12

ASHRAY

‘Look at this stage,’ Sakshi gushed. ‘And we have to go on the Ferris wheel!’ Her enthusiasm was contagious. I agreed, although the sheer size of it frightened me. Rishi and Sakshi were chatting nonstop; I didn’t mind. I needed time to process what was going on around me. I had never attended anything quite as extravagant as this before. Music was playing from the biggest speakers I had ever seen, while people hung around waiting excitedly for some of the acts to take the stage. Everywhere I looked, people were on their phones. A woman stood in front of us taking photos with a selfie stick, the big wheel behind her. She stopped Sakshi, complimenting her on her outfit, and although I sensed Sakshi didn’t want to stop and talk to the woman, she obliged, even helping her take a series of ridiculous photos.

Rishi turned his back to what was happening and raised his eyebrows. I whispered to him that a girl like that was way out of both our leagues. I thought for a moment that he might take what I said as a challenge; instead, he shrugged and began talking about which DJs would be playing tonight. Once the girls were done taking their photos, we walked towards the big wheel. Sakshi slid her arm into mine; my heart began to race. Rishi knocked me with his elbow and winked; I felt the heat rising to my cheeks. I knocked him back and, turning to Sakshi, realised she had seen the entire exchange. I coughed. ‘What do you say we go on that big wheel then?’ I said to her, trying to divert her attention from what had happened.

‘Yes please!’ she said and tugged on my arm, directing me towards the line of people waiting for the ride.

‘I’ll go and get us tickets then,’ Rishi said. He smiled and winked at me. I mock scowled back at him before turning my attention back to Sakshi.

‘So, Sakshi, we never really got to talking properly about what you do on Monday.’

She giggled at my attempt to be sophisticated. ‘Well, Ashray,’ she answered in a tone that matched mine, ‘I’m studying to be a nurse. Not full time, my mum needs me because of her health issues, but I’m hoping to be done by the end of the year.’

I smiled. Clever, beautiful and kind, I thought.

‘What did the doctor say about your mum? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.’ I blushed.

‘She has this really rare condition where her heart is on the other side of her body. It’s really a miracle I was even born, and she survived,’ she explained. I listened as Sakshi spoke about her Maa and medicine, taking in her voice and her face while she talked. I couldn’t help but feel like I was falling for this woman. I didn’t know much about love; I had thought that I loved my high school girlfriend, but she dumped me when we went to college. My Maa told me that your first love is very rarely your only love, and rarely your great love. Rishi joined us as Sakshi finished her story. He shoved two tickets in my hand.