Chaits looked at Alisha – a bit surprised by her statement. He looked at her almost pleading eyes. He thought for a moment and concluded – Alisha is a tough girl but, she’s a human being – just like me. She stays in Delhi – all alone – her job though glamorous is dangerous as well and yes she does need somebody to relate her joys & share her moments of loneliness… I’m glad she thinks me eligible for this honour.
“I think you’re right, Alisha” Chaits said and saw a twinkle of happiness her eyes that made him glad. After all – Alisha Fire was the first dream – he’d dared to dream. He was in love with Pinky – that didn’t mean be couldn’t be Alisha’s best friend??
“Let me get another drink for us” said a happy Alisha. She quickly made another shot of drink and sat close to Chaits and looked at him with big, beautiful & trusting eyes, “Cheers” she said happily, “to our long lasting best friendship.”
“Cheers!” said Chaits
Once they sipped – this time a stronger drink passed through their throats. Alisha looked at Chaits wide eyed – and for a moment Chaits felt uncomfortable trying to control his urge to put an arm around her – she looked so similar to Pinky – Chaits had to remind himself that he was with Alisha & not Pinky…
“Let me start telling you my story so that I’ll feel comfortable when I listen to you” said Chaits.
“No – remember – today is my birthday – it’s my day – and chivalry always says Ladies, First – so I’ll start with my story” Alisha wanted to blurt out everything about her & Chaits understood her need of blurting it out – God only knows when was the last chance when she had poured her heart out…
‘She needs to be heard – I can see that look of loneliness in her eyes – yes – she needs a friend – a best friend – to whom she can confide and unlock all these feelings that have been bottled in her for a long time’ Chaits looked at her and she knew he was ready to hear her out…
“Okay! It’s you then…” said Chaits cheerfully and bent forward wanting to hear every single bit of sound she uttered…
“Ummm – where should I start?” wondered Alisha – she actually had been lonely and this was the first time she was going to let out her Feelings…
“At the beginning – of course” said Chaits and stifled a smile.
Alisha looked at him in mock anger & wrinkled her nose to tease him. “Thanks for the help & suggestion.”
Chaits looked at her and thought this is one thing that Alisha & Pinky share in common – they both look prettier when they make faces as well, the style of making faces does match…
“Well… Ok… let me start at the beginning then…” said Alisha and Chaits had all his ears strained up to listen to her story…
“People in my village say that I’m a God’s gift… I’ve been born for a mission…” Chaits lifted a brow at this pompous statement but didn’t say a word, “now this is something that those are silly villager’s feelings” Alisha added hastily, “no – I don’t believe in this – feelings of villager’s is primarily due to my birth.” Chaits looked all more confused at Alisha’s beginning statement, but said nothing.
“Oops! I’ve never had a chance to speak so intimately about myself I guess – I’m confused how to say all the things I want to say about myself ” Alisha looked confused.
“Sip at your drink, Alisha and think what you want to say.” Chaits said in a helpful way. Alisha obeyed and sipped at her drink – she was feeling a bit tense as she’d never spoken about herself before – and she was sitting so close to Chaits that she felt at found it keeping her feelings & emotions in control very hard.
Finally she got control ever her feelings – took a deep breath and started off…
“You know! Actually at my birth was looked upon as a miracle… my mom was 45 years old when I was born. My elder brother was 25 years old at that time I mean – one can imagine how difficult it’d have been for them. My parents were trying to arrange my brother’s wedding when I was born… This was looked upon as God’s a miracle by the Mukhia of our village. My elder brother had graduated and had joined forest department in Government. I was about 6 months old when he married. My bhabie (sister-in-law at first detested me because her friends had teased her a lot about me before the wedding.)
However – she grew very fond of me in about 3-4 months. My dad & my brother always had one argument… we owned a huge land full of plush farms… We gained a lot through food crops like wheat and cash crops as well… My dad wanted my brother to leave his job with forest department & join him in farming… He was always travelling in his job. He used to be stationed in one forest or the other and had to stay away from us.
Initially, he used to take bhabie along with him – however, I was about 5 years old when my mom fell seriously ill that was the first time he left bhabie with us and went into forest.
