Shades of Life

Drunk Me!

“There was this girl” He began his story but Ashish interrupted.

“Of course there was a girl” He said shaking his head.

“Well yeah, she kind off liked me and I had a clue but I didn’t know to what extent okay. I personally didn’t like her that much. I thought of her as a classmate that’s it. One day, she called me to her house for tutoring. I assumed her parents would be there but when I got there, no one was there except her dog. She took me to her room saying that that’s where all her school stuffs are. When we got comfortable on her study chair and table, she started complimenting me. It was so uncomfortable you guys” He said rubbing his face.

“I can already feel; this would end up very badly” I said chuckling.

“I tried to stir the conversation towards the books but she started touching my hair and shoulder. God! It was so awkward for me” He shuddered remembering it and all of us howled out a laugh. Richa was laughing the hardest. It’s because all of us are imagining a lanky nerdy guy in that girl’s house all awkward and uncomfortable when she came on to him.

“I stood up and told her that whatever she is doing is wrong and I’m not comfortable with it and that’s when her parents got home. That stupid girl hadn’t even locked the door. We didn’t hear her parents coming home. Her father opened her bedroom door to see me and her talking. It was mainly her making advances and me moving aside uncomfortably. Uff! He lost his s**t and started screaming. That’s when he revealed that he was a police officer” As soon as he said it we all burst out laughing. Everyone in the bar was looking at us. We probably looked at maniacs but who cares.

“Then what happened?” Keith asked wiping his tears.

“What would happen? He looked me up in jail. He had anger issues you guys. He was so overprotective of her. Man, Varun and his dad had to come and get me out” Aarav finished his story all embarrassed.

We all were still laughing making fun of him.

“Okay okay! Stop! You guys have laughing enough on my expense. Now Keith go on” Aarav said getting red in embarrassed.

“Okay, never have I ever gone to a girl’s house when her parents were not there” Keith’s words brought another round of laughter.

“Ha ha, very funny” Aarav said sarcastically.

“Okay, on a serious note, never have I ever been in love” Keith said looking at all of us raising his eyebrows.

Vani, Ashish and I took a sip. I took it reluctantly remembering my good for nothing cheating scum of an ex-boyfriend.

“Ohhooo” Keith said winking at me and patting on Ashish’s shoulder.

“I thought our Barbie was innocent” Keith said fake pouting.

“Oh, trust me I am but I can be a bad b***h when I want to be” I said with a smirk. He mock saluted to me.

“Now only Ashish is remaining” Richa said and we all looked at him.

“Never have I ever had my heart broken” Ashish said shrugging.

I heart felt heavy at his confession.

Everyone looked at everyone else. Hesitantly, I took a sip. I was the only one who took a sip. Talk about embarrassment.

What was the need to be so truthful Akshu!

I reprimanded myself as I saw everyone look at me.

“How can someone hurt you, Akshu” Aarav said wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I know he is drunk but everyone in his group are like a group of college friends. Except Vani, no one acts like colleagues. All of them are very comfortable with each other but at the same time they don’t cross the line.

“A dumbass” I said shrugging.

“Okay, guys let’s toast to the dumbass who broke our Barbie’s heart” Keith raised his bottle. I chuckled at his words. For some reason whatever he says, I’m not taking it in a negative way. I must have losen up myself around these people.

They are cool. 

Everyone raised their bottles up in the air to cheers.

“May the dumbass who broke our Barbie’s heart rot in hell” He cheered and everyone ensued. I laughed at their craziness.

We all cheered and drank the rest of the bottle.

After a while, everyone started dispersing bidding bye. Everyone caught a cab and went to their respective places. Richa and I caught a cab together, she dropped me first and went to her place. I asked her to stay at my place but she was adamant to go back to her place.

