I am a stubborn donkey.“Aditya does not need to get involved.None of this matters.”
Sahil squeezes his eyes and huffs.Even I am disgusted at my behaviour.I do not want to compromise Aditya’s safety.My family is a toxic quagmire.The other issue bothering me is how the police will treat him.If one is queer, any interaction with the police is not easy.Aditya may not come across as gay, but the officer who came to take my statement had smirked at the mention of my ‘friendship’ with Aditya.He did not stop the probing questions about our relationship.
“Jimmy, not all lies are evil.Not all liars are criminals.Not every lie deserves the same punishment.”Sahil places his hand on my shoulder, giving me a gentle squeeze.“The spectrum of greys may be easier to discriminate, but if you look closer, even whites have shades.”
I stare at him in disbelief.Sahil never came across as a thinker.”Jimmy, I am not trying to negate your teenage experience.Those scary hours and days will always live with you.I can't even imagine what I would have done if I were in your place.But life gives us multiple experiences.Each is different.Each stoneskids through the waters, creating distinct ripples, lest we become a decaying pond.”He releaseshis grip but holds my gaze.“I will never ask you to forgive Aditya.But if you try, you can lessen your hurt.And his pain.”He picks up the sports magazine lying on the side table and hides behind the pages, leaving me to mull over his profound words.
Avoiding Aditya is my punishment, too.I clutch the bedsheet in my fists.How do I let go?Will Aditya stop at one lie?
Chapter 28
My road to redemption
ADITYA
“Aditya is achakka, papa.”Rahul sneers, mocking me by using the slur for trans people.“We will sue you for hiding this fact.”
What ignorant and insolent behaviour from two men in handcuffs.A week after the break-in, the police identified Rahul from the CCTV footage obtained from the bank.He and his father were taken into custody.Priya and I are now at the police station with her lawyer to work out a compromise.
“Why should I help these bigots?”I question Shalini.The pain in her eyes locks me to my seat, reminding me why I am here, sitting across from two fugitives in a room of a Delhi police station.Two people who, till three years ago, doted on me.Shalini called on the day they were arrested, pleading to drop the charges.
Despite my anger, I agreed.Mr Tribhuvan and Rahul were my family for a decade.Rahul grew from a lanky fourteen-year-old to an adult in front of my eyes.But his reaction leaves me in no doubt about the change in our relationship due to the circumstances.I am still unsure if his animosity results from the poison his father feeds him or his own inherent beliefs.We have become enemies, at least in his mind.I wonder if anything I say or do will make them change their bullheaded pursuit to make my life hell.Without considering the implications, Rahul went ahead with his foolish scheme, his father in tow.
Shalini's hand lands on my arm, calming me, but I am not taking things lying down.“Rahul, if you plan to go out of India, wipe your ignorant notions clean.Gay and transgender are different things.Bigotry and prejudice will land you in trouble,” I hit back.
“So what?You are still a pervert!”Rahul shouts.
“Mr Rahul, I will advise you to keep your voice down.”The lawyer's stern warning goes unheeded.
“Were you able to consummate your marriage with Shalini?”Rahul insinuates.
“Rahul, will you shut up?”Shalini roars from her seat next to her father.Her sharp tone gets through her brother's thick skull.“What happened in my marriage is between Aditya and me.You stay out of our bedroom.I am fed up with the two of you.”Shalini glares at her father.“Why are you dragging my divorce with your hatred and revenge?Why don’t the two of you accept Aditya and my separation?Are your male egos so high?”
Her father opens his mouth, but Shalini raises her hand.“Stop.I don't want to hear a word from either of you.”She turns to Rahul.“Did you consider how this criminal record will reflect on your visa application to the US?”
Oh boy, Shalini is bringing out the big guns.Rahul's head drops at her loud and clear message.For the past three years, Rahul has been trying to move to the US.After a lot of struggle, his dream is about to come true.Sometimes, spoken words make people realise the consequences of their follies.
