Chapter 31

I walked in while he reversed his car to exit the driveway. I found it strange that we had no conversation about the article or the story we worked on last night. He simply brushed it off as a non-existent thing. He could at least have the courtesy to apologize. But then...

The door swished open and I was greeted by a pretty, young woman, clad in formal clothes. I wanted to ignore her but I couldn't. She asked me if she could be of help. I wanted to say no instead I smiled politely and thanked her for her help.

"I am here to meet a friend. She is staying here." She smiled generously.

"Please come with me." She guided me to the reception area. After checking in on her room details, she ushered me into the elevator. Did I look like a criminal? She followed me to her room. Maybe, my appearance spoke of my non-existent background.

When Nandi opened the door she was surprised to find a chaperon along. But she hid it well in the garb of her politeness.

"Thank you for helping my friend." I walked in to be absorbed by the scrumptious luxury. Everything screamed of money.

"Did DBTV pay for your stay?"

"Mad or what? It's my dad all the way. DBTV refused all expenses. Plus I am on a half-day leave today, so..."

"Okay, got it."

"Would you like to drink or eat something? I can order or we can go to the café."

"No, I am good. All I want is some sleep."

"The bed is all yours." She gestured it with her hands in a comical way. I mouthed a thank you.

I plopped myself on the soft bed but sleep eluded me. My mind spiralled on over the events of the day, Agam's treachery, why I didn't vent my anger and the self-created misery of being a sore loser.

"Hey, you awake?" Nandi asked me.

I half-heartedly said yes.

"Should I call for a coffee?" She was being extra nice to me. Why?

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" I flipped and rested my head on the elbow. Nandi if surprised by my suddenness did not betray it through her words. She simply nodded.

"Do you still feel guilty about Shash..." She didn't let me complete my question.

"Shhh...shhh... hey where did this come to your head from?"

"Just curious."

"Honestly, could be. But I have realized after the few experiences I have had and after thinking over the entire scenario with a rationale perspective that we could have been friends, if, and only if I had come to my senses sooner. I let my overprotectiveness and jealousy ruin it for the three of us.

Nandi found Shash's admiration and liking for me in college unacceptable. She always doubted his platonic feelings which he expressed zealously in small actions. She misunderstood and often asked me to check myself around him which I conscientiously did. I avoided talking to him as much as possible as I did not want any bad blood between them.

"You know," she continued, "his admiration for your long hair and beauty, often put me in an uncomfortable spot."

I interjected her, "But I never saw him from that perspective and I admired him for his craft and art." I sighed.

"I know now. I misconstrued it all the way. He thought of you like the sister he never had and therefore looked out for you to talk. Also, I think you could tell him the nastiest things about him and get away."

"Why did you fall for him? I always wondered, how a cultured, well mannered, sophisticated girl ended up with a beast like him?" I made a face.

Nandi was not at all surprised by my words. "Used to this typical reaction through the two years of my college."

"What happened in the third year?" I asked her amused.

"What?" My shocked face spelt it out all.

"We broke up!"

"Why?"

"Well, that's altogether a story for another day."

"So you guys are back again...?" I tried to frame a question but I couldn't look at Nandi's sad face.

"No, we're done. But we are still good friends and we will have each other's back always."

"I can feel a twinge of pain in your eyes over losing him."

"Nope, nothing at all. More than happy to get over it." She said exuberantly. "In fact like you said, how could a cultured, sophisticated girl be tied to a moron like him?"

She was hurting but I refused to prod her further and make the evening uncomfortable. Instead, I asked her about the venue, time and other details and also for a T-shirt or kurta that I could pair with my jeans for the night.

"I have worn all my T-shirts and I don't wear kurtas." I raised my eyebrows in mock horror. "So, you will have to go with whatever clothes I have left in my bag."

"Okay." I merely abided by her terms.

"I want to shower but I think I won't because I don't have a fresh pair of underwear."

"And I won't share mine."

"That's gross and I wouldn't even ask."

"Good...I have pasties though..."

I gave her a blank look. "I am sorry."

"Adhesive tape for boobs."

I blushed at the mere mention. "I knew you wouldn't have worn one but not knowing about it is a crime."

"I don't care."

She showed me a flowing navy blue and off-white colour blocked dress. It was sweet and suited my sensibility perfectly but it ended up at my knees and I hadn't waxed my legs in ages so I had to refuse.

