Free Just the Way You Are by Sanjeev Ranjan Page A

paid.’
    ‘It reminds me of brothels in movies where flowers are showered on you when you enter and here is this stamp. Modern approach, huh!’
    ‘Dude, why are you bothering with all this, man? Come inside. You’ll find apsaras waiting for you,’ he said excitedly. But I was more excited than him.
    We walked inside. The loud music was ripping my eardrums and there were flashing neon lights. There were many couples and almost everyone was dancing madly, without any rhythm. Some people were sitting on couches in corners of the pub. My eyes were searching for hot girls and I wasn’t disappointed. The pub was full of ravishing girls who were dancing, some with a glass in their hands. Singles like me were ogling them.
    I could never understand the logic of such dancing. I mean, what fun is it at all? Dance like a sensible person if at all you want to dance. The ‘dancers’ were making lewd, jerky movements as if struck by electric lightning and were gyrating without any rhythm or beat. Was this what was called dance? Was this the reason they all came to the disco—so that they could move so repulsively?
    We stayed on the stage in the centre for some time and then Mayank pulled me towards the bar. He ordered a glass of rum for himself and asked me what I wanted to have. When I said nothing, examining the non-alcoholic drinks menu, the bartender intervened and asked if I’d like to go with a glass of vodka with a shot of lime cordial to ease myself. I avoided his question. I found that even the mocktails were overpriced. I politely refused, patting my back pocket and thinking of the 3000 bucks I had thoughtlessly spent the other day. My only consolation was the fact that I had a hairstyle that matched many of those muscled hunks sitting on couches with the girls. If not muscles, I had hair like theirs. It was a relief! At least the money I had spent did some good. I looked at Mayank sipping his drink and thumping his feet to the music.
    He turned towards me and said, ‘They’re free.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Drinks.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Yes. The entry fee includes drinks.’
    ‘Oh. Great, then I will have a mocktail,’ I said to the bartender.
    ‘Which one?’
    ‘Any of them. Whichever is your favourite.’
    ‘Try this,’ and he started preparing a glass for me.
    ‘Mayank, tell me one thing. I was wondering how these people manage this pub. I mean, Rs 1000 for everything, including drinks! How do they make a profit?’
    ‘Dude, are ya kidding me? What has got into your head? Don’t talk like a bloody lunatic,’ He looked at me disdainfully. His lips were wet with rum and he was almost on the verge of spitting a mouthful into my face. ‘I tell you, you’re one nutcase! Why at all do ya have to bother how they manage the pub or how much profit they’re gonna make? If you’re so interested about calculating their profits, why don’t you join them as their general manager? Or you might as well give your CV to them and they may hire you rightaway. That way you could also ogle girls from the counter and keep ogling them your whole life!’
    I felt embarrassed at his outburst.
    ‘Arre yaar, I just asked generally. Why are you getting angry at me? Okay, sorry. I was just curious.’
    That was really a stupid question and I had just asked the wrong question to the wrong person. I mean, why did it even occur to me? I scolded myself and thought for a moment if I was really the odd one out. I could never be in a situation without analysing its unnecessary details. I must get rid of this way of thinking. I shook my head and started checking out the girls dancing on the floor. All of them were pretty and I was desperate owl. I wished I could turn my head 180 degrees!
    Then suddenly there was a sweet voice from behind me, ‘Hey!’ I immediately turned towards it.
    There stood a lovely, curvy girl. She was clad in a shiny golden skirt and a fawn top which revealed her deep cleavage. A bra strap was carelessly displayed