The endless debates tormented me.Could two men who are all alone in this world be someone for each other and make a life together?The words woven into Aditya's new novel answered the questions and doubts.
“His lips caressed mine.My heart did a cartwheel.The brain's fuse short-circuited.I jumped him.The kiss turned out to be more than a dream.Everything I wanted.I chased his lips like a starving man when he withdrew to break for a breath.I needed more.”
Aditya stops and looks at me, waiting with a plea and hope.The crowd is silent.Kiron's squeal draws my attention to my position.How did I reach the dais?The gang looks at me with hope.This is my moment.
I turn to find Aditya's longing eyes.I lift him by the shoulders and hold his face in my hands.“Did the kiss feel like this?”I whisper into his ear and smash my lips against his.Divine.This is my home.
The claps break my dream, but I keep holding Aditya, tucking my arm around his waist.
Aditya rubs his hands down my arm.“Will you forgive me?I promise-”
I stop him mid-sentence with a brush of my lips on his.Unsure.Afraid he would push me away.He doesn't.Instead, Aditya grabs my coat lapels and deepens the kiss.
Chapter 30
Partners and Lovers.Forever.
ADITYA
“Does Sir Wilfred ever smile?”
Jimmy asks as he takes a swig from his beer can.We are alone.The last guests left at ten, and the gang partied till midnight.I don't care what the time is right now.Jimmy is with me, below a clear night sky sprinkled with millions of stars, forming a roof over the peaks of the mountains surrounding the valley.My world is at peace again in Jimmy's arms. The big, gruff guy is a cuddle beast.He squeezes me in his arms, checking if I am still with him.I nuzzle his neck, breathing him in, and close my eyes.“Why do you want him to?The British colonel is hard to please.”
“Why not?Should he not be happy for us?We are together again.You invited him to your launch party.He will have his pictures posted all over social media.The least he can do is show some cheer.”
I chuckle at his petulant voice and tap his lips to break his pout.“I am afraid Sir Wilfred is above such mundane human nuances.He is too far gone in age to show any emotion.”
“Shh, don't call him old.We should not upset him.He set up our first meeting.”Jimmy puts his finger on my mouth, caressing my lips.
“Hmm, he is a great matchmaker.”I tuck my hand below his shirt and run my fingers on his chest, staring at Sir Wilfred's shiny black statue.“What do you think he wants us to do now?”I keep my head tucked on Jimmy’s shoulder, not wanting him to glimpse my fear.Since he stepped onto the launch event stage, my heart hasn’t found a steady rhythm.
“I am not doing the acting gigs.”
Jimmy’s words surprise me.I tilt his chin and study his face.Jimmy is calm.He doesn’t blink.His lips are pursed in determination.
“Why?”I am confused.