It was unfortunate that my brother & bhabie were unable to conceive and they were deprived of the happiness that a person gets when his or her own children call them ‘mom’ or ‘dad’…”
Chaits could see a thin film of tears in Alisha’s eyes as she related the misfortune of her brother… he slowly patted her on her shoulder and she smiled at him – sipped at her drink and continued…
“But then their misfortune was my gain since they would never have children of their own, they started treating me like their own daughter – so I had two sets of parents now – not many people are so lucky.”
Chaits imagined being pampered by so many and agreed – Alisha was lucky indeed…
“I studied in our village school till primary. Chandigarh was about an hour away from our village and my bhabie’s parents stayed in that lovely city – so my bhabie used to accompany me to school in Chandigarh & escort me back. I finished my high school with high grades. There was a feast thrown by my family to celebrate the occasion – I was the most educated girl in my village…”
Alisha proudly patted her own back and smiled at Chaits he could see the moment of happiness as she re-lived, in her eyes….
“After my high school… I spent two months in the jungle of Madhumalai in Karnataka… it was the best time of my life – never had I seen such a thick jungle with so many wild animals roaming freely occasionally we used to visit nearby places of historic and tourist importance – but the best I liked was Ooty and I promised myself that when I get married – I’d visit Ooty with my love…” and for a moment she passed off onto her teenage dream…
Chaits took a sip and slowly nudged her back “How did you get to Delhi?”
“I studied my junior college staying at Bhabie’s parents & used to visit my bhabie and my parents on weekends and holidays”
Alisha sipped at her drink and stole a glance at Chaits to ensure that he was listening to her and was not bored…. she felt happy as she realised that Chaits had all ears to what she was saying … He’s perfect & meets all my expectations. He should indeed be my best friend… thus thought Alisha all the more happy to have met Chaits
“Once I finished my junior college, my brother decided I’d study at Delhi & stay in a hostel there I didn’t want to leave the paradise I was so accustomed to – I put up a lot of resistance & threw every possible tantrum – all to his deaf ears. Finally my bags were all packed up… me, my brother & my bhabie left for Delhi…. I can still see the tears from mom’s eyes as she knew that she would now seldom see me… well, my bhabie also was going away to stay along with my brother who was now posted at Kaziranga sanctuary forest for at least 3 years which could be extended…” Alisha wiped out a tear that was about to overflow…
She sipped at her drink and kept the empty glass down and continued….
“I’d never stayed alone and I was scared. I was going to a big city where I knew nobody!! There was going to be no help if I ever needed… however, my brother gave me courage when he related his experiences in the forest where he had stayed alone for most of his life battling out with various odds – always in danger from wild animals meeting up and facing issues of various tribal people around as well waging war against poachers who used to hunt poor wild animals for sale of their hides or horns for personal gain – he had braved many attempts on his life by these poachers to save wild life…”
Chaits thought for a moment and said, “Wow! Alisha – that’s very noble of him. I’d like to know more about the forest officer’s job it seems quite interesting.”
Alisha looked at empty glass in Chaits hand and got up.” Here – lemme make another drink for us…”
“I’ll join you in the kitchen as you make the drink I’ don’t want you to stop… I want to hear everything that you want to say – uninterrupted “said Chaits & got up.
