Page 54 of 12 Years
Grinning cheekily, she opened the drawer of the bedside table. She took out a pair of pink fluffy handcuffs and handed them to me.
‘What the hell is this?’ I asked.
‘Ordered it on Amazon.’
‘What for?’
‘I want you to tie me up.’
‘What?’
She looked at me and gave me a sheepish smile.
I placed the handcuffs around her wrists and snapped them shut. ‘Payal Jain, you’re one wild, naughty girl.’
‘Only with you. You bring that out in me.’
I pulled her closer.
‘Now, before we begin, don’t you dare use the word “handcuffs” in your comedy material, ever,’ she said.
My comedy career on the rise. A beautiful, smart girlfriend taking care of me and my home. An insane sex life. Yes, for a few heady months, my life was perfect. Even though it was all about to come to a nasty, crashing end.
Before we get to that, however, let me tell you about my sex life during this phase. From someone who had never done anything physical when she first met me, Payal turned into an insatiable sexual beast, taking me along for the ride.
Once, she came backstage before my show to surprise me. With only a curtain separating us from the audience, we proceeded to do unspeakable things to each other. On my birthday, she decided to engage in some role-play. She wore an airline-stewardess uniform she’d ordered online. She brought me hot towels on a tray. Needless to say, hottest night ever.
Our role-play phase continued for a while after my birthday. We tried doctor–patient, professor–student, policewoman–criminal, call girl–customer (her idea, not mine). Each time, the sex got hotter, and our connection closer.
And it was more than just the sex. I was falling like never before. In love. Into the madness of love. Not a minute passed when I didn’t think of Payal. I hated it when she had to go away and stay over at her parents’ place. Speaking of her parents, I never interacted with them. In fact, for them, I didn’t even exist. That’s how Payal wanted it.
And then, just like that, the party was over.
One evening, Payal and I were sitting on the window ledge and working on our laptops. I was writing a new set about saas-bahu serials. She was reading a pitch from a cloud-kitchen company looking to raise money, when her mother called.
‘Hi Mom. I’m busy,’ Payal said, picking up the phone. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow morning on my way to work.’
Even though Payal had the phone to her ear, I could hear her mother’s voice.
‘Okay, fine. But definitely call me in the morning. It’s important.’
‘What happened?’ Payal said.
‘A rishta has come for you. And what an amazing one it is. Really, it is a kamaal ka rishta.’
‘What? Mom, I don’t want any rishtas right now.’
‘Yes, you will. Once you hear the details. Your father and I are so excited.’
‘I don’t have time for this …’
‘Tomorrow morning. Call me.’
Payal cut the call and kept her phone aside. I looked at her, confused.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ she said. ‘It’s all nonsense.’
‘Kamaal ka rishta?’
