Chapter 32

We waited for our cab to arrive while Agam waited for the valet to bring his car. The free banter had died down as both the conversationalist in the group Nandi and Shash were occupied with each other. Agam and I had participated in a staring fest that would not die a natural death until both of us willingly backed out of it. Neither he nor I were in a mood to lose, and so it continued until both of us had to leave eventually.

The ride to the restaurant was a boring affair, Shash and Nandi were too busy to concentrate on me and made me feel like a third wheel on a dinner date.

"Abhi, why are you so quiet?" Shash enquired. "Something bothering you?"

"Nah...I have nothing interesting to share...plus I haven't been to this part of the city...I am enjoying the ride...and looking around."

Shash looked sympathetic. "Sorry!" Tell me about your work. Nandi has been giving me a full spin on hers."

"Nothing worth talking about work, unlike Nandi's stint at DBTV, mine can hardly be..."

"Stop boring her with work. By the way, tell her we are going to Aquasail for dinner." Nandi interrupted him.

"Aquasail?" I hadn't heard the name before but the name suggested it had something to do with water.

"It's a restaurant on the cruise." My heart sank at the mention of a cruise. I suffer from terrible seasickness and I wouldn't enjoy the experience at all.

"I have a terrible seasickness to tend to on cruises and I am not sure if I would be great company." This was a perfect excuse to not go for dinner with them. "Why don't you two continue while I head back home? I can join you two some other time."

Nandi however seemed convinced that they couldn't do a celebratory dinner without me and off we headed to a rooftop restaurant.

"Is it a good idea during the monsoon?" Shash asked.

"Nothing better than that. The damp air and the pitch darkness would be fun." Nandi could turn everything into romance. She might even consider making sworn enemies into a couple in the honor of romance. Gosh, she just had an affinity for it.

The rooftop restaurant we headed to was splendid. The view of the Arabian Sea set against the twinkling lights of the high rises was a sight to behold. The charming, soft music of the waves crashing on the shore and the blend of piano and guitar playing in the restaurant, lilted hauntingly in the air. We got a corner table near the balcony and I was elated. If nothing else, I had the beautiful view to give me company while these two got lost in their own world forgetting about me.

I sat next to Shash while Nandi sat opposite us. The restaurant wasn't full to its capacity and it felt good for obvious reasons. Nandi and Shash were quick to order wine to begin their evening. Both of them were aware that I did not indulge in drinking and they quietly abstained from mentioning it or persuading me to join them.

"At least order a mocktail. It seems like you are punishing us for our promiscuity with alcohol."

I made a straight jacket face at him and ordered a virgin mojito.

"So, any boyfriends in Mumbai?" Shash's question brought me to the now and present from the past and the future that I was admiring in the view.

Nandi snorted. "She is immune to the charms of many."

"Oh, come on!" Shash said resignedly. I didn't have to answer the question altogether. Nevertheless, he looked expectantly at me searching for one.

"No," I said. The monosyllable was enough to communicate my vehemence on this topic.

"What happened to Jash from college?" He continued with his interrogation on my boyfriend prospects from college.

"There was nothing with Jash...so nothing happened."

"Didn't you go out with him?"

"As friends for a cup of tea at the famous tea stall behind the back gate of our college."

"That tea stall was the first step to dating..."

"And the last for me." I sighed while Nandi chuckled.

"Yeah...it's true...Jash told me...before anything could begin...that...he was too focused on his career to think of a relationship and I should not consider it as a date...or...whatever." I scoffed.

"Oh gosh! What a moron!" Shash was anything but sympathetic to my predicament. He was having a time of his life laughing away in full glory.

"Jerk," I told him.

"You still had that admirer in our Greens Club, who let you and your friends get away easily for all the grinding work we were made to do."

"No wonder you chatted with me on the clean street drive the entire time. Was it to escape work? How sly of you Nandi?" I puffed and rolled my eyes at her in mock disgust.

"Well, thanks to him we all got our credits on time."

I did not know whether I should be laughing at the mention of that guy or crying at the pathetic friends I had, who searched for opportunities to benefit from me. But such was life, opportunistic.

"What happened to Raunak?" I asked them out of the blue. He was Shash's friend and might still be in touch, I thought.