"It is perfect," she argued.

"It is, but look at the jungle on my legs and arms. I haven't waxed in ages."

"Arghh..." She was irritated.

"You need a salon trip badly." She walked towards me, hovered around my face, pulled it up and down and finally announced. "You need to pluck your eyebrows, get rid of that light moustache and those ugly blackheads sitting on your nose."

"Next time," I told her proudly. Her deep scrutiny of my looks hurt me no bounds.

"No ways." She said. "I am going to work on your fine eyebrows with my tweezer, it will pain but just suck it."

I sat up at the mere mention of pain. "I am not doing it with the tweezer, I would rather die. It's unbearable." She pouted but conceded to my threats in her own way. "You will have to wear makeup." She looked sternly at me and I knew I had run out of options.

She gave me a poly-georgette, midi dress which was muted in style and suited me well. The peri-winkle blue silhouette dress had a peter-pan collar and a buckle belted waist front to make it look trendy. The three-quarter sleeves perfectly hid the hair on my hands and the tea-length dress helped me cover my legs. Nandi however strictly told me to shave my legs to avoid the ugly Betty look. She herself chose to wear a crimson-coloured cocktail dress with black lacework and paired it up with an elegant silver clutch and high black heels.

I carried my work bag and happily flaunted my nude worn out bellies. She did throw a fit about my shoes but she had no option. Our sizes didn't match. I changed into her dress and stuffed my clothes in my bag. She asked me to leave my bag behind which I politely refused.

"I would be heading home directly after the play. I am not coming here."

"Okay." She said it as a matter of fact.

She did my makeup while I kept on telling her not to overdo it. I just could not relax and trust her. I refused bold colours instead opted for the subtle nudes. When it came to my hair, I tied it in a low ponytail and paired it with a scarf that I had in my bag. I looked different. I held my gaze in the mirror, admiring the beauty before me. I felt beautiful inside out. Perhaps the clothes maketh a difference. I knew I would have boys swooning over me and I could get anyone to dance to my tunes.

Nandi blew a whistle and asked me to stop staring at her handiwork. I appreciated her artwork and air blew her a kiss.

"Let's go. We can't be late."

"Yep!" I agreed with her in unison.

We walked down to the lobby but I saw no heads turning towards me. I blended into the crowd well. I was just another one of them. Nandi looked beautiful and oozed confidence in her moves.

Our ride to Vile Parle was uneventful, for most part of the ride both of us were occupied, Nandi by her mobile and I by my thoughts. Our seats were reserved and we walked in without a fuss to our designated place. It was altogether a very different experience.

When the play began I had no expectations. I had always seen Shash perform at dress rehearsals and they are far from what one does on the stage on the final day. The finale is all about spontaneity and connecting with the audience. I was excited as well as nervous. But all my worries evaporated the moment the play began and I saw Shash's work in full glory. I could see the sparks of his direction in the actor's performances. However, the brilliant moment in the play was when the heroine gave a monologue. I was beyond thrilled. I wanted the play to end and hug Shash for the brilliant portrayal of women in his play. The play got over with resounding applause from the audience.

Nandi and I quickly made our way to go and meet Shash and congratulate him.

"Nandita Thakur," A loud voice penetrated our ears even among the noise of the so many walking in the hallway. Nandi went to meet the owner of the loud voice while I decided to go and meet Shash. I wasn't allowed initially backstage but I persisted. Finally, the co-worker in his troupe realized I must definitely be insane to not go without meeting him and so he let me in. I thanked him for understanding and asked him to guide me towards his room. I saw Shash accepting congratulations from everyone. The tall, six feet guy still looked the same, unkempt and out of leagues when it came to good manners. He often made me wonder if he was the adopted son of his rich parents. To which Shash had vehemently replied no. Being an only child of his parents they had relented to his quirky ways. I remember Shash turning up in his pyjamas in class which to the surprise of many always went unnoticed.

Shash was hugging a young man when I approached him.

"Loved it! Thank you for inviting." The voice sent a zing down my spine. The realization of his presence in such close quarters raised the hair on my back. Gone was the anger, I was worried about him noticing me in this attire. My heart thudded and I tried to escape, but my flight was stopped by Shash calling out my name.

