Jhooming With Karaoke
"Aadab." Shabnamji's voice echoed across the dance floor.
Laila looked up from her seat at the bar, smiling. There she goes again…
Shabnamji had a rather interesting way of getting people's attention. Whenever an announcement needed to be made, she would say "Aadab" to the audience 3 times, and then proceed with the announcements. Tonight was no different.
"As you all know, it is our tradition to host a special night, on the last Friday of every month. A special night where everyone is welcome to sing their hearts out. Let Karaoke Night begin!"
Enthusiastic applause and cheers met Shabnamji's little speech. Laila looked towards the doorway, watching and waiting.
"Who are you looking for, dearest?" Laila turned to see Shabnamji smiling at her. "Aren't you going to sing?"
Laila shook her head. "Not tonight, Shabbo Aunty. I'm not in the mood."
"Hmm." Shabnamji pursed her lips and gave her a disapproving look. "Well, you just spoiled my mood. You've sung every month, and all of a sudden, you say you're not in the mood. I know better. Something's up."
Shabnamji raised a hand as Laila opened her mouth to protest. "Don't try it. Don't even try it. Laila, you've been looking at the clock every half hour. And then at the door, too. You think I don't notice these things? Paagal," she gave Laila a reassuring smile and turned to walk away. "Don't get your hopes too high, jaan."
Laila smiled. She knew exactly what Shabnamji was talking about. Or rather, who she was talking about. Bhatinda Boy, soon-to-be Shahenshah of Southall. Chikne, Suwar, Harami… Laila listed a few of the nicknames she had come up with for Rikki over the past few months. There were too many to count. And the interesting thing was that Rikki didn't seem to mind her calling him names. Ever since the alleyway incident, he'd become slightly more tolerant of her tendency to call him names. He still couldn't bear to hear her swear, but it was an improvement.
In fact, Laila had noticed a change in his demeanor after that night. He'd started coming to Jharokha more often. He even had a schedule of sorts. Laila noted that on most Friday nights, Huffy Bhai and Rikki would arrive at Jharokha at ten o'clock. But Rikki had never missed Karaoke Night before. Laila had discovered that he was quite a talented singer when she caught him singing softly to himself. And like her, he also loved to sing. So when he hadn't shown up at ten o'clock tonight, Laila knew that something was wrong.
"Laila? You're still standing here? Chalo, everyone wants you to sing now. We've had enough torture with those others…Did you hear the way that woman sang? It sounded like a dying peacock…" Shabnamji was back. Laila snapped out of her reverie.
"Hmmm? Sorry ji, I didn't hear…" Laila allowed herself to be led onto the stage. Only then did she realize that everyone wanted her to sing. Great. Rikki wasn't here, and she would have to sing now. Karaoke Night just wasn't the same without him.
"Laila!" Shabnamji hissed under her breath. "I'm turning on the music now, whether you're ready or not!"
As Shabnamji walked away, Laila scanned the crowd again. Chikne, wherever you are…This one's for you…
"Aisi nazar se dekha us zaalim ne chauk par…Hamne kaleja rakh diya chaaku ki nok par…"
Laila couldn't contain herself. The music itself was contagious. She ran down the steps of the stage and prepared to dance. She wasn't Aishwarya Rai, but she didn't care. She could still come pretty darn close.
"Mera chain-vain sab ujraa…Zaalim nazar hataa le... Barbaad ho rahe hai ji…Tere apne shaher waale…"
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall man with a brightly colored jacket and a feathered hat walking toward her. The highwayman, or Bulla Man, as she had nicknamed him, had returned. He was smiling, silently asking if he could join her on the dance floor. Laila nodded in approval, and he began to sing and dance with her.
"Haan, meri angaraai na toote tu aaja…Meri angaraai na toote tu aaja…"
When she hit the first chorus, "Kajra Re" resounded throughout the whole pub. This was the kind of enthusiasm and energy that kept her going…She could sing all night and never get tired of it.
"Chalo, Huffy Bhai! We're already two hours late for Karaoke Night!" Rikki groaned. "We've probably missed all the really good people by now, and I promised Lai…I promised myself that I wouldn't miss any Karaoke Nights," he finished lamely.
He'd almost put himself into a sticky spot. Actually, he hadn't ever promised Laila anything. He just liked listening to her sing. Not to mention the way she danced into everyone's hearts. He remembered that she still hadn't answered the question that he'd asked her a week ago. Not directly, anyway. Every time he had tried talking to her, she would skillfully avoid mentioning the topic or change the subject. He resolved to get an answer from her tonight, no matter what.
"Huffy Bhai! What are you doing, yaar? Come on, let's go!" Rikki grabbed his red coat from the coat rack. "Huffy Bhai?"
"I think I'll skip the Karaoke Party tonight, darling. I'm too tired to hear all that yelling. And those buyers are coming back soon, too," Huffy Bhai called from the adjoining room. "Go and have fun."
Rikki had already bolted out the door and was driving away. He didn't need to be told twice.
"Oh blimey!"
Jharokha was packed to its full capacity with men and women, all cheering and dancing. Rikki couldn't fathom why there was so much excitement in the air. It was only Karaoke Night, after all.
The music from "Kajra Re" was blaring from the speakers. Rikki grinned. That was enough to send the people into a frenzy. He didn't blame them. But as he made his way to the front of the crowd, he heard a voice that made his breath catch in his throat. Laila's voice.
"Haan, meri angaraai na toote tu aaja…Meri angaraai na toote tu aaja…"
Rikki knew now why everyone was cheering and yelling like crazy. Laila was dancing again. Her every move held so much fervor and emotion, that it was hard not to be entranced. He couldn't help himself as his eyes followed her every step, her every expression.
Laila caught his eye as she prepared to sing the next stanza. She felt a surge of immense relief, followed by a sharp, momentary stab of anger. Saale Suwar. Where had he been? He must have wanted to make an entrance. Typical Hero. Before her anger could worsen, Rikki gave her a small smile, his eyes bright. She was singing his favorite song. Her anger melting away, she smiled back, and began to sing, looking straight at him.
"Aankhen bhi kamaal karti hain…Personal se sawaal karti hain…"
She was teasing him again. Rikki couldn't suppress a smile as Laila began to twirl across the dance floor. She knew how to entertain, and she sure was a fabulous dancer.
She was almost finished singing now. As the tempo sped up, she beckoned to the audience to join her on the dance floor. Soon everyone was dancing, laughing, cheering. Rikki strained to find Laila, but she had disappeared. Somewhere offstage, he heard her sing the final line of the chorus one last time, before the whole pub erupted with whistles and thunderous applause.
"Kajra Re…Kajra Re…Mere kare kare naina…"
Author's Note: Kajra Re is from "Bunty Aur Babli"