“Shahrukh fights all the bad guys. Even the big ones. Look at Tangaballi.” She waved, gesturing to the giant villain on screen.
“Captain Jack Sparrow fought entire leagues,” he argued immediately.
“Shahrukh saves the girl. Always.”
“Captain saved the Black Pearl.”
“I thought all he did was steal ships and search for treasure.”
“The term iscommandeered,” he corrected, looking so affronted that Aditi sniggered.
“Fine, stick with your Captain. I’m happy with Shahrukh.” She hit play, only to stop immediately with a gasp. “I just had an epiphany,” she began, almost vibrating with excitement.
“You look like you’re going to pass out if you keep it in. So spill.”
“I love Sharukh Khan. You love Jack Sparrow.” She held one hand up for each. “If you bring them together,” she drawled, her palms meeting with a loud smack, “what do you get?”
Nose scrunched, he sat back, watching her bounce in place as a way to get him to hurry and answer. “Shahrukh Sparrow? Jack Khan?”
“No, Bugs!” She rolled her eyes. “Shahrukh KhanasJack Sparrow! Ugh, you have no imagination.”
She huffed and plunked back into the cushions, snapping her hood to partly cover her face, obviously annoyed with him not being as excited as her about the possibility of her favourite actor playing his favourite character.
Rian hid his smile at her childishness. He liked teasing her. Their dynamics had developed naturally, and he had no intention of changing anything about it. It felt too good to mess up.
As Aditi guffawed and openly enjoyed the theatrics of the movie, Rian found himself watching her instead. He’d been in a terrible mood when he’d returned home today. His mother had unexpectedly shown up to the party he’d attended at the behest of one of his industry colleagues. He’d thought to expand his contacts as he gathered intel on those who might be interested in investing in his school.
Seeing Leela Shetty there however, had thrown his plans for a loop. She had inserted herself in every conversation, forcing introductions with wealthy families. Specifically, wealthy families with daughters of marriageable age.
She’d pushed him ahead as if he were a trophy that she could use to discuss a merger instead of a marriage, until finally, put off by her behaviour, Rian had abandoned the party and returned home.
Had he been alone, he would have stewed in annoyance or worked out in the gym to release his anger until he was tired. Not today.
A few minutes with Aditi had improved his mental state significantly. He was used to coming to an empty house but right now, his frustration dwindling steadily, he was glad she had been here to serve as a distraction.
He wondered if any of the girls his mother had so eagerly introduced to him would have been able to hold such a ridiculous conversation just for fun. Aditi was everything they were not. It wasn’t that she wasn’t sophisticated or beautiful. She was all that, and more.
There was something real and refreshingly honest about her. She was unabashedly silly when she was in the mood for it, inherently helpful and considering how often he found himself checking her out, definitely attractive.
The multitude of facets to her personality simply added to her physical appeal. The best part was that she didn’t seem to have a clue how intriguing he found her.
He sat up straight.
Aditi was everything the girls from the party were not. She was everything his mother wouldn’t want.
He picked up the remote and hit pause.
“Hey! We’re getting to the good part!” Aditi protested, reaching towards him, making grabby hands.
“I have something to ask you, Doc. Listen.” He held the remote out of reach. “I have an event to attend and I’m expected to bring a plus one. Will you go with me?”
She stopped, stunned.
“It's for one evening,” he explained. “Go with me and. . .pretend to be my girlfriend.”
She blinked, trying to absorb his request. She was embarrassed to admit how quickly she’d assumed he was asking her on a date.
“My mother has been taking every opportunity to introduce me to women she wants me to marry. I can't deal with it at this event, too. I need you to run interference.”