Raglak Few Shots by Bela: Cocktail (Shot 3)

Bela back in the scene!!!!! Today’s shot is the result of great hard work as this chapter got deleted from my stupid fuddu phone twice. Imagine a fat girl(Bela) having nightmares about the length of her chapters and the horror of typing it all out again!???

Ragini is not in Goa today, sorry, but I thought of this and realised that it is better this way. Way to go peeps!

To all those who lost touch, here is the link of the previous parts:
All Parts here

On your mark, get set, GO!

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“This one.”

“Nah. It is old. Can’t you see, it is worn?”

“Then why have you even kept in your wardrobe?”

“Papa gifted it to me on my 22nd birthday. I will never discard it.”

“Fine…….what about this one?”

I saw the black number in Lakshya’s hand. It was till mid thigh, sleeveless with a cold shoulder. Add to it that it was backless. I don’t usually wear such clothes but I bought this one impulsively because I did a mistake of accompanying Swara and Sanskaar on a shopping trip. She was buying such s*xy outfits and I foolishly felt like showing off my style. I ended up buying this dress which was more of Swara’s style than my own. Damn Sanskaar! Damn Swara!

“Umm….. I think it is too…….. revealing and more of a party dress.” I said to Lucky. He raised his eyebrow at me.

“Goa isn’t a pilgrimage site, ya know? It IS a party place. It has a happening nightlife and since you are going with your gang, I assume you would be frequenting a club or something. So I guess this works completely fine!” He said as he threw the dress in the pile of clothes that I was taking to Goa with me.

Lakshya Durgaprasad Maheshwari had decided to grace my home with his presence today of all days, the day I was packing. Granted, I told him I needed help but it didn’t mean I needed help with packing. He now was helping me in choosing the wardrobe I would be taking to Goa and even though it was kind of helpful, his attitude was making me squirm.

“Bwahh………PSL! These clothes are far too formal and elegant for a place like Goa. You need chic and casual clothes, something happening you know? We need to go shopping!” He remarked as he shuddered at the sight of my favourite beige fitted dress. He picked it up as if it was trash and threw it in my wardrobe.

I raised my eyebrow at him. “We?” I asked him.

He looked up. “Yes, WE! I have a look in mind for you and no offence, I don’t think I trust you with those kinds of clothes………..hey wait! What is this? Now THIS looks interesting…………… ”

I looked at the pink frilly thing in his hands and my heart stopped beating. Twinkle had given it to me this year with a wink and a hope in her heart that it would come into use. Damn Twinkle!

“You should take this. Like absolutely take this!” Lakshya muttered in excitement as he inspected it.

“Umm………FFL? It is basically…………lingerie!” I whispered hesitatingly. How could I take this Victoria’s Secret hot pink frilly lace lingerie with me to Goa? What use did I have for it?

Lakshya gave me a ‘I am proud of you’ look and told me in a voice heavily doped with sarcasm, “I know that. Which is precisely why I want you to pack this NOW!”

“Lingerie?”

“Of course! What is wrong with it?”

“I can’t wear it to a party.”

“This stuff is not what you wear to a party baby. You wear it at night before certain activities. Don’t you know this? Why did you buy it then?”

“I was bought this by my friend……FEMALE, Lakshya, before you say anything!”

“I could guess. You don’t buy things at sales, there could be no other reason why you would buy this!”

“I feel insulted.”

“I didn’t insult you. Stop being so self-important.”

“I won’t have an occasion to wear it there.”

“Why not? Who knows when you may get lucky. What happens in Goa, stays in Goa!”

“Isn’t that Vegas?”

“Who cares? Your destination is Goa. Not Vegas. Focus PSL!”

“Shut up! I am not taking this.”

“Oh you are, baby!”

“Stop calling me baby!”

“Okay buddhi!”

“Stop calling me buddhi either!”

“Okay Halkat Jawaani!”

I screamed into my hands and shoved a pillow into his laughing face. His laughter got muffled only to resurface again a few seconds later. Damn Lakshya! Damn everyone!

“Okay fine, take whatever you want. But you do need a few things. Let us go shopping, even I have to buy some stuff. Winter fashion is much more classy here in Delhi than in Mumbai.” He said.

