Desde sempre e para sempre Chapter 17

Desde sempre e para sempre

Chapter 17 

Davi was standing outside the same Community Hall. The lights were on inside. Leo was right, Aaji’s house wasn't there!

He pushed open the gate and entered the Community Hall.

This was no place for anyone to live! This was a dance studio…It was empty. Someone must have forgotten to turn the lights off.

Davi: “How is it possible? According to the address, it should be right here! The people outside directed me to this place too…”

He started walking through the halls and climbed up the steps. He was wandering around aimlessly, confused with his surrounding…damn, where was he going to get the house now? How was he going to build it right here in a matter of few days! How was he going to deliver his promise?

Lost in thought, he stumbled into a set of percussion instruments. Woah…was he sleepwalking? How does one stumble into a set of drums!? He looked around and realized that he was in a gallery filled with a wide vareity of musical instruments. An impressive range of wind instruments to his right, string instruments to his left, brass instruments against the wall across but what got his interest were the set of percussion instruments he had stumbled into…the ones right in front of him…

He smiled like a kid and proceeded to the Conga drums…

Exhausted and yet unable to get that particular Brazilian out of her mind Naina twirled and twirled, swirled and swirled in a white anarkali and her ghungroos until she couldn't any more. She was sweating profusely and burst into a giggle as she stopped abruptly. It had been her intent to work on her frustration through dance and in a way, it had. She had forgotten about him as she had danced the evening away, after all, dance was her first love. But it had gotten late and she knew Dadi must be waiting for her.

As she walked to the bench to untie her ghungroos, she heard the Conga drums being played in the music room.

Kushal…he had finally made his presence known, had he? Couldn’t wait until tomorrow to meet Jaya…back in New York they always challenged each other; him on the drums and her through her Kathak. She had told him about the dance studio in the community center…

It was a simple and steady beat. She smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. She knew they could both do better.

Naina: “Let’s make this a bit more fun shall we, Kuku?”

She started tapping her feet in sync with the beats of the drums to challenge him with the sound of her ghungroos. She loved to challenge him and she knew he loved to reciprocate.

Davi looked up. What was that? Ghungroos….the sweet sweet jingle of the ghungroos…

Was that a challenge?

Hell, yes!

Conga drums were not going to cut it. He effortlessly flipped the drumsticks in the air and switched over to the drums set.

She matched him with every beat and challenged him further. She was playing with him, he could feel it...He lost himself in the beat and he could feel her do the same...

Wow…….she was good! She was better…she was….he never quit but his need to see her was stronger….he had to see her….who was she? Who was this angel?

He gave up and walked towards the sound with the drumsticks in his hands. He was intrigued…he could make out with her swift and cheeky footing that she was an accomplished dancer.

He saw her. He saw a beautiful woman’s silhouette in a white Indian dress as she swirled around in circles on the dance floor, an elegant and flawless poise with every step…he wanted her to make the final swirl and look up so he could see her face…he was waiting…and waiting….

Naina heard him stop. A smile broke out…she had won this time…it was so unlike him though... He never gave up, at least not so fast…was it really Kuku? She sensed someone walk over…

With her final turn, she laughed and looked up…

Naina: “Kuku, gave up so easily? Is this how you are going to impress…”

She stopped…it wasn't him.

It was that Brazilian again! That OTHER Brazilian!

Davi was speechless!

Davi: “Naina…”

Destiny….Here he was standing right in front of Gael’s girl!

Slowly, she walked towards him, her loose hair blowing in the wind...for a moment he expected her to be shy simply because of the way she looked, innocent in a white dress...however,

Naina: “YOU AGAIN!”

And he smiled! THIS was definitely the girl his Irmão could fall for. 

He looked beyond her to the center of the dance floor where she had danced so gracefully just a few seconds ago. THIS was Gael's girl. With only one look at her, he believed his Aaji. Naina was all Gael needed...desde sempre e para sempre...

She quickly untied her dupatta and adjusted it across her neck: “Back to explain the difference between Medical Cosmetology and Medical Aesthetics?”

Medical Aesthetics?? Was she talking about  Leo? Had Leo met her?!

Naina wasn't ready to reveal just yet that she knew who he really was even though she wanted to question his credibility. Weren't all footballers imprudent?

She thought he was Leo.

