Kapitel 5: 5."I’d Find Something I Wasn’t Even Looking For"
"Why on earth are we here?" I asked Mansoor Bhaiyya as we stepped out of the police station. I had been under the impression that we were heading to a restaurant for dinner, but instead, we found ourselves standing in front of a lively bar, the neon lights flickering like a beacon of mischief.
Mansoor Bhaiyya shot me a mischievous grin, the kind that always spelled trouble. "Obviously, to have some fun!" he declared, his eyes glinting with excitement.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his enthusiasm. "You know I don't drink," I reminded him, my tone laced with resignation. Mansoor Bhaiyya had always been the wild one, the life of every party, while I preferred the quiet company of my books and thoughts.
He slung an arm over my shoulder, his grip firm yet friendly. "Come on, Shivaay, don't be such a buzzkill. You're an adult now—be a man! Look around," he gestured to the crowd of people our age, laughing and chatting as if the night held no end. "They're all here to have a good time. You've got to loosen up and enjoy life, bro."
I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his words settling over me. It wasn't that I couldn't drink; it was more that alcohol never seemed to affect me. No matter how much I drank, the numbness others chased never came. It always felt pointless—like trying to escape through a door that refused to open.
Seeing my hesitation, Mansoor Bhaiyya's expression softened, and he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Alright, alright, if you don't want to drink, that's cool. But at least come in and keep me company. It's no fun on my own."
I glanced at the bar's entrance, the muffled sound of music and laughter spilling out into the night. Maybe he was right. Maybe, just this once, I could step out of my comfort zone. "Okay," I finally agreed, nodding.
As we walked towards the entrance, I couldn't shake the feeling that this night would be different—that maybe, just maybe, I'd find something I wasn't even looking for.
As we entered the bar, the sound of pulsing music enveloped us, a vibrant contrast to the quiet evening we had just left behind. The room was alive with the energy of people mingling and laughing, some swaying to the beat, others engaged in animated conversations. The lights were low, casting a warm, inviting glow over the crowd, and the air was thick with the mingled scents of various cocktails.
We made our way to the bar counter, weaving through the throng of patrons. When we reached the polished wooden counter, we slid onto the high stools, their cushioned seats surprisingly comfortable. The bartender, a young man with a neatly trimmed beard and a friendly smile, approached us.
"Evening, gentlemen. What can I get for you?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the music.
Mansoor Bhaiyya wasted no time. "I'll have a classic Mojito, please," he said, his tone upbeat and carefree.
The bartender nodded and got to work, his movements practiced as he started preparing the drink. Mansoor Bhaiyya turned his attention to me, his gaze full of playful mischief. "You know, Shivaay, you're such a boring guy sometimes."
I raised an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance slipping into my voice. "What now?"
Mansoor Bhaiyya leaned in, his expression earnest but still lighthearted. "Look around, man. Everyone's here to have a good time. Check out those girls dancing—why don't you join them? Life's short. Make some friends, have some fun, maybe even meet someone special."
I glanced around, taking in the scene. People were laughing, dancing, and letting go of their everyday stresses.
I raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in my voice. "Do you even have a girlfriend yourself? You're single, man. Maybe you should find a girl for yourself before giving me advice."
Mansoor Bhaiyya chuckled, but there was a trace of defensiveness in his tone. "It's not like that. I've just been swamped with police work. You know how it is—no time for personal stuff."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you're too busy for romance, but you've got time to come here and drink. Priorities, right?"
He laughed, shaking his head as he took another sip of his Mojito. "Alright, fair point. But let's shift the focus back to you. What's your story? Why don't you have a girlfriend?"
I pointed to my face, my tone tinged with a mix of self-deprecation and curiosity. "Do you really think someone would want to date a nerd like me?"
Mansoor Bhaiyya studied me for a moment, as if weighing his response. His gaze softened, and he finally said, "Honestly, you're a good-looking guy. You just need a bit of a makeover, maybe. But it's not just about looks. It's about how you see yourself."
I waved my hand dismissively. "Nah, I'm happy with who I am. It's not like I haven't thought about love or relationships. I do think about it, and sometimes I write poetry about it."
Mansoor Bhaiyya's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Oh, you write poetry? I'd love to hear it."
I took a deep breath. "Alright, the poem's called 'Wishing Stars.' It goes like this:
'I still search
for you in crowds, in empty fields
and soaring clouds.
