Disclaimer: The homophobic opinions expressed in this chapter are neither mine nor do I endorse them. These are opinions of elderly characters. Unfortunately most Indian elders are either ignorant of the existence of a diverse sexuality spectrum, or they refuse to acknowledge it, as they do not find it 'normal'.
Mr Mehta was frustrated.... It was past ten in the evening (night?). The rational part of his brain supplied that this impromptu meeting could be held the next day, during less unholy hours, but no.... All the pressure building up within his brain was becoming too much, and he needed answers...
Technically, it was a Friday night, and none of them - him, Mekhla, Ba, Raghav, Khyati and Raghav's father (Bapuji) - were supposed to be inside the Mehta manor at the moment.... Him , Mekhla and Ba had gone to a cousin's daughter's wedding, and the three Kotharis were supposed to be sleeping in their house... But here they were... Two hours ago, he had received a parcel. The contents of it, left him confused and enraged.... This simply cannot be!
Ha! It must be that... what do you call it? Photoshopped... Yes, photoshopped... But then, there was also a letter in the parcel, which said that if he did not believe the photographs send to him, he could always sneak up on them to verify... The implication was sinister. So, he had abruptly returned from the wedding reception with his wife Mekhla, and his mother (Ba).
And he had also called the three Kotharis ( Raghav, Khyati and Bapuji) over as well... Currently, they were hiding in the study. Hiding from their kids, who knew not of their presence in the manor.
" So, why are we hiding in here?" Khyati was the one to ask, with a hint of irritation in her tone.
" Well, this is the reason..." Mr Mehta said, and put the envelope containing the blasphemous photographs and the letter on the table. Khyati grabbed it, and examined the contents. The others huddled around her, curious about the photographs that made Khyati look confused, angry and disgusted, in that order.
Sure enough, all of them were shocked out of their wits. The first photographs were of Abhishek, and Siddharth huddled on a couch, sharing a blanket...... what's wrong with this? Was the first thought that came into their heads.
Then, Siddharth and Abhishek on the same couch, Siddharth sitting between Abhishek's legs, leaning back on his (Abhi) chest. They seemed to be watching some movie... This is, Okay....?
Then, Siddharth and Abhishek again on the same freaking couch! This time around, Siddharth was sitting on the couch, and Abhishek was sitting on his (Sid) lap, arms linked around Siddharth's neck...? On top of that, both of them seemed to be smiling at each other... What the hell!
Then, the scene had shifted from the couch....... to the bed? Siddharth was sitting on the bed, wearing a white half unbuttoned shirt, with a sexy smirk on his face, Abhishek nowhere to be seen... The onlookers felt uncomfortable.... He is going to, do that?
The next photograph had all of them look away with horrified looks.... Siddharth was sprawling on the bed, head thrown back, mouth half open and eyes closed and Abhishek was..... doing unspeakable things on Siddharth's chest ( Meaning he was teasing Siddharth's pecs)
" You could have simply told us this was the matter..." It was Mekhla who spoke. Everyone was taking time to process what they had seen...
" I was confused and angry..... Could it be that these were photoshopped?" Mr Mehta asked.
Raghav shook his head with a grave expression " I don't know about Abhishek, but Siddharth is real, in those photos.. He has a.... a scar on his right shoulder. It can be seen in that.... last photograph.." He looked away.
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The best arrangement: Between us...
Romance"In every lifetime, in every world, I would find you and choose you." The envelope sat on the desk, untouched. Its edges were frayed, reflecting the decade that had passed. The handwriting on the front was unmistakable - sharp, deliberate strokes th...