"Raunak..." Shash took some time to think before he spoke again. "I suppose he is doing well, playing golf for the country. He was never really interested in studying at our college. The moment he managed to get into Stephen's, he left." Shash felt bitter while speaking about him. His facial movements hindered his natural style of interaction.

"You still bitter?" I asked.

"I have put it behind me..." and to lift our spirits we had the mouthwatering food to give us company. The pizza was so tempting to look at that I could not wait to dig in. But as usual, before I could put my hands to it Shash had picked a slice for him and started eating it.

"Mannerless!" I mouthed in between looking at him and concentrating on the food.

"What?" He said rather innocently. "It's my celebration dinner and I have the right.

"You're impossible. No one can turn you into a civilized man."

"A civilized man is an oxymoron. Man will always be a beast."

"Hmm..." That was the only reaction that both Nandi and I can give to his retort.

The food was delicious but both Nandi and Shash just could not have enough of the wine. It was the third glass they were sipping and though they weren't tipsy yet, I could feel the old flames were waiting to be combusted in an emotional turmoil. I wanted to suppress the impending doom till the time I could to avoid getting embroiled and combusted.

"Abhi, speaking of Raunak, did you like him?" Nandi's question made me fuss unnecessarily and sweat for an answer. I had a crush on him but did that equal liking. And why should I accept what I felt for him in front of these two?

"I think it's farfetched to say that I liked him, but yeah I admired him for his looks and physique. But then he had too many and I suppose I was just one of them."

"He liked you." Shash butted in. "In fact, he found you cute and out of his league."

"Don't flatter me."

"I swear he said that. Do you remember the first week he took your book to copy the notes and you kind of just left without giving him a second look? Pheww!!"

"That kind of hurts the man's ego," Nandi spoke unexpectedly.

"Oh! Come on! The two of you are labelling me as the heart breaker while I am just..."

"You refuse to take men who are interested in you seriously; you seem to be immune to them."

"I agree." Shash popped a piece of corn cheese ball into his mouth and nodded his head.

"I am not immune. You see I do not waste time on men since I cannot seem to charm anyone."

"Ohkay, look there are two men in this restaurant who are stealing looks at you. And I am sure you wouldn't have noticed." Nandi spoke excitedly.

"I am busy concentrating on food and the conservation with you guys to notice men around me," I complained.

"Gosh, you guys are so difficult," I added for effect.

"No, we aren't." Shash poked fun at me. "Even I have noticed the men seated two o'clock on your right and six o'clock on the left staring at you since we have arrived."

And on instinct, I turned to check them out and Nandi kicked her foot under the table to stop me.

"Get a hold of it. Not so abruptly you will scare the admirers away. Check them out but pretend as if you locked eyes with them on accident.

"Fine," I said irritatedly.

I dropped my spoon on my right and on cue to pick it up stole a glance at the man. He was short and cute but well not my type. For the man south to me I turned around on the pretext of calling the waitress. Our eyes locked and it sent waves of excitement. The man seemed familiar, I had seen him somewhere before but could not recall.

"I think I know the man on our south but I don't know how."

"Soul connect?" Nandi enquired expectantly.

"Bah... that's so gross. And can we concentrate on food than the men who are interested in me?" But could anyone make the tornado Nandi stop? She was on a spin, the atta girl lunging at me.

"By the way that senior of yours..." and the word senior was enough to make my ears perk up. I coughed and almost choked at the bite in my mouth. "He likes you too. There is some chemistry going on between the two of you."

"Yes, chemistry with the economy," I replied sarcastically. "Agam and me in your dreams."

Shaaket was too shocked at Nandi's candid confrontation to speak immediately. And there when you speak of the devil, he appears magically. Agam stood two tables from us shaking hands with some man whose back was towards us. For the first time in the evening, I looked at Agam differently. He was dressed perfectly, his clothes a perfect fit, clung to his body revealing his physique. He didn't seem to be the gym type, but he was in shape, perhaps because of his rigorous work and lifestyle.

The golden yellow T-shirt, though not a colour I preferred on men, suited him well. And the blue blazer made him look dashing. Before I could be found staring at him, I averted my gaze. Shash waved at him to catch his attention but he was too engrossed in the conversation to notice us. Shash could not stop at gestures and called out to him. Ten minutes later the devil was seated opposite to me drinking double malted whiskey.