Davi quickly covered his eyes with his sunglasses before she saw his eyes. 

Naina found it surprising and was about to ask him when…

Davi: “I know I am not out in the sun but I have been prescribed by the doctor. Not myself, another one, since you clearly question my credibility.”

She couldn’t see his eyes but she could see his grin. He was one cheeky little, well, not little…

As she turned around to collect her stuff, she undid her hair and flicked it over her back. She knew he would follow the movement. He was a guy after all and she wanted to buy some time…

But he didn’t. He was staring at her face…which she very much didn’t want him to. He was was making her self-conscious.

He could see why his brother, the great Gael Breno Bourgeois, would falter…

Naina: “What is it? Are you trying to find the faults in my face so you can correct them and put me under the needle?”

Davi: “Who in the right mind would want to change…”

She looked at him, all her stuff in her arms.

Naina: “What are you doing back here? How did you even enter inside?”

Davi: “This place…it belongs to my grandmother.”

Naina burst out laughing.

Naina: “Sure. This place in Mumbai belongs to your grandmother who is in Rio?”

Wow, her laughter…it was contagious. He couldn’t help but smile.

She knew Leo, although she thought he was only a plastic surgeon. And she knew they were from Rio. 

Naina: “I am glad you find this funny too.”

She started walking away expecting him to follow her as she turned the lights off. Thank god for her ghungroos! He followed the sound and made his way out with her.

Davi: “This plot, it belongs to my grandmother. She is Indian.”

Naina looked at him. What was these Brazilians? Did EVERY Brazilian have an Indian grandmother?! This was absurd!

Naina: “You are mistaken. This plot belongs to the community. It’s a community center. Can’t you read?”

She was challenging him again.

Davi: “Sanskriti Samudayik Kendra.”

Naina couldn't stop her jaw from dropping. It was written in Hindi!

Davi: “There, now do you believe that I was raised by a traditional Indian woman?”

Naina: “You have a Brazilian mother!”

Damn it! She wasn't supposed to know!

Naina: “I mean I assumed since you said your grandmother was the Indian one and not your mother.” 

Did she know it had been Leo earlier? Leo couldn't act to save his life!

Naina: “I think I deserve to know your name since you know mine.”

There. Hopefully, that didn't give her away.

Maybe she didn't  She definitely didn't know that he was Davi but maybe she didn't know that the guy earlier had been Leo. Leo had disguised himself, albeit haphazardly, and Davi looked like a mess too.

Davi: “Estefan.”

For all the multiple roles that he played for a living, he could only think of his middle name. Thank God, it was a common name.

Estafan? He was playing it safe. That’s like saying his name was Raj or Rahul!

Naina: “Dr. Estefan, pleased to meet you.”

Great, he already had a profession. It was back to work.

Davi: “Likewise. About this place…”

Naina: “There must be a misunderstanding. This place was converted into a community center 10 years ago. My Dadi has been in charge of the center. She has been teaching dance and music to students ever since. We have no prior knowledge about this plot belonging to someone else, at least not that I know of. As far as I know, this land was given to this community by the Municipal Corporation. Anyways, its getting late and I have to lock up the center…so, if you don’t mind…”

John turned around and leaned against the tree. Damn, that woman was gorgeous! Anyways, back to work…

So this plot…he was going to have to make a trip to the Municipal Corporation tomorrow.

Davi: “I would like to talk to your Dadi since she has been in charge of the place.”

No! She didn't want him to come back! Why couldn't the Brazilians leave her alone!?

Naina: “Not just yet. We are busy. There is a wedding in the family…the celebrations start tomorrow. Okay, I have to go now…”

Davi: “Wedding?”

Naina pushed him away and locked the gate. She started walking away.

Davi: “Excuse me? Wedding? I don’t understand…”

Naina turned around: “You know when a guy and girl decided to tie the knot and live together happily ever after…”

Davi: “I know what a wedding is! Who is getting married!?”

Naina was surprised: “What’s it to you?”

Davi: “I want to convey my best wishes.”

Naina: “Go ahead.”

Davi: “Excuse me?

Naina rolled her eyes: “You would like to convey your best wishes you said.”

Davi: “YOU are getting married?”

Well…she had promised her Dadi she would by the end of this year which was only 3 weeks away…if she believed it, it would happen, she hoped…

Naina: “Yes.”

