Chapter 10
Act II, Scene II: TA Studio, Hackney
Titan
I had two days to pull a shoot together, and not one ounce of focus left in me.
I waited as the phone rang; one, two, three times before a confused voice crackled on the other end.
‘Hello?’
‘Aditi, it’s Titan. How are you?’
Kalina’s grandmother’s voice changed. ‘Titan. What a pleasant surprise. I’m well.’
‘Good to hear. I have a favour to ask.’
‘Anything for you,’ she said, with such sincerity it made my chest ache. I’d never known my grandparents, but she was the best one I’d ever met.
‘I don’t want you to put yourself out, so don’t agree to it yet.’ I flicked through the images on my desk. It was all the inspiration photos I’d pulled.
‘You can let me decide what I want to do. What do you need?’ Always to the point. I loved it.
‘I have a photo-shoot with Kalina, and I need two things. Jewellery and some alterations on a dress. I want it to fit her perfectly, and who could do a better job?’
‘Oh, easy enough. I can do that in thirty minutes.’ The pride and conviction in her voice was all I needed to hear.
‘Great. When should I come through? I need it for Thursday.’
‘Right now.’ It was a statement and confirmation all rolled into one.
‘Perfect, see you soon.’
‘Don’t rush. I want you here in one piece.’ She’d been as concerned about my bike as Kalina was.
‘I won’t.’
I hung up the call and grabbed everything I needed—the dress, some of the photos of the jewellery I’d pictured, and my helmet before I made the trek to Kalina’s childhood home.
I’d only been to Savi’s parents’ house once before. The night Aditi and Kalina had snuck Ted into the house, while the rest of their family were trying to set up a wedding between Savi and her betrothed.
It felt like years, and not months, had passed since then. Now, no one would blink an eye at mine, or Ted’s appearance, here.
Aditi’s house was right next door to Savi’s parents’. A terraced brick exterior with a long driveway, and large lavender bushes right beneath the windows.
I pulled up, and by the time I’d swung my leg over my bike, Aditi stood in the doorway.
‘I could hear you from the end of the road.’ Aditi had one hand on the doorknob and the other on her hip.
‘I tried not to rush like you asked.’ I bent low as I stopped in front of her but, before I could reach down to touch her feet—as a sign of respect and a form of greeting—she pulled me into a hug.
‘Come inside, I’m finishing up the spinach pakoras.’
Being fed by Aditi was one of my favourite pastimes. I followed her through the entryway, where photo frames filled the walls, and we headed towards the kitchen.
The heavy aroma of fresh garlic, ginger, chilli, and spices hit me. Everything Aditi made was fantastic.
‘It smells amazing.’
‘Are you hungry?’ She busied herself by the stove.
‘Always.’
She let out a husky laugh. ‘I can imagine. You’re a growing boy.’
I let out a laugh. ‘Can I help?’
She ushered me into a barstool. ‘No, you sit. Relax.’
I took in the yellow and blue kitchen with the farmhouse accents. It was warm and comforting. Maybe this is where Kalina’s love for colours stemmed from.
‘How are my granddaughters?’ she asked.
I leaned my arms on the countertop. ‘Kalina is busy, as always, and Savi is glowing and healthy.’
‘Good, I don’t see them as often these days.’ Aditi placed what looked like golden fritters on a plate.
I knew Kalina and Savi missed her, and wished they could see her. Between Kalina’s new management position and Savi juggling the inn, being pregnant, and the upcoming reception, they both needed the downtime. I made a mental note to chat to Ted about it.
‘Are you sure I can’t do anything?’ I got up, met her halfway across the kitchen, and took the dish from her hands.
‘Don’t you know how to relax?’
I laughed at the irony. I’d said those exact words to Kalina recently.
‘No, I don’t.’ I set the bowl on the table.
‘Tell me about this shoot.’ She put the kettle on.
‘It’s for my application to DB Diamonds.’
‘The fancy French company?’ she asked.
‘Yup, the founder, Mae, is extremely particular about the brand. She wants a photographer on retainer for the jewellery line but also for her foundation. She does a lot of social and community projects.’
Aditi raised her eyebrows and her green eyes went wide. Savi had the exact same expression when she was surprised. ‘Exciting. And scary.’
‘Exactly the words I’d use.’ She understood me. Much like her granddaughters. I wondered if it was a genetic predisposition.
Aditi set two mugs on the table, before sitting down. ‘I’ve seen your work. You need to focus on your strengths, then you’ll do well.’