"Agam, what would you like to eat?" Shash enquired. We had finished eating appetizers and were about to start ordering the main course.

"I am good. I don't want..."

"Oh common!" Nandi interrupted him. "You are not going without food so please get off with the courtesies."

"If you insist then I would suggest we try the nachos here." He turned to Shash and said, "When did you become a wine person?" He asked raising his brows in arrogance.

"Well, I am here with two ladies and..."

"Uhh..." He cut him off with his hand.

He ordered a double malted whisky for Shash. Nandi was bold enough to ask for the same. Agam looked at me inquisitively, hoping I would change my mind and join them in their drinking session. I had no intentions to do so and continued sipping my mojito with a straight face.

The first round of whiskey went to Nandi's head and made her lose her mind and sense because she gave us the most bizarre suggestion of playing a game to call it a fun night. I would have laughed at her face if I could. Shash accepted her indecent suggestion like a smitten puppy while Agam and I were left with no choice but to follow suit.

Nandi could not be more imaginative with the game being mildly drunk. She asked us to play truth and dare. Shash who was still in his senses and objected vehemently to the silly game and offered another suggestion. He wanted to play never have I ever. I couldn't have expected more from a drunkard in that hour. The rules were decided. There was nothing different that I had not seen or heard before. They were supposed to take a shot of whiskey while I stuck to a large swig of the soda. Each one of us would get a chance to ask a question. It seemed stupid but I agreed. The person with the least haves would be punished and have to do whatever the others decided for him or her. I was about to lose this game.

Nandi began the game. "Never...have...I...ever" she was speaking her words to a tune that was hurting my ears. "...gone out with two people at the same time."

I stared at Shash and he took a shot involuntarily. Agam downed his shot too while Nandi contemplated her actions. It didn't seem unnatural for Agam since I did see how he went out with Mansi while asking me out earlier. I sniggered at the thought. Agam stared at me and was confused at my reaction.

"I have been faithful to all my partners." Nandi declared. "Generally speaking, you guys kind of stray away easily by two boobs and ass," Nandi spoke saucily eyeing me and Agam.

"That's not fair." Shash continued defending his species.

"Really?" Nandi's tone was getting heated despite her drunk stature.

"Okay, truce. Let's go to the next question." I played it fast and easy to avoid a tiff between the two on their past.

"Didn't you cheat, Shash?" Nandi asked.

I was horrified and disgusted by the accusation, but Shash's look suggested he was guilty of the crime.

"I didn't mean to...besides we were in an open relationship..."

"Oh! Yeah," Nandi smirked arrogantly.

Where the fuck was this game taking us? It had already started on a bad note. Agam remained a spectator and spoke nothing but kept on moving his eyes to the three faces on the table gauging everyone's reaction.

"Shaaket, we have moved on so let's not dig up the past. Nandi we are different people now. Our choices back then reflected our immaturity and our actions our foolishness. However long you and I would dwell on it we will only feel the bitterness. So, how about we enjoy this sweet moment together and the game?" Agam's words were weighed by Nandi and Shaaket because they withdrew their argument and concentrated on moving forward with the game.

Shash's question was straightforward. "Never have I ever kissed in the elevator."

Shash drowned his shot immediately so did Nandi while Agam and I stared at each other in uncomfortable silence until we spoke a simple no to indicate our virginity in this aspect.

It was Agam's turn. He thought carefully.

"Never have I ever had a one night stand."

And I knew I was going to be a sore loser in this game because these three were experienced players as they downed their whiskey.

"Gosh...you are such a sissy." Nandi slurred.

"Shut up. She is just not under the influence of a bad company like us. Shash argued in my favour.

"She is innocent till she is discovered." Agam made fun of me. I took it all in with a sweet, sarcastic smile. It was my turn to ask.

"Never have I ever been caught by my partner's parents." And I took a large swig which went unnoticed.

And "aah" escaped Nandi's mouth. "That's a killer but I haven't been caught with my pants down. Shaaket is highly possible." She announced.

"No way. I am careful to the T."

"Then that just leaves us with Agam," Nandi spoke bemusedly.

"You guys missed the one who asked." Agam threw the ball in my court.

"I already took a large swig of my soda."

Nandi and Shash gaped at me with mouths wide open.

