SidNaaz Imagines

Imagine Thirty Three

Sometimes, being in love doesn't make a happy ending!

Sidharth his fingers absently on the oak counter in front of him, his drink sat unattended as he looked into the crowd, his eyes had a soft twinkle. It was the last day of the year and somehow his friends had managed to convince him to get out of the house and let loose for once! 

After days of pestering, Sidharth had finally conceded and accompanied his buddies to the madness. Here he was, for the last two hours, sipping slowly on his ‘one and only’ whiskey. 

He was soft enough to accompany them, but not insane enough to get drunk on their insistence. If his friends weren’t total morons, he would have gotten bored out of his mind. Fortunately for him, they were total morons and absolutely hammered. 

So even in a place that would ordinarily look like a hell-hole to him, he was plenty entertained. 

On top of that, the music was surprisingly soft. He was not going to dance like his friends, the morons but the place had at least started looking like somewhere he could be. 

He was twirling his glass of whiskey absently when he felt someone come up to him and sit right next to him. He didn't react to it, knowing that it was a public place and everyone was entitled to sitting, standing, drinking— or not! at their own will. But, he knew it was a girl, by her distinctive, vanilla Ice-Cream scent. 

He wondered how on the new year's eve, someone was sober enough not to be reeking of alcohol, and somehow, that made him like her. Till— she wrapped her arm around his shoulder, out of nowhere!

He wanted to pull away, out of instinct, but a gentle voice stopped him. 

"Please don't flinch away. I need your help." She said, with a hint of panic. "I have been drugged."

Sidharth frowned. What?

"I am not sure who did it, but it's one of the guys sitting in the booth—" 

"Are you okay?" 

 "Not sure how long I'll be able to stay.. conscious. I am dizzy, but— I saw you earlier.. but I.. saw you earlier.."

Sidharth didn’t know how to react— why was he this stranger's savior for the night? "I am alone. I had a couple of co— cocktails earlier.. but I didn't mean to get drunk out of my mind—"

Sidharth turned to her pulled her stool closer to his.. making them collide. "Try to stay awake. Long as you can, yes?" He said. She was beautiful, he thought, just as soon as he saw her face. Her eyes were drooping slightly, as if she was starting to get sleepy. "I got.."

"Stop blabbering." He placed one of his fingers on her lips and patted her face gently, to have her focus. He gestured to the man behind the bar to get some water. She blinked. "Save your energy, important questions first. Why do you trust me?"

"I saw you earlier.. at the.. office—" She struggled to form the next words, and swayed slightly. Sidharth held her in place and patted her face again.. "hey.. focus. What office?

"Outside. The office.. Meher."

Sidharth had to strain to hear her, "You know my name?" He asked, to confirm. Shehnaaz nodded. "Sidharth.. I know.."

Sidharth sighed, "Paani piyo. Thoda.. better lagega.." He said, taking the glass to her lips. She took barely a sip when a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her. "Thoda aur..  bas thoda sa aur.." 

Sidharth felt bad for her. She looked like she was in the wrong place, in the wrong time. Its as if people can't let girls enjoy, let loose, even for a few hours, especially if the said girl is all alone. She was a stranger to him even though she seemed to know him. People knew him. He was somewhat of a celebrity in LA, for his art.