‘Oh! Chaits! Why do you have to be so good a person – makes me go weak – makes my heart beat faster…’ thought Alisha…
They entered the kitchen where Alisha made another drink. Chaits reclined to the wall & nudged her to continue with his eyes…
“I was scared when I entered the hostel at Delhi… There I met Jincy – now a very good friend of mine – you met her tonight – the dark girl with fabulous long hair – that’s always been her trademark…”Alisha smiled…
“The hostel was cosy and only two girls could occupy one room & Jincy was my roommate – even she was new to the hostel – that was what brought us together with a strong bond of lasting friendship – we suffered together and we rejoiced together. We studied together and graduated together the only difference is – her parents shifted to Delhi when we graduated and I’m still living alone away from my parents & family – if I want to share my pleasure or an achievement – I’ve to throw a party like today – so that I get people around me to share my joy – and when I feel down – I’ve only these walls and an empty house & my pillow to hug & cry my heart out…” Alisha said this in a bitter tone & almost choked controlling her tears…
They sipped their drinks as Alisha continued… “The first few months of our hostel & college life were horrible & we suffered a lot – during day time our seniors used to rag us at college & at night the seniors in the hostel used to rag us – we’d nowhere to go – nobody to protect us we used to be in each other’s arms and wiping each other’s tears consoling ourselves that tomorrow is going to be a bright day. Many times – I thought of running away – at times we even discussed suicide” said Alisha tears overflowing as she remembered the hardship she faced – Chaits put his arm around her to comfort her and as a magnet pulls a pin Alisha thankfully found comfort in Chaits arms… and she held his arm around her shoulder…
“They made us dance & sing nursery rhymes made us roam in the hostel in two piece Bikini while they passed dirty and insulting comments on us… They used to enjoy Saturday evenings out – roaming & dancing. Shopping and many other ways – while we used to wash their clothes, even their linens, iron them & keep them ready for them – slavery could’ve been better at least you know that you’re the slave – but in the hostel – we paid for the rooms exactly as they did we knew that this would continue only till their graduation – then why this strife?” Alisha’s frustration showed in her voice.
“You should’ve been my college there was no ragging in my college… I was the head of ragging police & we used to rag those who dared to rag others” said Chaits smiling in an attempt to console her.
Alisha smiled and said, “I really wish I should’ve been studying in your college – at least, I’d have met you long time ago”
They went back into the bedroom & took their respective positions as Alisha continued…
“However, the ragging stopped all of a sudden…”
Chaits looked at Alisha quizzed about this miracle…
“Jincy out of blue got a job with Doordarshan as host to youth news episodes which covered sports activities. Then she graduated in that field and also bagged the host to covering cultural festivals which gave her the edge over everyone else – after all, it was not only glamorous – it also was a position that gave her the ability to get free entry & passes to these events – so she suddenly was in demand – and I, being her roommate & her best friend got my share of it… “Oh! You should’ve seen the same people falling over themselves to please us so that they get those free passes & could brag about knowing Jincy – the youth news host – personally. I then started feeling secure – I knew, till the time I was Jincy’s best friend – I’d nothing to worry about and my life changed drastically – I got bolder & my self-confidence boosted itself up to new limits…” Alisha’s voice was chirpy now as she now was relating her happy moments and hugged Chaits who put an arm around her to let her know even he experienced & felt her joy.
“Jincy was fond of me & she still is… she’s quite a dominating person & she took upon herself to protect me from this big & bad world. She used to take me wherever she went & I used to follow her and people behind our back used to call me names by reciting ‘Mary had a little lamb’” Alisha laughed heartily, “but we never did mind… Jincy’s new job opened the floodgates of a new world to me it was the first time I started moving about in Delhi. I’d only heard about cafe’s and ice-cream parlours but never been there now I started visiting them with Jincy – I started to know more about glamour, the trends and fashion, what it means to be in shape & why beauty parlour was a must…”
“I was a simple village girl when I came to Delhi – my transition from a simple village girl to the glamorous Alisha that you see me as of today had started and Jincy was my mentor…”
Alisha winked at Chaits & playfully pushed him almost toppling over him… they got up again and walked into the kitchen for another refill.
“I used to have shoulder length hair which was manageable to my mom & my bhabie as they used to plait my hair & I’d continued with that till I went to parlour with Jincy… you should’ve seen me then – I looked what I was a simple village girl – and in contrast Jincy was glamorous – she had long shiny hair & wore Indian & western dresses perfect. She had started on with gym which gave her the ‘oomph’ figure – she looked naturally beautiful still does…”
“Yeah… I noticed that. She loves to flaunt her long & beautiful hair. In fact that’s what caught my attention when I first met her at the dhaba with you” said Chaits appreciating Jincy’s asset… however, Alisha felt a pang of jealousy – Chaits was appreciating someone else…
“When I looked at all those glamorous girls around with near to perfect figures & compared myself – a simple village girl, who was plump on all sides – I decided to work around it – money was not an issue as I used to get pocket money from both – my parents & my brother that was another advantage of being a daughter to two sets of parents” said Alisha & laughed….
