Nasty Note (3) “Education is the vaccine for violence.” Supriya answered sophistically. This too was quick and wonderful answer. Really, the girl is a sharp brain. Her answers mesmerised Jackpot. Before friendship with any girl, he used to ask five questions to study her brain. Now three questions were left. “What is, you think, the wonderful and rare flash of moment?” It seemed a kookiest and unclear question. Supriya mused for a minute which strange questions he asked. Australian guys are always rare of the rarest, then she smiled and gave the answer with buoyancy. “Wonderful and rare flash of the moment is that when we realise that we’ve discovered a true friendship” “Oh, really, you’re superb, my honey” He yelled with delight and embraced her into his body. Supriya blushed. “Very lovely answer.” “Thank you.” “Now, let me ask you last question?” Supriya nodded. “And this would be the very important. Ready?” Supriya smiled with a nod. “How one can earn happiness in life” “Isn’t it a weak question?” Supriya said. “But, it’s very important to live a good friendship” “Happiness hides in life’s small details” “Really good, I also think so” Jackpot pressed her both hands. “I love to befriend with you” And he threw a small moist kiss on her hands. “Thanks” Supriya too kissed his hands. Then Australian rotund lady rushed back from market. She had a sheaf of books in her hands. She had looked Supriya kissing Jackpot’s hands. “Babe, do you love my dear Jack?” She tapped her cheeks. “Yes...no, no....nope” Supriya puzzled. Rotund lady smiled and bounced back. “Bye, sweetie” “Bye” Supriya hopefully looked into Jackpot’s eyes. He smiled. “I’ve a rehearsal now, sweet, see you, later” And went off. Supriya watched they had stepped into the foyer. She had the dream to spend her full day with Jackpot, wanted to dance with him and he had promised with her after rehearsal he would invite her into the dance floor and revel all night with her. She followed them. On reaching at the hotel doorstep, she curiously peeped inside from glass gate to get a glimpse of his new friend. The hall was nearly packed with dance people, doting flowery and glitzy costumes but she could notice neither Jackpot nor rotund lady. Minutes later, Supriya heard the beats of drums following ear wrenching orchestra. She wished to enter into the hall to find Jackpot but quite hesitant. The man, pure white clad, standing at the door checked on invitations card the entrants in their hands. Some looking-socialite ladies with their men buzzing different accents without cards smiled at his look and he saluted them to make their way into the foyer. Supriya too tried to smile but her lips did not budge. He noticed Supriya standing eagerly to get into the dance band. “Ma’am, could you please let me help you?” He smiled. Supriya too responded in smile. “I want to get to Mr. Jackpot” “Jackpot?” The man at the gate scratched his nose and brooded for a minute. Supriya struggled to recognise the people around her, no one was her acquaintance. “Is he come from Australia?” He asked. “Yes” Supriya answered delightedly. “Thank you” The gatekeeper answered as he travelled his hungry eyes across her body. “Your good name, Madame.” “Hmm…Supriya” Supriya whispered. Gatekeeper swaggered back into hallway like a royal prince as he locked the door from inside and after his quickening back within minutes; Jackpot emerged up at gate and escorted Supriya into hall. “Just sit, sweet, within minutes we are together” Supriya took chair and let Jackpot to run rehearsal. Another horde of guys with beautiful girls, waiting their turn noticed Supriya entrance. Some boys were puffing cigarettes, polluting environment and laughing boisterously. Smell of spicy food and spilled drink could also be felt. They had just finished their supper, Jackpot told her. Because of horrible smell, a fit of cough raided Miss Supriya. Everyone around the hall noticed her presence. People began to astonish to notice her coughing awkwardly. Poor girl! Girls too jumped into murmur out of earshot. Supriya felt embarrassment. She sneaked a look at them. Most of the girls were in their scanty dresses- all Indians. Some of them were shaking their naked legs under tables following the waves of orchestra music. With difficulty, Supriya spent half an hour there. Jackpot continued to practice on dance floor. Intermittently, they exchanged looks and smiled. Supriya gesticulated him to come over her. He nodded but did not stop dance. He signalled Supriya to clap her hands. Supriya clapped and aired her kisses towards him. So far, she had the feeling of his ardent kisses on her hand that Jackpot splashed when he was with her without rotund lady. Jackpot was happy with her unique and intelligible answers, Supriya thought. Then Supriya heard an announcement which was for all who want