But suddenly, the air was filled with loud honking noises as the signal had turned green, and a car had broken down mid-road.
“Are you from Panaji?" asked the driver while driving through the traffic.
“No, I am from Pune. I am here at my granny’s for a week,” she replied. “Could you turn on the radio, maybe?” she asked.
“Sorry, madam, but the radio isn’t working,” replied the driver.
“Oh, okay, weird, but okay. Your english is quite fluent for a cab driver, though,” the girl added.
“Oh yes, madam! I am a third-year B.com student. This is my father’s cab. I only drive it occasionally, and tonight my father is out of town, so here I am, driving you to your destination,” answered the cab driver. “Big night is it, madam?” he added.
“Yes! I am attending a house party at my friend’s place. And please don’t call me madam, we are around the same age, I guess. My name is Richa, and only Richa, please, no ma’am,” said the girl while leaning forward for a handshake.
“Alright, Richa, Vivek here. Can’t really reach out for a handshake, but nice to meet you,” said Vivek with a smile.
“It’s okay, no issues. So how long have you been doing this, Vivek?” asked Richa while taking out a joint to smoke.
“Mada... I mean Richa, I don’t think you can smoke in this car,” said Vivek, stammering.
“It’s fine. I will keep the window open, and we are friends now, aren’t we?” said Richa while taking a drag from the joint.
“Madam, are you under some influence right now?” asked Vivek, puzzled.
“Oh, yes, a bit. But who doesn’t pre-booze for a house party nowadays,” answered Richa a little unclearly. “But what did we decide on the madam thing. No madam, only Richa”.
Vivek without reacting just kept on driving oblivious to what was happening in the back seat.
“So Vivek tell me, do you play any sport?” Richa asked, a little disoriented.
“I play football. I was in my junior college team back in 1997. We were called the Blazers,” answered Vivek with a smile.
“Oh! You were part of Blazers!! I was in the same college but in 1999. Had to shift to Pune last year. But that makes me two years younger to you. Hence, “madam” goes out of the window,” said an amazed Richa.
In this way, Richa struck a conversation with Vivek, laced with lot of laughter. The streets were barren with only a few checkpoints. Only a few street lights were working, which illuminated the car every time it passed under one. Richa kept on smoking the joint exhaling the smoke out of the window into the chill Panaji air.
“Vivek, take a left into this alley and then take a right. It is a shortcut,” said Richa hurriedly.
As soon as Vivek took the second right, there stood a big farmhouse with a lush green garden on either side, like it was straight out of a royal fairy tale. There were lamps on either side of the pavement leading to the entrance. The whole house was so bright and over lit, that it felt as if diwali had arrived early. You could even hear dampened pop music coming from within the mansion.
“There you go, Richa. Your destination has arrived,” said Vivek in a robotic voice. “And that will be Rs 375”.
“Okay, thanks a lot,” said Richa handing Vivek a 500 hundred rupee note.
“Sorry, but I don’t have change on me. You will have to give me the exact change. Sorry for the inconvenience though,” said Vivek sheepishly.
“No, it’s cool. But I’ll just have to call someone from inside and ask them to bring the change along,” said Richa.
Richa tried calling a friend, but all her calls went unanswered. “Oh, shoot!! I’ll have to go myself and bring the change as no one is picking up any of my calls. You just wait here. I will be right back,” said Richa, in an assuring tone.
She opened the door, got off the car, and walked a few steps only to turn and walk back towards the car and knocked on the window signalling Vivek to lower the window.
“On second thoughts, do you want to join us for the party? There will be many people in there, so you might even go unnoticed, and anyway, my friends will be okay with me bringing a guest along with me. Vibha does it all the time… Okay, sorry for that extra information, but I would really love it if you join us, unless you have other plans,” said an exuberant Richa.
“I mean…I might. Like…I have no plans. I was going to drive straight home anyway. But I don’t want to be a burden on you and your friends,” said a baffled Vivek.
“I insist,” said Richa opening the door.
“Alright then, I’ll just park the car and meet you at the entrance then,” said a confused Vivek.
“Superb! Perfect! I will be waiting for you at the entrance then,” said Richa.
So Richa stood at the entrance, taking out her hand mirror out, and started combing her hair and touching up her makeup. She adjusted her navy blue skirt showing discomfort in the movement. While she was doing that she was touched by someone on her shoulder suddenly.
“Woah, Vivek!!! You scared me there,” said Richa catching her breath. And why do you look so nervous and pale? There are just human beings on the other side of the door, and you are with me so, just chill,” said Richa as she rang the bell.
“Yeah,
