FIFTY SIX
Let's go party tonight, Reva said.
Maya, Reva and Esha looked wonderful. Three beautiful young women they were.
Aditya picked them up and they headed to Nirvana. The club was famous for its high profile parties. Aditya had passes for a special music launch that was organised there. They danced their troubles away.
“Do you see Kabir Khan there? He has always topped the charts.” Aditya pointed towards one of the top stars in the industry when they came and sat at a table. “He is such a terrible loner,” he said.
“How do you know?” asked Maya.
“His secretary likes me. I took her out for smoke a couple of times.”
Reva raised her eyebrows and looked at Maya who smiled at her.
“He is so handsome. He has a mansion overlooking the sea. Women drool over him. He has a beautiful wife. Two beautiful children. What more could anyone hope for?” Maya asked.
“Most of these celebrities become loners you know,” Aditya continued. “Success is so lonely Maya, you can't believe it. To become successful you have to give most of your time to yourself. That means you avoid people and company to the extent you do not know how to get on with them again.”
She looked at Kabir Khan who looked so perfectly complete.
Aditya noticed and smiled. “He is the most insecure. He needs guidance. Winners often forget the art to lose gracefully. That's where the universe decides to step in. Imagine if you would only keep breathing in and not breathe out how you would live. You need to win some you need to lose some. Universal justice.”
Maya looked at him. “My god Adi! Words of wisdom! That too from you?”
Maya broke away and went to fetch herself a drink from the bar counter. She sipped her drink as she noticed a cute looking guy walking towards her.
“Hi!” he said
“Hi!” she said.
“I think I have seen you earlier,”he said.
“Really,” she was not interested.
“Yeah, or maybe I have been clicking someone who looks like you.”
Now what does that mean she thought to herself? May be this guy is too much of a flirt.
“You click pictures,” she asked dryly.
“Yeah, for the moon and the stars and the skies, I click,” he almost sang the line.
“I also do nude photography.” He didn't say those words aloud.
Maya smiled. That was the beginning of a mad friendship.
“What's your name,” she asked him.
“They call me Nimesh. Nimesh Tanna.”
“Ah!” she said. He said as if he was George Clooney and his raw innocence attracted Maya.
“Why don't you go and enjoy with your friends.”
“I don't want to miss on you. You have beautiful eyes. Also you are alone here,” he said
“Thanks,” she smiled. “I am with friends. I guess I need to go now,” she said as she saw Reva's missed call on her phone. She might be looking for her.
“Having people around does not always make you less lonely.” She was taken aback.
“Don't act smart with me.” She was offended. She felt as if the boy peeped inside her soul.
“Eyes of a photographer madam,” he shared a warm smile.
“Crazy.”
“When are we meeting again?” He stopped her as she got up from the high stool.
“What for?” she arched her eyebrows.
“We need to talk.”
“About what?” she gave him a surprised look “About your eyes. I need to click them.”
“Crap,” she turned to go away.
“Don't forget you told me where you work and I can always figure you out” he winked.
“Do that,” she winked back and walked away.
“Difficult,” he murmured to himself.
“Difficult,” she took a deep breath.