When Hari Met His Saali Read Free

… why would you think there is a hidden agenda?’
    ‘Because we flew from L.A. to Catalina, barely left the airport and are flying back already!’
    ‘That doesn’t mean … a hidden agenda … I have …’ Tia was looking around the plane while she was pretending to engage Hari in the conversation.
    ‘Oh, c’mon, you don’t do anything unless you plan it to a T, and I fail to see the point of our trip,’ Hari continued.
    ‘You know Hari when we talk about our life together I usually talk about the things
I
want to achieve; my ambitions, my goals, my dreams. I realized that I don’t let you talk about your ambitions, your goals, and your dreams. So, I thought, we should talk about the things
you
want.’
    ‘That … that is nice. But we didn’t talk about me at all the time we were …’
    ‘Yeah, yeah. But now, now … talk!’
    ‘OK. There is this thing I had on my mind for the longest time Tia. And it has to do with you,’ he started.
    ‘OK, OK. Now listen,’ Tia immediately interrupted. ‘I have an idea, can we … um … Hari, do you really love me?’
    ‘Of course I do. What has gotten into you?’
    ‘Then do this thing for me, OK?’
    ‘What thing?’
    ‘Don’t ask. Don’t think too much. Just do this for me, OK? OK?’
    ‘OK, but what thing?’
    Tia had already got up.
    ‘When you see a missed call from me, just come to the toilet at the back, OK?’
    Hari was not sure what was in store for him, but as soon as he got a missed call from Tia he headed to the loo at the back.
    Half an hour later
    Hari was the kind of a guy who always had a lot to say — and a lot he wanted to say, especially to Tia. But it was all just general stuff that wasn’t really that important. He liked the thinking to be done by Tia. He trusted Tia. But after the most dangerous coital session of his life he was feeling manipulated.
    Tia noticed it.
    ‘Hari, I know you are mad at me, but please don’t be. I always wanted to do this and I always wanted to do it with a guy who loved me. Sorry if I manipulated you.’
    Hari was quick to forgive and forget. He was aware of Tia’s bucket list but he hadn’t expected to join the Mile High Club on this specially made trip.
    ‘Hari,
yaar
, please don’t be mad?’
    He saw how genuine she was, and he felt that maybe the MHC deal was not that bad — as long as they didn’t get caught.
    ‘You could’ve just asked,
na
?’
    ‘Oh, as if you would have jumped at the opportunity?’
    It was true. He would have never agreed. So he kept quiet for the rest of the flight. Tia squeezed his hand and leaned over. He knew she liked to rest her head on his shoulders, so he helped her. She rested her head on his shoulders. He squeezed her hand.
    If someone saw Hari looking at her at that moment they would know how much he loved this … this Tia. He could never have managed to land a woman like Tia — with the very desirable combination of wit, ambition,drive, affection (although a confused version) and love — if she had not landed him first.
    Later that day — Los Angeles Airport
    Los Angeles International Airport is the major air traffic hub of the west coast of America. It is huge and sprawling. To accommodate thousands of vehicles, there are separate parking lots that are as big and sprawling as the terminals themselves.
    ‘I am going to go home and crash,’ said Hari. ‘You?’ He was already walking to his car still somewhat pissed. Since they had arrived separately their cars were in different car parks.
    ‘I am meeting with Jenny tonight, so I’ll see you at my place later.’ Tia stopped him. It was less of a question and more of a careful, cleverly worded instruction.
    ‘Yeah, but, can we watch a Hollywood movie tonight instead of a Bollywood film?’ Hari said confidently, but he sounded like he was pleading to her.
    Tia did that face — you know the one when somebody wants to show pity but they don’t because the other person may feel bad? Yeah, that