Page 10 of Made in Mumbai

“Like how?”

“Like this. So… open.”

“Bindaas, you mean? Yes. What’s to be scared of? They won’t eat me, no? And if they try…” she mock-rolled her sleeves.

“You are very brave.”

Those words sobered her naughty smirk. And M gave him a soft, almost shy smile. He held it, unable to let go. But then she turned to look at the planes.

They flew off and landed in front of them. The sun began to set. And he kept sneaking glances at her. What was it about her that he wanted to still keep looking at her, even after spending so much time together. He knew biology did its work. He had been attracted to girls in his village before. Even on the road. But her… this was something else. She was like bursts of sunshine on a rainy day. Like that sun that he had seen on Juhu Beach after the rainy spell on Carter Road.

When she was showing him Mumbai, she was perfectly responsible, keeping him protectively close to her in case he got lost. But when they were by themselves, she was so… mischievous. Cute. Fun. Teasing. Crazy. A lot of things.

It had been a long time since he had felt someone look out for him like she had. Showing him places, giving him window seats, holding his wrist if he even so much as stumbled while crossing a street. Gautam noticed it all. And was thankful he had found her when he did. This city would feel so lonely if she wouldn’t be there.

The sun went down and the orange sky turned black. Lights came up bright as planes kept flying off. And finally, M turned towards him — “I am hungry.”

“Yes. I am hungry too.”

“Have you had idli-dosa?”

“I ate idli once. It was very hard and the sambhar was bad,” he made a face. That dhaba still gave him nightmares.

“Then you need to eat Matunga’s idli, my friend!”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No, M.”

She turned around and jumped down from the ledge, pulling him along — “Yes! Yes! Y. E. S.”

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“What were you saying?” She cupped her ear and leaned into him. “Huh?No, M. No,what?”

He pushed her off, his eyes all for the food in front of him. He couldn’t stop slurping the sambhar in this crowded, hole-in-the-wall South Indian hotel. The lanes of Matunga outside were packed with crazy hustle, flower markets, temples, while the local train she had shoved him in had choked the life out of him. But the tangy sambhar with soft, sour idlis floating in it was a great reward. And the coconut chutney…? He just wanted to drink it up. And then, the dosa arrived.Not any dosa, bro! THE Mysore Sada of Mysore Cafe.Maya’s words.

“Now, see the ghee!” She broke a piece off and held it up, letting rich, golden rivulets drip down the crispy surface. His mouth watered. How was this Mysore Cafe place so cheap with such good food?20 rupees for idli, 38 for the dosa?

All his day’s hunger came out roaring then, because 1. the food was good and cheap, and 2. because it was night and he had to just find a corner to sleep until the tempo driver picked him up.

“What?” He came up for air and found her watching him with a funny squint.

“I once saw it in K3G. Seeing it live now.”

“What?” He frowned, his mouth full.

“Laddoo.”

“Huh?”

“Haww!” She clutched her jaws in both hands. “You haven’t seen Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham?”

“Umm… no. Should I have?”

“Ok, seriously, G. We have to rectify this. Let me tell you — so once what happened, there was this very rich Raichand family and they lived in a large castle in India, but actually it was shot in England, but that’s not important. So, Shahrukh Khan, who was Rahul Raichand…”

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