Page 82 of Made in Mumbai

“G,” she rolled her eyes. “I can’t just…”

“I agree.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say!”

“It must be some reason to not go forward. And I agree. But,” he turned, grabbing her hand in his — “Can you deny that the last few days together have been something…right? Like something felt good after a long time? Maybe you have been feeling good in your life even before that but I haven’t felt as… myself as I have with you. Like I met that young boy again and liked him again.”

She stared at him, her eyes luminescent under the sun’s rays.

“I know your life is going to change, I know your responsibilities, I understand them. All I propose is that we let this flow. Low key. Just go with the flow and say our most honest feelings and intentions out loud. It’s one hell of a gamble, to be vulnerable to each other without any commitments. But I don’t know anything else in this situation, M. I cannot let this go without trying.”

She swallowed. “So, no expectations, no pressure?”

“No. Whatever is comfortable for you. Whatever you want. Just… don’t stop being with me like this.”

“Ok. But I have to shift out for that.”

“No way,” he recoiled. “Then we can be complete strangers, but you stay here until the baby is born. Even after that if you need help.”

“I don’t want charity, Gautam. Or pity.”

“I don’t feel pity for you, crazy! That’s the last thing I feel for you.”

“Then what do you feel?”

“Insanity! I don’t even know what that means but that’s what you make me feel. Nothing in my head makes sense. Yet. Except that without you, even if it all made sense, I wouldn’t like it.”

She looked away.

“Listen, Maya,” he stepped back from her to give her space — “This is a bigger gamble for you. I shouldn’t even be asking this of you at this time. But please. Please. If you feel the same, then give it to me.”

She peeked up at him through her lashes — “Then I will pay you rent.”

“Again that?”

“Otherwise I am going from here.”

“M…”

“I need to, ok? My baby needs to know that its mother is capable of taking care of it.Ihave to know it.”

“Alright,” he agreed. “Alright. I respect that. As you say… So?”

“Ok, let’s see where this goes,” she said quietly. So unlike his Maya. And he couldn’t stop. Gautam pulled her to him and took her mouth to her surprised gasp. She laughed then, finding anchor on his shoulders, her fingers threading into his hair. The sun was warm, the winds were cool, and there was this girl in his arms who had the capacity to make grown men blush, who was now melting into him. Gautam silenced all other voices in his head.

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He had to work extra hard to steal her bag and wallet today to get her to ride with him. But at the end she came along, grumbling and cursing him in her very innovative ways. Gautam had never laughed throughout a drive from his home to his office. Even the potholes didn’t make him grimace with her yapping in his ear.

“Get down,” he stopped by the office gate. “I’ll park and come.”

“Are you mad? What if the watchman sees me.”

“What then?”

“He will tell Leela didi and she is very sweet but the loudest gossip.”

“You mean our head maid?”

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