Nothing was impossible in Aditi’s books.
She took a sip of her tea and pushed the plate towards me. ‘Eat.’
I did as I was told, and I didn’t regret it one bit. The pakora had a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy middle. All those spices I’d inhaled earlier came through in one bite. The heat of the chilli was a little warmer than I was used to, and I took a sip of tea—which only made it worse.
‘You need more spice in your life, beta.’ Aditi smirked from behind her teacup.
‘It’s really good.’ I coughed. ‘But you’re right.’ I managed to say.
My mind automatically conjured up an image of Kalina, and I cleared my throat as if her grandmother could read my mind.
Aditi let out a laugh, as if she could see inside my head, then got up from the table. ‘Come, let’s see what I have to work with.’
I grabbed my bag and cup before I followed her into the lounge. It was a deep teal shade with dark accents throughout the room. Very cosy and warm with one wall covered in photo-frames.
I walked over and tried determining when and where the photos had been taken. There was one of two girls sitting on some grass as they smiled up at the camera. Unmistakingly Savi and Kalina as kids. Another was Kalina in high school— she looked almost the same, but with much shorter hair and a carefree smile—wearing a long, green evening dress as she stood in front of a school formal backdrop with her partner.
‘I’m hoping to add your photos here after the wedding,’ Aditi said from beside me. Her silent approach made me jump.
‘Mine?’
‘Yes, the photos you’re taking.’
It clicked then. Obviously she hadn’t meant photos of me. ‘Of course, yes. I think they’d make a great addition.’
‘Show me the dress. I’m worried you think too highly of me and I promised results but have no idea what I’m working with.’
‘Personally, I think you could do anything,’ I gushed at her as I retrieved the dress from my bag.
She took it and inspected it. ‘This is beautiful. How did you get the right size? I assume Kalina doesn’t know about it?’ She ran her hand over the sheer beaded fabric.
‘Scarlet. I asked her to snoop around while Kalina was at work.’
‘Really great choice, she’s going to love it. Tell me about the photo-shoot.’ She walked over to the mannequin in the corner of the room and draped the dress over it. She started measuring and adding pins. Watching her work was fascinating.
I stepped a little closer and showed her some of the inspirational images on my phone, as well as the jewellery I’d had in mind. ‘Kalina and Savi have spoken about your collection enough for me to remember it.’
The photo I’d paused on was of a bride I’d photographed a few years ago, her neck adorned with a really beautiful gold choker style necklace from her mother.
‘I have something almost exactly like this,’ Aditi said.
‘Would you be okay with me using it?’
Aditi looked at me and smiled. Creases formed around her green eyes, and they looked a little glossy. ‘Don’t tell them, but it was always meant for my girls. I want Savi and Kalina to have it and use it. I’d be more than happy for you to use it now.’
The love and care in her words made my throat tighten. ‘Thank you.’
‘Okay, you eat some more and I’ll finish up the alterations.’ She shooed me away into the kitchen where I proceeded to burn my oesophagus, but it was worth it.
An hour later, I left Aditi’s house with a perfectly tailored dress and a container of pakoras. I started up my bike while I dialled Kalina’s number.
‘Hello?’ she answered. She always sounded confused when I called her. Like it was an accident.
‘Hi, not happy to hear from me?’
‘No,’ she said. She shifted something on her end, sending rustling noises through the speaker. ‘I’m surprised.’
‘Where are you?’ I wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder as I put my gloves on.
‘At home. Where else would I be?’
I chuckled. ‘On a date?’
‘You’re hilarious.’
‘I’ve been putting in the work and I want to see the results,’ I teased.
She didn’t reply.
‘I’m coming over. See you in about…’ I looked down at my watch. ‘An hour and ten minutes.’
‘Did we have another lesson tonight?’
‘No, but I have a treat for you.’
‘Okay.’
Her excitement was infectious.
‘See you soon.’ I hung up and secured my helmet before pulling out of the driveway.
It was like Kalina had been waiting at the door, because it opened as soon as I pulled up outside. She stood in the doorway; wrapped in a long cardigan with her socked feet peeking out from the bottom.
‘Sorry to pull you from bed,’ I said as I walked toward her.
‘How did you know?’
‘You sounded sleepy on the phone.’ I came to a stop on the second step, and stood eye to eye with her. ‘From your grandmother.’ I held out the package.
‘Dadi? What were you doing with her?’
