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"Wow! A cute, smart blond from your native right here! And, he is of your type! Sonny, this is, indeed, a rarity" Priya said walking with Sonny around the flower garden in the backyard. "Yeah but that doesn't mean I'm on my way to have a candy floss love story with him. I dare not try…considering the wrong time and place" Sonny said. "hmm…let's see. Nothing is in your hands. Everything's been decided by him" Priya pointed to the sky. "You know what? Even though public display of affection between a straight couple is not a welcome thing in this country, two men or women can lovingly hold hands in public. Most of the people will just think how good friends they are. The word 'gay' won't even cross their mind. Isn't that funny?" Priya chuckled. "ha ha ha… not so funny" Sonny rolled his eyes.

Chad played a game of cards with two of Priya's cousins who he already knew in Yorkshire and Rita aunty. Needless to say, with many women surrounding them, Chad was more than his usual self, flexing his well-built arms, running his fingers through his fabulous dark hair, distracting the other players' attention by cracking jokes. One of the women said something in the local language, which elicited giggle among the others. Rita looked at Chad's clueless face and said "This aunty is saying that her daughter is of marriageable age but she is very tall and they are unable to find a suitable boy. Maybe if you are interested…" "Well…I'm flattered. If she is blonde then I'm all for an arranged marriage" Chad smiled at the concerned lady, who then of course heard the translated version from Rita and smirked at him.

Priya and her cousins took Chad and Sonny to the farmer's market that happened twice a month in their village. All sorts of commodities and artistry works from the neighboring villages were sold. Children swarmed around the vendors selling wooden toys and paper kites; girls and women bargained with the gypsies and tribals from the nearby hilly areas for their colorful accessories like necklaces and ear rings made of ceramic beads and terracotta. Chad and Sonny bought lots of them for the women in their respective family, after hearing that the same were sold for double or triple the price in the big showrooms in the city.

As he was biting a grilled corn, Sonny felt a hand on his shoulder. "Hey! I didn't expect to see you this soon" Sonny eyes sparkled looking at Will's cherubic face. "Oh yeah, we met like what…6 hours ago? This is my second visit to this event, and I like the hand-spun cotton shirts sold here. These are comfortable in this tropical climate" Will grinned, waving the two newly-bought gray and white shirts. Sonny was mesmerized by the beautiful set of teeth shining in the evening sunlight and the tiny beads of sweat visible on Will's upper lip. "W-wow, that's cool. I guess I should get some" Sonny smiled licking his lips. "Hey Will, meet our friends" Chad said. After a brief introduction, Chad and the rest went their separate way leaving Sonny and Will.

"How far has the construction work for the missionary school gone?" Sonny asked. "Well, painting work is going on. The most annoying thing is that the local government officials are insisting the entire building be painted yellow, because it's the norm or something. Yuck, I hate that color! My choice is a combination of maroon and white" Will wrinkled his nose. "Can't wait to see it myself" Sonny chuckled. "Are you feeling comfortable in that house?" Will asked. "Yeah, we are taken care of very well by the family. So, no complaints" Sonny waved his hand.

"So, how long you have been here?" Sonny asked. "I arrived here about 20 days ago…planning to stay for 10 more…my cousin is arriving tomorrow. After that, I will leave with her for Delhi, India's capital, to see some of the historic places and the famous Taj Mahal, the monument of love" Will said. Love…love…love was ringing in Sonny's ear, but he immediately shook his head "Oh…so everything's well-planned, huh?"

"Will, though it has not even been a day, I find this characteristic of yours interesting and sweet…can I mention that?" Sonny pursed his lips. "mhmm? Sure, since you find it chweeet" Will did a cute expression. "Now that's adorable. Ok. When asked something, you tend to give quite a lot of information than is required" Sonny smiled. "Um…that's who I am. And, you are a smart ass" Will raised his eyebrow. "Really? Why do say that?" Sonny walked backward in front of Will. "Because, you give a compliment, or rather a backhanded compliment, first and then say something that I might not like to hear about myself" Will narrowed his gaze. Sonny stood still thinking that he had hurt Will and worriedly fluttered his long eyelashes. That's so beautiful Will thought... Will stared at Sonny seriously and then burst into laughter "I'm sorry, Will" Sonny said softly. "Hey, just kidding, man!" Will patted on Sonny's shoulder.

"So, what's your plan after this wedding thing?" Will asked as he kicked a pebble on the way. "Well, the wedding will be over in 6 days. Though I would like to see different places in this country, my buddy, Chad, seems quite disinterested…he likes to go to cozy places like Singapore, Thailand…" Sonny walked keeping his gaze down, though Will tried looking at his face. There was silence for some time. But, Will broke it "Well, I told uncle Eric about meeting you guys. He felt sorry that he was on his way to attend some urgent matter that he couldn't talk to both of you properly." "That's fine. Chad and I have planned to visit the basilica this Sunday" Sonny ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Ok. I will inform my uncle and make arrangement for dinner at the cottage. Also, my cousin is a great cook!" Will said swiftly.

So, you never stayed in Salem for a long time?" Will asked curiously. Actually, he was so greedy to know about Sonny's entire history. "Well, I was born there and stayed there till I was 8. Then, I was sent to a boarding school in Scotland, where three of my elder brothers studied. After finishing school, I traveled all over South America for a year. Since, I am quite attached to my eldest brother, Alex, I moved in with his family in Yorkshire and joined college" Sonny said. "Then, I guess my life might sound boring to you. I never stepped out of Salem for 19 long years, except for the annual visits to the other states in the US. Only last year, I made my first international visit, to uncle Eric's in the Philippines" Will smiled sheepishly.

Two hours just flew by. "It's getting dark… and cold" Will rubbed both his arms. "Yeah…shall I walk you till your cottage?" Sonny offered. "Thanks, but it's quite close to this place. I guess you have to walk a mile…I will be joining the yoga session tomorrow morning at 7.30 at the meadow near the banyan tree" Will swayed his body. "Great! I was told that there is a ritual starting early morning at the wedding house. I am going to write an article on the grand Hindu wedding" Sonny rubbed his chin. "Wow, that interesting!" Will said. Sonny told Will that he will give him a call the next day. "Well, then, good night and sweet dreams!" Will smiled and started walking in the opposite direction. "Sweet dreams…to me…about you" Sonny sighed looking at the walking beauty.

(to be continued...)