"I thought you to be a virgin," Shash confessed.

I choked on my food. I had to take multiple sips of water to control my coughing.

"Why the hell would you think that?" I asked astounded.

"Umm...just my bad. I mean you kind of stayed away from boys and..."

"God...you guys are so pathetic."

"I am sorry." Nandi brought out her hand to console me but she definitely had trouble finding my hand on the table.

"Okay... let's move the game faster, please." I requested.

"Never have I ever fantasized about same-sex." Nandi fired.

"Not experimental in this department," I told Nandi.

"Well, do you even fantasize about the opposite sex?" Agam's sarcastic statement was uncalled for.

"Why do you care? And it's none of your business." I retorted.

Shash doused the fire by speaking upfront. "I haven't fantasized but I am curious about it." Nandi raised her eyebrow, quirking her lips in a crooked smile.

"I know what you are thinking naughty boy." She was now past her drinking limit and swaying while speaking. I would have laughed and enjoyed her drunken state if she had not been my friend but I hated her of all the people, making a fool of themselves while under the influence of alcohol. I wondered if she would make it to her early morning flight the next day.

"Nandi, put that glass down. You are too drunk to hold any more alcohol in your belly."

"I am stronger than you think." She argued. She spoke with such comic timing that Shash and Agam grinned. Shash who was still sober seemed to be holding his alcohol well while Agam who had just started his drinking spree could do with a few more rounds.

"Let's end it here." I requested.

"Loser, loser, loser," Nandi whined. "You are trying to escape the punishment."

I was trying to escape the embarrassing things they would make me do. However, if they suggested I drink I was going to put my foot down.

"I am not trying to escape anything. But let me tell you I am not kissing any stranger nor drinking alcohol."

"Accepted," Shash said confidently. "I have the perfect punishment for you." Shash's confidence made me nervous because I had no clue what trouble he would get me into.

"I want you to show us you are not immune to the charms of men around you."

"Oh! Common man, you are still on that conversation."

"No, we're not," Nandi spoke excitedly, under the influence of alcohol. "You've to walk up to the man six o'clock south and ask him out on a date."

Agam looked in the direction of the man Nandi was pointing. He didn't seem pleased.

"Do you guys know him?" Agam asked.

"No, it's spontaneous," Nandi replied with a slur.

"I think it's a little off the hook."

"Hey, Agam, she isn't a kid and I swear on..," and Shash fumbled to find the most appropriate thing to swear on, "my whiskey that she won't be able to ask him out."

"Agreed but still..." I don't know what miffed me more, Agam's sceptic behaviour or his audacity to underestimate me.

"I am doing this. Let me have a say in it."

"All the best babes...break a leg." Nandi started cheering me which brought people's attention to us including the guy south. Our eyes met and it hit me at that moment why he seemed so familiar. He was the guy at the bank. The one pranked by his colleagues and sent to me for my number. The realization gave me the confidence to approach him but I was also scared that this whole situation could be misconstrued by him as my interest in him. I took a deep breath and braced myself for the challenge.

"Beat it! Abhi, Abhi" Nandi started chanting as if I was headed to war.

I snapped at her. "Keep your mouth shut."

I had butterflies dancing in my tummy and the innate fear of the guy's refusal which could put me in a spot. I could not let myself down. I made my way to him slowly and steadily. I touched my hair to make sure I didn't look clumsy.

He was there along with three of his other friends who seemed oblivious to my presence at their table. They were too engrossed to bother me.

"Excuse me," I said politely mustering all my courage. The guy made it very obvious to his friends that he knew me from before and his no surprise look to see me spoke it all. "Hi I am Abhilasha Bhayani," I continued. I brought out my hand. He took it in his rather firmly. It was strong yet friendly. "We met at your workplace the other day." I continued.

"I remember." He said smiling at me. "Take a seat," he offered me politely.

"Thanks," I mouthed nervous all the more after sitting next to him. He did not introduce me or his friends. I was too bothered to make polite talk. I just wanted to jump to the point. I turned my head to see Agam clutching his glass, raising a toast at me and finishing his drink in one swig. Nandi and Shash were too occupied in their revelry to notice what I was doing.

"What's the game?" He asked.

"I am sorry," his words caught me off guard.

