Chapter One

Valmīk'āgrāt prabhavati dhanuṣ-khaṇḍam Ākhaṇḍalasya

(From an anthill's top emerges Indra's broken rainbow)

Chapter One

“Sorry!” Varun exclaimed, finding a boxers-clad young man in the washroom at Gulmohar Software Solutions.

“Wait!” Raghav called. “Please help me! My clothes were on that hook, but they’re gone!” Why did the spectator to his embarrassment have to be so handsome?

“Someone must have stolen them!” Varun guessed. Momentarily interrupting his eyelock with the blushing vision, he noticed the sacred thread crossing his sinewy torso. “Don’t stress; we’ll work it out together. I’m Varun, by the way.”

“I’m Raghav.” Nervously reacting to Varun’s outstretched hand with namaskāra, Raghav felt silly, denying himself Varun’s touch.

Varun’s smile widened as Raghav clasped his hand. Impulsively winking at the adorably flustered traditionalist, Varun exited and quickly returned with Raghav’s clothes.

“I found them in the trash just outside. They’re coffee-stained, unfortunately.”

“I had taken them off to wash the stains. Thanks to you, I can finish cleaning up and return to work. It’s my first day here.”

“Congratulations. Obviously, someone planned to steal your clothes. Who spilled coffee on you?”

“The office attendant tripped over Rama Madam’s foot while she was focussed on work.”

“Rama Paranjape? I’ve known her since childhood. Revenge is her only focus.”

Half an hour later, Rama flounced into Varun’s arms and complained, “First day, and I got fired for violating the privacy of that ee-diot! Anyway, you’re back from abroad, so let’s party!”

“I can’t. My new friend invited me to his kīrtana.”

“What’s kīrtana?”

“Preaching.”

“Boring! Why would you agree?”

“I’m crazy. Love at first sight!”