Desde sempre e para sempre Chapter 16

Desde sempre e para sempre

Chapter 16

Aaji was lounging on a rocking chair lost in thought. She was facing the window through which she could see the Gateway of India. She was rocking the chair slightly when a pair of hands covered her eyes from behind catching her off guard.

She smiled. The gentle demeanor, the calming presence, the subtle and discreet footsteps…it had to be…

Aaji:  “Davi.”

Davi: “How did you know? How do you always know?”

Aaji: “Because you are the only one who has a calm soul amongst the three.”

Davi: “I am the only one who has a soul amongst the three.”

Aaji: “Well…”

Davi: “Never mind that. Where are the other two?”

Aaji: “Busy busy busy…Leo does not know how to sit still and Breno does not allow himself too…the world is so different when you stop for a second to observe and experience…But, you tell me, how was work?”

Davi: “Work? I left it behind, the moment I boarded the plane to get here. So, let’s not talk about it.”

Aaji smiled: “All three of you are so different! Cannot believe that you are brothers…”

Davi: “Surprises me too.”

He knelt before her and started gently massaging her feet.

Aaji: “You don’t have to do that!”

Davi: “I am doing it for myself…so, please let me. Now, how was your trip?”

Aaji: “Our trip to India was momentous.”

Davi: “How so?”

Aaji: “Breno fell in love.”

Davi was the only one with whom Aaji shared everything. Gael was like a father and Leo like her son. However, Davi was her friend. He was compassionate, calm and patient. He knew how to listen without being judgmental. He was exactly the opposite of what he portrayed on reel.

Davi stopped: “WHAT? Fala sério! You have got to be kidding me!”

Aaji: “I am not! I think Breno fell in love. I did not expect him to be the ‘love at first sight’ types because of his attention to every detail and method everywhere…but then it makes sense. It had to be this way…”

Davi: “Hang on! What? How? When…you know, it does not matter! What’s her name?”

Aaji: “Naina.”

Davi: “Indian?”

Aaji: “Indian Foreign Service Officer.”

Davi shook his head: “Deixa pra lá! Forget it! É impossível!”

Aaji: “She will change your mind the moment you meet her too.”

Davi: “It does not change the fact that she is a diplomat.”

Aaji: “I hate this. Pessimism runs in your blood too?”

Davi: “Not Leo’s.”

Aaji: “He inherited that from Mãe.”

Davi: “As long as we didn't inherit anything from our Pai. And Irmão? Did he inherit anything from his Mãe?”

Aaji: “He had. But he lost everything because of what your Pai did…”

Tears started running down her cheeks as she started sobbing.

Davi: “Hey…Aaji…please…please, don’t cry! It’s been 22 years...I ...I still don’t know what happened! Irmão has forbidden us to even mention it…”

Aaji: “I don’t know! I don’t know anything! He doesn't say anything! He doesn't talk about it…I just don’t know and I know I will never know. He will never share the past with me. Especially, not now…But Davi...(she held her hand in his) He might share it with Naina!”

Davi: “Naina? You are really convinced about this huh? Who is this girl?” Tell me more about her. What can she possibly have that makes you confident that he will spill his guts to her and not to YOU and his brothers…woah…give it to me!”

She gave him her phone.

Aaji: “I asked the airhostess to click a picture of ours together on the plane…she is…”

Davi: “Meu Deus do ceu… ela é linda maravilhosa! She is gorgeous!”

Aaji: “Com certeza! Of course! Your brother has a keen eye for beauty.”

Davi: “Com certeza! But there is something about her…”

Aaji: “With just a picture? Imagine what the real person could do!”

Davi: “É mesmo? Really? Is she really something? Can she really help Irmão?”

Aaji: “All we need to do is to get them to meet again. There goodbye was devastating…”

Davi: “How do we do that?”

Aaji: “I don’t know. Destiny will…”

Davi snorted: “Sure! Fala sério! Those things are just for the books…”

Aaji: “And one day, destiny will take you to yours too… Fique tranquilo, neto. Don’t worry…”

By the time Leo reached home, Davi was in Mumbai. Leo walked inside in a daze, lost in the moments he had spent with her when he bumped into his lookalike and instinctively grabbed his leg. It wasn’t as bad this time…

Davi: “Oi! e aí? Did you find it?”

Leo: “What?”

