arms around them with no other idea in their heads.
I didn’t have courage to do anything else. Maybe she is getting
comfortable with me, my mind told me.Why risk it? Chill, Madhav,
chill.
The same mind came up with a different theory a few seconds
later. What if she wants you to do something? She’s created the
setting. Now if you don’t act, she will probably think you are a wimp.
Do something, Madhav. Don’t just chill.
The stress of two conflicting ideas in my head made me restless.
Riya’s smooth arm on me made things worse. I tossed and turned.
Meanwhile, she slept.
Two hours later, Riya opened her eyes. I had involuntarily poked
her shoulder, I had pins and needles everywhere from trying not to
move.
‘What is it?’ she said sleepily
‘You’re awake?’ I said, all sparkly voiced.
‘You woke rne up,’ she said.
‘Sorry,’ I said and patted her shoulder. ‘Go back to sleep.’
‘Are you tense?’
A shiver went down my spine. How did she know? God has given
too many senses to women.
‘A little bit.’
‘Don’t worry. You will perform fine.’
‘Huh? What?’ I said. What is she talking about? Then it struck me.
‘Oh, yes. I’ve done my best. The rest is up to Mr Gates.’
‘Exactly. Now sleep,’ she said and closed her eyes again.
‘Riya.’
‘Hmm?’
‘I want to say something, Riya,’
‘Shh,’ she said, eyes still shut. She placed a finger on my lips.
‘Say it to Bill Gates first,’ she said and drifted back to sleep.
- ‘Thirty minutes? Our programme lasts an hour,’ I said, my voice