy, we should file a complaint or find a legal way to keep those thugs away.”He bristles.
“Involving the police is out of the question, but Jatin is talking to a few lawyers.Let's hope we find a permanent solution.I am tired of Shalini and her family.”My shoulders slump at how my relationship with them moved from love to hatred in two years.Is this hostility deserved?Will they stop after sending me to a hospital, or are they out for my blood?
