Page 81 of Made in Mumbai

He kissed her. His whole body lit up. There was an electric spark in her that turned into an inferno when merged with him. He had to pull back before he broke all barriers tonight.

“This is what is not there between us?” He asserted, holding her by her shoulders.

“I… I don’t know what I am doing. I cannot do this. I have new responsibilities on their way.”

“I know.”

“I am way past that age of just fun,” she shook her head. “And I don’t think I can begin to trust and get fully involved with anybody again.”

“Me too.”

“So?”

He swallowed, spitting out words that were probably the hardest of his life — “You have made me think. And dream, Maya. Will you dream some more with me?”

“And then what?”

“And then see if it comes true?”

Her forehead fell forward, and his chest was there to catch it. His heart stalled. It became heavier and heavier with every empty second that passed. A ‘no’ would hurt, but if she stopped trusting him, that would hurt more. His eyes squeezed shut.

Then startled open as his chest felt something good. Something fluttery.

It was a nod.

15. Mere Jaise Ban Jaoge Jab Ishq Tumhe Ho Jaayega

He had just set the lid on the poha he had stir fried when Maya stumbled out. The early morning sun streamed into his house, lighting the space up. And she was padding across that lit floor, all glorious goddess.

“Good morning,” she wished him shyly, then walked towards the deck. Gautam pressed his palm on the kitchen counter, observing her venture out and tip her face into the sun. One eye was open, another comically shut, as she worked to come awake.

He quickly brewed the newest coffee he had ordered this morning, grabbed his own cup and padded out behind her. Even before he had made it, her nose made a deep whiffing sound.

“Drink your coffee close to me,” she ordered with a smile in her voice.

“You can drink one too.” He pressed a cup into her hand. “I ordered a decaf brand.”

“But why?” She whirled on him, all sleep gone. “I am not a coffee fan, Gautam. I just like the smell nowadays… who will finish this dabba now?”

“If you don’t, then I will. Now try it.”

She took a sip. And the momentary pleasure flickering across her face was worth tens of those ‘dabbas.’ Maya sighed, smacking her lips together — “This is good.”

“Mmm…” he gave her a knowing smile over his own cup. They sipped their coffees in silence, enjoying the wide deck, the cool Diwali-time wind and the soft sun. The city was beginning to slow down as well as perk up. It was morning now, but come night and homes would be twinkling in the newest Diwali lights on their balconies, shops grandly lit, avenues decorated.

“Gautam?”

“Hmm?”

“About yesterday…”

“Do not say it was a mistake or that you didn’t mean it.”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” she put her tongue in her cheek, a clear sign that she was lying. He leaned in close to her face and poked the said tongue through her cheek. Her surprised eyes widened. Yes, he remembered it.

“Listen Gautam…”

“G.”

---