"Abhi," Both the man's eyes were boring my back. I turned to see two very opposite reactions on the face of these men. While one was ecstatic, the other unhappy. Agam glared with all his will while I looked down at the floor knotting my fingers in fear. Why was I acting like a timid rabbit? I went ahead and threw my hands around Shash's neck. I had never done this before. I don't know what possessed me. I poured in all my angst out and when Agam's confusing eyes met mine, I locked it and owned the victory.

"I am so proud of you Shash," I told him with all the sweetness I could produce in my voice. "And thank you." Shash instead of paying attention to my words was fussing about my looks.

"You look gorgeous." I blushed crimson at the openness of his admiration. "And what thank you, I could not wait to see your reaction. When I told my actor to perform, he was taken aback but I told him about our connection and he agreed."

"Glad I was of help." I mouthed indiscreetly.

Shash saw Agam standing and staring at me. He quickly introduced him into our conversation.

"Dada, this is Abhilasha Bhayani and she is my college mate. A lot of the things in the play you saw were inspired by her fiery nature. She is one of the coolest feminists I have seen in recent times who doesn't impose blanket opinions like "all men rape." Both of us broke into impromptu laughter which none could control. Agam's steely eyes and raised eyebrows jeered at me. I ignored him.

"And Abhi, this is Agam Khandelwal, my senior from school. He was our drama society's head and always encouraged me to take up my passion seriously." I sincerely smiled, softening my gaze at him.

"We know each other," Agam coolly pronounced. Shash if confused did not reveal.

"I am interning at FMN and Agam works at FBN. So, we have interacted at work." I stated as explicitly as possible.

"The world is small." He paused for a second and craned his neck to find someone.

"Nandi met an old friend. She will be here in a few minutes." Shash nodded his head as the understatement of the year.

"Wait," I stopped in my tracks and looked at Shash who appeared baffled by my stance, "How did you know I was coming? It was meant to be a surprise as informed. But you seemed to be expecting me." Shash snorted. "Okay, Nandi just cannot keep her mouth shut." Shash's eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Shaaket, thank you for a lovely evening. I will leave now."

"No ways dada. Please join me for dinner."

"Some other time. I have commitments." I sniggered at the thought of commitment picturing a pissed Mansi and a nonplussed Agam.

"What?" Shash asked while Agam stared at me.

"Nothing just remembered one of those embarrassing moments from college." Shash scrunched his nose. "I bet it won't be funny for me."

"Totally!" Agam shook hands with Shash and decided to leave. He gave me a curt nod which I did not return. Nandi walked in and Shash greeted him as warmly as before. They air-kissed each other and got busy catching up. I did not want to be baggage on the ex-lovers and moved aside and walked listlessly. Agam joined me.

"Are you going for dinner?" I looked at him raising my eyebrows.

"I am not answerable to you. This isn't our office." I snapped. The anger that I had hidden somewhere was emerging and his pointed questions were triggering a turmoil of emotions within me. I did not want our evening to be spoiled because of our professional troubles.

He was disappointed and a little taken aback by my rudeness. "Can we go out somewhere and talk?" I looked at him with disbelief. He had the cheekiness to ask me out and talk when all I wanted was to punch him on his face and howl at him.

"Guys, I hope you aren't in the work mode," Shash said looking at the two of us giving each other heated looks. Shash introduced Nandi as his ex-girlfriend, to which Agam was not at all surprised. Instead, he chuckled at his openness in acknowledging what a douche he was. Agam was playful and was full of mirth suddenly. The guy switches moods so effortlessly while I had a hard time controlling my fury. Perhaps Nandi's looks had charmed him.

"How come a beautiful and sensible girl fell for an idiot like him? Inevitable the two of you broke." The three of them laughed while I felt offended for Agam's sake.

"That's exactly what Abhi told me this evening." And Nandi smiled at me lovingly. "But Agam," and she whispered in his ears, in her full femme fetale mode, "He is great in bed. And the best at shower sex." I was mortified. I shrugged and shied away from the conversation.

"God, you are so chaste, Abhi."

"Can we leave the bedroom talks to a more private space?" I played along.

"I can give you the deets," Nandi said unabashedly.

"I am all ears for it." I laughed.

Nandi extended the dinner invitation which Agam politely refused. I wanted to decline it too but I had to agree to avoid Agam at all cost.