Home for Chirappu by Ariel Tachna Page B

clean.”
    “Nikhilesh, why are you standing outside in the sun? Bring your friend and come inside.”
    “I’m sorry, aunty,” Nik said. “We were just talking for a minute. Do you want to go in, Trent? I’ll help Abilash with the bags.”
    “No, I can carry my own suitcase,” Trent said. “I’m not that far gone.”
    Nik’s expression betrayed his skepticism, but that was all the more reason for Trent to carry his own suitcase. Yes, it was hot and he was tired, but he wasn’t some helpless tourist who couldn’t cope with change. As soon as he’d had a shower and a nap, he’d prove it to everyone too.
    He took his shoes off without prompting when they got to the porch. A collection of sandals graced one corner so he added his tennis shoes to the pile. He had sandals that he would wear while he was in India, but he hadn’t wanted bare toes for the trip in case it was cold on the plane. He hesitated a moment, then pulled off his socks as well. He wouldn’t have to worry about his feet getting cold now that they had arrived. The cool stone floor felt good and the dim living room was a welcome change from the overly bright sunshine outside. Even with his sunglasses on, the glare had been almost painful. He hadn’t realized how hard his head was pounding until the pain eased a little. As his eyes adjusted, he took in the simple lines of the two-story house. A set of stairs to the right of the entrance led to an open balcony and a hallway on either side.
    “Your rooms are upstairs,” Nik’s aunt said. “I put you both on the same side of the house so you could share a bathroom. I hope you don’t mind.”
    “That’s fine, aunty,” Nik said. “We’re used to sharing space. We live together in Chicago. Did Amma not tell you?”
    “Just because you’re used to sharing space doesn’t mean you have to do it while you’re here,” she said primly. “I’ll show you up. Abilash, tell Leelavati aunty we’ll be there in time for lunch tomorrow.”
    “Yes, aunty.”
    Trent grabbed his suitcase and followed Nik and his aunt up the stairs. It was warmer on the second story but still much cooler than he would have expected given the temperature outside. He didn’t know how they did it, but he was grateful. He’d probably even get over having to sleep apart from Nik if it stayed cool like this in his room. He was too tired for sex, and it was too hot to cuddle. Nik’s aunt opened the door to a dim bedroom. Drapes were pulled across the windows and a fan whirred gently overhead. “This is Trent’s room. The bathroom is through that door. Nikhilesh’s room connects from the other side of the bathroom, so lock both doors when you’re in there, but be sure to unlock them both when you’re done.”
    “Thank you, aunty,” Trent said as he set his suitcase down.
    “Is the water hot, aunty?” Nik asked.
    “It should be. I turned it on an hour ago. Do you want to shower before we have tea?”
    “Yes, please,” Nik said. “Trent, you go first. Just tell me when you’re done.”
    Trent nodded and started digging in his suitcase for clean clothes. Nik’s aunt had left a towel on the end of the bed, so all he needed was something else to put on and his toiletries and he could finally get rid of the stench of travel. He heard the bedroom door close and Nik’s voice moving away down the hall as he continued to talk to his aunt, but he didn’t pay any attention to it. His focus had become single-minded. All that mattered was getting clean.
    He headed into the bathroom and stared for a minute at the open room. No shower stall, just a showerhead against one wall, a sink and a toilet, and a little hole where the floor met the wall in the corner where sunlight shone through. He blinked a couple of times and reminded himself he wasn’t at home anymore. As long as the water was hot, he didn’t care where it went after he was done with it. He stripped down and turned the water on. Stepping under the stream was