Rent Free

10.Anamnesis

"What was that?" Shubman asked, staring at the bartender, dumbfounded.

"Spirytus Rektyfikowany," the person repeated the best of their menu.

"Uhm," he blinked, not even sure how he was going to start pronouncing that. "I'll have one."

The bartender mumbled a small 'in a minute,' before grabbing a shot glass.

He looked around while waiting for his drink, as everyone else seemed to be in their own world too.

Hardik's party had started a couple of hours back, on the rooftop.

And honestly, Shubman thought that he couldn't make it.

He'd let them know that he had to drop his sister off at her hotel, from where she'll be leaving for the airport to go home with a friend.

But he had time now.

Why not surprise everyone with an unannounced arrival?

While she was sober, he had a glass of vodka and knew he couldn't drive.

So Shubman left the car at the parking lot of the hotel she's at, wore a mask, hired a taxi, and got to Hyatt.

And the lounge bar was just so compelling.

"What's special on the table?" He heard a voice beside him and turned to look.

"Spirytus Rektyfikowany," the bartender repeated yet again.

"What's that?" You asked amusedly. "A spell from Harry Potter?"

And as a reply you were given the complete history of the drink.

Indonesia's largest wine and spirits stores, Red & White, has put it on top of the list for the strongest alcoholic drinks in the world.

They've described it as a Polish spirit boasting an eye-watering 96% alcohol by volume (ABV).

"It's also the most desired option here before your previous drink, ma'am," the bartender added.

"Better than my previous shot of cocktail?" You raised an eyebrow. "Try me."

Saying that, you turned your head to look at a pair of eyes staring at you.

A familiar pair of eyes. Ones that were the reason your gallery storage was always full.

You blinked once, twice, then said, "Hey."

"Hello," your cricketer-crush smiled a little and you swear you died right there.

'F-ck,' you swore in your mind before looking away briefly.

Shubman was half-drunk.

His mind was half-gone past the Pacific.

And his heart, well, he might have to talk to the team's physiotherapist about this.

Why was his heart beating twice its normal rate? Why won't his eyes look away from you? Why were goosebumps raising all over his body?

He used to think, in a perfect world, everyone would look like Cillian Murphy.

But right now, the world seems perfect.

Two shot glasses were placed on the counter and Shubman made himself look away.

He downed the drink in one go, his throat and chest burning while you did the same.