Part 1: High on Life (Prologue)

He was happy to finish his shift at 6:00 PM. It was a Friday. Working on the high end bar located in the heart of the biggest IT companies in Bangalore was a blessing and a curse. The tips are good but young men with unlimited money thinking that alcohol will answer all their questions; even the question that life is yet to pose…were too much nuisance.

Though Sameer was not old himself, he clearly looked down on drinking and those who enjoyed it too much. It was an addiction after all, with no justification. At times he wondered if he should stop working here for some extra money and concentrate on his studies.

May be this was better, he felt righteous, mature and grownup as compared to all others who drank just to enjoy the day that repeated itself after every 7 days, Friday… hunh!! how frivolous? The depth and force of life was nothing for them…

He looked outside the glass door to see if it was raining. Rains are always a possibility in Bangalore. He noticed the cititaxi park outside. It was odd. It was too early. He scanned the red dazzling interiors covering the bar and lounge area. There was no one on the verge of passing out or even very drunk to call a cab.

It was then, he notices kusum at the bar. She sat at the tall bar chair staring at the three tequila shots in front of her. She was chubby with her hair tied back in a pony tail. He noticed the red and yellow dupatta wrapped around her neck. In fact she wore a red and yellow salwar suit. The thick glasses gave her, actually accentuated the ‘behenji’ look.

She was not the hip like the new age movie heroines they show boozing in the new chick flicks. Sameer walked towards her. He noticed that her feet hardly reached the foot rest of the chair, on the floor near her feet was her laptop bag and she continued to stare at the shot.

“First time?” he asked politely with a smile. She giggled half embarrassed and replied ‘Takes a lot to drink something which will make you puke”.

He smiled. “So you called the Taxi” he said sharing his revelation. She blushed.