Desde sempre e para sempre Chapter 18

Desde sempre e para sempre

Chapter 18

Gael: “Naina, nobody.”

Aaji: “She was not nobody on the plane.”

Leo: “On the plane? You got some booty and you told Aaji before you…”

Gael: “Shut up!”

Aaji: “Leo! I would like you to show some respect!”

Leo: “I am sorry…but I am a little…”

Gael: “No, I did not get any booty…HEY!”

Aaji hit him on his forearm as hard as she could: “Same is applicable to you!”

Leo laughed: “If you don’t want to talk about your Naina, suit yourself. I am going to talk about mine.”

Gael: “Say what?”

Leo: “I think I am in love and her name is Naina too.”

His heart curled with pain even though there was no way it could be his Naina! Could it? HIS Naina?

Aaji: “What do you mean?”

Gael: “Does it matter? He falls in love every week.”

Leo: “This time it’s different.”

Gael: “That’s what you say all the time.”

Leo: “Why are you being so rude? I bet you the success of Davi’s film, she is not the same Naina.”

Gael: “Bet with something that YOURS to lose.”

Aaji: “NO! Never gamble! You two are devils! Where is Davi?”

Leo: “This is not a gamble, Aaji. I am not uncertain.”

He fished in his pocket and pulled out Rs. 10.

Gael: “At the moment, that’s all I own.”

Gael: “How about if I win, you do everything I say for the next two weeks without any complains and if I lose…”

Aaji: “You do everything I say for the next two weeks without any complains!”

Leo: “What am I winning?”

Aaji: “If you win, I will make you Dal and rice everyday.”

Leo: “Oh, thank God.”

Gael: “Wait, what…(he tasted a spoonful and spit it out) This is disgusting! Why didn’t you say anything!?”

Leo: “I wanted to, Irmão, you know I did but Aaji threatened me not to…”

Aaji: “Do we have a deal?”

Gael: “Whatever happened to no gambling?”

Aaji: “Well, you only live once.”

Leo: “Dang! Aaji is a total G!”

Gael: “Let’s get this straight. You are betting that the two Naina’s are different and my bet is that they are the same?”

Leo: “If you have the hots for her, why would you even want her to be the same?”

Gael: “I don’t want her to be anything. It just so happens that in a wager the second party has to bet on the other outcome.”

Leo: “So, you have the hots for her?”

Gael: “I am not in High School.”

Aaji: “Breno, you make bets on things you are not sure about?”

Gael: “Never.”

Aaji: “Then why now? For all you know she could be the same person...”

Oh, he hoped he lost. He would do her bidding any day...he would not, he could not share HIS Naina even if it was only in his head that she was his!

Gael: “You only live once.”

He had seen the flash in her eyes as he had made the wager. He just wanted her to live.

Davi burst into the living room: “SHE IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!”

“WHO IS???????”

Leo: “I bet Davi met a Naina…”

Aaji and Davi looked at each other and he nodded. Aaji suddenly grabbed her chest in shock.

Gael: “Aaji! Leo! Call the doc!”

John who had just entered the living room after Davi: “I am on it!”

Gael carried Aaji in his arms and took her to her bedroom. Davi quickly poured a glass of water for her and followed Gael inside along with Leo. John entered the bedroom a few seconds later with the medical entourage.

Aaji: “I am okay…its just….”

Doctor: “No shocks! Her condition is very fragile as it is…she is stable now…and I…”

Aaji: “I need to talk with Davi in private, please…”

Doctor: “But…”

Aaji: “Please inform Breno about what needs to be done. He is going to want to know more than I do anyway…”

Gael and the rest left the room. Davi closed the door after they left and turned around.

Davi: “Are you okay?”

Aaji: “It is when things like this happen, I remember the imminent reality of my situation...but I don’t want to talk about it…if I have learned anything, we have to work now and we have to work fast.”

Davi: “She said she is getting married!”

Aaji: “I have nothing against that. We are just going to have to change the groom.”

Davi: “I don’t think that is right.”

Aaji: “Please don’t go “Mr. Do the right thing” on me! I don’t have the time or the patience for it!”

Davi: “Bem. What do you suggest?”

It said a lot for Davi to be convinced so quickly to not do the right thing. He could see, just like she did, that Naina was meant for Breno.

Aaji: “How did you even bump into her?”

Davi: “About that…your place…well, there is a Community Center where your home was supposed to be…I guess after you left for Brazil things changed back here…”

Aaji: “How is that possible?! I owned that room!”

Davi: “Well, since there is no building in which your flat existed over there anymore…I believe they do things a bit differently here in India...”

Aaji: “Oh no! ”

Davi: “Anyway, I went inside to check it out and she was practicing Kathak.”

Aaji gasped: “Kathak?”

