Chapter 1: Building Tension
Sharda gets on to the bus and their romantic conversation starts with Vijay asking her. "What dress are you wearing today". To which Sharda blurs "You say please".
Vijay asks "Is it a salwar kurti?", Sharda says - "ummmmhum" (No).
"Is it skirt and tops" ? - "one is correct" responds Sharda in her usual shy voice, revealing only half the truth.
Vijay plays along, asking - "Is it western or Indian" So, Sharda clears the air saying "Western".
Sharda and Vijay continue to play this fun game of twenty questions, they often play during their calls, as the bustling markets, the damp alleys, and the wailing rickshaws pass by.
Vijay asks "pant and shirt" ? to which Sharda delightfully replies "Yes".
Vijay with a devilish smile on his face, asks next "is it formal or casual". Sharda's voice seemed to be more enthusiastic when she replied animatedly saying "casual".
Vijay asks "Is it tight-fitted?". And now, Sharda is getting a little uncomfortable while playing this game. She murmurs "ummmmm".
Vijay with an amused laugh and, knowing her shyness very well, proceeds carefully to the next question, "how about the color".Sharda whispers "black & white".
Vijay tries to provoke Sharda by asking her next, "miniskirt or full-length" ?
Sharda responds, a little louder this time, "full".
Vijay and Sharda are now giggling on the call like two teenagers while the street vendors watch this beautiful, shy woman in awe.
Vijay asks, "How is your hair styled right now. Loose?" asks Vijay.
Sharda picks up on the veiled meaning in his question and struggles to find a response, indecisive. "Ummhummm".
"A pony?"
Sharda responds "Ummmhummm".
"Half clutched"?
Vijay asks, trying to get the vivid image in his head. "Ummmm", Sharda whisper feels like a seductive caress over the phone.
Vijay can't help himself, and he asks the finishing touches to the visualization, "How are your lips colored today?". Hoping for an 'ummmmm' response again.
But to his surprise, Sharda quickly and brightly answers, "No lipstick". She adds a little proudly, "Just natural and shiny".
Vijay can't help but chuckle at her answer.
Vijay could hear Sharda usually says goodbyes to their friends as she gets off the bus. Today was an exception. Apart from her voice Vijay could just hear the sound of the bus' engine as he heard her getting off somewhere. To his surprise her stop arrived a godo 40 minutes late today making him wonder where she was heading.
She walks while still playing the game, now talking a bit freely as no one else is around. Time is 19:45 and little did Vijay know, Sharda is walking into a Shopping Mall.
She confidently strides towards the salon on the top floor. She loves to pamper herself from time to time with her best friend's frequent encouragement. Vijay waits patiently as their playful conversation forges on.
Vijay hears Sharda swing open a glass door. After a few seconds he hears a man's voice
Rohan asks - "Hello mamm, how can i help you"
"I am here for the cutting" Sharda says naively using the word cutting in a raw fashion unlike how its called in most modern salons.
Rohan replies "Ji", please come.