Around the World: An Unexpected Journey
Chapter 12: Day 25: New Delhi, India: Companions
(We come upon the gang's S-40 as it flies over India. We move to inside the plane where everyone is talking to each other.)
Stuart: And when he saw my painting, he said, "This is the most explosive painting I've seen. How did you make it?" I told him, "I used firecrackers and bags of paint to make it."
Sheldon: The Mythbusters proved you can't paint a house with explosives.
Justin: True Sheldon, but Stuart wasn't trying to paint a house.
Raj: And fireworks are not like dynamite sticks.
(The radio then crackles to life.)
Air Traffic Controller: S-40 3-2 Delta. This is Indria Gandhi Control. Do you read?
Kei: Indria Gandhi Control, this is 3-2 Delta, we read you.
Air Traffic Controller: 3-2 Delta. Runway 9-4 is cleared for you.
Kei: Roger that.
Air Traffic Controller: Welcome to India.
(The gang's S-40 descends and lands on the runway, then taxis to the airport apron, finding an open spot, where several high end cars are parked, and two people are standing. They are Dr. V. M. Kootrappali and Mrs. Kootrappali. Justin and the gang step out of the plane and walk over to greet them.
Mrs. Kootrappali: Rajesh, are you all right?
Raj: I've been scared to within an inch of my life, but I'm fine.
V. M. Kootrappali: I have to admit, it's a surprise seeing your friends in person.
Raj: I would like you to meet two of my newest friends. Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet Justin Durante and Hoshi Sato. Justin, Hoshi, my parents.
Justin and Kei: Hello.
V. M. Kootrappali: Greetings.
Mrs. Kootrappali: Hello.
Justin: Thanks for allowing us to stay for a few days.
Mrs. Kootrappali: It's no problem, anything to help our son.
V. M. Kootrappali: I'll have some of my servants to drive you to our house.
Kei (eyeing a Nissan GT-R): I can drive myself, if you don't mind.
V. M. (surprised and amused): As you wish.
(As the group drives to the Kootrappali residence, Kei looks at Justin)
Kei: I can't keep ignoring my feelings for him, but I don't want push him.
(She then remembers some worlds from her mother)
Mrs. Nagase: When I first met your father, I didn't know if he felt the same way I did, so I started off small, a little flirting, letting him know about my likes and dislikes. If you find yourself in the same situation I found myself in, just use what you know, start off small and work your way up. If he's not interested, you'll know, if he is, you'll know when to ask if you trust both yourself and him.
(Unbeknownst to Kei, Justin is taking subtle looks at her.)
Justin: She's beautiful, really beautiful. But what do I really feel for her, and would she feel the same with me?
Voice: The knowing will come.
Justin (getting an idea): Start off small, and work up from there. (looks at the way Kei is driving) Where did you learn to drive?
Kei: Hmm?
Justin (adding a slightly flirtatious tone): You seem pretty good in tight quarters, like in Paris when the Yakuza chased us.
Kei (realizing that Justin might feel the same with her): The first car I drove was my father's Nissan R-31 Skyline. Modified for performance without sacrificing economy. The roar of the engine sent (subtlety flexing her legs) pleasurable chills through my body.
Justin: Sounds like you like driving.
Kei: Oh yeah. I occasionally took part in racing before I joined the Self-Defense Force. But I still drive my own car, which I modified myself.
Justin (surprised): You're an engineer?
Kei: That same Nissan R-31 my father owned before he gave it to a friend, I worked with him to modify it and maintain it. I even took classes in engineering. I can take the engine of this GT-R apart, clean it and put it back together again.
Justin: Guessed that helped when you became a pilot.
Kei: It does help to know every part of your plane.
Justin: Speaking of pilots, when did you first fly?
Kei: I first got the dreams of flying when I was young, watching a plane fly overhead. My first time on a plane was my trip to China.
Justin: I think I should have asked when you first flied a plane as a pilot.
Kei: That was when I was 16 years old, me and my family were have the usual get together with my extended family, and one of my uncles had a plane. After several weeks of practicing, I was allowed to try and fly it myself. I dreamed of flying for a long time, but when the time came, I was nervous.
Justin: Who wouldn't be?
Kei: After getting off the ground and getting a feel for the plane though, I found myself loving to fly.