Davi: “What’s with the leg?”

Leo: “Nada. Fique tranquilo. Just a scratch. No, I didn’t find it. At least, I think I didn't…Aaji filled you in?”

Davi and Leo heard Gael and John entering the living room.

Davi pulled Leo into a room: “You were out the whole day and you think you didn't find it!? What were you doing!? Aaji is so excited! She is waiting for you to come…”

Leo: “But that’s a good thing! Irmão, said that he wants me to find reasons not to take her there. What better reason than it doesn't exist?!”

Davi: “I disagree.”

Leo gasped: “You disagree with Irmão?!”

Davi: “Irmão, is not thinking straight. He doesn't want to let go.”

Leo: “Irmão always thinks straight!”

Davi: “Well, not this time. Things have changed. Aaji wants to go there and I will take her there.”

Leo: “You are going against Irmão!”

Davi: “I am not going against anyone. I am the only one whose judgment is not clouded.”

Davi: “Give me the address.”

Leo: “I am confident, it’s not there anymore.”

Davi: “I will find it!”

Leo: “Are you not listening to me? I just came from that place!”

Davi: “If it’s not there, I will find out why and what happened to it. I am going to give her the truth. And then build a house for her right there if need be! We owe her that much.”

Leo gave him the piece of paper with the address on it shaking his head.

Leo: “What do I tell Irmão?”

Davi: “Nothing. I will talk to him myself when all is settled.”

Davi left the suite and the hotel in search of her home.

Gael turned around and leaned against the wall. He smiled. He had heard everything.

He could always count on Davi to do the right thing. Davi was the righteous of all. He would have been a pope if given the chance. But he loved women a bit too much and maybe acting a bit more. No, he didn't want Aaji to move out. He wanted to wrap her in all the comfort he could afford until her last breath. All the things he couldn't have provided had she…

But Davi was right, he wasn't thinking straight. That is the last thing his Aaji would want.

Gael looked at John.

Gael: “You heard it all?”

John nodded.

Gael: “Good. I want you to follow Davi. He shouldn't find out. Tell me everything that happens. I want to know what happened to that place.”

John nodded and left.

Leo was sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. He looked up to find Gael leaning on the door frame looking at him.

Gael: “So, I called Coach.”

Leo groaned: “I don’t understand why Coach is so scared of you! Why won’t you both treat me like an adult for once!?”

Gael: “Well, since you aren't actually supposed to be walking on it and yet that’s exactly what you are doing…you want me to continue?”

Leo groaned again but he didn't say anything.

Gael: “By ‘you both’ did you mean Coach and I or Davi and I? I think you know how to make your way around Coach.”

Leo: “I am hungry…”

Gael: “Sure.”

He walked toward Leo and gave him the crutches.

Leo: “Fala sério...I don’t need these!”

Gael: “Thank me later.”

Gael left the room to look for Aaji: “Follow me.”

Aaji: “I don’t believe it. YOU are going to cook for us?!”

Leo and Aaji were staring at Gael, their jaws dropped.

Gael: “Yeah. I don’t see how difficult it can be.”

Leo: “Irmão, I think I just lost my appetite.”

Aaji: “Breno, I know you are a man of many skills but cooking is definitely not one of them.”

Leo: “Do you remember how long you took to chop one onion?”

Gael: “I was a kid then, okay? I am sure I will do it better now. Besides, I am not the only one who succumbs to waterworks when onions are being chopped…”

Leo: “Yeah but none of us looks like we are dying…”

Aaji: “That is not the point. The point is that you seek perfection and cooking is something that needs flexibility…”

Leo: “…OR it’s okay if all your potato cubes are not the exact size.”

Gael: “I will show you what I got and then we will talk. For now just sit down…(he forced them to sit on the tall chairs by the kitchen island and poured them each a glass of red wine) and have a glass of wine…”

Aaji took a sip: “So, what’s on the menu chef?”

Gael: “Coxinha, pao de queijo and Vatapá…”

Leo: “…let’s not get too ambitious over here…”

Gael, when he saw her face: “I am just kidding…not only would it be a disaster, it would also take away from your Indian Holiday.  Dal rice. Just the way you taught us…”

The smile on her face was all he was hoping for. She was so happy! It would be just like the old times. Only this time he would be the one preparing a meal for her. Just like how their roles had been swapped a lot lately. Davi was right. Thay all owed her that much.