In city lights
and passing cars, on winding roads
and wishing stars.
I wonder where
you could be now, for years I've not said
your name out loud.
And longer since
I called you mine,
time has passed
for you and I.
But I have learned
to live without, I do not mind—
I still love you anyhow.'"
As I finished, I glanced at Mansoor Bhaiyya, expecting a reaction. He was about to speak, but before he could, we heard a voice behind us, cutting through the hum of conversation and the thumping music.
"Wow, wow, what a poem!" the man exclaimed, his voice slurring slightly as he spoke. "It goes straight to the heart."
I turned around to see him sitting on a high stool, his expression one of genuine admiration mixed with a hint of inebriation. He had a broad smile on his face and extended a hand toward me in a friendly gesture. "My name's Raja."
Mansoor Bhaiyya, ever the joker, raised an eyebrow and grinned. "In which kingdom?"
Raja's laughter was warm and infectious. "Hahaha, you're funny!" he said, clearly amused by Mansoor Bhaiyya's playful remark.
Mansoor Bhaiyya chuckled along, shaking Raja's hand with a friendly grip. "I'm Mansoor, and this guy here is Shivaay," he introduced us, his tone light-hearted.
I offered Raja a tentative smile, feeling a bit awkward but also curious about the unexpected encounter.
Raja nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I overheard your conversation. So, apparently, your life is boring and wasted too?"
I frowned slightly, feeling a pang of defensiveness. "My life isn't wasted. I'm content with it. But what about you? You seem a bit down. What's your story?"
Raja sighed deeply, his gaze drifting as if searching for the right words. "My story? It's a long one. Do you really have time for that?"
I leaned in, showing genuine interest. "If you can, make your long story short and tell us."
Raja hesitated, then met our eyes with a serious look. "Are you sure you want to hear it? It's not exactly a happy tale."
Mansoor Bhaiyya and I exchanged glances, both nodding in encouragement. "Yes," I said, my tone earnest. "We're listening."
Raja let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping as he spoke. "My father, Dharmarajan, was a humble biscuit maker. He had big dreams of turning his small business into a major brand. He always wanted me to take over and lead the company to new heights. But life had other plans. My father passed away unexpectedly, and his business partner and close friend took over the company. Now, I'm working in what was once my father's company, but only as a supervisor. It's like I'm just a small part of the vision he had."
The weight of Raja's words hung in the air, and I could see the pain in his eyes as he recounted his loss. His expression was a mix of sadness and resignation, the kind that comes from facing dreams unfulfilled and hopes dashed.
Mansoor Bhaiyya, always quick to empathize, said softly, "That's a really sad story, Raja. I can't imagine how tough that must be."
Hearing Mansoor Bhaiyya's supportive words, I rolled my eyes playfully and put my hand on Raja's shoulder. "That's a really sad story, Raja. Don't worry about it. Drink as much as you want tonight. Mansoor Bhaiyya and I will cover the bill."
Raja looked at me, a mixture of surprise and gratitude in his eyes. "Really? Thank you, Shivaay. From today onward, you're my brother and friend, man."
I smiled warmly at his sincerity. "It's no trouble at all."
Mansoor Bhaiyya raised an eyebrow, his tone a mix of amusement and mild annoyance. "Wait a minute, Shivaay. I'm the one paying his bill?"
I flashed a playful grin. "Well, you feel sympathetic for him, don't you? So it's only fair you cover his tab."
Raja turned to Mansoor Bhaiyya, his eyes hopeful. Seeing Mansoor Bhaiyya's hesitant expression, he finally sighed and said, "Alright, alright. I'll pay for his drinks."
Raja's face lit up with genuine happiness. "Thank you so much. Here, give me your number. If you ever need anything, remember that you've got a friend in me."
I laughed softly and exchanged numbers with him, feeling a sense of warmth and camaraderie. Raja seemed like a genuinely nice guy, and despite the circumstances, it felt good to make a new friend.
After chatting with Raja for a while, he decided to head out. We also made our way outside the bar, the cool night air hitting us as the clock ticked past midnight. Just as we were about to part ways, Mansoor Bhaiyya's phone began to ring. He answered, his expression turning serious as he spoke into the receiver.
Once the call ended, he turned to me with a slightly apologetic look. "Shivaay, I need to head back to the police station. Take this car key and drive home yourself."