“Next six months apart from studies, I concentrated hard on my looks and started learning the ropes of glamour from Jincy – unknown to her – I could not risk her displeasure – and as it is I didn’t want to compete with her – I just wanted to learn to be glamorous like her… one day when we were on a visit to youth festival, Jincy told me that she had enlisted my name for elocution contest there – I felt scared as I’d never dared to speak in front of my classroom – here she’d enlisted my name for a speech on any given topic that would be thrown my way & I’d have to speak on it for 3 minutes at least and that too in front of a large crowd in mood of competition – well geared up to boo off the competing college…”
Alisha sipped at her drink and continued, “However, Jincy gave me the courage to stand up & speak to a hostile crowd…”
“All night she made me speak on various probable topics till I was comfortable – in the morning we went to the parlour and she asked the parlour girl to makeover my looks – a glamorous look gives you – allows you to put up a first impression for you to win… that’s what she said sitting in the parlour by then my hair was long enough for me to carry them gracefully. You are good & clear when you speak – so I enlisted your name for this competition – and I’ve faith – you’ll win this for our college – she explained as well as boosted my self-esteem…”
“Whew!” said Chaits, “I remember how scared I was when I’d to give a thanks giving speech on the stage… the first time is always scary till the time you get accustomed to it…”
“I agree” said Alisha now holding Chaits’ hand tensely.
‘Alisha is living her past as if she’s living it right now – she’s feeling the same magnitude of emotions that she’s felt them when these events occurred that’s a bit strange – even I do remember a lot of past events – but the intensity of those emotions isn’t the same’ thought Chaits…
“Jincy lent me one of her elegant dresses for the event” Alisha continued “We reached the venue and as usual were given the VIP treatment – thanks to Jincy’s job…. we were gazed upon by hungry looks which we were accustomed to – Jincy did look great & glamorous with her lovely hair flowing free – and the hungry gazes were expected – it was for first time that I’d grown my hair & let it free to flow… I was feeling a bit uncomfortable about it”
‘How do these girls manage to think so much about how they look even when they’re in a tense situation’ wondered Chaits but did not interrupt the flow of Alisha…
“I was tense – especially when I saw the crowd booing out every single person who arrived on the stage to speak – they were not allowing the person to complete even a minute of free flowing speech – I was also angry because I knew how much courage & effort I’d put to feel comfortable when I go on the stage. I’m sure, even others would’ve put equal or greater efforts to do so… finally I heard my name being an announced for the speech – There was a huge roar from the crowd – my college crowd was cheering while others had already begun to boo…”
“What happened, then?” Chaits was now more interested in knowing how Alisha dealt with her stage fright.
“I was very, very tense… but, I had decided and prayed for a moment… I don’t know how I managed to gather courage to walk up to the stage. I went with a beating heart but confident in my walk… As soon as I was seen on the stage… there was an uneasy brief moment – the crowd looked stunned… there was pin-drop silence…. ‘Hi! I’m Alisha… I thus introduced myself and I could hear a loud sigh from the crowd… I gave a fiery speech on Traffic Conditions in Delhi… nobody moved… there was no sound from anyone – at all!! … It was then I realised the Transformation… a simple village girl would’ve been booed away in no time however… the glamorous Alisha was well heard… I understood that I had a personality that could make people pay attention to what I wanted to say…”
Chaits got lost for a moment… he had seen similar reaction of crowd wherever Pinky made an appearance… ‘Yes… they look so similar… they can pass off as twin sisters…’
“I was so happy… I’d won the competition… but the sense of being Bold & Beautiful and being appreciated by one and by all was much better enjoyment… That evening I called my parents and let them know of my achievement, I called my brother and let him know… I was very happy about the positive change in me…” Alisha suddenly stopped… Chaits could see that she was uncomfortable…
