Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 43

The cricket match was well under way.  Adam had certainly recruited the best all-rounders, but he had forgotten about Praveen’s Indian heritage.  If the British had left anything behind after Partition in 1947, it wasn’t just the real estate or the comfortable businesses and homes that Indian people needed or wanted at any level.  It was the game of cricket that was so valued.  The national obsession.  Praveen had been playing cricket since he was a child.  At home, at school and at university in Australia.  Tim watched as he bowled his first over, just testing the pitch and the batsmen.  Adam was batting first; he had obviously no idea what he and his team were in for.  Praveen even let him make a few runs.  Then Tim watched as Praveen lobbed the ball about a metre away from Adam.  He stepped forward, taking a swipe at it and missed.  The thing seemed to have a mind of its own as it bounced under the bat and took the bails off as cleanly as if they had been taken off by hand.  Adam stared at the wicket and grinned.  “Jesus,” he said, “how did he do that!”  Next up was Lance, then Darcy, Angelo and Gary from the security guys.  Five wickets for twenty-five runs!  The President couldn’t hide his glee.  Finally they were all out for a hundred and twenty.  Then they watched in awe as Tim O’Brien hit a six off Adam’s second ball.  Suddenly Adam realised they were going to be slaughtered unless they removed the wicket of President of Australia! 

“God, you’re like a lot of girls, I think you should let a real girl have a go,” a voice said at Adam’s elbow.  It was Susie Drummond.  She and Jon had played cricket many times with Philippe, and she knew her way around the game.  It was getting serious, Adam realised; Tim was hitting them all over the paddock; they had badly underestimated he and Praveen.  The leader of their country had been an AFL footballer and a great all-round sportsman in his youth, and his joy at being able to participate at this level, even in a fun match, was palpable.  It was worth getting annihilated just to watch he and Praveen enjoying themselves this much, Adam decided.  They were just big boys again!  “All right, Susie,” Adam said, “you can’t do any worse than the recognised bowlers, have a go then!”  Her first ball bounced from side to side, causing Tim to cleverly sidestep it and whack it for four.  Philippe smiled at their daughter’s strategy.  “Two can play at Praveen’s game, Matt-Hew,” he grinned, cuddling into his partner’s arms.  “You watch her now, she has him worked out.”  The second ball was quite different, faster and ran wide.  Tim relaxed again.  Susie’s third ball spun around Tim’s bat and drove a stump clean out of the ground.  An astonished President grinned and walked off, handing the bat to Praveen.  Susie let him make ten runs and encouraged him to loft the ball which Patrick caught easily, one handed.  “Sorry dear,” he smiled, “back to the scullery with you.”  Susie decimated the batting line up; in truth there was very little substance left until Igor stepped into the crease.  Adam thought what a great day it was turning out to be.  Everyone relaxed and people with little or no sporting prowess got to participate.  And now Igor was in full flight.  Adam rested Susie and Angelo took over.  Suddenly things became interesting.  Igor hit three consecutive sixes as an amazed security service looked on.  No one but Tim O’Brien had bothered to check the sporting history of those who were playing.  Igor just happened to be an A grade cricketer in Canberra, when his duties allowed him.  So where the President’s Eleven looked headed towards certain defeat because of Susan Drummond’s bowling, Igor looked like he could save the match for them!  And he did! 

Doug Evers looked on with a big grin on his face.  The kid had gone from zero to hero overnight!  Then he noticed Tarek embracing him and was further amazed.  He turned to Matthew and Philippe standing beside him with a look of disbelief on his face.  “Matt,” he said, “did we do that?  I mean Tarek gave me a right bollocking for trying to manipulate the situation, and here they are, looks like we’ve got a full-on romance goin’ on.  Buggered if I know, I just can’t work you blokes out.”  Philippe smiled at him and Doug’s intestines turned to water instantly, fearing a right royal bollocking of his own.  “Dougie,” Philippe purred, “you see that veranda there, on the ’omestead?” 

“Yeah,” said Doug. 

“Well that is where I first seduce Matt-Hew.  One cold winter night.  Matt-Hew didn’t know that mother nature had decided he and I would be a couple.  Neither did I.  But not so very long after Matt-Hew ask me to marry ’im!  You must understand, Dougie that this lovely lady mother nature gets a bit crazy an’ doesn’t have a good timetable!  So some take longer than others.  Sometimes instant, like I think are Darcy an’ Jacob.  Like Tarek an’ Igor.  You can see it!  They will get married, you like to take a bet?” 

“No thank you Philippe, I know you too well; I’ll just wait for the wedding invitation.” 

*****

Saturday night there was another barbeque; the Dean arrived, some selected journalists and quite a few others.  Gerry and Wayne arrived with Bronwyn, Greg and little Noah.  Stephen Wu phoned and confirmed they would be there in the morning, in time for the Dean’s book launch.  Tarek and Igor finished their shift, and found that Philippe, in charge of catering for the evening meal, had saved them some hot food.  “You need to be keeping strong darlings” he whispered, handing them a plate each.  “When you finish I ’ave some sweets for you to take back to your room.”  Igor giggled and thanked him.  Tarek looked thunderstruck, but Matthew’s arm fell on his shoulder.  “Don’t keep anything a secret, mate,” he grinned, “it’s bad for ya!  Let it all hang out, then if you’re honest with everyone around ya, you can be honest with each other!  Lay it all on the table Tarek, life’s too short when you meet your match.  I have only one regret in all of this,” Matthew said, “and that is I wasted time before I settled down with Philippe.  Don’t let the same thing happen to you!”  He looked thoughtful for a moment and then whispered in Tarek’s ear, “At least you guys are already gay; it took me a while to get the message!” 