"Ummm...he came closer to me and asked. "What is it that you have to do to get those guys approval?"

I looked at him stunned unable to frame a coherent sentence.

"Well, it's just a stupid thing."

"Stupid thing? Amuse me."

"I've got to make you agree to go on a date with me!"

"And why should I?" He questioned.

"You don't have to go out with me. You just agree and wave at them and I am sure they will buy it. They are too drunk to question us."

"Laugh." He told me.

"What?"

"Your friends are staring at you. If you want to make them believe whatever you want them to... act."

I started laughing funnily enough.

"You are such a lousy actor."

"Hey... that's rude." I pouted.

I turned my head to find Agam and Shash engaged in a conversation looking at me. Agam downed two drinks at one go.

"Are you making that guy jealous?"

"I am sorry, who?"

"The guy you came to office with."

"No way, the two feather heads need to be convinced that I am not immune to dating, I just don't prefer to date men."

"Do you prefer women then?"

"Oh! No!" I squealed. "I think I am commitment-phobic and also I don't have the time to spare for a relationship. I am just starting in my career and I would rather concentrate on it than a boyfriend."

"Who said you can't have a career with a boyfriend?"

"Me, myself." I laughed which he kind of found annoying than funny. "I am very ambitious, and it's just not about money. I want fame and recognition in my field and so..."

"Dating is off-limits."

"Totally, dude. I like you. Thanks for not judging me."

"I am nobody to you to judge you. That's the job of your best friend."

"Wow...you exactly spelt out my life." We laughed together.

"I am sorry, can I offer to buy you a drink?"

"Too late for that."

"Sorry,"

"It's fine, I don't drink."

"I can make that out, the sober one amongst all the three. Anything to eat?"

"No, I'm too full."

I leaned in closer, "So, I am going to say you agreed and you can nod at them when I look at you. Also, let me act like I am noting down your number because those jerks would try to verify the story."

"Wow...you are a mastermind plotter.'

"I watch a lot of dramas," His eyes shone with mirth at my mention of dramas.

I pulled out my cellphone and pretended to be busy typing and finally got ready to go back to my friends. But before I could stand up Shash and Nandi dropped by to say goodbye.

"Enjoy your date with him Abhi," Nandi spoke loudly embarrassing both of us. Shash was struggling to control her.

"We are leaving."

"Wait, I will come with you guys." I got up hurriedly to leave.

"No! No! "Nandi shouted at the top of her voice. "You have a good time with this guy. Take him home and have s..e..." and before she could state the obvious I got up and helped Shash move her out.

"It's fine, Abhi, I will take care of her. I am dropping her at the hotel and I am staying the night with her."

My ears shot up at Shash's honesty. I gave him an accusatory look to say you guys are drunk, don't do any hanky panky.

"Shash, let me help her to her hotel."

"You will regret this in the morning," I whispered in his ear.

Nandi who was standing close to us heard me, "One night stand babe, one night stand! We are friends with benefits."

"Ridiculous." I mouthed under my breath. I gave Nandi one of the most disgusting looks ever.

Shash shook hands with the guy. "Hey, dude take care of my lil sis, she is very innocent in this game. Don't hurt her." And I wished I could die of mortification before facing that man again.

"It is better to not have a brother than have at all like you," I told Shash scornfully.

Shash ignored my angry remark and continued to shake hands. Nandi who had lost all sense of control- emotional and physical was flying everywhere.

"How are you two going?" I enquired.

"We've booked a cab for us."

"Fine, I will join you."

"No need. You two enjoy the evening."

"And what about Agam?" I asked perplexed. "He is too drunk to drive."

"You can drop him," Shash suggested.

"I don't drive cars, you moron," I spoke agitatedly.

"It's okay Abhi, please manage for tonight."

"I hate you guys...I should have never agreed to this drinking rendezvous."

"I love you." Shash came closer and hugged me. Nandi too came in a roundabout manner to hug me and stumbled on us. We held her tightly.

"Let me help you out. And don't say a word. I am going to drop you two irrespective of your wish. "

The guy was sympathetic to see me worried for my drunk friends. He offered to help but I politely declined to assure him I could manage on my own. I dropped the ex-love birds and wished their night of passion wasn't reckless. The night was going to be torrid and a long one as I still had to check on Agam.