“Hey… Alisha… What happened… “Chaits was stopped short as Alisha continued…
“Jincy, being my friend edited her report in such a way that I was highlighted. After measuring the success of Doordarshan’s Youth news – the channel I now work with wanted to launch a parallel programme – they saw my speech and asked Jincy about me Jincy was happy and persuaded me to join as Youth reporter – any ways – the we both would still be covering the same events & still would be together – that’s what she’d said trained me for the job which included art of reporting, art of facing a camera to speak with invisible audience and of course my make-over that’d be more camera centric & glamorous…”
Here Alisha paused and Chaits could see she was trying to control her tears…
“It was my first telecast I was very happy – I had seen the final edited version and knew – it was going to be a hit with audience – it’s silly but your instincts tell you what it’s going to happen beforehand… I controlled my urge to call my parents & my brother… I wanted to call them during the telecast and ask them to watch the channel … me & my dramatics…”
Chaits had an uneasy feeling that her family had not received it well & instead of appreciating her efforts… in a high probability scolded her & asked her to quit… after all Alisha’s description portrayed them toward being close minded & traditional…
“As soon as the show went on air” Alisha continued in an uneasy tone that heralded misery and sorrow, “I called my parents and asked them to watch the channel… I could hear exclamations surprise as they watched me on TV… they were all praises at my achievement”
‘Well, that rules out her parents,’ thought Chaits, ‘perhaps, they were too old to earn Alisha’s displeasure – what was her brother’s reaction – either him or her bhabie could’ve taken objection…
“I was absolutely delighted”…. Alisha continued her narration – still tense and trying to control her emotions, “then I called my brother and as soon as he switched the channel – I could hear my bhabie scream with pleasure… thanks to Satellite TV – watching TV in midst of thick jungle was possible… my brother was stunned for a moment as he realised that I was on the TV and reporting a youth festival – he couldn’t believe his eyes and he was all praises for me and started demanding a party when they came over for a holiday – I was about to agree when bhabie snatched the phone from him and praised me a lot…” here Alisha paused for a moment & held Chaits hand tightly, “Suddenly – I heard her scream… there were few loud bangs… after that the phone went silent… the poachers had shot them dead” said Alisha unable to control her sorrow… she clung to Chaits pulling at his T-shirt and wept her heart out…
Chaits could feel & understand her sorrow and put his arm around her to comfort her… he remembered Pinky weeping the same way when they’d been on that crazy drive after Go Bananas incident – here again Chaits simply comforted Alisha – silently caressing her and allowing her sorrow to be wept away by her tears. Alisha controlled herself & looked at Chaits…
“You must be bewildered” Alisha looked at Chaits “You must be wondering how I can feel the pain & joy of my past moments at this moment?” she fell in Chaits arms and continued, “You see” she explained “I’ve never been able to speak about me to anyone – all these joys & sorrows are bottled up in me… you’re the first person who’s getting to know the famous Alisha’s story… the world only knows my tougher side – they will not understand that I’m a human and I do have a personal life & experience the joys & sorrows of life – even I’ve near & dear ones – and I can and I want to share my feelings too – the world simply is unwilling to allow me to unmask the Tough Alisha Fire…”
Thus saying she smiled at Chaits “I hope you don’t feel that way. I think not, because I can read your expressive eyes… they’ve been with me – feeling & sharing all my feelings that I feel… and Chaits – believe me, you are very good person by nature and very trusting as well, very optimistic… please stay this way & you’ll be able the rule the world one day…” she turned around and proceeded to freshen up, “Could you please make one more drink for us?”
Chaits was a bit concerned… They already had gulped a lot more than expected… though he found both to be under control… he was a bit wary of about either of them passing out – high on drinks…
“Are you sure about getting one more?” Chaits asked cautiously….
