"Whiskey is liquid sunshine"
- George Bernard Shaw
CHAPTER 8
Mishti : Jasmeet Aunty! Please help me?
Mishti put on a pleading face and looked hopefully at her closest confidant who stared back at her dubiously.
Jasmeet : Are you mad? Not only would your mother kill me, you cannot possible imagine I'll send you to a common pub? You belong to the Elite, Don't forget that, Mishti.
Mishti gave a desperate look.
Mishti : Please, Jasmeet aunty? Do you think I would honestly allow myself to be caught? I will be careful. Please? I have been a stickler for rules since my birth and I don't like it anymore. Don't I deserve to have fun?
The older woman paused to consider Mishti's words, then heaved a resigned sigh.
Jasmeet : This list is going to kill both of us.
Mishti smiled widely and gave her aunt a huge hug.
Mishti : You're the best, Jasmeet aunty. Thank you so much.
Jasmeet : Saying thank you won't be enough if your brother and mother find out. You shall have to save me my job.
Mishti : That goes without saying. Besides, Naksh wouldn't dare fire you.
Jasmeet : For helping you with all this, He might. By the way, Mishti, Make sure you're completely covered. Don't go to any dark corners alone. Don't talk to anyone. Maybe I should send Nannu with you?
Nannu was her son who was studying for his CAT exam which he would take in two months' time.
Mishti : No aunty. Let him study. I shall be fine.
Jasmeet : What about the driver then? It's not safe to go alone.
Mishti turned around looking at Jasmeet aunty with some urgency.
Mishti : No Jasmeet aunty. No one else can know I've stepped out of the house.
Jasmeet paused, considering her next move. Finally she nodded, excused herself and soon returned with a dress that wasn't too fancy or too expensive.
Mishti : Why this one?
Jasmeet : If you don't want anyone to know you don't belong to the Elite, You shouldn't wear your clothes. They're too rich and draw attention.
Mishti nodded happily and looked at the dress with such ecstacy that Jasmeet chuckled.
Jasmeet : Usually people look happy when they get to wear rich clothes, Mishti, not the common ones.
Mishti : That's because people can't see what this dress really means.
Jasmeet : And what does it mean?
Mishti : Freedom.
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Once Jasmeet aunty was gone, Mishti changed into the dress that she had received as she swayed to the music that was still playing downstairs.
There was little question that this was the greatest night of her life. It wasn't just the dance with Abir—although that certainly was a factor—or the rather scandalous interaction with him in the midst of the festivities, where anyone could have found them. It was that, for the first time in her life, she had been filled with an undeniable strength—as though she could do anything.
She felt like a Goddess and God knew she wasn't anything like that.
Because she knew she might never feel that powerful again, because she couldn't bear to discuss random topics when she could be having an adventure, She knew she had to go.
And so she did.
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The Twin Sins was apparently a popular haunt. Mishti looked at the men and women going in and coming out and was shocked. She had gone down this street many times during the day but had never imagined a pub like this existed. The Elite were sheltered indeed and now, She didn't know if she wished to go in or not.
Cab driver : Ma'am. This is where you wanted to get down, Am I right?
She turned to the front where the driver sat expectantly. Ignoring her trembling hands, She nodded and handed over the fee to the man and then got down, thankful for the stole that covered her face.
She paused once more in front of the pub where few bystanders threw her a curious glance but didn't really bother her. She held the list in the pocket trying not to feel apprehensive. She could just go home and drink scotch with Naksh. After all, he'd offered before. At home, where she would not risk her reputation.
At home, there would be no adventure. Mishti winced at the thought, clutching the square sheet in her hand, feeling the thick paper crinkle in her palm as doubt assailed her.
She should have let Jasmeet aunty or Nannu come with her. Solitary adventure was fast becoming overrated.
She couldn't go home now, however. Not after she'd gone through the trouble of asking Abir for the name of a tavern and securing an appropriate disguise.
She could do this. She nodded once, then twice and again a third time and finally moved inside as the bouncer looked at her amused and allowed her entrance.
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He knew the moment she entered the Twin sins.
Ofcourse she had been lying earlier. A pub's name for a friend? Most pitiful indeed.
However, the question rose : Why did Mishti Singhania need to come to a non Elite pub?
Especially in the middle of the night? Alone? Had she no concern for her reputation? For that of her family? For that of his sister, for God's sake?
Anya's image in society was entirely dependent on Mishti and here, she was walking about in the middle of the night in a place that the Elite did not frequent.
Abir sat back in his chair and watched Mishti look about the room equally fascinated and terrified. She glanced at a couple kissing without a care that they were in public and her eyes widened.
Abir noted the apprehension with which Mishti looked at a gambling match that was taking place in a table near her and saw her revulsion at the way the men were wagering their hard earned money.
He'd selected one of the more reputable establishments that he knew. While he could have sent her to a nearby tasmac to teach her a lesson, he had predicted—correctly—that this place would be enough to set her back on her heels.
As she made her way through the crowded room, she tried desperately to avoid touching or even brushing accidentally against the other patrons—an impossible task in the crush of humanity that stood between her and the sanctuary of the empty table within her sights. She seated herself without looking at the people nearby, in an obviously desperate attempt to regain some semblance of calm.
Her stole had fallen down and the nape of her neck now was visible and Abir was suddenly filled with a desire to kiss her there.
He had been delighted at her response when he had kissed her before. She was clearly passionate and there was something tempting about her openness and eagerness.
What was she doing here?
He noticed she held a square of paper firmly in both hands, as if it were a talisman. Could it be a love letter? Was it possible she was meeting a man here?
Of all the irresponsible things she could have done, this might well be the most rash. She tucked the paper into the pocket of her dress as a barmaid approached.
