Jai took Rustom’s phone lackadaisically and read the message aloud:

‘Dear Rustom Tyebji,

Your entry for the Caption This Photo Contest has been judged the winner by this year’s jury. You have won a Nikon Coolpix P80 digital camera, which has been couriered to your address along with your certificate.

Sincerely,

The DigitalPix Team.’

As if to back up his claim, Rustom held up the camera and certificate for Jai to see.

‘Wow, Rusty. This is brilliant. I had no idea you were into photography.’

‘Well, that’s the thing. I’m not,’ said Rustom. ‘Do you remember that photo you’d taken, of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, for our science project?’

Jai nodded.

‘Well, I kind of borrowed that one,’ he said sheepishly and then rushed on to explain, his words tumbling out over each other, ‘My mom was putting so much pressure on me to enter this competition, and I really couldn’t be bothered to photograph stuff. I was meaning to ask you if I could use the photograph that you had taken, but then it slipped my mind. I’m really sorry, Jai. What I came to tell you is that this camera and certificate belong to you.’

Rustom handed the certificate and camera to Jai, who just stared at them blankly, trying to process what he was hearing.

‘That photograph won this Nikon camera!’ repeated Jai, barely able to believe it. ‘But hold on, this certificate talks about some prize for “caption photography”.’

Rustom thrust a copy of the photograph towards Jai. Jai read out the caption: ‘Do caterpillars know that they are going to be butterflies? Or do they just wing it?’

Jai raised an appreciative eyebrow. ‘Impressive stuff, Rusty. Is this caption original or did you “borrow” this as well?’

‘What matters is that you are now the proud owner of a Nikon,’ said Rustom, deftly evading the question.

‘That doesn’t sound fair—you did all the work . . . ’

‘Perhaps I’ll keep the certificate to show my mom,’ Rustom replied, retrieving the certificate from Jai. ‘That’s all she cares about anyway. It’ll earn me some brownie points.’

‘Are you sure I should keep the camera?’

Rustom nodded emphatically, ‘Send me photos of your London trip. And please, not just of food, huh?’

‘What can be better than food, Rusty?’ countered Jai. Rustom chuckled and fell into step with his friend.

‘Hey, so you’re coming for the drama auditions later today, right?’

‘Nah. I’m not interested in this year’s play,’ said Jai, trying to sound dismissive.

‘What? But you’re so good at drama . . . ’ began Rustom and then realization dawned. ‘It’s because of what Ansh and gang did at the last auditions, isn’t it?’

Jai kept his eyes on the ground and continued walking.

‘Look, I’ll be there with you, as will all the others—they won’t be able to try any funny business . . . ’

‘I told you, I’m not interested, Rusty.’

‘Who aren’t you interested in, lover boy?’ asked a familiar voice. ‘In good old Rusty?’