I got to my apartment just fine. I’m a bit tipsy but not drunk. My mind is dizzy but I can walk properly. I got in and sat on my sofa. For some reason, I’m feeling very lonely. I’m all alone here and for some reason it is hitting me hard. Maybe because just few minutes ago I was with a group of people having fun and now I’m all alone. Maybe because I thought about my useless ex way too much today and it’s making me feel pathetic. What he is did bruise my ego and hurt my self-respect a lot. I have always been collected and calm but what he did made me look like a fool in front of everyone. Some kind of a naive girl who was unaware that her boyfriend was f*****g some b***h behind her back.

Sighing, I got up and changed my clothes into a grey shorts and white tank top. Taking off my make-up I went to my fridge and took out a bottle of beer. Now I actually want to get drunk.

Taking that bottle, I got of the apartment and went to the terrace. It was night time and mostly no one would be here at this time.

Since everyone has their own spacious balcony, no one bothers coming up here even though there is well maintained garden here. But I’ve always been a kind of girl who would run to the terrace whenever I’m happy or sad. I got there to contemplate what is happening in my life and re-evaluate everything.

At every problem in my life, I have gone to terrace. Even when we were in a joint family. Looking at the night sky for some strange reason gave me peace. Though I should be sleeping now and not getting drunk, I chose otherwise as I don’t get hungover.

I sat on a white swing and video called Mona. I know she must be working now but I don’t care. I want to talk to her. That’s it.

I called her and surprising she picked up at second ring itself.

“Hey” I said waving cutely at the screen.

“Are you drunk or are you drinking?” She asked getting straight to the point, raising her eyebrows.

“I’m tipsy but I’m drinking some more to get drunk” I said proudly and she literally face-palmed herself.

“Babe seriously, you are all alone there and you want to get drunk. By the way, why is your room so dark?” She asked squinting her eyes.

“I’m on terrace” I said smiling cutely. I feel cute.

No No No!

I am cute.

“Soooo, you are drunk and you are on the terrace” She concluded looking at me with a straight face.

I nodded enthusiastically.

“You dumbass! what the f**k is wrong with you? Go back to your apartment now before you get too drunk” She yelled as I took a gulp.

“Why are you being such a buzzkill?” I asked pouting.

“Akshu go to your apartment then we will talk” She said pleading.

“Nah huh, I was to talk to you watching the moon and stars. I want to sing songs like we used to and talk some more” I said smiling happily. When I’m drunk my English gets so good.

“Akshu!” Her voice was firm but I got mad.

“Are you not going to sing with me?” I asked pouting angrily. I’m sure I look like an angry panda that is if they ever get angry.

“Okay okay, I’ll sing but then you are going to go back to your apartment. Deal?” she asked putting her laptop on sleep.

I nodded enthusiastically.

“Fine” she nodded and for the first time she smiled cheekily.

We both started singing hindi songs that we used to sing while going on rides to nearby places. We would take my scooty and go on rides singing happily without the care of the world. I miss those days.

I stood up and started walking around the terrace singing happily with her. In the middle she would say not to go near the edges but I ignored her.

I’m fine.

I completed the whole beer bottle, a big one.

Now I’m sure I’m drunk.

Damn!

But that didn’t stop me from singing loudly. This is a very big apartment building, I don’t think anyone will hear me.

I just don’t care.

Our song came to an end when I saw a shadow near the terrace door.

“Mona, don’t freak out but I think there is a ghost over there” I whispered to her.

“What!” She exclaimed looking confused.

“Who is there?” She asked getting agitated.

“I told you, it’s a ghost” I said looking at her like she’s gone insane. I mean I did tell her.

“Let’s continue singing” I said shrugging.

I’ve been a good girl. I don’t think that ghost would hurt me.

I started singing again while Mona looked at me not knowing what to do.

I turned when I heard footsteps and came face to face with Varun sir.

“Oh come on!”

“Not him again!”

“Why god! Why!”

“Why the f**k do you hate me!”

I then realized I said all those things aloud and to his face.

He does look irritated though.

“Hello sir” I said smiling cutely.

I’m cute. He can’t be mad at such a cute girl.