Gael put on the apron: “Where’s Davi? I didn't get to meet him when he arrived. I was in a meeting…”

Leo: “LET’S HAVE SOME MUSIC! Ma’am, shall I have the honor of dancing this set with you?”

Gael smirked. Very smooth. He knew Leo didn't want to talk about where Davi was. Leo didn't want anyone to be reminded of Davi or his absence to be more precise.

Gael started making the preparations for the meal.

Aaji giggled and placed her hand in his: “I don’t know how to dance with you and your crutches.”

Leo: “Damn. I forgot about them already.”

Aaji: “Maybe we can watch one of Davi’s movies?”

Leo: “No! I find it weird to see myself die, imprisoned, decapitated, shot, hanged, and burned by the end of every movie…Davi can never get anything right?! He always dies…”

Gael: “And makes more than the heroes.”

Aaji: “Not everything is about the money…”

Leo: “I am just saying that it would be nice to see myself win at least one…”

Gael: “Its not you…its Davi.”

Leo: “He got the looks from me, okay?”

Gael: “Yeah I get it! You were so special that God decided to make two of you.”

Leo: “Right on!”

Aaji laughed: “Oh Leo…”

Gael: “Actually, let’s watch that movie!”

Leo: “Which one?”

Gael: “The one I watched with Naina…”

Leo and Aaji: “Naina?!”

Aaji: “Naina! Oh how I wish I could meet her again…”

Damn, he shouldn't have mentioned her!

Naina? That was the same name as…

Leo: “Naina, who?”

Desde sempre e para sempre Chapter 15

Desde sempre e para sempre

Chapter 15

Jaya: “Naina!! Let’s go! Ma is waiting for me to get the milk!”

Naina: “One last ball, I promise! It’s been a while since I played Cricket!”

Lataji screamed from the window above: “NAINA MALHOTRA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING PLAYING CRICKET IN A DRESS!?”

She disappeared from the window.

Jaya: “Now you are going to have it! She was with a rolling pin the last time I saw her and I am sure she is coming downstairs to whack you with it…”

Naina: “Chotu! Show me what you got!”

Jaya: “I knew I should have asked someone else to help me!”

The little boy ran to deliver the ball as Naina was waiting for him to strike.

Leo was standing in front of what looked like a Community Hall.

What the hell?

Did Aaji live in a Community Hall? It didn't look run-down…he tried to read what was written on the board but it was written in Hindi. While he could speak it, he could not read it…he searched the wall for information written in English…Unable to find any he looked to his side. It seemed to be a residential area.

He started walking around to look for people. There was no one around! Not even a stray dog on the road!

Finally, he came across some evidence of habitation. He heard a loud racket around the corner. Leo started walking towards it…

Leo: “What, people don’t play football on the streets…These quiet streets…this will never happen in Rio! Naah, Leo! This is India. The only sport they care about is…Well, why aren't the people on the streets playing Cric…”

Suddenly something hard hit him on the top of his head and everything went black as he dropped on the ground.

“Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!”

Everyone rushed towards the little boy who had been fielding by the second entrance to the complex. He was pointing at something at the street outside.

Naina: “Pingu, are you okay? Did the ball hit you??”

Jaya turned Naina’s face in the direction Pingu was pointing at.

Jaya: “The ball hit him!”

The kids and the two girls rushed to the man who was on the ground outside. He was a tall man and well-built.

Naina reached forward and with the help of Jaya turned him over. Both of them gasped as soon as they saw him. He was a very attractive man! A very attractive and unconscious man!

He had a very sexy stubble which did wonders for his face but his eyes were covered with huge brown sunglasses.

They looked at each other and back at him. The children huddled around them…

“Is he alive?”

“What’s happening? Why doesn't he open his eyes?!”

“He looks foreign…”

Jaya: “THAT is NOT an Indian!”

Naina: “THAT is still unconscious!”

Naina tried to shake his shoulders: “SIR! SIR! Can you hear me?! Sir! SIR!?”

Jaya reached for his wrist to check his pulse: “My God! He smells so good!”

Naina: “JAYA!”

Jaya laughed.

Naina: “You find this funny?”

Jaya: “Only you would knock a gorgeous man out…”

Naina: “Jaya!”