Justin (smiles): Wow. But you seemed like a peaceful person, so why did you join the Self-Defense force if wars are so violent.
Kei: My parents joined because they wanted to defend the people they cared about, I do as well. But they also knew that violence doesn't solve anything.
Justin (not wanting to change the subject, but sees that he has to stop the conversation): Sorry to stop the talk, but I think we're coming upon our destination.
(Kei looks and sees a very large house.)
Kei: Whoa. That's even bigger then our house.
Justin: It's way bigger the house I lived in before I moved to my apartment.
(The gang drives up and parks in the garage.)
Lucy: Wow, this is quite nice. I'm surprised you wanted to move to the US even with all of this.
Raj: I wanted to be an astrophysicist.
(V. M. Kootrappali walks up to the door to the house and knocks. The door opens and reveals a familiar face to Sheldon and his friends, but not to Justin and Kei.)
Raj: Hey Priya.
Priya: Raj, it's great to see you again. I see you brought everyone with you.
Leonard: Well, we're only here for a few days. We're on a trip around the world.
Priya: It still great to see you… (Eyes Justin) Well, well, who's that handsome young man?
Justin (Surprised by Priya's sudden interest in him): Justin Durante.
(Priya walks up to him and walks around, taking in his appearance.)
Priya: I've never seen anyone like you before. You a football player?
Justin: A clerk.
Priya (flirtatiously): Where does a clerk get a body like that?
(Justin realizes that Priya notices the recent changes in his body. Kei's training has fully paid off, for he was as muscular as Terra from Kingdom Hearts, but like Kei, he wasn't bulky, but rather toned and athletic.)
Justin: I did have help.
(Kei walks up, Priya sees her.)
Priya: Who's the Asian?
Justin: She's with us, and her name is Hoshi Sato.
Kei: Hello, Priya Kootrappali.
Priya: Hi. You two friends?
Justin (placing an arm on Kei's shoulder): Very good friends. She was the one who asked me to come on this journey.
Kei: He's a really great guy, even before he started to look like this.
(Priya immediately realize that Kei has deeper feelings for Justin)
Priya (a slightly hostile tone in her voice now): Right.
(Kei hears this and a concerned look appears on her face. Justin sees this, and wanting Kei to be happy, decides to change the subject.)
Justin: Got anything to eat. I'm starving from that flight.
(The gang enters the house, and for the rest of the day, they mostly talk with each other, and explore a small part of the city. All the while, Priya watches Kei with a cunning eye, trying to find a weakness. While the gang is having lunch, Priya manages to slip away and sneak into the room that Kei is using during the stay. She then looks around; trying to find something she could use as leverage against Kei. Then she finds Kei's backpack, and opens it, she looks though Kei's items, including the artifacts; ultimately, she finds Kei's identification.)
Pyria: Well, well, looks like 'Hoshi Sato' is lying about herself. Perhaps this will help me make Justin mine.
(Pyria then returns to join the others, and waits for the right moment to act. By the end of the day, everyone turns in for the night. Justin and Kei give some last goodnights to each other before entering their rooms. Justin manages to enter his room without incident, but when Kei, enters her room, she finds Pyria waiting for her)
Kei: What the hell are doing here?
Pyria: Simply to tell you that I taking Justin away from you and making him mine.
Kei: I don't know what you're talking about?
Pyria: I've seen the looks you give him, but now it stops here.
Kei: You're threatening me?
Pyria: I'm not threatening, I'm guaranteeing. Whatever you have with Justin, it ends now.
Kei: What makes you think I would agree to your terms?
Pyria: I know your dirty little secret, Kei Nagase.
Kei (shocked and horrified): H…h…how?
Pyria: I looked in your bag while you and the others were having lunch. You have been lying to everyone, and I now know who you really are.
Kei (shaking): What do you want from me?
Pyria: Stay away from Justin, or else I tell everyone about you and your secret.
(Pyria walks out confidently, leaving Kei just standing there, shocked by the turn of events. The next morning, everyone comes out for breakfast, but Justin notices something is wrong.)
Justin: Where's Hoshi?
(Kei arrives, looking rather quiet and down.)
Justin: Hoshi, what's wrong?
(Kei simply eats her breakfast, not saying anything)
Justin: Hoshi?
(Pyria then speaks)
Pyria: She's not feeling well. Perhaps you and I should talk.
Justin: Huh?