Mishti : One scotch whiskey please.
Abir nearly choked. Had she just ordered whiskey? Did she even know how strong it would be?
Had the woman taken leave of her senses?
One thing was certain. He had entirely misjudged Mishti Singhania. She was most definitely not appropriate for Anya. He'd been looking for a woman of impeccable character and, instead, he had found Mishti, who calmly ordered whiskey in Rajkot taverns.
Except—
Except there was nothing calm about her. His eyes narrowed as he watched her carefully. She was as stiff as a board. Her breathing, which he measured by the rise and fall of her shoulders, was uneven and shallow. She was nervous. Uncomfortable. And, yet, here she was, in a place he could have told her would make her both of those things. Why? He was going to have to ask her. To confront her. And he knew she wasn't going to enjoy it.
The waitress served Mishti her drink. Abir saw Mishti hand over her money and knew instantly that she had given way more than she owed as a tip for the poor barmaid.
He leaned forward to watch as Mishti lifted the glass and took a long whiff of the alcohol within. He couldn't see her face, but he saw her physically recoil with a single harsh cough, shaking her head as if to clear it before repeating the action. This time, she restrained herself from an obvious response, but from the way she bent her head to address the glass, he could tell she was skeptical of the beverage. It was clear she'd never had a drop of scotch in her life. After several moments of her investigation, during which she appeared to be debating whether or not she should drink, Abir could no longer contain his curiosity.
Abir : This is why you shouldn't order a scotch whiskey.
Mishti shook violently and Abir couldn't help feeling a touch vindicated by that. It served her right.
She had turned instantly toward him, scotch jostling violently in her glass, and he rose to move to join her at her table.
Mishti : I suppose it was inevitable that you should also be here.
Abir : Ofcourse I couldn't leave you alone. Your lie wasn't as assuring as you believe.
Mishti : Would you leave if I asked you to?
Abir shook his head.
Abir : I cannot leave you alone now. It goes against my conscience.
Mishti sighed.
Mishti : Don't you think I can take care of myself?
Abir : You may be able to take care of yourself, Miss Singhania, but I cannot trust that anyone else here will.
Mishti (looking around the room) : I'm sure I will be alright, Mr Rajvansh. I cannot ask you to leave your business or appointments for me.
Abir : No, You cannot. But you have by being here. Speaking of which, Why are you here? Are you meeting a secret boyfriend?
Mishti's eyes widened as she looked at him with shock.
Mishti : Boyfriend? Ofcourse not. Why would you even ask that?
Abir (raising one eyebrow) : Why are you here then?
Mishti : I'm here to drink scotch whiskey.
Abir narrowed his eyes.
Abir : You expect me to believe that?
Mishti (looking offended) : I don't see why not.
Abir : Looking at the way you handled the drink just now, Anyone can tell that you've never had scotch before. Yet you say you came here to drink.
Mishti rolled her eyes and then to Abir's surprise, downed the glass in one gulp. She nodded at him and then calmly moved out the door without giving him any notice.
A moment later, Abir recovered and stepped outside to see Mishti coughing violently. He crossed over to her in an instant.
Abir : You little fool. Don't you know that this is an acquired taste. You shouldn't have drunk it in one go. Breathe, Mishti... breathe.
Her eyes were watering and she couldn't seem to look up. Abir kept one hand on her head and he rubbed his other hand on her back up and down, up and down.
Eventually, Mishti stopped coughing and looked at him with tear stained eyes.
Mishti : Maybe I shouldn't try to outwit you? It seems to end in a worse manner for me.
Abir chuckled.
Abir : But then I wouldn't have got to see the amazing feat you just performed. Downing the entire drink in one go? Most impressive.
Mishti (smiling) : Well, Thank you, Mr Rajvansh. I am glad that you were kind enough to check up on me. But I must get back home now. Thank you for telling me the name of the pub again.
She had only walked a few steps when Abir yanked her around by her arm and she fell heavily on his chest while his arms went around her.
Abir looked at her as she gazed at him in surprise. He liked having her in his arms, he realised. She felt right. Like she belonged there and he didn't want this moment to end at all.
Mishti : Mr Rajvansh?
Abir released her though he didn't want to at all. He stood staring at her until she nudged him with her elbow.
Mishti : Mr Rajvansh? Are you ok?
Abir cleared his head and smiled charmingly at the temptation in front of him.
Abir : Ofcourse I'm fine. Why, What happened?
Mishti (bewildered) : Then why did you stop me going back home?
Abir : Ah yes! Now, Miss Singhania... You cannot go back home on your own.
Mishti : Why not? I'm not a child.
Abir : It's not safe.
Mishti (exasperated) : For heaven's sake, Do you really think I would voluntarily get into trouble? I am capable of going back home myself.
Abir : However, As a gentleman, I cannot allow you to do so.
Mishti rolled her eyes.
Mishti : Allow me? Are you condescending towards me?
Abir put on his most arrogant expression.
Abir : If you cannot understand sense, Then I have no other choice.
Mishti raised her arms like she wanted to throttle him but then dropped them back and turned around.
Abir : Miss Singhania?
Mishti : You know what, Follow me for all I care. I may decide to walk the entire night. If you want to follow me, You can. Just don't talk to me again.
Abir blinked at her outburst.
Mishti : Well, Are you going to play the role of my guardian angel or not?
Abir blinked again to see that she had walked in front. He picked up the pace and walked quietly besides her.
Something had happened to him. He was sure of it. Never had he been at a loss for words before. Something was wrong and Mishti Singhania was the cause of his abnormal feelings now.
Abir (thinking) : What is happening to me?
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It's not my best chapter.. but hope you liked it :D :D
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Let's try for 60+ votes and comments this time.. Thank you <3