I sighed. “I don’t have a choice, do I?” I asked resignedly.

Lakshya tapped his chin with his finger in mock thought. “Nope!” He finally ejected.

Damn Winter Fashion in Delhi!

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“My mall, my rules!”

“My store, my rules!”

PSL and I were fighting again. We were at The Great Shop Stop, a mall I owned. And we were in Gin, a daughter store of R-Bazaar. I asked Ragini to buy a fashionable white shrug, which I got to know was Ragini’s own creation. She refused flatly. I don’t understand, what is wrong with her today? She is getting more and more irritated as her day of departure is coming. I don’t know why but I am getting the feels that she doesn’t want to go…………………….

“Let me buy what I want and you go to the Men section and buy the coats in vogue, okay? Take some from Fur Friends, I have co-designed all the outerwear in it. I know you generally like my creations!” She said to me.

True that. I once went to an R-Bazaar store and ended up buying many clothes which later turned out to be her designs. I planned on denying my admiration of work but my lovely mother opened her mouth in front of PSL and I was exposed. Huh. Mothers!

I grabbed her by her elbow and dragged her outside the store, ignoring her loud protests and the stares we were receiving from people. I took her to an outlet of Lucky’s Caffe in the mall, went to a private booth, ordered Pasta Shots, Cheese Potato bites, French fries and Coke and then sat down with her.

“What is up?” I asked her. She gave me a look similar to what my mother gives me when I utter something stupid.

“Sky?”

“Hahaha. Very funny. I just died laughing. Now tell me what is wrong. I have been noticing for the past few days that you are constantly in a bad mood. What happened?”

Ragini shifted uncomfortably and looked down. I was about to ask her again but right at that moment, the order was served. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Ragini salivating as the Pasta Shots were served. PSL!

“We will call you if we want something else. Please ensure we aren’t disturbed again.” I said to the girl who nodded briskly and went on her way. I like this thing about my staff. They are trained to be disciplined and strict, no nonsense types. Works really well for me.

“New flavour?” Ragini asked me as she licked her lips. I found one shot over. I looked at her and nodded.

“The original one, which you love is basically macaroni and cheese. This one is chopped penne with white sauce, pesto sauce and oregano. And cheese.” I said to her.

Ragini looked at me, impressed. “I like this one too. Have you thought of making Pasta Shots with pasta in red sauce?” She asked me.

I nodded. “I did think of it. But white pasta sells more. When people eat this, they tend to order more as the cheese keeps them going. The tanginess of the tomatoes in red sauce pasta and its lightness is comparatively less favoured. So I dropped the idea. Business!”

“Fair enough! By the way, this whole Shot thing in itself is smart business. Cause one or two shots is just not enough to get the feels. You need to order at least ten to fifteen. No wonder this is the bestseller of your cafe!” She said.

“Yup. I am planning to expand it though. Some people just want to taste while people like you want to hog everything. It was after meeting you and seeing you eat that I decided to launch Pasta Glass. Basically pasta served in wine glass or a square whiskey glass.” I said, smirking as I saw her turn red.

“What do you mean by ‘hog’? I like it, okay? This is my idea of bliss, along with Choco Box. Get it?” She asked, nostrils flared.

I chuckled quietly and nodded. “You should feel proud that you are an inspiration behind an upcoming dish.”

Ragini relaxed. “I am. Kind of. Thanks FFL. And yes, something is bothering me.”

I looked at her, patiently waiting for her to continue. Ragini finished her sixth shot, ate a few potato bites and took a sip of her Coke. Then she looked up.

“I don’t want to go.”

I shrugged. “I figured out that much. Why, is what I want to ask.”

“I…..I am not keen on going there. Everyone is paired up, Twinkle is Kunj’s fiancée, Nisha is Kabir’s childhood girlfriend and Arjun and Radhika are also dating. Sanskaar is with Swara. I feel I am the only one unpaired. I think……no, I know that I would end up feeling lonely or become a third wheel in between a couple. Plus there is…………….”

“Swara?” I asked. I knew it. It was all about Swara. Come on, it isn’t as if Ragini has not travelled with this set of friends before. She has. And these couples were there even then. The only difference this time is the presence of a female around Sanskaar, a female by the name of Swara Bose. This woman was turning out to be rather a pain in Ragini’s butt and to be honest, even mine. Quite a lot of time I spent with PSL now consisted of her b*t*hing about Swara and like a faithful friend, I always lent an ear. It was getting on my nerves now.