(Pyria walks up to Justin)
Pyria: I want to learn more about you.
Justin (confused): I don't…really understand. What's going on?
(Everyone else is seeing this and is equally confused, especially Raj.)
Pyria: Come on, hot stuff.
(Pyria takes Justin's hand walks off, dragging Justin along. Justin looks around, and looks at Kei, who looks right back, a sad look on her face, as if saying "I'm sorry". Justin can only look on helplessly as he is dragged off.)
Howard: What was that all about?
Raj: I have no idea, I never seen Pyria act like this before, even during her relationship with Leonard.
(For the next four days, the gang continues to explore India, learning about Indian culture and language, taking a part in a few traditions, and basically having a good time. All except Justin and Kei, who don't speak with each other, with Kei worrying that if she speaks, Pyria will expose her, and Justin trying to speak to Kei, but Pyria constantly changes the subject. Pyria continues to try and push Kei out of the group and make advances on Justin, but Justin constantly rebuffs them. As the days pass, Pyria becomes more and more aggressive in her advances on Justin and her attempts to isolate Kei, with Justin getting more and more firm with his refusals, especially when Pyria starts making subtle demands for changes in his outfit, lifestyle, and social circle. Everyone starts to suspect something, and Raj tries to ask Pyria what's going on, but gets nothing out of her. By the evening of the fourth day, the gang heads out to attend a dance party, where everyone is in formal clothes for the event)
Lucy: Come on, we're going to be late.
Pyria (her dress more provocative and enticing than the ones worn by the other ladies): I can't wait; (with a seductive tone) I especially want to see what Justin can do on the dance floor.
Raj: What is going with you?
Pyria: I simply have taken an interest in Justin.
Leonard: When I asked you out on a date, you refused twice, and now you're bouncing all over our friend.
(Justin then walks into the garage; he's wearing rather standard formal clothing but with his own style, a blue suit)
Pyria: Well, you look sharp.
(Justin ignores Pyria, and walks up to the others)
Justin: It's not much, but what do you guys think?
Bernadette: Nice, simple but has its own identity. Just like you.
Penny: Where's Hoshi?
Justin: She said she wasn't coming.
Howard: Not coming?
Justin: I know, it's very weird, ever since the second day we've been here; she's been nothing like herself.
Pyria: I told you, it's an illness.
Justin: What makes you so confident about that?
Pyria (with a seductive tone): What makes you confident enough to say that she isn't?
Justin: What are you trying to prove anyway, Pyria?
Pyria: Boys and girls, I think you should get on to the party, I think I have to talk with Justin in private.
(The others are confused by the sudden turn of events, but do what Pyria says)
Sheldon: Highly irregular of Pyria.
Leonard: See you at the party, Justin.
(As the other drive away, Justin looks at Pyria with a withering glare, but Pyria is unfazed.)
Justin: What is wrong with you?
Pyria (her tone now back to seductive): I just want to show you a good time, a great time. One that you'll never forget.
Justin: I'm not interested in that. I want to know why you're so determined to get Hoshi out of the way.
Pyria (walking towards Justin, who is backing off): Because I can give you what she can't, passion unlike anything you have ever felt. Desire like nothing you can imagine, and pleasure that will blow your mind.
(Pyria manages to get Justin against a wall and gets right up to his face.)
Pyria: I am offering my desires to you, in return I want you.
Justin: So it's me you want?
Pyria: Yes, and I will not anyone, not even that lying whore Hoshi take you away from me.
(Justin then realizes why Kei has been acting so strangely and Pyria's constant advances)
Justin: You stay the hell away from me!
Pyria: Why, I'll make you the man you should be. (Leans into kiss Justin)
Justin (pushing Pyria away): I said stay away.
Pyria: Playing the 'hard to get' type. I can think of ways to change that.
Justin: I will tell the others about this.
Pyria: You won't when I tell you Hoshi's dirty little secret.
Justin (shocked and horrified): No. (Speaks) Give me time to think, all right. Just give me time.
Pyria: One hour, and I'll be back. But if you decide sooner, call me.
(Pyria takes a car and drives off. As soon as she's gone, Justin hurries back into the house.)
Justin: Where's Hoshi?
Servant: Ms. Sato is still in her room, sir.
(Justin hurries to Kei's room.)