“Of course Yes!” was the answer & Chaits made another drink this time mild…
Alisha returned she looked fresh and more comfortable – however, her eyes looked swollen from the amount of tears that had overflowed… Once again they were sitting in their respective seats in her bedroom as Alisha continued from where she’d stopped…
“I was tense as I heard the bangs & hoped it was not a gunshot… I ran back to my room & told Jincy about it… then I got a message that someone had called me at the hostel line & was holding… we went to the matron’s office together it was my editor who’d called up to congratulate me for the success of the telecast… but she could read my tension even during our conversation & asked me why….. I related the incident… she understood the gravity & sent a car to pick me up to reach the news room. Jincy didn’t want me to be alone so she accompanied me there… As soon as we reached the studio, we were whisked into the chief editor’s cabin where we were joined by my editor… this was the first time I realized the power that is wielded by Press… our chief editor was on his phone and arranging an armed escort to a reporter colleague who covered that geographical area… he was on his way to the forest quarters amidst the jungle to find out what actually did happen – my brother had related a lot of instances when he was ambushed by poachers – his jungle instincts had saved him – may be he was in his quarters – so he didn’t realize the approaching danger…” said Alisha sullenly and sipped at her drink…
“We sat there tensely waiting for some news when around 3 am the reporter colleague called up to confirmed my worst fear… they indeed had been shot to death with his subordinates & their family…”
Chaits put an arm around her to comfort her…
“It was a very difficult month as I tried to realise & accept the fact that I’d lost them… I was always tense, sad and uncomfortable at the thought…”
“Realising my sorrow & my anger, Jincy helped me get out of it… she suggested that once graduate out of college, I could be a full time Crime Reporter & bring many miscreants to book & prevent any such sad happenings… that gave me a new zest to pursue this career… I already had seen how effectively the press network could be used to get subtle & vital information – as well the clout and could make official security arrangements…” Alisha smiled confidently.
“Then started my learning – I started interacting with crime reporters in my channel – I came to understand that it wasn’t easy – as well – it also was dangerous – I’d be facing danger of ambush – just like my brother – but, I’d made up my mind – I would follow The Path & become a Crime Reporter.”
Chaits admired her will to work toward hardship & was concerned about her safety at the same time…
“It was my first appraisal in the office & when I told my editor about my ambition to be a crime reporter – she laughed at the idea and tried talking to me – out of it… however, when she realized how firm & committed I was… she put up a word – the chief editor agreed on a condition that I report a crime first…”
“He gifted me a small video camera and challenged me to get footage & any crime… I took the camera to the college but, then I realized… it was difficult… crimes do not happen, when you want them to happen you got to be at the place – reporting from hit and run spots to covering main spot in a hope to get the needed footage… with no luck at all…”
Chaits sipped at his drink, “That’d have been very frustrating”
“Actually – it was frustrating months passed by and I couldn’t get any viable footage of any crime…”
Alisha sipped at her drink and smiled, “however lady luck smiled on me… I was waiting for Jincy at Nerula’s when I overheard a conspiracy to leak the University exam papers they discussed it in detail & I knew the exact time & venue of the rendezvous – I also knew the magnitude & amount of money that was involved in the racket & I knew it was going to be dangerous… I simply would not be able to shoot the crime – I’d be too obvious and I would be an easy target… I kept thinking, of ways to get it done… my most brilliant ideas were stupid & dangerous…” she looked squarely at Chaits.
“Finally – I got a brainwave – I went back to the hostel & worked upon my smaller handbag I cut it open enough for the lens of my video camera to be exposed and experimented till I got the hang of it… That was the first crime shot anywhere in the world – with a hidden camera… on the destined day, I went to the venue with my creative apparatus and placed it on the table adjoining to the one where the deal was to take place – it was in Nerula’s again – Jincy had no idea about what I was up to … she’d have been overprotective & differed me from going there… we were sitting at our table when I saw them arrive – even as they sat down – wary of us sitting next to their table – I subtly put ‘ON’ my camera & pulled Jincy away on pretext of getting ice creams & stuff… she reluctantly agreed to leave our handbags on the table as I told her like a common girl these bags will hold our seats & keep our table reserved for us”
“Now that was smart – I must say” said Chaits in appreciation & full of admiration.