Davi: “Not only is she beautiful, she is also an extremely graceful and talented dancer…”

Aaji: “I want her for Breno NOW!”

Davi: “If only things worked that way…”

After the doctors left, Gael took John to the side.

Gael: “What did you find out?”

John: “The place where Aaji stayed was taken over by the Government 10 years ago. It was converted into a public property; a community center was established in its place.”

Gael: “Buy it back.”

John: “But it’s not a private property…”

Gael: “Private or public, all understand the language of money. Buy it.”

John: “Yes, sir. I will go to the Municipal Corporation…”

Davi entered the living room with Aaji.

Leo: “I don’t think you should be out of bed just yet…”

Gael and John turned around…

 Aaji: “So, my house, what happened to it?”

Gael and John looked at each other. Had she overheard them?

But she was looking at Leo.

Right, Gael had asked Leo to take care of it.

Leo: “Uhhh…what had happened was…”

Gael: “John, has it all under control!”

Aaji: “Does he?”

Davi had filled her in.

Gael: “Yes. He will go over there and get it all ready for you…”

John cleared his throat loudly.

Gael leaned forward to hear him out.

John: “I might just be able to buy the place back which will need all sorts of coercion considering the government is involved but I hardly doubt I will be able to build a house there in a day!”

Gael: “We will live in RVs for all I care! As long she is where she wants to be.”

Aaji: “No.’

Gael: “No?”

Aaji: I want YOU to go there.”

Gael: “Go where?”

Naina was lounging by the balcony lost in thought when something hit her. Scratching her forehead and trying to figure out what hit her, she stood up when another one hit her. Annoyed, she leaned on the balustrade when yet another one hit her on her face.

Naina: “OY…Kuku…”

Kushal: “Shhhhhh!!”

Naina looked around her. It was late in the night and everyone was in their respective rooms. Jaya had gone to bed already because of her mother. The boy and his family were going to come see her tomorrow…

Naina whispered loudly: “You are way too early...”

Kushal whispered back: “Shut up and come down!”

Naina: “No. It’s past 11 pm and I am not allowed to be out of the house past 11 pm…”

Kushal: “Just you wait till I tell your Dadi how many curfews you have broken…”

Naina: “Shhhh! Acha! Okay, I am coming!”

But before she left, she turned around and threw a pebble back at him.

Naina made some excuse to her Dadi and left the house. She reached downstairs and Kushal was about to hug her when she pulled away.

Naina: “This is not New York. You are coming to see my friend tomorrow and if someone…”

Kushal: “Got it, Nainai. Well, this is your town, where to?”

Naina: “I don’t know. Where are you staying?”

Kushal: “The Taj.”

Naina: “Aunty and Uncle here yet?”

Kushal: “Yup. They took the flight from Delhi in the evening. They are already in bed and since I am still running on the EST, it is time for me to wake up.”

Naina: “Tell me about it! I feel so sleepy at exactly 7 pm after having stayed up the whole day, our night, but past 11 pm, I am wide awake!”

Kushal: “We can go to the bar at Taj.”

Naina: “Only if you are paying.”

Kushal: “You are sooo Desi!”

Naina: “Of course! I am giving you my best friend, in return, you can at least take me out for drinks.”

Kushal: “One drink.”

Naina: “Why?!”

Kushal: “You have negative alcohol tolerance.”

Naina: “Whatever, how did you get here.”

Kushal: “My car.”

Naina: “Your car.”

Kushal: “I rented one.”

They walked over to his car. 

Naina: “You rented an Audi!”

Kushal: “They don’t have a Maruti at the Taj.”

Naina: “I wish I was born to a rich family as their only heir!”

Kushal: “You can always marry one.”

Naina: “Ha! My expiry date is looming. At this rate, I need to marry something, anything. Beggars can’t be choosers.”

Kushal: “First of all, expiry date? Gross. And you can marry that Brazilian, he is totally into you.”

Naina stopped and Kushal banged into her.

Kushal: “Ouch!”

Naina: “What?”

Naina: “I am talking about Pablo, the guy you were on the Human Rights Commission with, remember?”

Naina sighed relieved: “Oh! Him!”

Kushal: “Yeah, him. Who did you think I was talking about?”

Naina: “Nothing. I mean no one. I am driving.”

Kushal: “No way.”

Naina: “You can afford to pay for the damages.”

Kushal: “I don’t like how you take it for granted that there will be damages. I can afford to pay for the damages but I only have one life. I want to get married to Jaya, Nainai!”

Naina: “Jaya is all you think about now! As soon as the wife enters, you forget about your best friend?!”

Kushal: “Well…”

Naina punched him on the side: “You are supposed to say ‘No, Nainai, it’s not like that!’ and here you are…”

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?”