Siya

What's worse than an expected nomination and then failed promotion?

But I had worked overtime and changed my eating habits at the same time to climb the ladder of success. It was ten in the evening when I walked out of the tall building of Youth Today after crying for hours in the washroom.

"I hate my job at times." I said it twice today but I know how much I love this profession. I looked down the road past the street lamp. The evening gloom made everything grey but the fluorescent lights seemed to complement them. The streets at night are always as busier as the day.

Her cell beeped with a message, [On way to pick you.] A smile crept over my lips after reading Avinash's text. Concealing the shiver in the windy night I walked twenty feet ahead to the sitting area. It was vibrantly lit. Many adults are walking hand in hand. The street performers are playing familiar music and keeping the atmosphere alive. Burying my head, I slowly walked through the bustling street but as if my bad luck was chasing me, a car was about to crash into me.

"Watch your steps, woman. Your tactics to earn a few bucks by framing an accident won't work with me." Someone barked at me, lowering the glass of the window of his car.

"You bastard, who wants to die. Don't you have eyes?" I shouted back at the top of my lungs.

"How much do you earn daily with this trick? Is it worth your life? Is someone not waiting for you at home?" I couldn't see his face in the darkness otherwise I would have broken it now. What the hell does he think of himself? Raees! No, it couldn't be. It's my SK's movie title so I settled for Raeez-Zada.

"Youuuuu Get lost from my sight."

"This feeling is mutual Missy, Get out of my way NOW." Muttering curses he reversed his huge luxury car backward and left but the pent-up emotions inside me were eager to burst out in open. I counted to three to calm myself.

ONE

TWO

THREE... I don't understand MEN'S MENTALITY. All are bastards of A grades. Take the director's approach as an example. I am not saying it's not impossible to lose. But.... They shouldn't have nominated me at first. Shubham was the better candidate. Isn't his working style similar to the director but they need beautiful faces and figures." After cussing I felt lighter at heart and fished my cell out of my purse to switch it on. Avi (Avinash) and Kritika would be worried about me. Instead of contacting Avinash and telling him the truth, a coward in me cut myself off from the world. After all, I was looking forward to it but it turned out to be nothing but a joke.

The street artist suddenly started singing 'Challa' from Jab Tak hai Jaan and my steps subconsciously stopped. By the time the song ended, I was not the only onlooker in front of him. Many loosened their purse to award the singer. The moment my hand touched the bag I found that my wallet was missing. It might have gotten lost in the washroom or maybe haven't been brought in the morning.

God!!! The man is looking with hopeful eyes.

"I'm sorry, I am not carrying cash." I babbled.

He gave me once all over before approaching, "Umm no problems, but can you do me a favour?"

"Well..." I hesitated and mentally scolded myself for not escaping earlier.

"Nothing much, If you liked my performance just share it on your social media... maybe it will come to notice of some singing reality show." He scratched his head in embarrassment.

I sighed in relief, he sounded genuine. "Fine, I can do that."

"What's your WhatsApp number?" He asked but before I could reply, a familiar voice replied on my behalf. "What do you want her WhatsApp number for?"

I turned my head and saw Avinash standing behind me leaning against his car. His hands loosely wrapped around his chest, but his eyes were fixed on the man next to me.

'Uff! my hottie Jelly Belly' My heart fluttered at the sight of him. If it would be some other day I would have whistled or complimented him. Without a word, I walked over and crashed myself into his arms.

"Good morning baby!" I grinned and he looked at his wristwatch. It was two O'clock. "Indeed morning." He squeezed mu button nose.

"But it was a bad day. I am so miserable." jerking I complained, ready to narrate the incident but he stated casually, "I didn't find you miserable when you were paying him attention."

I raised my head and found him staring at me without any trace of emotion. "You should coax your girlfriend at this time" Burying my head more into his chest. I sulked.

"Say something," I demanded. When I thought he wouldn't say a word he suddenly bent over and kissed my pout, leaving me perplexed. We are in the commercial center and always afraid of public image. "What are you doing? So many people are watching."

"Don't you like me?" he asked.

"I do, and you know that."

"Completely." he added and I hesitated as I nod.

"Then why don't you move in with me? It has been a year and we are progressing at tortoise's speed." Hearing his complaints, I put my hands on his chest, "I lost to Pallavi today and didn't become the Deputy Editor-in-chief today... you know I won't move in until I prove myself."

"Then introduce an ophthalmologist to your director so that he can see your talent." Though he replied, he looked away. His focus on the lamp in the opposite office building.

"That sounds good," I nodded solemnly to ease the tension. We both know I won't let him close to me any sooner.

What if he leaves me in the dirt?

"Then you hurry up." he laughed and flickered my nose. His gaze came back to me, and I too returned his smile. It was a hard day, maybe I'm thinking too much.