Ragini pouted in sadness and nodded. I swear, for a moment, I was hooked. She looked really cute. Just a moment though. Just one tiny moment.

“Why does she have to come? Doesn’t she have any modelling assignment? She is really clingy, you know?” Ragini whined.

“Don’t insult her by calling her clingy. She is his girlfriend, she is supposed to be beside him.” I admonished her gently.

Ragini shook her head violently. “Man, she is clingy towards ME! She is always trying to include me in her shopping trips, her dinners, get togethers. She insists on a selfie every time we meet and she always posts it on Instagram. She makes numerous Snapchat stories with me. Earlier I thought that she was trying to be friendly towards me as I am Sanskaar’s bff but I think now that she may actually be in love with me!” Ragini said with a frown.

I started laughing hard. An image of Ragini, running madly with her hair flying behind her, shaking her hands, face contorted in fear while a girl ran behind her, oozing red hearts came to my mind. As I sobered up, this situation struck me as being a bit too familiar. I was reminded of Kavya and her antics to get a Raunak Shah film.

“Isn’t Swara a model?” I asked Ragini. She nodded and then took a large bite of the Soya and Tofu patty which she had ordered. My eyes hardened.

“Does it not strike you obvious, my dear PSL, that a woman who knows she is dating your best friend cum crush can have no good feelings for you unless she stands to gain something from your friendship?” I asked her. Ragini, who was in the middle of devouring her eleventh Pasta Shot, looked up and scrunched her eyebrows up in confusion. “What’cha mean?” she asked with her mouth full of the creamy cheese pasta. I could see her mood was okay now, thanks to the Shots. PSL!

“She is a model. You are the soon to be owner of the leading fashion house of the country. What do you think?” I asked her slowly, enunciating each word as if she was a tiny tot and I was her kindergarten teacher.

Ragini’s eyes widened in realisation. She choked on her twelfth shot and started coughing while I gave her my glass of Coke( she had finished hers a long time back!). She took a few sips, steadied her breathing and then looked at me in wonder.

“Damn, you are right! Why didn’t I think of it earlier? She is not particularly nice to me, she just wants to show off that I am in her ‘circle’! Damn! She is using me! Do you think she is using Sanky?” She asked me.

To be honest, it was possible. I mean, the chances were high. Why would a woman, who was aiming for a career as a supermodel want to be in a serious relationship with a playboy who was studying to become a lawyer? He just had good looks, money and contacts to appeal him to her. But I guess passing a judgement without even meeting them and observing them would seem too high handed. I turned to Ragini and shrugged.

“Don’t know. I have never met them personally and I have had no chance to observe their behaviour. So no comments!” I said. Ragini nodded and then, finished the Coke. Then she realised that it was mine. She smiled sheepishly and looked at me with her huge doe eyes, pouting. I suspect she knows I am captivated by this look of hers. She tries it too much these days.

I waved my hands to indicate I didn’t mind. She gave a huge grin and then finished the Cheese Potato Bites. I sighed as I saw her. I like her but she hogs too much!

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He makes sense. Swara is too clingy. And I know she doesn’t like me. I mean, I get this intuition. She agrees with everything I say, too quickly and too easily. Like she is trying to please me. To be honest, I have the power to make or break her career. I already have a lot of say in the company’s matters and I am greeted with respect whenever I associate with others in the fashion circuit. I know that my backing can make Swara the top model of India. She could even bag international projects with my recommendation. Darn it! She is a smart sly chick!

Now the question was, was she serious about Sanskaar? I should be worried about her though. Knowing Sanskaar’s track record, it wouldn’t surprise me if he brings a different girl for the Goa trip. He doesn’t have too much going for him in this relationship anyways. Swara and he belong to two totally different worlds and careers and the only thing Sanky liked about her initially was that she was hot. That’s it. Hot. Such an important parameter to start a relationship!

