Disclaimer: While this story may contain Rikki-Alvira moments as taken and adapted from the movie, it will focus more on Rikki-Laila.

No Inhibitions

It was yet another night at Jharokha.

Laila hummed to herself as she twirled around the small attic room, her short gold skirt swishing around her thighs.

"Oi, Laila! Get ready to come down! They're waiting for you!" Shabnamji called from the staircase below.

"Coming, coming," Laila replied, closing the door to her room. Daintily, she sat down at her vanity and checked herself in the mirror. Perfect.

She had come to Southall a few years ago, looking for work, lured by the promise of wealth and good fortune. It had certainly seemed more alluring than the prospect of an arranged marriage to a man she had known next to nothing about. Upon arriving, of course, she had discovered that there weren't many decent working opportunities for a Punjabi girl like her. Desperate, she had come to Jharokha, where Shabnam had taken her in and trained her to work as a prostitute. Most days, Laila danced at the Glassy Junction, but every Friday, she performed at Jharokha.

Laila smiled ruefully at her reflection in the mirror. This wasn't what she had wanted to be when she had severed all ties with her family back in Bhatinda. But kya kare? She had been helpless…And now, although she had so many men at her feet…She felt empty inside.

"Laila!" Shabnamji called again.

Laila hurried downstairs, where Shabnamji was waiting impatiently. "Sorry, ji. My darling, pyaari Shabbo Aunty…" Laila hugged her, resting her chin on the elder lady's shoulder.

Shabbo's frown eased into a smile. Laila's charm never failed to weaken her resolve. Shabbo had always thought of Laila as her own daughter ever since she had come to Jharokha two years ago. It had pained her to see such a beautiful, innocent girl transform into the hard, foul-mouthed woman that Laila now was. But Shabbo knew, deep, deep inside, that Laila was still pure at heart. And that was what mattered.

Dancing came naturally to Laila. It was her passion, her freedom. She was a free bird in the open sky when she danced. There were no inhibitions, no boundaries. She had always loved to sing, as well. Her voice was mellifluous, almost haunting. She performed often, catering to the cheering crowds at the club, and that energy gave her a new high every day. But when she was alone, she sang to the stars. She sang to express herself, because she couldn't do so otherwise. Being a prostitute was like being a caged bird. There was nowhere to go, nothing to see. It was a monotonous life for Laila, but only because she had detached herself from her emotions when she worked for her pay. She felt nothing at all. All her emotions and energy went into performing for her audiences at Jharokha. Then, she could let her hair down and let the music wash over her, and she would be free…

"Koi aayega…Koi aayega…Koi aayega chori chori khwabon mein aayega…"

The crowd went crazy. All eyes were on Laila as she sang and danced. She was a true diva, teasing the men in the crowd with her smiles. It came so easily to her, it was second-nature.

About halfway through the song, Laila noticed Shabboji's old friend, who she fondly called Huffy Bhai, weaving through the throngs of people. She was glad to see him at Jharokha again. The man behind him, however, caught Laila's attention.

She had never seen him around Southall before. He was very tall, well-built, and strangely attractive. Laila watched him as a music interlude played. He had lost sight of Huffy Bhai, and was trying to find him. In his anxiety, he knocked over a bartender's tray, spilling beer all over the poor man. He flinched and shielded his face as the bartender raised a fist, threatening to punch him. Laila laughed aloud. He was definitely new here.

"O Laila! Kamaal hai! You haven't changed at all since the last time I saw you!" Huffy Bhai caught up to her after she had finished her song.

Laila smiled at him. "Are you talking about me or my dancing?" she replied slyly.

Huffy Bhai offered her his arm. She accepted, and they began to walk.

"Ah! Got me trapped again! Both, of course!" he chuckled. "How have you been, my dear?"

She waved her hand impatiently and scoffed. "I'm still the same. Nothing much happens around here, anyway. Now tell me, how have you been? You just disappeared about two months back. New deal?" Laila didn't mention the tall man. She had a feeling that she would find out about him soon enough.

Huffy Bhai nodded. "I went back to India for a bit. To pick up new stuff, you know. And I found something great! Irreplaceable!"

"Hmm. Really?" Laila's curiosity was rising. That "thing" couldn't possibly be –

"Rikki darling! I want you to meet someone." Huffy Bhai let go of Laila's arm and strolled over to the tall man, beaming. Laila followed, and came to a stop in front of the two of them.

"Rikki, this is Laila. Laila, meet my new business partner, Rikki Thukral." Huffy Bhai patted Rikki's shoulder. "You two can talk a bit. I'll be chatting with Shabbo," he added.

Laila waved to him as he walked away. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Rikki was watching her. Another one falls hook, line, and sinker…

"Are you just going to look at me all night?" Laila turned to face him, swishing her long brown hair over her shoulder as she did so.

Rikki blinked in surprise. Laila was quite possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. And the most forward. He was already mesmerized by her although he had just met her.

"I, uh…Sorry, ji." Rikki looked startled as Laila laughed. She liked the sound of his voice. Deep, rich, with a typical Punjabi twang to it.

"No need to be so formal with me. I'm certainly not any older than you," she led Rikki to a table nearby and motioned for him to sit. "So, Huffy Bhai went to India and brought you back, huh? I was wondering why he hadn't been coming here." She raised an eyebrow inquiringly. Hopefully that will break the ice.

"Yeah, I guess he liked the way I handled customers back in Bhatinda. I got class," he replied, flashing her a smile.

Laila felt her heart skip a beat. What the hell is wrong with me? Laila, you're a prostitute. Get a grip. No attachments… "That I can see," she nodded, her eyes twinkling.

She was teasing him, and he knew it.

"They called me the Baadshah of Bhatinda," Rikki grinned. "Life was good."

"Why'd you come here, then? Bigger and better things?"

Rikki nodded. "I'm here to become the Sultan of Southall next."

"A bit ambitious, are we?" Laila propped her chin up on her hand. "Well, munna, I think you'll do just fine here. Trust me. I know this place inside-out."

Rikki looked at her curiously. "Why? What do you do?"

It'd be better if you don't know, munna…She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a loud whistle.

"Hey, Laila!" A young man seated a few tables away called out to her. Laila waved in return, smiling sweetly. Rikki was watching her again, somewhat uncomfortably. She turned back to him, her smile fading.

"Saala…He's always flirting with me whenever he comes here. Harami…" she murmured angrily under her breath.

Rikki looked from the man to Laila. "But you…you work here, don't you? You're a dancer? Aren't you used to all of that by now?"

Laila looked down at the table, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Lailaji?"

Laila slowly raised her eyes to meet his. "You'll find out sooner or later."

Rikki frowned, his eyes serious. "Find out what?"

"That I'm a prostitute."

Rikki hadn't expected to hear that. Maybe he hadn't wanted to hear it. The way that Laila spoke, walked, moved…everything she did had enchanted him. Everything made sense now, and he wasn't sure he liked the truth. Because whether he liked it or not, the truth was that he had fallen victim to Laila's charms…

Author's Note: The song Koi Aayega is from the movie "Asambhav" - it really helps to listen to the song!