to join in dance with his or her choosey partner. Supriya rose and raced towards Jackpot but before she could fall into his arms, the rotund lady had held his hands and stared at Supriya. “Bitch, go to hell” “You bitch!” Supriya want to cry but her tongue stuck inside. Then a clumsily looking Australian guy swaggered towards Supriya seemed as if a don of crime world. He insolently held her hand and pulled her onto himself and bastardly clutched her protuberant breasts into his handcups and madly put a kiss into her lips. Supriya shocked, shivered, humiliated. The ground beneath her feet shook He was a thin man but weighty. Supriya scornfully shoved him back and slapped. “Wild beast!” And her dare moved the crowd to big clapping. “Hurray...Hurray....Hurray” Why they people shout in excitement? Are they happy with the behaviour which the Australian beast has done to her? Supriya felt as if the earth would split crack and she sink into it. She exits the hall at once. How stupid he is! Beast! Fiend! So far, nobody could dare to touch her body so cruelly. Is it a dance? This way, they people dance and behave with their partners. The Australian beast chased her. Supriya noticed the rotund lady inside the hall had pursued him. Australian ladies are always bitchy! “Could you please tell me your good name, honey?” He begged softly. “Honey, I wish to befriend with you” He forwarded his hand to touch Supriya. Supriya as if a wild cat gnawed at his fingers and shouted. “I damn your fucking friendship” “Ok, no problem” He said simply and sauntered back. Supriya amazed, how strange and foolish he was? Ok, no problem. I damn your problem, stupid but I have big problem with your-like people. I hate your existence in this world. Supriya cried in alone. Her head spinning like wheel. For half an hour, she continued to struggle to dispel the ghost of beast’s (an Australian) behaviour. After sometime, when the couple dance finished and orchestra stopped, Supriya moved forward to catch Jackpot. She halted at reception for moments, looked at receptionist and struggled to smile. “Could I please help you, madam?” The scrawny girl at the reception welcomed her as she beamed in return. “I’m here to see Mr. Jackpot.” Supriya said promptly. “I beg your pardon madam. He had asked me not to let anybody to disturb him till they finish their supper” The receptionist said. “He is my friend and I have an appointment, Miss. We were together before the couple dance” “But he did not tell me if any Indian lass is his friend.” The receptionist snapped. “If you don’t mind please convey my name to him. I am sure, he would contact me” Supriya implored. “What is your good name, madam?” Receptionist asked kindly. “I am Supriya, Miss Supriya.” Supriya said as she stooped over the counter table. “This job perhaps I can positively do.” The receptionist smiled as she immediately dialled the number. “It is me sir, sweet Julie, some Miss Supriya wants to see you, sir. Yes sir, waiting for you sir, fine sir.” And afterwards, she got off the phone. “Madam, Mr. Jackpot asking, with whom you have come here.” These words stunned Supriya. With whom I have come here? Why Jackpot asked so? Didn’t he know I’ve come here alone? Is it not a stupid question? Even he had promised me they would dance and dine out together. Why now he befools me and himself? “Ask him I had an important meeting with him.” Supriya implored again as she put her chin onto her palm slightly bending her head in dismay. The receptionist was reluctant to phone him again. She knew that Jackpot would annoy with her. She asked gently. “Madam, please have a seat and wait for sometime till they finish their supper” Supriya gloomily sat on the edge of chair and hoped into receptionist. In the meanwhile, the director of the upcoming show, a chubby middle age man emerged from upstairs and stared into uninvited strange girl. He too was an Australian. “If I could guess, you are waiting for Mr. Jackpot.” He asked curiously. “Yes, sure I am.” Supriya stood in awe as she answered as she smiled. “Why do you want to contact Mr. Jackpot? Any appointment?” “He is my friend.” Supriya spoke proudly as she delighted. “Mr. Jackpot is your friend, really?” At this, the director of the upcoming show laughed noisily. “I expect so.” She swelled with pride. Humiliation had evaporated. “How can you be in friendship with him? He recently came here” “Just today, he has proposed me to be friends.” Supriya said truthfully as she gauged the emotions gyrating onto his face. “He promised me that he would practice dance with me.” The chubby man nodded dubiously. “Madam, let me suggest you he is a fucking cunning man, so abandon the idea of befriending with him and practising dance with him.” Supriya bewildered to hear chubby man’s views. “But I think we are promising friends.” Supriya expressed