Page 114 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Hi, Rod. Um, yeah, it’s me.’
‘My clumsy clown! Sooooo good to hear your voice!’
Timira keeps quiet.
Why does he sound genuinely happy?
Heisgenuinely happy. He had had to wade through throngs of photographers and reporters in order to get home. A couple of journalists had even managed to reach his floor and ring his doorbell. He’d have to miss at least two weeks of training and will most likely be unable to accompany the team to their upcoming away fixture. He has sulked all day and Timira’s call is like balm for his battered soul.
‘What’s up, T?’
‘Are you okay? Are you in a lot of pain?’
Rodrigo is taken aback by the concern in her voice.
Is she really concerned about me?
Touched, he answers cheerfully.
‘Nah, you know I am made of adamantium. Nothing can break Wolverine. I’m good, don’t you worry. Solid and durable!’ He tries to sound as chirpy as he possibly can.
Timira isn’t convinced. The visuals of his bruised face and body painted a very different story. But she doesn’t press. Instead, she quickly changes the topic.
‘Have you had dinner?’
Rodrigo is about to say that he has, even though he hasn’t, but then he smells an opportunity.
‘I haven’t yet. Was about to make myself some ramen …’
Ramen? He must be on pain medicines. Why is he having ramen? He hates ramen!
Instant ramen is not food. It’s just manufactured garbage meant to fill you up for cheap, make you feel full when all it’s literally doing is retaining water and making you look puffy. I’m a chiselled work of art. I cannot walk around with a bloated belly!Rodrigo’s dislike of ramen was legendary, Timira remembers with a smile.
‘Are reporters still camped outside your place?’
‘I don’t think so. Hang on, let me check.’
Rodrigo walks towards the window and gingerly lifts the curtains to look outside.
‘The coast looks clear, captain!’ he gleefully informs Timira.
‘Text me your address. I’ll bring some food over to you.’
Abbe yaar, I could’ve just had it delivered, I don’t know why I have to step out this late in the evening and run an unnecessary errand. If only Alice hadn’t shown me alllllll those ten thousand dramas where reporters dress up as delivery personnel and sneak into celebrities’ homes! Given how drama-like my life has become since I’ve come here, I wouldn’t be surprised if this were to be true, too!
‘You’ve learnt how to drive?’ Rodrigo sounds surprised.
‘Cabs. Drivers. Ever heard of them?’
Timira abhors the idea of driving. It was one of the first things about her she had shared with Rodrigo on their very first date. Rodrigo had driven them around Colaba and the Queen’s Necklace while it rained and Timira rolled the window down and shoved her face out of the window every now and again to feel the raindrops on her face and giggle.
Rodrigo smiles fondly upon recalling Timira’s smile from that day. ‘Why don’t we go out and grab a bite?’
‘You wish to be seen out and about? In public? Isn’t that exactly what you have been trying to escape from?’
Is this idiot ever going to grow up? Paagal hai kya?
‘We can go somewhere inconspicuous—’ Rodrigo suggests.