Jaya leaned in closer and whispered in her ear: “I haven’t even seen half his face but look at that body! Let’s kidnap him. We can share him!”

Naina: “Oh my God! Can’t you see he is knocked out!?”

Jaya: “Relax! His pulse is fine! I am a doctor, remember? Precisely why I can make out that he has a gorgeous body even without seeing it…”

Naina: “YOU are a urologist!”

Jaya: “What body part did you think I was talking about?”

But both the girls and the kids sprang away when they heard Lataji shout.

Lataji: “WHAT IN THE NAME OF…WHAT is this? WHO is this?!”

Jaya: “Ma…it was my fault!”

Lataji: “NAINA! What did you do?!”

Naina: “I…I hit a sixer and…”

Lataji: “Well, don’t just LOOK! Take his sunglasses off first!”

 

Jaya’s mother was a doctor too. Jaya quickly informed her mother that she had checked his pulse and he seemed fine.

Naina reached forward to take his sunglasses off and screamed when he suddenly grabbed her hand and stopped her.

Leo looked at her and it seemed like time had stopped. Gosh, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair, long dark hair with luscious curls, blew in the wind gracefully like she was a heroine of some Bollywood movie and, to top it all; she was wearing the Brazilian colors! Green and Yellow! Was that a sign?

He looked into her eyes and couldn't help but drown in them! Two drops of the finest Whiskey, the color just like the one he had snitched from Gael earlier.

Just then an elderly lady came in his range of vision pulling Naina’s hand out of his hold. Just for how long had he held her hand?

Lataji: “Son, are you okay? Don’t be afraid…You don’t look like you are from around here…”

Jaya: “He doesn't look like he is from this country! Ask him if he speaks English!”

Lataji: “Do you speak English? Here, why don’t you take your sunglasses off…” She reached forward…

Leo: “NO!”

Leo pushed himself away from her. Sanity had finally knocked on his door. While he was sure these women didn't know much about football, he wasn't sure about the kids…Also, he had grabbed the newspaper on his way out and his face was plastered all over the front page declaring Brazil’s victory and praising his performance. The newspaper was on the ground right next to him! He had not bothered to disguise himself as much only because no one would expect him to be in India of all places the very next day. He had walked out with just his sunglasses to help conceal his identity. Without his sunglasses, he knew his eyes, his green eyes, would give everything away…

Lataji: “Okay! Relax! How are you feeling? Is your head hurting? Can you see properly?”

She held a few fingers before him: “How many?”

Leo: “What…what happened?”

Leo tried to conceal his Brazilian accent…

Jaya: “Are you Italian?”

Damn. Well, that was better than…He was sure he couldn't pull off an Indian accent!

Lataji: “Stop asking him stupid questions Jaya!”

He looked at Jaya. She was a beautiful woman too! Gosh, did Aphrodite change her address and forgot to mention it to him?

Leo: “What…”

Naina: “We were playing and I didn't realize…I guess I hit it a bit too…it was a ball…”

And finally she spoke. He was not disappointed. Her voice was so warm and smooth that it could melt butter into smooth swirls of gold…

Leo: “A ball?”

Naina: “A Cricket ball.”

Leo: “A Cricket ball?!”

Naina: “I am really really really sorry…”

Leo burst out laughing. Naina stopped apologizing when she heard him laugh. It reminded her of…his laughter…it was just like HIS!

Lataji: “Son, I need you to calm down! There is no need to be hysterical. You are fine! You are a strong boy and…now, please…do you feel light headed? How many fingers do you see?”

Leo stood up. The kids and the ladies looked up as they realized just how tall he was.

He was fine. He knew it. He had been through worse…he tried to move and that’s when his leg, the one that had been injured during the match, gave out. He was about to fall down again when Naina came forward and held him. He bent down and folded the cuff of his jeans to check his leg. Naina crouched down next to him to help him but before she could do anything, he cuffed his pants.

Naina: “Hey…slow down there…Come with us…Lataji, over here, is a doctor. She knows what she is doing…”

Lataji: “Jaya help her. Come inside. My clinic is right there…”

Leo was still in pain and didn't complain as the two women helped him walk to a small clinic. She made him rest on the bed.

She brought a light torch to his eyes. He shook his head and pushed her hand away. He couldn't take his sunglasses off.

Leo: “I am fine. It’s my leg. I injured it yesterday.”