This new information and perspective have changed a few things. One, I now look forward to this trip. It would give me a really fab opportunity to observe Swara and Sanskaar’s relationship and Swara’s true feelings regarding me. Two, I have to learn to be on my guard now. It amazes me that I was unable to comprehend this and actually had FFL tell me this. I would have to learn to be aware and on my guard. And third, and by far the most important, this has elevated Lakshya’s position in my life. I respect him more now. It is obvious that he is really looking out for my best interests. I smiled. He is really the best friend I could ask for. We have been meeting up quite a lot and generally have lunch together………………….

Shit! The gang doesn’t know that I am almost best friends with him! Even Sanskaar doesn’t. I didn’t omit this piece of information on purpose, I just never had an occasion to discuss it. They don’t know! I need to tell them. I switched off my bedroom light, resolving to discuss this with them when we reach Goa.

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“Yes Kavya. No! Sorry, I can’t be there babe. Nah, nothing to do with Ragini, it is just that I am busy and my parents want me to spend time with them. I swear I am not lying! I am not. Kavya, you are completely losing the plot here, Ragini and I are just friends. Stop it! For God’s sake woman, STOP CALLING HER A CONNIVING b*t*h!” I yelled into the phone.

The people around me looked at me in alarm. I took a few deep breaths, smiled at them to indicate nothing was wrong and then whispered into the phone, “Listen. I am telling you that there is nothing going on between Ragini and me. If you don’t want to believe it, don’t! I am fed up with you and you poorly hidden jealousy! Yah fine. I don’t want to be with you either! Fine. Let us break up. I would be glad to have a good rest after the headache you give me constantly. Yep darling, I am breaking up with you. Good life ahead. Bye!”

I disconnected the call and took a deep sigh of relief. I realised that this was the first time I initiated a break up. Oh my God, a milestone! I immediately picked up my phone and called up PSL. Her phone was switched off. She must be in the flight! No worries, I would message her later. She would be proud of me. I went back home to tell my parents this piece of news. I knew I would be overfed with love tonight!

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“Papapalakosbdnskkxgsnlsamskdhwkoxjdoapksbdbdchkdpaakaksjdhdhbsbdhwi?” Swara asked me. I mean, that is what I could make out of her chatter. She had been talking non stop with me for the past half hour and while I had tried to follow her initially, I lost track after she gave me details of Marks and Spencer’s new perfume.

While everyone was sitting with his or her partner, Swara was paired up with me. By Sanskaar, no less. Turns out, I was sitting next to a girl who was ‘hot AF’ and Sanskaar requested me to shift seats with him. Swara didn’t even mind, in fact, she looked more than happy to sit with me throughout the journey. Sanskaar makes me puke sometimes.

Thankfully, an airhostess came to our seat to offer some chocolates and grabbing the opportunity, I offered some to Swara and when she refused, I took a handful instead. The hostess gave me a meaningful look and I realised that she had puposedly saved me. I realise now, she had been watching us. Maybe she sensed my boredom and came to my rescue. I smiled at her thankfully and she winked with a smile and went on her way.

“You are lucky, you don’t need to worry about the intake of calories. I have not eaten more than a dozen chocolates in my entire life!” Swara said to me. I gaped at her in disbelief.

“Maa was always particular about what I consumed and what effect it had on my body. Chocolates, ice creams and other such sugary stuff were a big no-no. My Dida, my maternal grandmother that is, used to give me Bengali sweets when I visited her though. Maa was an airhostess herself and was very conscious. Even she wanted me to become a model and when I told her my dream, she seemed very happy. And since that day, I am allowed only protein bars.” Swara explained. She took out a granola bar from her handbag and munched on it.

I felt bad for her. This is sheer ruination of someone’s childhood. Swara’s first sentence, that she thought that I was lucky, itself explained that she wanted to eat chocolates but couldn’t because she was forbidden. It made me pity her. She is in a very competitive field where even half an inch of fat costs girls big projects. It made me reflect that if Swara was cosying up to me just to get work, she wasn’t wrong. Other than the fact that she is really rude, vain and arrogant. I turned to her and found that the moment was gone. She was back to her chattering self.

“Ahdhdkskdhdkdjnddnndndndndvdjdbekxhdjcbsksofhcurkoxkd!”

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Okay guys done. Now quickly comment. Please? Sorry for the short shot ?

Next: Ragini and Gang are in Goa but what is a certain FFL doing there??