Narwahl Attack
Rian
Far be it fromhim to judge anyone on their chosen attire, Rian thought, standing at the edge of his living room and staring at the young woman on his couch. When one spent as long as he had hobnobbing with the rich and famous, one got used to seeing outrageous clothing being passed off as fashionable. He had become proficient in not letting his real opinion reflect on his face. Today though, he was failing.
He thought he’d gotten used to Aditi in her cheeky, bright-coloured pyjamas that ranged from cute to funny to (and he would deny it until his last breath) sexy. Which is why, when he came home barely a minute ago and saw movement on the sofa, he knew it was her. He had not expected this avatar, however.
“What are you wearing?”
Her eyes swivelled towards him before zooming back to the TV screen, one end of her lip tugging up in the mischievous smile he’d come to associate with her.
“If you’re going to come on to me as soon as you step foot in the house, at least buy me dinner first.”
“Do you always like to talk nonsense?” His deadpan expression did not give away his inclination to laugh. Aditi’s quick wit never failed to amuse him.
“Yes, I find life is more fun that way.”
“Where’s Nanamma?”
“Out.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be on a date?” he asked, remembering clearly that he’d reserved her a table upon Nanamma’s insistence. The fact that his restaurants tended to be booked months in advance had not stopped Nanamma from demanding he clear up a spot for her precious Adi.
“Cancelled.”
With a nod, he checked the time, wondering if he could get a workout in before sleeping.
“It’s a narwhal,” he heard her say, just as he was turning away.
“What?”
Aditi glanced up at him and in a slick move, flipped the hood onto her head. She pointed to a little horn on the top, holding up a matching mug with a cartoon sea animal on it. “It’s a narwhal onesie. I’m a unicorn of the seas.”
The straight face with which she said this did not douse the teasing twinkle in her eyes.
“You’re. . .something,” he said wryly, chuckling when she threw a pillow at him in mock-outrage.
“Be nice!”
“Not tonight,” Rian snorted, tossing the pillow back onto the couch.
He headed in to change into his nightwear with every intention of going to bed, but he was distracted by an enthusiastic cheer. He strode back into his living room and all he could see was a shark thrashing about on the couch, fin waving in the air. Giggling.
Correction. It was a Narwhal. Narwhaling. If that was a word.
“What the hell, Doc? Are you having a seizure?”
Aditi’s red face emerged from the pillow behind which she’d been muffling her laughter. “It’s this movie. I can’t get over it,” she gushed, eyes bright. “Shahrukh puts everyone to shame.” She sat up, pointed at the screen and sighed. “I love him.”
Rian didn’t even realise when he sat down, but he found himself watching the hero fight off a horde of angry villains in an overly dramatic sequence.
“He can’t be the standard,” he said after a minute. “You need to watch Captain Jack Sparrow for a good fight scene.”
This was offensive enough for Aditi to pause the movie. She shuffled and turned towards him.
“Pirates of the Caribbean?”
“Do you know any other Jack Sparrow?” Rian asked dryly.