*****

They walked slowly at first on the way back to their quarters, hand-in-hand, Igor carrying the sweets Philippe had prepared for them.  They nearly ran the last fifty metres, throwing open the door then slamming it behind them.  Lips locked, they fell on Tarek’s bed, rolling over and over, unable to handle the force of nature which was unrelenting.  After tearing each other’s clothes from their bodies, there was a period of calm as Tarek summoned all his lovemaking skills and prepared Igor.  He lay on his back, legs upright as Tarek gently slid into him.  Their eyes met, just like that morning in the shower, and they were reminded of the gift that had been bestowed on them.  It was obvious they were both experienced in what they were doing ‘which was a good thing,’ Igor thought to himself, because this was so different.  It felt finally someone was actually making love to him and he told Tarek so.  Tarek kissed him eagerly in response and pushed even deeper into him.  Never in his life had Tarek ever experienced anything approaching what he felt now.  He never thought it would happen to him, and it obviously had.  He was in love, that intangible state of mind that western societies seemed to embrace so easily yet which had been denied him all these years.  Even in Jordan, he realised men fell in love but they hid their true feelings behind a woman’s veil.  Not here in his adopted country and not any longer for him, he decided.  With a yell they came within a few seconds of each other and lay exhausted, side by side. 

They slept peacefully, awakening about an hour later.  Igor found a damp sponge and cleaned them down.  They were both hard again, but it was Igor who made the first move.  Suddenly Tarek realised what was going to happen!  No!  No way!  He froze and Igor slowed down his ministrations.  He panicked, knowing a deep part of him and his culture absolutely forbade him to allow him to be penetrated by another man.  He wasn’t frightened of being hurt, he was frightened of being shamed.  Igor understood.  But he thought he would keep trying anyway.  He slowly and gently massaged that private place, and Tarek realised he had a deal-breaker on his hands unless he rid himself of the conservative baggage that had always been part of his persona.  He saw the love in Igor’s eyes and gave himself completely.  Nodding, he whispered to Igor to continue.  Igor knew he had to be persuasive, skilful and loving, to match the trust that his beautiful man had given to him.  He lay on his back and directed Tarek to sit on him, facing him, so he felt in control.  Tarek understood the strategy and smiled.  He had lost his erection earlier but as he sank on to Igor’s length, it suddenly sprang out and up and they grinned at each other!  Igor allowed Tarek to take charge again, and he did, realising the initial discomfort had been replaced by pleasure.  He found himself on the bottom at last with a very fit Igor smiling at him, digging his toes into the bed for extra leverage and giving him the ride of his life!  Igor stroked him, trying to share the experience between them and he came like a fountain all over his chest.  Igor gave two more thrusts and it was over.  They laughed at each other; a gentle teasing between them, quite obvious they felt a friendship there, as well as the physical bond which was already in place.  They made love several more times that night, finding their favourite positions, heads beside each other on the pillow as Tarek assumed the role which still seemed most natural to him. 

They had been asleep for two hours when Igor woke him again, and with no hesitation, he swung over, face down and Igor went ballistic.  He took charge and Tarek realised he really, really liked being fucked!  But only by Igor!  Finally at about 7.00am the alarm went off and they rolled out of bed.  “There’s not enough room,” he mused. 

“Enough room where?” Igor asked. 

“In my little apartment,” Tarek said, his brow furrowed in thought.  “It only has one bedroom and we really need two bedrooms in case family come to stay over.”  Igor looked at him with amusement and shook his head.  “You expect me to move in with you after only two days?” he laughed.  “Next thing you‘ll be asking me to marry you!” 

“Yes, will you please?” Tarek smiled.  “I have waited for you all my life from when I was a teenager.  I came to Australia hoping to find a partner but the harder I looked the worse they became.  Promise you everything and give you nothing.  Several told me they loved me but they lied.  You haven’t told me you love me but I already know you do.  And you know I love you.  Beyond my most amazing dreams.  So will you please marry me as soon as possible so I don’t lose you, and where the fuck are we going to live?”  Igor looked stunned, as indeed he was, but he knew Tarek was right.  He also understood that these chances sometimes only came once in a lifetime, and if you were both certain as they both were, then he also couldn’t bear to lose the opportunity he was now presented with.  So many people in this modern world followed their wallet instead of their heart and he wasn’t one of them; and neither was Tarek, he knew that already, somehow.  “You’re quite mad!” he laughed, just to test Tarek’s resolve. 

“Something this important is not the type of question one takes lightly,” Tarek said, ‘in fact I have never asked the question before, either male or female.” 

“I’ve got a two bedroom villa unit,” smiled Igor.  Tarek just looked at him, with the beginning of a smile on his face. 

“I suppose if I hesitate you’ll think I’m a total dickhead,” Igor grinned.  “So I’ll throw caution to the wind and say yes, I’ll accept your kind offer.  Because I actually agree with you.  This is a serious question, but somehow I already knew we would always be together.  We can live at my place.  We’re not spending a night apart, even if we get posted to different jobs, I’d resign first, OK? 

“Is that yes?” 

“It’s yes,” Igor grinned.  “I suppose we’ll have to fill out the relationship register at work, the tongues will be wagging now!”