-Anjali-

I woke up early morning after planning a long list of things I want to do and headed down, only to find out that Ashwathy had gone for her side gig. Sanjana had gone to have a coffee with Shailesh Tripathy, a styling executive for multiple photographers, with some photos I'd given her. I decided to wait two hours and went back to my room, sitting on the edge of the bed. When that got tiring, I headed down and found aunty in the kitchen. 

"Aunty, do you know where Ashwathy goes for the modelling?"

"Hmm, that Tony's photo studio", she replied. 

"He's the only one who knows people in Kochi magazines. He got published in Vanitha once", aunty said. No wonder people thought I lived some dream. I was indeed established. But Ashwathy choosing him instead of me was what confused me, to a point where it got annoying now. 

I got on the first autorickshaw I found and headed to the studio, aunty had told me about. It was a block away from the electronics store. I got off and paid the driver and walked up a shabby flight of stairs. The interior was well maintained compared to the exterior of the building. I walked in to find a lean guy in his late teens manning the reception. 

"Tony..", He cut me off before I could speak further.

"Tony is busy. Come tomorrow", I frowned in confusion as the man sat back down playing clash of clans on his mobile. I pulled out my ID and shoved it in his face. Times like these made me feel bad about abusing my popularity but it was unavoidable. He looked at the card and back at me. I raised an eyebrow, smirking. He went in and brought along another guy with a camera around his neck. 

"I think she doesn't understand malayalam, Tony. You tell her in english", he murmured to the guy who looked at me puzzled. I didn't speak for half a minute, expecting him to recognize me but what was I thinking! 

"See, madam, today not free", I rolled my eyes. That was when Ashwathy walked out of the room with her bag in hand. 

"Anjali, what are you-", she said and looked at Tony and the receptionist. 

"This is Anjali Shenoy, I told you about"

"Oh-", Tony's face lit up in a gleaming smile which made me narrow my eyes. 

...

And as expected. Starting with a paneer appetizer, to a penne aglio olio, a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and a tiramisu for dessert. I sighed as I looked at the plate of banana chips kept in front of me on a wooden table while Tony clicked away. Ashwathy stood beside my chair and smiled. Tony asked if I could supervise a few shoots he had for the day and Ashwathy had to jump in and be the good cop. There went my dreams of taking her on a dinner date at the Trident's popular fine dining restaurant which Sanjana had suggested. By the time we got out, I was famished but Ashwathy was apparently tired. I stood beside her as she called for an auto. 

She looked at me for a while before murmuring something indaudible to the rickshaw driver. I got in after her. When we reached a turn, I narrowed my eyes as we drove past our usual turn. I leaned in towards Ashwathy, letting her know in the lowest voice possible, "I think he's kidnapping us. He drove past our normal route". I looked at her for a reaction but she only smiled. "And why would he do that?" She asked smiling. I looked skeptically but decided to shut up and focus on having my hand balled up in a fist in case I had to punch my way out. He stopped beside a river, with some structure erected with small candles on it. Ashwathy paid the driver and walked to stand in front of me. She held my wrists and led us to the structure. A cabana, with two chairs and candle lit tables. 

"I'm sorry about today. I overheard your call with the hotel about the reservation!" She spoke apologetically. I chuckled and looked at the table. 

"This is perfect. I'll forgive you", I said pulling my arm up so we were holding hands. The annoying guy from the electronics store walked towards us and handed over a cover of something to Ashwathy before driving away on his bike. I looked at it, with a frown. 

"Sorry about this, but since this was the best I could get..", she pulled out two wrapped banana leaves tied with small straw threads. 

"Is that pothichoru biriyani ?" I asked, the smell of spices and fried chicken hitting my deprived nose. She nodded. 

"I love it", I worried if I was coming across as someone shameless but I couldn't bother about it more than a few seconds as my hunger took over. I took it from her, unwrapping it and placing it on the table on either sides. 

"Let's eat!" I said as I sat down. 

"I'll come back in a second", she said and walked towards a small boat kept near a line of other boats under a shade. She headed back with a bottle in her hand. She left it on the table before sitting down. 