Justin: It now makes perfect sense, Pyria was jealous of Kei, and now I might lose her. What do I do? How can I ever fix this?
(Justin then remembers a talk with his mom)
Justin's Mom: When your father and I were together, we had our fair share of disagreements, and bumps in our relationship. We managed to always talk things out in the end.
Justin: I'll do the same here. I have to try.
(Justin manages to reach Kei's room.)
Justin (knocks, in a soft voice): Kei. (gets no answer) Kei, are you in there?
Kei (crying): I am, just go.
Justin: Kei, I need to talk to you. I think I know why you have been acting like you have recently.
Kei (sniffs): What?
Justin: I know that Pyria is blackmailing you to try and claim me for herself.
Kei: The door is not locked.
(Justin opens the door and walks in. He sees Kei on the bed, wearing the most beautiful black dress he has ever seen. He walks over and sits next to her)
Justin: How did Pyria find out?
Kei: She snuck into my room and looked in my backpack.
Justin: Why didn't you give me any signs of this?
Kei: I was worried if Pyria noticed, she would expose me. If Sheldon and his friends found out, they would think I'm a criminal. I didn't want you to suffer any more then you have now.
Justin: Kei, we're in this together.
Kei: Hmm?
Justin: You've saved my life just as many times as I saved yours. We'll always have each other's back, look out for each other. Even though sometimes we have to do things on our own, we can always trust each other. When you gave me back my pistol after I killed that mercenary, I didn't know what to do. But I knew that you had my back.
Kei: Thanks, but I think you have something else to tell me.
Justin: You trusted me with your secret, now after what happened, I think you should know mine. I used to be a clerk.
Kei: Used to?
Justin: I've been having a hard life, first my parents spitting up and then getting back together, then the plane crash. After that, it was the move, trying to find a job, but always getting removed when I start getting comfortable. I thought I would never find anything settled. That was until I met you.
Kei (smiles): You know, there is one story that I love, one that my namesake loved so much.
Justin: A Blue Dove for a Princess.
Kei: You know the moral of that story?
Justin: There is always someone you can rely on, no matter who they are. Even though we have to learn to find the strength to handle ourselves, we can always look for someone to depend on, to trust.
Kei: I think I found my blue dove.
(Before Justin could say anything, Kei rolls on top of him and pins him to the bed. She then lowers herself onto to him and snuggles. Justin, after overcoming the surprise, responds by wrapping his arms around her, stroking her. The two share the moment for a minute or two, and sit back up.)
Justin: I should tell you this; Pyria will be here in an hour to see if I have made a decision.
Kei: What will you do?
Justin: Tell her to stop.
Mrs. Kootrappali: Not without our help.
(Justin and Kei turn and find V. M. and Mrs. Kootrappali standing in the doorway.)
Justin: I appreciate the help, but I can handle this.
V. M. Kootrappali: Our daughter Pyria may be a great lawyer, but she needs to know that she can't use her intellect and mind to harm others so she can get what she wants.
Justin: Then that leaves only one thing.
Kei: Call her, Justin.
(Ten minutes later, we come upon Justin waiting in the garage. We see the car Pyria took to the dance party drive up and park. Pyria steps out)
Pyria: So you made a choice.
Justin: I have, I'm staying loyal to Hoshi.
Pyria: What if I told you her little secret, that she is…
Justin: Kei Nagase?
Pyria (shocked): How?
Justin: Hate to burst your bubble, but she told me who she was long before you decided to blackmail her.
Pyria: She didn't tell the others, why did she tell you?
Justin: She trusts me, and I trust her.
Pyria: You sound like you have feelings for her.
Justin: I may not know how deep these feelings are, but I do know that they are for Kei, not you.
Pyria: Why not, look at me. Plenty of guys find me sexy.
Justin: I'm not one of those guys.
Pyria: Oh yeah, describe me.
Justin: Black hair, brown eyes, tall, and right now, trying way too hard to bait a fish that knows too well about the trap. Leonard told me about you trying to change his lifestyle.
Pyria (getting angry): If I can't convince you, I might as well blow the whistle on her right now.
V. M. Kootrappali: That won't happen.
(Pyria then sees her parents standing in the doorway)
Pyria: You too, Mom and Dad?!
Mrs. Kootrappali: We taught you better than this.
Pyria: Justin, what the hell does Kei have that I don't?! Tell me! TELL ME, WHAT MAKES HER SO GODDAMN SPECIAL!