When she didn't believe him,

Leo: “You were holding up 4 fingers the first time and three fingers the second time…There are 8 kids, two knockouts and two doctors in this room…I take that back. THREE knockouts and a doctor…”

Lataji rolled her eyes: “Like we were running out of rogues!”

Jaya: “You were right earlier. How did you know I am a doctor too?”

Leo looked at her: “Beauty AND brains! I apologize, Ma'am. I did not know you are a doctor…”

Jaya: “Then…”

Naina: “You are a doctor.”

Leo smiled: “That was easy! Since you aren't one and I confessed I didn't know your friend was one…”

Naina smirked and walked towards him meeting his challenge.

Naina: “I will do you one better. I can tell you what your field of expertise is…”

She leaned in and traced her finger on his jawline very slowly…In return, he scratched his stomach putting his hand under his shirt and showing a hint of his toned body. He smiled at her, a perfect smile with perfect white teeth, showing her that her tactics didn't faze him at all. She wished she could see his eyes but behind the dark sunglasses, she couldn't read him. She would just have to go in blind; only on the basis of his body language…

Lataji: “Naina! That is enough…”

She winked at him: “I bet its Medical Cosmetology.”

When she saw his jaw drop, she laughed and grabbing her friend’s hand turned around to leave the clinic. But before she left, he stopped her.

Leo: “Actually it’s Medical Aesthetics.”

Naina: “Really? Medical Cosmetology or Medical Aesthetics, what’s the difference?”

She had had the last word. The two ladies laughed as they left the clinic followed by the children.

Lataji: “WELL! I trust you know what is wrong with your leg then! Now, off you go!”

Leo smiled at her and he knew even the elderly lady couldn't resist it. He took her hand in his and kissed it: “Thank you, Ma’am. You have saved my life. I will be forever grateful…”

Lataji pulled her hand out of his hold even though he had caught her blushing: “A rogue! That’s what you are!”

She turned around and saw one of the little boys standing by the door.

Lataji: “Chotu, show this gentleman the way out, please.”

Leo followed the little boy out. When they reached the entrance he looked back. He would never forget her face and her eyes…Naina, that was her name. He would never forget her.

Chotu: “Here, you dropped this earlier.”

Leo looked at the boy. He was handing him his newspaper. But before he could grab it,

Chotu: “You look very familiar. You really look very familiar…”

His hand was on Leo’s face on the front page of the paper…Leo immediately snatched the paper from the boy.

Leo: “I doubt that. It’s my first time here.”

He turned around and started walking away as fast as his limp would allow.

On their way back from the grocery story,

Jaya: “Naina! I still don’t understand how you figured it out!”

Naina: “What, that he is a doctor? It was simple logic…I know I am not one…”

Jaya: “NO! That he is a plastic surgeon.”

Naina: “It was a lucky guess.”

Jaya: “Bull!”

Naina laughed: “His body was perfect.”

Jaya: “That means nothing. Many doctors, young doctors especially, like to maintain their bodies.”

Naina: “Vanity. That’s what I read. He knows his body is perfect and he likes to show it off.”

Jaya: “That means he is conceited! A neurosurgeon could be conceited!”

Naina: “When he collapsed and bent down to check his leg; I saw some of his bruise. It was really bad, Jaya. I don’t know how is walking. I also noticed that he had covered it with make-up. Why hide it when it is already hidden? Only a plastic surgeon could sympathize with vanity. Trying to fix things that don’t need to be fixed and trying to hide things that don’t need to be hidden…but you are right. He could have been a dentist, for all I know! He had perfect white teeth.”

Jaya: “Wow. THAT really was a lucky guess then…”

Jaya went upstairs to give her mother the milk. Naina walked away alone and lost in speculation.

Naina: “What in the world is the Brazilian National Hero doing in Mumbai?!”

That had been no lucky guess. She had known he was Leonardo, the ace Brazilian footballer, the moment he had stood up. It could have been his identical twin brother, the famous Hollywood villain,  Davi.  The only thing that distinguished one from the other was their eyes. One had forest green eyes and the other electric blue. With his dark sunglasses on, she couldn't make out…However, when she had learned that he was a doctor...she knew only one of them was one; only one of them was a famous plastic surgeon...

Either way she had had enough of Brazilians trying to force entry into her life!