"He said this would be nice. i asked for something cool people drink. Did I choose right?" She asked looking at the Jameson Irish whiskey. If there was anything that got me drunk in less than 10 drinks, it was whiskey; whiskey could do it at 5. I smiled awkwardly as I nodded and put a ball of biriyani in my mouth. 

"I'll just have a glass though. Let's keep it civilised", I smiled as I took a piece off the chicken, stuffing it in my mouth. 

...

"Aashi, no no, I want to play at the beach, please", I swayed as I pointed my index finger to the water body in front of us. 

"It's a river, there is no beach", she said, pulling me back, helping me to a bench on the riverside. I sat down and smiled. 

"This is nice", I said, turning to take her arm, putting it around me before leaning on her shoulder and closing my eyes. This must be a dream. 

"Aashi? Who said you could call me that?" She asked as she brushed her fingers down the back of my head. 

"Aashi is a nice name. If you don't like it I can-"

"No, I like it. Instead, can I call you Li?"

"Hmm...don't like. But you can!" I exclaimed letting my hands cup either sides of her face. 

"Aashi, you..", I chuckled as I dug the words out from the back of my brain, "you're cute". 

I looked at her as she blushed over my comment. 

"Aashi, can I kiss you?"

She looked at me with wide eyes taking longer than necessary to answer. I leaned in, planting a kiss on her forehead. 

"You took too long to answer", I mumbled as I leaned my head on her arms. 

...    

She patted my back as I emptied my stomach of the alcohol along with the food that I had eaten, on the side of some random road along the way. I drank water from the bottle she gave me and let her help me back into the rickshaw. 

"I thought you said you could handle liquor", she spoke and smiled. I huffed, wrapping my arms around her neck as I buried my head above her collarbones.

...

I woke up to the worst headache I have had in years. I sat up on the edge of the bed until I adjusted my eyes to the sunlight creeping in through the window. I looked around to find unfamiliar walls decorated with photos of models and actors. In a corner there were awards and medals stacked in a showcase while the dressing table had a bunch of magazines and makeup. I got up, looking around until finding Ashwathy's picture by the side table. A small frame of her and aunty, taken outside this house, probably a few years ago. 

I headed to the door to leave, but it opened as soon as my hands touched the latch. 

"You're awake?" She asked. I nodded in response and turned sideways to walk out but she grabbed my arm. 

"Drink this. I made this for you", she handed me a small bowl of brown watery stuff. I looked quizzically until she spoke. 

"It's rasam"

"Oh! I love rasam", i said before taking a sip after which I gulped the entire thing down. Rasam as a hangover cure was not something I've heard of but it seems to be making me feel better. 

"Thank you", I said and she took a step closer, rubbing her hands on my cheek. 

"What are you doing?" I asked out of curiosity, looking at her fingers aimlessly wandering over my face. 

"Preparing", she replied, dazed as she let her other hand grab my neck. She leaned in slowly, ever so slowly making me lean forward to speed it up. I wrapped my hands around her neck, letting myself be lost in the overwhelming feeling I was filled with. Our chests heaving, to a rhythm only the both of us knew, I moved my hands down to her waist, pulling her closer, leaving no space between us. After what felt like eternity, she pulled away, both of us breathing irregularly, we looked into each other's eyes for a minute before smiling and giggling. 

"I...I like you", I said as I pulled her in, hugging her. 

"I like you so much", I said again as I tightened my grip around her. She pulled away. 

"I need to change, there's a shoot today", she said as I sat back on the bed. 

"Why not! Let's do it!"

"What?"

"You can change, I'll just sit here", I said which made her cover her face. 

"Get out right now", she pulled my hand, taking me out the door. 

"I gotta see it someday-", she shut the door in front of me. I chuckled as I turned around. I was taken aback when I spotted aunty behind the pillar. 

"I was just checking in about the shoot today", I clarified. Aunty smiled and spoke, "When did you come back yesterday, I didn't find you in the morning!" I laughed so I could think of an excuse in the time being, "I got back late and woke up early today. Had some work", I said smiling politely. 

"Oh. Don't take it hard. You're here for vacation anyways", I laughed and nodded. 

"Food is in the kitchen, help yourself, okay?" She spoke and smiled warmly. I nodded as I walked her out. That was a close call.