“You bet! Not only Jincy but even they fell for it & sat relaxed looking at our so called reserved empty table…”
Chaits now was actually imagining the scene happening as if he was there…
“Those jerks had no idea about my hidden camera and seeing us far away at the counter they went ahead with the deal. We finished buying & paying for our stuff as they got up to go & were gone even as we settled on our table. After we finished I called up my editor relating the footage I had – at first she didn’t believe but decided to look at the video before rejecting – when she watched the video she we stunned and shocked at the revelation – the tape was sent immediately for editing and I was groomed up to present the feature – I was a student too – and I had worked very hard toward my exams – I was very furious at this racket which allowed few nincompoops to splash some money & get flying colours in their results…”
“What happened then?” Chaits could feel his pulse rising.
“All my anger showed when the presentation was recorded – it was natural – no words minced and it was first advertised and then aired – the TRP was amazing the media appreciated the footage & my presentation and they added a word to my name – I was now known as Alisha Fire”
“Then I started getting more on crimes – but, I was just a crime news reader & not reporter… when I asked & mentioned this to my chief editor – he was concerned about my safely – but finally yielded. I still had an year to graduate – he promised to make me a crime reporter on few conditions – My safety was his prime concern – the final year was hectic – I learnt a lot about crime reporting – I was trained to use correct and effective words – I had to undergo physical training where I had to run a lot, sprint short distances, gain muscular strength and get good with martial arts – I also was trained to shoot using pistol, ride a horse, a bike, a car, a bus one never knows which of these could be handy when in danger…”
“Whew!” exclaimed Chaits.
“I kept the secret of hidden camera with me till I was ready to take on crime reporting then I let the cat out of the bag & everyone thought it was a brilliant Idea – Chief Editor came out with this caption ‘Alisha Fire… Fires’…
We laid out plans to fish out crimes which now are popularly known as Sting operations” Alisha seemed to be quite satisfied at her achievement…
We were fast approaching our final exams in the final year of graduation. I was already popular as crime news reader. I was drawing amazing salary thanks to the TRP ratings of my episodes”
“Thanks to me as well” Chaits chirped in as Alisha looked quizzed…” I was one of those ardent viewers who watched your episodes without fall – so I’ve a share in your episode’s TRP ratings” & he smiled
‘Oh! Thanks a lot for letting me know that Chaits – I didn’t know you were my fan’ thought Alisha to herself…
“We had a gala of time then – even Jincy had become a regular news presenter & her salary had grown as well…. we were attending some award function for press & media – Jincy was on the dance floor with her friends as I waited for my colleagues to show up… I was joined by a senior reporter from another channel – I wanted to interact with him he was very respected for his work. We were sitting & chatting when I suddenly felt the world swinging around me – my feet were weak & I couldn’t stand properly – He reached out to support me & started walking me toward the wash room… Even as the world around me was swirling, I felt uneasy he was holding me and – his holding was no longer supportive – he was trying to molest me as we walked… I felt weak I didn’t know what was happening when I saw Jincy approach us and slap him hard when I woke… I was with Jincy in our hostel – my head was hurting…”
‘God! Do all pretty girls go through this?’ wondered Chaits as he remembered the scene at Go Bananas which made his blood boil…
“Once I was awake Jincy fired me left & right for getting high on drinks & when I told her that I never drink she made me realize how that reporter had conned me into drinking – God only knows what would’ve happened if Jincy wasn’t there… though it wasn’t allowed inside hostel premise, Jincy managed to smuggle in few bottles & made me taste them so that I’d know next time when someone tries that stunt” and Alisha laughed “and today! I’m almost drunk after so many years because I know I’m with you Chaits and the drink has helped me shed my inhibition to speak about myself & the things that I’d held so close to my heart for so long” saying this Alisha got up & staggered Chaits knew she’s high now…
Chaits got up and said, “I got to go…”
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Prasad Deshpande weaves intricate tales that will keep you guessing until the very end.
From shocking twists to heart-pumping action, it is a wild ride that will push you to the edge of your seat.
Dive into a World of Thrills and Chills
Explore the dark corners of the human psyche, where the unimaginable becomes reality.
Prasad Deshpande's thrillers are not for the faint or weak of heart,
but for those who crave a story that will haunt them long after the final page is turned.
- Prasad Deshpande
- Prasad Deshpande
- Prasad Deshpande
- Prasad Deshpande