The rest of the day was full of life and energy. Sia and Razia had so much fun shopping. They changed into their newly bought clothes in the trial room.
Dressing done!
Next comes make-up.
They approached the cosmetic sales corner of the mall. They were approached by the cosmetic sales girl. She asked
" Mam, We are giving a 30% off on our products exhibited in this section here. We are applying the sample make-up for free. Would you like to give it a try? "
" We are giving 30% off too. I'll get you the best sample make-up ever. Please have a look at our products Mam! "
said another sales girl from the neighbouring cosmetics center as if competing with the first one.
" Sia, How about checking both of the products? "
Razia said raising her furrowed brows
" Good idea. You go check that one out. I'll enter this shop. Let's compare in the end "
said Sia with a grin.
In a quarter hour or so, they were out with a beautiful make-up on. The sales girls competed to give their best while applying the make-up.
Razia bought a primer while Sia bought... a nail polish!!
Poor Sales girl! Her face was all worn down
Make-up done!
The current Sia was well known for her Frugal Track record when she was ' Shriya '
At certain times, she would become a penny pincher. Her upbringing in poverty-stricken conditions and her insecurities were the basic reasons.
They were in a cab to the DJ nights program.
" I forgot to ask. What did you buy in the cosmetics section? "
asked Razia
" The Nail Polish "
Sia said with a proud face.
" Only that? "
Razia looked at Sia in disbelief.
She asked
" Considering your personality, Weren't you embarrassed? "
Sia was confused with her question
" What? Did I steal? I bought with my own money. I bought what I really felt like buying. What's there to be embarassed about? If you're thinking about how little I spent, then think of those who get the sample make-up done and run away with out buying anything. "
Razia was surprised from her reply
" Can you answer me honestly? "
Razia's voice was serious all of a sudden.
Sia turned to look at her serious face and asked in a cautious tone
" What? "
" Are you really Sia that I know? "
This sentence echoed all around her 3 to 4 times. Even though the cab was amidst the traffic, all the sounds fell dead. She could literally hear her heart going " Dhak dhak "
She pulled back her senses and said
" Wh-What's with th-that Question all of a sudden? "
" I mean... the Sia I knew could never dare to break-up with that scum bag. She was always nervous when she's outdoors. So, YOU Can Never Be The Sia I Know. Who are you? "
" ... "
Razia stared straight into Sia's eyes. It was as if she was trying to enter into the Sia's inner self. Sia started sweating.
" Ha-Have you never h-heard about people opening up? People do change after they encounter certain dr-drastic con-conditions, you see... Hehehe... "
Sia said while trying to avoid Razia's eyes and trying to overcome her state of panic by cracking up into a forced nervous smile.
Watching Sia struggle like a little Rabbit, Razia burst out laughing.
" Were you enjoying by pushing me into the corner in this weird way? " Sia felt irritated by her reaction.
" Sorry my dear friend. You are still my Riya. Tell me, Does a person feel cornered from such a stupid question? Who would react that way if not for my old friend Sia? Anyway, this is not some fantasy Novel where souls get exchanged. Is it?"
She said while wiping her tears which popped out while she was laughing.
Sia felt relieved but still embarassed. She twitched and sharply turned her head towards the window.
" Still, I'm not the same Sia anymore. "
she blurted out like a kid
" Awwww.... I'll die from your cuteness. Alright, Alright, I'm sorry. You are a New Sia. Like a phoenix, you are reborn from all the ashes! "
she said while controlling her laughter.
Their cab halted infront of their drop location.
***
The amphitheatre was filled with people. There were free food stalls, wine and Brandi stalls and soda vending machines arranged all over the place.
" Are all these for free? Are you kidding me? "
Sia asked in surprise and looked at her ticket pass.
One ticket pass valued ₹30k.
She almost fainted after seeing that. That was her monthly income in her previous life after working hard for 2 years!
" Razi, Did your brother buy these tickets? "
" Yes, Why? "
" Are you sure we can spend money like this? "
" Come on, why do you keep repeating the same question? You know this is my brother's gift. Do you remember his first successful business deal last week? He had promised us a treat, Hadn't he? Have you forgotten?? And, This is his treat! "
" Oh, Ok "
She looked at Sia in a weird way and soon got distracted by the anchor on stage.
' Based on our conversation, Seems like Razia's family is rich and I'm not. Now that I observe, Razia's dressing and accessories are all posh. Then why in the World did Razia buy that commoners makeup? Was it that she couldn't say no to me? Also, it seems like her brother knows Sia very well. I may get into trouble if someone notices sudden change in my attitude. Somehow I managed it today. It can't go right everytime. Should I tell Riya the truth? Will she believe. Maybe, I should act like I lost my memories? But how? I'm quite healthy and met with no accident to say that I lost my memories '
Sia thought to herself
***
The DJ was really cool and the best in his Dj mix. The two girls danced to the beats as if the world around them did not exist. Sia was not a good dancer but followed her instincts and Razia's steps.
