Cover Up

Have you ever been at the counter of a movie theatre asking for corner seats? As you do, the cashier quickly glances at you and your significant other silently judging your intentions. Then, you hear angels cry.

“We do have corner seats but they’re in the fourth row from the screen. Is that ok?”

“Whatever’s available”

It was alright. I was only going to see the man this one time and I was pretty sure he wouldn’t remember either of our faces in the next ten minutes.

“Will you stop freaking out? We’re just here to watch a movie”, he said.

Of course. I mean, why else would we ask for corner seats in a dark room? Dev patted my back as we walked to the food counter. We ordered some popcorn and stepped to side. He looked flawless. I could watch him waiting for popcorn for hours together and still be more entertained than watching a stupid movie. He turned around and caught me watching him. He grinned.

Ever so swiftly, he grasped my hand and pulled me close. My heart leapt as my shoulder hit his chest.

“Dev, what are you doing?”, I blushed. The sudden movement made a few heads turn. Immediately my body was struck with paranoia. Good God, they must all think we’re immature kids! What if someone recognized me? We were in a movie theatre located an hour away from home and I was worried that someone would know me. ‘Typical’, I thought to myself.

“Tara, it’s ok. Loosen up”

Soon enough, we settled into our seats and the movie started. This was the fourth movie we’d gone to in a month and every time, we’d return knowing less and less about what actually happens in the movie. That never mattered. We were there with each other and living. We’d talk about all things under the sky and we’d get so excited that our whispers would turn into pangs of endless laughter. Someone could be dying on screen and we would still be laughing pitilessly.

This time, it was different. At the end of the movie, he leant close and whispered into my ear, “I’ve always wanted to try something.”

“What?”

Dev leaned even closer and pecked softly against my lips. I was left speechless as the lights came back on. It was like nothing ever happened and not a single soul noticed. Why couldn’t anyone see the loud emotions that were racing through my mind?!

Dev took me by the hand and walked me out of the theatre. He didn’t let go for a single second. It was like everything around was speeding and we alone were moving as slow as ever. I wanted to move slower. I wanted time to stop this very moment and absorb the perfection. We reached the parking lot. It was already 9pm and the anxiety of being able to reach home on time began to set in.

Suddenly, my phone rang. “Right on time”, I told him. It was my mom. I calmly picked up the call.

“Tara! Where are you? How much longer is this group study going to take?”

“Ma, It’s over. I was just getting the bus back. I’ll be home in half an hour”, I pacified and hung up. I got onto Dev’s bike and held his shoulder.

“Did your parents call?”, I asked him.

“Yeah, there are 4 missed calls from my mom. I texted her that I was at Ravi’s house right now and that I’d be having dinner at his place. I’ll settle the rest with her when I reach home”, he replied.

I reached back home safe that night, with my parents unsuspecting. My mother came to my room after dinner and sat on the corner of my bed. “Stop studying too much. I still don’t know why you need to go to these evening classes when you’re already doing so well.” I weakly laughed and pulled the sheets from under the pillow.

“I went to the park today with Usha Aunty and I saw your classmate Anisha there. That girl, you will not believe, was sitting there on one of the benches, hand in hand with some fellow. If her mother ever found out she was loitering around like that, what would happen? *scoff* Children, these days.”, she said.

“I know, right?” Exactly…I did know.