The Cricketer's Jockey (#MyStoryIndia) (#MissionDesi)

Chapter 11

Aniruddha woke up the next morning feeling groggy. He had reached home at 4 AM and was able to take only three hours sleep before realizing even if he was having headache, he would not be able to sleep anymore. He brushed his teeth and took a long shower. He was hungry and the headache wasn’t helping. So he started making his usual – a large cup of coffee, French toast, boiled eggs and omelet. He switched on the radio as he poured his coffee and arranged his breakfast. It had taken him hardly half an hour.

“Good Morning Mumbai!” The familiar voice mused and Aniruddha stopped for a moment, finally increasing the volume.

“I know, you all must have been surprised to hear Ashish-the kauva of our station instead of the Bulbul. But I attended a great party last night and ran a little bit late but so do our head Raman whom I beat today in foosball. He lost his fitbit after losing ten times in row. Anyway, so chalie karte hai din ki shuruat with this sweety song ke saath. Enjoy.”

The room filled with music. And Aniruddha set there remembering last night. May be all went well and she was okay. At least her voice suggested it. Damn, he didn’t have her number or else he would have called her. He shook his head. Him calling her! Not possible. But then how would he know what happened after they left her. He thought of calling Lakhi, but realized he might be in flight to Delhi. Vivan was probably still sleeping and he was not the one who cared about this kind of things. And he didn’t have Nuts number either. After dwelling for another couple of minutes, he decided to toss this whole thing aside. He hardly knew her. Why should he be concerned?

So Aniruddha completed his breakfast, watched some news and then went to gym, forgetting about Bulbul for a while. But his thoughts always came back to her; though he didn’t inquire about her to Lakhi later on the call. He realized that it might be foolish to ask and if the word went to Vivan, his life would be hell.

So Aniruddha Jayakar went with his life for another ten days and heard Bulbul’s show every day until he couldn’t put up anymore. Her voice was not enough, he realized. He had to see her, know her and deduct whether she was actually okay.

 
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“Hey.” She waved at him offering the same smile he had seen her give the last time.

He nodded. She was still talking with one of the listeners and he was not going on air for another fifteen minutes. Nuts had escorted him to the studio and briefed him about his interview.

“So, why this sudden interview thing? Your PR guy was persistent that we do it on this slot only.” She sipped her coffee and questioned.

“I don’t know my PR guy’s working but somehow he thinks this will be a good way to reach public.” Aniruddha shifted in his seat. Nuts shrugged.

“By the way, she is doing okay and not okay at the same time.” She added on his surprised expression, “I have been in this industry like forever. I know things beforehand. Anyway, just talk with her casually and don’t be rude this time.”

“Okay.”

“Do you really want to do it?”

“Of course.”

“Cool. Let’s go.”

The room smelled of coffee and Bulbul set there writing down something in her notebook . She looked up as they entered and motioned him to take the seat. Nuts sat across them.

“I am staying.” She declared.

“Oh, I didn’t see that.” Bulbul rolled her eyes and then turned to Aniruddha, “I guess, you are familiar with this already. We won’t take calls. Just a simple interview. Its four songs in a row. So we have time. Relax I won’t bite.”

“I won’t trust you on that.” Aniruddha replied.

“Given our track record. May be yes. But I don’t want to get fired coz I offended celebrity cricketer Anirude publicly on the radio. I mean I won’t get any job afterwards.”

“Now you are taking sensible.”

“Arrey abhi toh dekho aur kya kya bolti hoon.”

“I am all ears.” Nuts said.

“And I am ready.” Aniruddha leaned on the table, smiling.

“Then here we go.”