She was enjoying her outing with her friend, which she missed a lot in her previous life. She decided to not mull over her past anymore and to not worry about the logics behind her current situation.
She lived the moment to the fullest!
***
They were dancing for more than 2 hours already. Sia was tired but Razia was still full of energy as if she's ready to dance the whole night.
" Seems like you have exhausted yourself. Go and rest. Stay in my line of sight. It's dangerous. I'd be worried otherwise. You can laze around in the rest area 4. There, it's to the right. "
Razia authoritatively directed Sia
" Aagh... Yes Mom, your 5 year old kid will not wander around and follow your words like a good kid. "
Sia replied sarcastically and walked towards a Vending machine beside the Rest area 4.
" Haah... finally, this girl shows the signs of growth " Razia's lips curved up on one side while she spoke to herself.
A handsome guy approached her as soon as Sia left. " Mind being my partner? I mean... dance partner? " he asked politely
" Why not? It's just a Dance partner after all " they both laughed and continued to dance.
***
Sia was watching Razia dancing with an unknown guy while sipping her Lime Soda. " Who's he? Is she 'Ok' with dancing with a stranger? "
' ...Or Is he not a stranger? Ahhh... Shouldn't I get Sia's memories when I'm in her body? Why is this happening to me? Did my entry into this body erase the previous memories of this body?? I know only the information about the main leads that's shown in the movie. I'm not at all related to the main leads in any way now. I don't understand how to interact with this world anymore... ' she was frustrated
" Ditched by your friend for a dance with a handsome guy? huh? "
a gentle and deep sexy voice asked from behind.
"Huh!? What do you know- "
her voice froze as she turned over to look at this guy. World around her turned slo-mo. Her hair and the guy's hair was fluttering in the wind.
He was 'the Best of the Bests'. Crystal Black eyes, thick yet well shaped eyebrows, Straight nose, firm jawline, wheatish skin, well groomed jet black hair. As she lowered her gaze trying to photograph him into her brain, she could see well toned body beneath his thin T-shirt with a V neck which gave way to his collar bones. His full sleeves pulled up to the forearms.
" Miss... If you gaze any further, I might feel embarassed. " he laughed softly.
She turned red from the embarassment and checked her surroundings. There was no other person in the Rest area.
' Shriya, What's wrong with you? But this guy looks like a Demi-God who visited the earth by chance. I'm not to be blamed. Blame this world's video and audio effects. I'm innocent. It's just body's reflexes. It's natural ' She spoke to herself in her mind infront of her conscience. She had been unintentionally staring at him for almost half-a-minute.
She sipped her drink. The slurping straw sound from the bottom of the cup added to her embarassment. " I'm sorry " she mumbled and went on to throw the cup into the Dustbin.
The handsome guy grinned and followed her.
She continued to move to the nearest Vending machine to get another glass of soda.
" Breathe Sia, Breathe the fresh air and calm down. It's alright. Everything's fine... " she tried to calm her embarassed self.
" Ah shit!! I bought the wrong flavour! Lemon flavour was the only one which could soothe me now. " her inner self screamed inside.
" Would you like to exchange the drink? "
the same voice asked
She almost got goosebumps from the proximity of the voice. She didn't even dare to turn behind.
" I-It's alright " she mumbled
" I over heard you speaking to yourself. You basically wanted to order the Lemon flavour if I was not wrong. I've got a packed bottle of Cold drink of lime flavour. I don't enjoy it much. Can we exchange, if you don't mind? "
She gave an Indian head shake as approval. They exchanged.
" I'm sorry. I didn't think that you were so sensitive. I was just kidding back then. Please don't mind. "
he said in an apologetic gentle tone
" (Cough) it's alright. Please donot bring it up again "
" Ok. Sorry. Anyways, this weekend is my engagement. I have the most beautiful girl in the world for me as my fiance. "
She felt a slight tingling sensation in her heart after hearing that. ' Well, what does that have got to do with me? Why are you telling that to a stranger, dude?? seriously? '
Sia saw a brownish black mole on his left pinkie. She immediately checked out his neck for a heart shaped tattoo with mom inked inside it. The tattoo was there in its own place. Her suspicions were right. She immediately asked,
" What's your name? "
" Ah, I'm Aditya, Aditya Roy. And you? " he asked with a smile.
She went blank. She felt really sad and pitiful for this guy. This gentle man is going to meet a tragic end in a year.
' Why... the vibes they give off and their basic characteristics match. I'm unable to recognise them from their faces. I can see the similarities in name, character, personality and behaviour. But... Why is it that these people look different from the movie characters? '