Chapter 9

I used to dream about this moment every day and night since I met her at the audition. I imagined a thousand ways how I would introduce myself. What would I talk to her about? I imagined watching her black eyes that sparkled every time she talked about her passion and the pink lips that occasionally rolled inside her mouth, getting bitten every time she caught me staring at her.

What did she call herself?

I didn't care to listen to any of the words surrounding me. All I know as soon as the curtains closed behind her I was upon my feet following her.

I moved through tottering people on my way trying to stay close to her, eyes fixated on her red skirt flaunting on her hips stopping at mid-thigh, several men trying to grab her attention as she moved passed them by pressing her hands against their chest and passing a coy smile to every one of them.

She rounded around a corner, entering a dark room. I didn't hesitate to enter as soon as I was inside the room. I was met with red and white lights alternatively lighting up the surroundings, allowing a moment of darkness to engulf the room.

Thick smell of whiskey and cheap perfume engulfed my senses. I squinted, my eyes scanning the room to find her. There were multiple rolling chairs placed in front of mirrors, ashes and worn out cigarettes scattered on the tiles printed with white flowers, though they appeared red and white based on the light falling on them. I jumped when the door slammed behind me.

As I turned around, I met with a frantic-looking Rey squinting his eyes, searching as soon as his eyes landed on me as he let out a sigh of relief. Taking large strides, he walked over to me, wrapping him around me, pulling me into him.

That’s when I see her standing at a corner arranging things at the farthest corner of the room. Vigorously, I pushed Rey away from me and moved towards her.

She was looking at us. Vigorously, I pushed Rey away from me and moved towards her.

“Tara,” I whispered.

“I don’t entertain women.” She announced with a stern face as she hugged herself.

I couldn’t process everything that happened in an hour. All I could hear is that she wasn’t how I expected her to be. That was perfectly fine. This was rather expected. There was always a thought lingering over my mind that what if she doesn’t want as I want her? What if I am just another woman? But deep down I thought she might be the one.

Everything I expected was nothing but my imagination.

I am shattered.

With everything going wrong, I thought she was the hope I wanted in my life. Being alone is not everyone’s piece of cake.

No matter how much we love silence and peace that is offered. It isn’t that simple to be happy all alone. Solitude might be the greatest virtue, but we all are humans bound to love and to be loved. At the end of day we all deserve some love and happiness occasionally we cannot create for ourselves.

I think it’s okay to expect from outside.

We all deserve it one way or the other.

I deserve it.

To begin with, I am not an easy person to live with. My ideologies and perspectives will not stand with the crowd or what people claim as normal and idealistic. For once I thought I may not be alone in this aspect. There was someone out there whose ideologies do match with mine. It is hard to process and neglect everything I have imagined and throw away your only hope that there is someone who feels the same way as you do.

Here the thing is the mistake is all mine. I assumed everything with just one interview with a room of people. She could have been lying that day. I was stupid enough to believe everything she said and assumed that I had a chance with her.

It’s all on me.

And it will be fine.

I must have been standing there for too long and lost in my own mind until I heard Rey calling my name.

I turned to look at him. He frowned as soon as his eyes met mine. I must be shocked and emotional about this. I smiled anyway, to reassure him.

Now, just because I love him doesn’t mean that I should ignore him. Isn’t it?

I should worship him for even considering me.

“I... I am Daksha,” I spoke after clearing my throat.

“I was one of the directors you auditioned nearly two weeks ago.” I forwarded my hand

“I know. I remember you,” she whispered with her head hung low.

“You remember.” That brought a smile.

I must be insane to smile after everything. I couldn’t care anymore.

“So, it might be inappropriate to ask why are you working here? You have amazing talent. Why bar dancer? Why cherry?,“Everyone in the room was impressed back then.

Why didn’t she get selected for the role?

“What’s wrong with being a bar dancer?,” She narrowed her eyes at me.

“There is nothing wrong with that. Why didn’t you get selected for the role?,” I asked.

“I don’t know. How about asking that producer?” She started rummaging through her things.

“Who-”

“Listen, I appreciate your time to tell me what I already know, but I got a job to do. If you mind.” She motioned her hand towards the door.

I felt a hand tugging me away from her. Followed by loud bangs on the door.

“Everyone on the dance floor now,” I heard a gruff voice shout behind me.

“Well, what do we have today? Daksha and her infamous lover boy,” Antony’s voice bellowed behind me.

“We are leaving,” Rey announced and pulled me away.

“What’s the urgency, lover boy? Don’t you like my girls? I have some talented girls who can pleasure you both. Don’t you want to try?” Antony went on offering his ways to pull at the cash from our pockets.

I pulled my card and placed it in his hands.

“Fifteen minutes with the lady here,” I said.

“I am afraid she is not on the business,” He conveyed me with a smirk slowly growing in his face.

“How much?” I asked.

“I don’t want to. I might do an extra shift.” Tara’s voice interrupted him.

“Cherry, It is fine she will not bite will you? She is harmless. We can make more money. So, just play along,” Antony moved towards, slinging his arms over her shoulders and tapped her chin.

“Don’t force her. I will take my leave. Keep the money for fifteen minutes. That’s all I got today,” I told him.

“Though I hate to receive money with no services. I can make an exception for my special customers,” Antony grinned as he made his way out of the room.

I pulled my visiting card out of my pocket and forwarded it to her.

“This is my card. If you ever thought about acting, don’t hesitate to contact me. You are a genuine talent,” I told her and walked away from her.

“Where have you been?” Cecile shouted as soon as I entered the cabin I had left her before.

“It is just...Forget about it. Where is Pranav?” I asked her.

Meeting Tara completely baffled me, and I ran like a madwoman behind her.

“He is gone,” Cecile announced, leaving her arms at her sides.

“What do you mean, gone? Cecil, you had one job. To keep him until I bring her. No,you have to be a bitch about it,” Rey shouted at her.

“He didn’t listen to me. What can I do? He doesn’t even listen to his ex-girlfriend.How do you expect him to listen to me? He was very infuriating, too. I was trying my best,” Cecile snapped back.

“It’s fine you both.” waved at them.

“It’s my mistake. I will sort it out. I am sorry I put you through this. I know he can be so irritating when he has something about our past, especially with celebrities.” I dismissed the topic.

“Hey D, It’s fine. We will shut him up. Don’t worry. We love you.” She inched close to me wrapping her arms around me.

“Probably not the best three words for now. But still we care for you. We can think of something else. Before that, can we leave, please? This place is horrible for my taste.” I hugged her back, resting my head on her shoulder, and I sighed, thinking about all the drama.

“Sure, but I have to get my card back in a minute. Dismissing. You guys wait for me in a car.” I announced as Cecile frowned at me.

“I promise I didn’t buy any drugs. Ask Rey, he was with me the whole time.” I lifted my hands in surrender.

Contemplating for a moment, she nodded at me, dismissing her doubts, she motioned us towards the exit.

I walked towards Antony as I watched both of them leave towards the exit.

“So, what is your deal today? Drag or snort.”