Justin: Nothing, she's just a young woman from Japan.
Pyria: That's all you have to say?! Do you even think about her, know who she is?!
V. M. Kootrappali: Go ahead Justin, tell her.
Justin (takes a couple of breathes): Her hair is as black as a starless sky, finer than silk; her eyes are a perfect almond shape with dark brown pools that can turn sharp in an instant. Her lips are full, and usually in a smile, sometimes showing her white teeth. Her skin is fair and healthy, and like her hair, finer then silk. Her body has curves that any woman would like to have, but she's no delicate flower, she's a wildflower. She's strong enough to handle herself, was one of the best athletes in her schools, not because she was the best to begin with, but because she worked hard to be the best that she is. She's not afraid of the outdoors, but is allergic to almonds, just like the rest of her family. She has three siblings, a sister and two brothers. She's also quite intelligent, able to work on advance aircraft and computers with equal ease. She may be a strong believer in peace, but threaten those she cares about, she'll show you the warrior she is. Others may say differently, but to me, she is the most beautiful woman in the world. She's not perfect, but she always tries to better herself.
Pyria (realizing what Justin is saying): I didn't know that you felt so strongly for her.
Justin (surprise by his own words): Neither did I until now.
Pyria: What can I do to make up for this?
Justin: Just say that you're sorry, she might understand.
Pyria: Thank you.
(We cut to several minutes later, where we find Justin waiting outside Kei's room. The door opens and out steps Pyria, with a look of relief on her face.)
Justin: She forgave you?
Pyria: She did, she even gave me some advice to find a guy, funny woman.
Justin: She's quick to bury the hatchet when things have been worked out.
Pyria: I'm just thinking, how do you deal with her?
Justin: That's the thing about relationships, you have to accept the similarities and differences, appreciate them for what they are.
Pyria: So, you two coming to the party?
Justin: You know what; we'll stay if you don't mind.
Pyria: Suit yourself.
(Pyria walks off, intending to return to the party. Justin walks into Kei's room. Kei is fixing up her hair. Justin looks up and down her body.)
Justin: You look lovely in that dress.
Kei: Thanks, you look sharp in that suit.
Justin: You're too kind.
Kei: Anyway, thanks for helping me.
Justin: It was my pleasure, and it's got me thinking about us.
Kei (surprised): Us?
Justin: Yes, you and me, us. I never really knew how much you meant to me until now.
Kei: Thinking about starting a relationship?
Justin: Yeah, but I'm nervous, I never had one before.
Kei: Same here, we might have bumps on the way too, but if we feel so strongly for each other, I think we can make things work.
Justin: Where do you want to start?
Kei: Simple. We now share a room.
Justin (amused): Knowing you, I was thinking there would be more to that.
Kei (her tone getting seductive): I'm just getting started. I think we should have a dance.
Justin: You did say we weren't going to the party.
Kei: I want this to be private, nothing big. Besides, you haven't dance in a long time.
Justin: You've got a point.
Kei: The garden seems perfect.
(After getting permission from the Kootrappalis, Justin and Kei walk out to the garden. After finding a nice place, Kei twirls around)
Kei: Left hand with my right, and your right hand on my waist.
(Justin follows Kei's instructions, and Kei places her left hand on his shoulder)
Kei: Let's start off slow, something that will be easy to follow.
(Kei starts slowing swaying, and Justin follows, less smoothly than Kei, but Kei patiently waits for Justin to find the rhythm. As soon as she knows that Justin is comfortable she adds a twirl, and after several attempts, Justin manages to get it down. This continues for a long time, and soon, the two are dancing like naturals.)
Kei: You learn fast.
Justin: You are a good teacher.
Kei: My older sister was always the dancer, she taught me, and I simply passed that on to you.
Justin: You seem to enjoy it.
Kei: It does keep one fit, and there are some many kinds of dance.
Justin: You must have worked pretty hard to become what you are now.
Kei (her voice now dripping with seduction): I did, and when you think you are ready, (whispering into Justin's ear) I'll show you what my body and mind can do in a more…intimate setting.
Justin: In good time, Kei, in good time. For now, let's continue dancing.
Kei (using her normal tone, but still making her feelings known): Agreed.
(The two resume dancing under the stars, happy with each other.)