Colors

nine

Jai ended up winning, and I found myself desperate to beat him at something, anything. However, I could appreciate finally finding an opponent who actually opposed me. Most of my friends either sucked, didn't care enough, or just cheated.

"How about you suggest a game, hotshot?"

Jai's lips quirked up. "Card game?"

I grabbed the deck and did the shuffle-thingy that my dad had taught me.

That ought to scare you.

Jai snickered. "I can do that too."

He grabbed the deck and copied me. His technique was admittedly more impressive, but of course, I wasn't going to admit that.

We spent the next couple of minutes trying to outdo each other with insane card tricks. A castle of cards was being built when we heard a stampede of footsteps come down the stairs. The kids were done and probably had to go home.

I felt my heart sink at the thought. I was having so much fun in what felt like too long.

"We are getting another game."

Oh. "Go ahead, Om. Are you guys having fun?"

Dhruv laughed. "Yes! I want to come here every day and play with Om!"

"And me?" Ruhani folded her arms.

Jai and I laughed as Dhruv nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes... and you!"

"Good." Ruhani sat in between Jai and me, and we moved to make more space. I didn't even realize we were sitting that close. "What game even is this?"

Jai and I made eye contact and burst out laughing.

"What? What's wrong?" Dhruv demanded, sitting beside me. "Tell us!"

Om took his place beside Jai and shrugged. "They are being weird."

That comment just made Jai and me laugh harder. "Making a castle."

"That's not a game, Jai. I want to play a game with you. Om is nice," Ruhani started, "But Dhruv always cheats."

By this point, Jai and I had calmed down. Our smiles were still insane, but we could form full sentences. "That's terrible, Ruhani. Jai and I were just about to play a card game, but we got caught up in outdoing each other."

Someone's phone rang, and I realized that it was Jai's.

"Hm? Haan... Haan, Ma. We'll come back." Jai looked at me apologetically. "Aavjo." He cut the phone.

"Do we have to go?"

"I don't want to go!" Dhruv whined, "I want to play games and wear Om's clothes!"

I suppressed a laugh as Jai spoke. "Ma called us home."

Dhruv hung his head, and I chose to speak. "You know, Om's clothes aren't that good. You'll have plenty of time to try them later."

"Tomorrow?" Dhruv's eyes lit up, and he was almost as adorable as Om.

I looked at Jai hesitantly, and he gave me a brief nod. "Tomorrow," I confirmed.

"Yes!" Dhruv pumped a fist in the air.

Ruhani smiled and shook her head. "Can I come too?"

"Sure," Om said, "I want to play with you both."

"And me?" Jai's dark eyes twinkled. "What about me?"

Om shrugged and gave him a sneaky smile. "Sur-"