Shades of Life

Levi's Bar

“No, don't do that”

“Run along Barbie, you can’t stop us”

“Shut up, Aarav you will waste it”

“No I won’t, I’m the genius”

I raised my eyebrows at him. Aarav arrogantly threw his sushi roll up and opened his mouth expecting to catch it but just then Vani came and sat beside me pushing me towards Aarav making his move. Sushi roll fell on his forehead splattering everywhere.

Argh!

I hate when someone plays with food and I hate it even more when someone wastes it.

“OHHHH, so close bro” Keith said crunching his nose.

“Akshara, why? Why?” Aarav exasperated waving his arms around wildly.

“I didn’t push you, Vani did” I said pouting. Vani gave me a look that could freeze me in my spot but in these days I have learnt not to take her seriously. I basically ignore her or return her glare or grunt with a sickeningly sweet smile.

“So, my 500rs” Keith asked shamelessly. Aarav grumpily took the note out of his pocket and gave him.

“Idiots” I muttered shaking my head.

“Guys” Richa said sitting next to Keith.

“What?” Aarav asked with his mouth full of food.

I sighed heavily.

“Sorry” Aarav said holding his one ear.

I rolled my eyes. Disgusting.

“Listen, Aarav did something happen yesterday?” Richa asked firing her question at him sipping her beer.

The whole bar was filled with people. Mostly people working in corporate world. I was shocked to see this place packed on a Monday night, I imagined that there would be no one and it would be pretty empty but boy oh boy, it’s so happening. Everyone are here in groups mostly from company employees. There are several companies nearby, this whole area is mainly dedicated to companies. There is a Tech park nearby so I shouldn’t be too surprised.

The ambience of this bar is so different and comforting. Dark lighting and new English songs playing in the background made my mood elevate to another level. This is like a hip and happening place where there is endless supply of drinks and chicken wings. Surprisingly they have sushi too.

“Where?” Aarav asked back all confused.

“Areey, yesterday night dinner at Varun’s place” Richa elaborated rolling her eyes.

I wonder if she is already tipsy. I just had a vodka shot and a k******e shot. We all did Vodka shot together, it was a nice team moment. I was shocked when Vani joined in too. I thought she would sit aside silently judging us.

Even though I know these people from past 1 week, I don’t trust them enough to get drunk while I’m with them. I only get drunk when I’m with my close friends and with people whom I really trust. I become very childish and need constant attention when I get drunk so I don’t want them to see that side of me just yet.

“Nothing, it was pleasant dinner. Why?” Aarav said wincing. I gave him a weird look, his words and actions are so contradicting.

“I heard from few girls that Carla was in a very bad mood and was extra bitchy today” Richa said shrugging.

“She can be bitchier than usual? Why god why?” Keith said dramatically looking at the ceiling.

He’s definitely drunk.

“Oh, I know the reason” Aarav said hiccupping. Earlier, Keith and he had a drinking contest.

“What?” Ashish asked sipping his bear. He is a very laid back guy. A bit brooding type along with nerdy type, keeps fluctuating.

“There is this girl my dad and Varun’s dad are trying to set him up with. Yesterday, both that girl and her father joined us. Whenever that girl would flirt with Varun or smile sickeningly sweet, Carla would turn red. I had an amazing time yesterday” Aarav said and started chuckling at the end.

I sighed at his immaturity.

“Seriously dude” I said shaking my head.

“Hey, you don’t know the pain I endured yesterday. Varun hit me so hard. Borderline abuse” Aarav argued moving his index finger around.

“You deserved it” I said shrugging.

“Meanie” He said pouting and laid his head on the table.

“Okay, that’s enough for you” I said moving his half empty beer bottle aside.

“Guys, let’s play never have I ever” Keith exclaimed. I shook my head.

“You guys are already drunk and even I’m buzzed. So no” I said strictly. I can’t drag these guys from here to their respective houses. I took a cab today, I knew I wouldn’t be in the state to drive today and I didn’t want to take any chance.

“Let’s all order a beer bottle and sip for every questions and be done with the game as we finish our drink” Ashish suggested. I think he is also tipsy because he is talking more than usual.

Rahul also joined us before. He had a shot with us and stayed for a while smiling and joking around with us. After an hour he had to go. I got to know that 6 months back he had a baby so he had to go back to this family. He showed me his baby’s photos and the baby was so cute.

Not all babies are cute okay! Doesn’t matter what people say to your face, not all are cute but his kid was. She’s a cute little buddle of joy.

“I’m down” Richa said shrugging finishing her drink.

“Me too” Vani said loosening up a bit.

“Me too” Aarav yelled sitting straight.

“Chill boy” I said patting his shoulder.

Aarav is my senior. He is my point of contact and my mentor but not once has he acted like that. He never expects me to treat him like that either.

He’s very chill and friendly.

We all gathered around with our own beer bottle.

“Okay, I’ll start” Vani said shaking her head to move her front bangs and stuck them behind her ears.

“So, never have I ever dated” She said looking dead into our eyes.

Oh boy! Someone is wasted!

Everyone at the table had a sip including me. Suddenly the wretched face of my ex came into my mind and I visibly shook my head to remove his image.

“You directly got married?” I asked her raising my eyebrows expecting her to say ‘It’s none of your business’ or ‘Mind your business’ kind of answers.

But she simply nodded. She must be really tipsy.

“Me! Me!” Aarav yelled gaining attention to himself.

“Never have I ever smoked” He said proudly.

Keith, Ashish and Richa took their sips.

I’m not a big fan smoking. I think I would get breathing problem if I do it so I don’t want to try it and once my friend told me that it could be very addictive so I don’t want to get addicted.

I’m already so addicted to Kurkure that I can’t have another addiction.

“Never have I ever had a tattoo” Richa said.

Keith, Ashish and Vani took a sip.

“You too?” She asked me and I nodded smiling coyly.

I’m not that pain tolerant. My pain tolerance level is too low. I ache for days for a small cut so it’s not cut out for me.

The idea of inking my skin for the rest of my life isn’t appealing to me.

“Never have I ever got arrested” I said looking around eager to see their answers.

Everyone looked at each other when Aarav slowly took a sip.

“You were arrested?” Richa exclaimed.

“Yep” He said looking everywhere but us.

“When? For what?” Keith asked with his eyes wide as saucers.

“I don’t want to talk about it” He said pouting.

“Oh come on man” Keith said encouraging him to talk.

“Yeah, even I want to know what landed you in jail” Ashish asked with an amused smile on his face.

“It’s embarrassing” Aarav said wiping his hand down on his face.

“Now, you have to tell us” I want to know at all cost. If Aarav feels like it was embarrassing, then I need to know what might have happened that landed him in jail.