He asks, “How did your session with akka go?”
“Draining and strengthening. Both.
Thanks for waiting for me, but I know it’s late, Govinda.
I understand if you don’t have time to work with me today.”
“You understand?” His voice
sounds as rich and deep when he teases
as it does when he’s serious. “Miracles do happen.
My demon is softening. She’s understanding.”
“I thought I was your little sister. Not your demon.”
Govinda doesn’t clarify where I stand in his affections.
He grins and waves a gift-wrapped package in front of my face. “For you.”
“Why? It’s not my birthday or anything.” I reach for it.
Govinda snatches it away just as my fingers touch the ribbon.
“It’s not your birthday or anything?
Maybe I should wait and give it to you later.”
“Give it here.” I dart forward.
“Come and get it,” he taunts, quickening his pace,
keeping the package just out of my reach.
He makes me chase him,
then lets me pin him against the banyan’s trunk.
“I got you to run fast.
That, in itself, should count as a lesson,” he says,
raising the package high above his head.
We tussle for it. A button on his shirt pops
and I feel the bare skin of my waist
press against his skin.
The package feels hotter than a handful of flames.
I let go.
Govinda hands it to me.
I untie the ribbon and open the package.
Inside is a bright yellow paper kite
in the shape of some four-legged animal with a long tail.
“Like it? I made it.”
I love how uncertain he looks.
And most of all
that he spent time and effort to make me something.
“It’s beautiful, Govinda. Is it a
. . . gecko?”
He groans. “My sister thought it was, too.
It’s meant to be a dragon.”
“Geckos are sort of like real-life dragons.
Kind of magical, you know?
They have the power to regrow lost tails.”
My words surprise me but it’s good to find
I’m no longer envious of animals
whose powers of regeneration I lack.
“I don’t know how to fly kites, though.”
“If there’s a field near your place and your parents don’t mind,
I could come by and teach you,” he offers.
He’s so focused on me,