Whisky, Women and World

Chapter 13

The road ahead of the car was scarcely visible, shrouded in a haze and darkness. Despite the limited visibility, the sounds indicated that the rain was gradually subsiding. A peculiar heated air circulated within the car, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of rain intermingled with the fragrance of red soil. Bejoy was engrossed in a series of consecutive phone calls as he navigated the challenging conditions. The lighting designer had fallen ill, assuring Bejoy that he would arrange a replacement for the play, but he wasn't answering Bejoy's calls. Simultaneously, the stage contractor bombarded him with trivial information about shortages in nuts and bolts or incorrect curtain lengths.

"You need to calm down, man," Apu sat anxiously beside him, concerned about the potential for a serious accident in the rain and questioning Bejoy's driving skills.

"Yes, but I have to sort things out. We're running out of time, and I need to find the right people," Bejoy attempted to convey calmness, punctuating his words with a strained smile.

Upon reaching their destination, Bejoy advised, "It's raining; be careful getting out."

"Yeah, the door is just a few feet away. I'll make a run for it. Drive safely, and remember to control your temper. Given your temper, it might be wise to keep your phone out of reach while driving," Apu teased, smiling at Bejoy as he playfully punched his shoulder while exiting the car.

"Yeah, yeah, I will," Bejoy replied, watching as Apu briskly made his way inside the house. They exchanged waves, and the car continued its journey into the fading storm.

Under the shower, the warm water provided much-needed relief for Apu's tired body. Feeling refreshed, he decided to stretch his muscles to ease the tension. Then, he reached for his shoulder bag to grab the dinner packed by Bejoy, his manager. Having often worked late and not having time to prepare a meal, Apu blushed at Bejoy's thoughtfulness. Before taking on the role of Apu's manager, Bejoy first encountered him during Apu's third film, where Bejoy was part of the executive production team. Their connection evolved from professional acquaintances to formal friends, collaborating on several projects together. However, when Bejoy's son fell ill, he made the difficult decision to leave the cinema industry due to its demanding travel requirements. Subsequently, he leased a theater in his town and initiated stage plays by assembling a group of fellow artists. Even though Bejoy had distanced himself from the world of cinema and lost touch with Apu, he felt compelled to reconnect when he learned that Apu had begun mentoring and coaching theater artists from various cities. Without hesitation, Apu agreed when Bejoy extended an invitation for him to train his artists and perform a play at Bejoy's theater.

Taking a seat at the dining table, Apu felt a sense of anticipation for the meal ahead. The food was heated and served. However, as he looked around, he couldn't shake off the unease that settled in the air. The room seemed unusually quiet, devoid of any sound except for his own breathing. It was as if silence itself had suffocated him.

Behind the house, there was a graveyard, and the thought sent shivers down his spine, amplifying his anxiety. The stillness of the room only magnified the haunting presence of the graveyard. Lost in his thoughts, he continued to eat. The crunching sound of his chewing seemed impossibly loud in the overwhelming quietness of the room. For the first time, he became acutely aware of every morsel he consumed, the sound resonating in his ears.

Just as he was beginning to adjust to the eerie atmosphere, his phone rang, shattering the silence. Startled, he reached for his phone and saw the contact name displayed on the screen, Maya. Curiosity mingled with apprehension as he wondered why she was calling him at this moment.

When he picked up the phone, he could hardly contain his excitement. "Hi Maya, have you reached home?"

"Yes, sir. I just did. It's raining heavily here. What about there?"