I took the car key from him, frowning a bit. "Okay, but how are you getting to the station?"
He gave a reassuring smile. "Someone's coming to pick me up."
I nodded, understanding. We lingered outside the bar, chatting casually as we waited for Mansoor Bhaiyya's ride. Thirty minutes passed with easy conversation, the night feeling unexpectedly warm and friendly.
Eventually, a police car approached, its lights casting a soft glow on the street. The vehicle came to a stop, and the passenger side window rolled down. Mansoor Bhaiyya climbed in, turning to look at me. "Shivaay, you should head out now."
"Got it," I replied, watching as the police car drove away. I headed toward the parking spot where we had left the car.
As I approached the vehicle and as I unlocked it I noticed four girls walking briskly towards the car. They reached it just before I did, and in an unexpected twist, they quickly slid into the seats. I stood there, momentarily stunned, trying to process what had just happened.
What the hell? I thought, my mind racing. Did they mistake this car for theirs.
I hurried over to the car, my steps quick as I approached. As I reached the vehicle, I saw that the three girls seated in the back were already asleep, their heads resting against the seats. I tried to rouse them, my voice firm but gentle. "Hello? Girls, wake up. What's going on here?"
They didn't stir, lost in their slumber. I was about to turn away when I heard a soft, melodious voice from the front passenger seat. "Driver?"
The girl next to the driver's seat was awake, her voice like a gentle breeze. I looked at her and was taken aback by her beauty. Her hair fluttered softly around her face, stirred by the night breeze. When she opened her eyes, they were a stunning shade of blue, deep and mesmerizing like the ocean. I caught myself staring, my thoughts momentarily drifting away.
Before I could gather my thoughts, she suddenly grabbed the collar of my hoodie with a firm grip, her expression a mix of irritation and urgency. "Hey, Driver! What are you doing? Start the car!"
Her tone was definitely influenced by alcohol, but even in her inebriated state, there was a fierce elegance about her. I was struck by how she looked—beautiful and intense, even as her anger seemed to highlight her features.
"Wait a minute," I thought, feeling a rush of confusion. What's happening to me? Why am I so affected by this?
I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the distraction. "Um, I'm not the driver. You and your friends just kind of... ended up in the wrong car."
Seeing that the girl didn't respond and had drifted back to sleep, her face now serene and peaceful, I felt a surge of frustration and confusion. What the hell am I doing? I thought, shaking my head to clear my mind.
I gently removed her hand from my collar and closed the car door. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and I needed to figure out my next move. I took a deep breath and slid into the driver's seat, trying to steady my thoughts.
As I started the engine and began driving towards my house, I tried calling Mansoor Bhaiyya for advice, but my calls went unanswered.
The road ahead was quiet, the city lights casting fleeting shadows across the dashboard. I glanced in the rearview mirror at the girl and her friends, who were still asleep in the back.
After a somewhat disorienting drive, I finally reached home. I parked the car in front of the house, took a deep breath, and stepped out. The quiet of the night enveloped me as I walked to the gate, unlocking it and pushing it open. I then returned to the car, carefully maneuvered it into the driveway, and turned off the engine.
The moonlight cast a gentle glow over the front yard as I hurried to open the front door and step inside. I set my bag down on the sofa in the living room, feeling the weight of the night's events pressing on my shoulders. With a determined stride, I went back outside to deal with the girls.
I opened the back seat door and began to carefully lift the girls out one by one. They were surprisingly light, their bodies relaxed in slumber. I brought them into the guest room, gently placing each one on the bed. I made sure they were comfortable, tucking the blankets around them as best as I could without waking them.
With the girls settled, I went back outside and opened the passenger door next to the driver's seat. The girl who had initially caused the mix-up was still asleep, her face bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. I carefully scooped her up, cradling her in my arms like a princess. Despite the situation, I couldn't help but notice how peaceful she looked, her features softened by the moon's gentle light.
I made my way back to the guest room, each step careful to avoid jostling her. As I laid her down beside her friends, I took a moment to look at her. There was something serene and almost ethereal about her in that moment. I closed the door.
Returning to my room, I let out a long sigh and flopped onto my bed. The night had been a whirlwind of unexpected encounters and tangled emotions.
It had been a long, strange night, and for now, there was nothing more I could do. I resolved to deal with everything tomorrow. With a final sigh, I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day pull me into sleep.
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(Word's Count:-2699)
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