‘Our secret. For now.’
She narrowed her eyes at me then lifted the lid of the container and groaned.
I cleared my throat. I didn’t need to think about the sounds she made. It was enough we’d been spending so much time together, and she was so easy to be around. I needed to remember the Agreement.
Kalina wanted to date someone who could be what she wanted and needed.
‘Sorry, these are one of my favourites.’
‘No need to apologise.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Oh, come in. I think Scarlet’s in the shower, but I can make you some tea? Coffee?’
‘Coffee would be great, thanks.’ I shrugged my jacket off and hung it on one of the hooks before kicking off my boots and placing them on the rack. I set my helmet on top of the shoe rack, sad to see the pirate book missing from its spot.
She sidestepped and I walked through the doorway and waited for her to lead the way to the kitchen. She hugged the container to her chest as she padded down the passage, set it down on the counter, and put the kettle on.
I sat on one of the chairs at the dining table and Kalina leaned against the countertop.
‘Did you come all this way to bring me this?’ She tipped her head at the container.
‘No, I wanted to talk to you about the photo-shoot.’
She sighed. ‘I already said yes.’
‘But you didn’t sound convinced. Enthusiastic consent is the only kind I care about.’
She pursed her lips and a flush travelled into her cheeks.
I was enjoying this.
‘I… Never mind.’ She shook her head.
‘No, tell me.’ I leaned against the backrest, crossed my arms over my chest, and rested my foot on my knee. I wanted her to know I wasn’t going to budge until she told me why.
‘I don’t like the focus on me.’
I tilted my head. ‘Have you learnt nothing about our time together? I can tell when you’re lying. Spill.’
The kettle whistled, and she busied herself with making the drinks.
I grabbed the milk from the fridge then stood beside her.
‘You can be honest with me. I won’t judge or question it.’ I set the bottle on the counter.
She let out a long exhale. ‘I’m not comfortable seeing photos of myself. I see it in my family’s faces, my grandmother, and my father when he visits. All they see is my mother. I look exactly like her.’
Her lips turned down, and she looked at her feet.
‘That’s a lot for one person to feel, and I’m sorry.’ I took her hand and waited for her gaze to meet mine. ‘Do you know what I see when you’re with your family?’
She shook her head.
‘I see a grandmother who adores you, and despite how annoying your family can be, they light up when you are around.’
The same effect she had on me, but I didn’t need to tell her that right now.
She pursed her lips to one side. ‘You take photos of models for a living.’
‘I also take photos of brides and mothers-to-be too.’
‘I’m neither of those things.’ Her hand still rested in mine.
‘I want to take photos of you because I think you’re perfect for this.’
‘You don’t have to lie to make me feel better.’
‘Look at my face,’ I said. ‘Do I look like I’m lying?’
She laughed. ‘I don’t know. Your face is hard to read.’
‘On the other hand, your face gives everything away.’
She was doing it right now. She couldn’t look at me and her gaze dipped to my lips.
‘It does not.’ Her brows furrowed.
‘Wanna bet?’ I challenged.
‘Okay.’ She tried to visibly straighten her features. ‘What am I thinking right now?’
I analysed her face; from the way her lips were twitching at the corners to her rapid blinking, which really brought attention to those honey-coloured eyes, she was annoyed.
‘You want to strangle me.’ I flashed her a cheeky grin.
She let out a laugh. ‘A given at any time. And it doesn’t count as a point.’
‘I have no reason to lie to you. Everyone I photograph is beautiful. Including you. You were my first choice.’
Kalina leaned closer, the frown between her brows softened.
My heart rate quickened and I leaned towards her, curling my fingers around hers.
Scarlet walked in and Kalina pulled away.
‘Hey, I didn’t know you were coming over tonight.’ Scarlet nudged me with her hip.
‘I had something for Kalina.’
Scarlet had already begun rummaging through the container. ‘Oh my God. Yum. Is this from Dadi?’
‘Yes,’ I said through gritted teeth.
I needed my sister to disappear. I’d nearly made headway with Kalina.
‘Delicious. I need to send off an assignment, but then I’m ready to get my burn on.’ She trotted to her bedroom and shut the door behind her.
‘I’ll do the shoot if you don’t make it weird.’
‘Me? Weird? Absolutely ridiculous.’ I scoffed.
She handed the mug to me. ‘No weirdness. Take it or leave it.’
‘It’s going to be fun. I promise.’