hope narrowing her eyes. “Promising friends.” He laughed again wildly. I’m indeed here because of his considerate support otherwise nobody allows me enter the hotel, I have no invitation” The receptionist hearing this turned the corner of his lips to give way to smile. It hurt Supriya. But she did not show displeasure. “Could you let me take a seat here with you?” The chubby man requested formally and sat instantly without waiting permission. Supriya felt discomfort. She wondered really Jackpot might be fucking cunning as the chubby man explaining to her. He had asked her five important questions before friendship with her. He was no doubt a sharply intelligent, witty and nice guy. Supriya doubted the director must have been Jackpot’ foe and now befooling her to take revenge on him. “If you don’t mind I invite you in my room, personally” And he held her hand with a stare into her cleavage. “No, thank you” Supriya pulled her hand back with scorn. “I have heard your country has a lot of Miss World beauties. Is it right?” He tried to continue conversation and held her hand again. “Don’t touch me, gentleman. I am afraid I would not join your company.” And Supriya pushed him back. The chubby man remained unfazed. He smiled foxily as he said. “I don’t mind your rebuff, sugar, but tell me why you don’t love my friendship? Am I a silly guy?” He asked as if begging. “I don’t know, you go please” The chubby man went off with sullen mood. Supriya thought for moments, should she stay there to get Jackpot? He knew well that I was waiting for him. Why he did not come to see her. Did he deceive her? No, he was intelligent and sincere. How could he deceive her? All of a sudden, her eyes caught rotund lady at the foyer gate. Where is Jackpot? She shrieked. “He just comes, babe” The rotund lady answered and smiled. After a moment, Jackpot appeared. Supriya ran towards him and plumped into his arms. “Where were you, sir?” He helped her to tight the embrace. In your heart, sweetie” Jackpot put a kiss on her. The rotund lady had gone to another room with other scanty dressed danseuses. Now, he had nothing to do with Jackpot’ company. Supriya complained Jackpot why he had discarded her. He apologized to her and kissed her again. Next, Supriya explained to him the whole sordid couple dance episode. Jackpot again expressed regret and promised her he would penalise the guilty. He knew that it was the fucker Robert who used to hunt girls every here and there. Supriya’s eyes were filled with tears and melancholy had resorted to her face. She wept again and again while conversed to Jackpot why an inebriated drunk had insulted her even in his presence? Then the sumptuous hotel flashed with dazzling twinkling lights like periwinkle flames. A sign of night fell down. Jackpot held Miss Supriya from back and kissed her thrice. Supriya, with the eyes of hope, smiled, beamed and laughed. They exchanged hesitant embraces. Jackpot escorted her inside the hall. They sat on chairs and had tea. The hall was empty. All the showmen, women had sheltered into their rooms. Supriya opened her wallet and looked into it anxiously. She pulled one thousand rupee note out for a moment and then surreptitiously kissed it and again thrust it into her wallet. It was her prize money. Memorable thing. It was safe. Thank God! Supriya relaxed. A one thousand rupee note was still there with no complaint, no groaning, and with no ill-will or malafide intentions. To spend on the memorable thing was her unbridled desire. She reflected if jackpot could suggest her how she should spend money and on which memorable thing? Previously, she had far much tried with Mr. Suresh, his classmate but he was completely failure, could not even suggest her to buy memorable thing. Now she detested the duffer Suresh and decided that she would break up the relationship with him forever. “What is it?” Jackpot asked. “Nothing” “I am free now, let us dine out” Supriya gazed into his eyes with some hope. No answer. “Any problem?” “No” “Then?” “Couple dance” “Oh, come...come” Supriya rose and opened her arms for Jackpot. He encircled her into arms and entwined his legs with her so as he might control her in the case of her falling in the first jig because they wanted to practice Australian folk dance in which almost three leaps at a time were essential to make the performance best following German dance waltz. Supriya wanted to learn dance from him and Jackpot sincerely was all set to teach her. And she wanted to revolve in his arms and do exercises so as her body get shapely toned. She had heard that dance and swimming are the best exercises to get the body toned. No doubt, she had yet stunning figures but she wanted to gain some more cuts from the calves of legs and desirous of two three inches augmentation on breasts.
Copyright © 2006 Ashwini Ahuja |