Sharmita & Mishti

31st August 2016

After the office's shift got over, my 2nd shift got started, to search for a flat. Called up a broker in Bandra (E), who showed me a real chawl-like flat at first which I rejected seeing the outdoors. I pointed towards a building and asked him to show me flats in any such building. The broker was a Andhra-wadi raised up in Mumbai. He said, "ye sb to 25-30k me milenga". Then he showed me some more fucked up flats and finally took me to a flat which I ended up liking. But the broker told the one condition which makes me unworthy of living in that flat. "Owner ko family-waala mangta hai". I asked him if there is any other solution to this problem. He asked me to meet the owner once and tell him "mammi aata jaata rahega". I nodded. But the owner never appeared and refused on the phone because of his adamant demand. The broker said he'll find some more flats of my taste and will walk me through them tomorrow. I left at 8:50pm, called an UberPool to go back to the guest-house.

The driver, Shahid, was funny. I was sitting in the front seat already talking to him about random things. He told me he is also from U.P. but has left it way back as his family has settled down in Mumbai. He asked me where I work. He asked me whether it's good for his sister to join bank. He told that he barely managed to pass the 8th standard exams, but wants his sister to study well. Suddenly came another booking in the pool as I had crossed the Sahar International Airport road. It showed "Sharmita". We reached the pickup location as per the GPS location and the location she told over phone. We were waiting. I asked Shahid to call Sharmita saying "milaao na yaar aunty ko call, kitna time lagayegi". He said, "aunty thodi na hogi". I said "haan jo bi hai."

Suddenly two pretty chicks wearing knee-length dress came out from their CHS building and rushed towards the cab as if they were already getting late.

Sharmita : Sorry, sorry, you had to wait for long.
Me : It's ok, it's just that there was no parking here and many vehicles were creating problem in passing by from here. [Of course, why would I mind waiting if such pretty girls had to accompany me in my boring ride]
Sharmita : Ok. So where you heading?
Me : Powai.
Sharmita : Ok.
Me : And you?
Sharmita : Chili's

I didn't know where was this Chili's and didn't ask her either.

The driver Shahid became silent. He was just observing what is happening.

Sharmita and Mishti started talking to each other about what dresses they like, in whose party she wore it last time. Then they started using words like "fuck, chutiya, bakchodi". I was like, ok, ok. That's new for me.

Sharmita : I'd definitely go out with a guy who'd say "I won't rape you". How about you Mishti?
Mishti : Yeah, I mean, it's totally safe. It's the safest thing anybody can say. But with unknown guy?
Sharmita : Yeah, for sure, I'd definitely go grab some drinks with that guy.
Mishti : O, really.
Sharmita : Hey, would you go out on a date with some unknown girl

I was wondering how could she ask me this. I pretended for a microsecond that she didn't ask me this.

Sharmita : Yeah, I'm asking you. What's your name?
Me : Ankur
Sharmita : Ankur, who?
Me : Ankur Govil
Sharmita : Hi Ankur, it's Sharmita here and she is Mishti
Mishti : Hi.
Me : Hi [I was already getting those chills, that, wow, 2 pretty girls talking to me, yeah, ME, without any effort]
Sharmita : So you didn't answer.
Me : Let's do this, yeah.
Sharmita : Haha, see Mishti. He's ready.
Mishti : Haha
Sharmita : Just ignore us, we are doing some bakchodi, that's all.
Me : No, no. Absolutely fine.
Mishti : Actually, I tell you Ankur. What happened when we went with UberPool last time, this fellow started following Sharmita on Instagram after the ride. He is still in touch with you na Sharmita?
Sharmita : Yeah. Every time I travel with somebody, the guy ends up following me on Instagram.
Me : Ok

I was thinking whether I should say "I too would want to follow you on Instagram after this ride". I later on searched but since I didn't know their surnames, I couldn't find the same Sharmita and Mishti.

Sharmita : Where do you work?
Me : BKC
Sharmita : With?
Me : Bank of Baroda
Sharmita : Wow, a banker. I once worked with PNB as an auditor and my God, working with them made me put on 4 kgs of weight.
Me : Hehe, yeah, it's the banking culture that we treat our auditors the way a granny treats her grandson. So are you a CA?
Sharmita : No, I was pursuing back then. I hope you are not getting bored.
Me : No, no, it's perfectly fine. In fact, I'm enjoying talking with you two.
Sharmita : You might be thinking who are these two mad girls.

Unfortunately my drop had come, after a ride which I didn't want to end.

Me : Haan yaheen utaar do isi bus stop pr. Otherwise aap traffic me fass jaaoge andr jaaoge to.
Sharmita : Haan you might be thinking that finally you're getting rid of these two girls.
Me : No, no. I loved talking to you and didn't want this ride to end. Ok then. Bye
Sharmita and Mishti : Bye
Mishti was gazing at me through the window of the cab. As if, O my God, ye tha jisse humne itni baat kar li. Fuck

Being honest, I was feeling so elated due to this encounter. I felt like, wow, this could have never happened with me in Delhi. How cool they were!

Later that night when I was roaming in Hiranandani Gardens for dinner, I saw Chili's. It was an American Grill & Bar. I so much wished I see them again, but of course, I didn't.