Item Number: Strangers In The Night

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Strangers In The Night

The thought of spending an evening with a bunch of strangers, does not make me jump three feet high. My evenings, usually, revolve around the same set of faces (new expressions always!). Call it boring, I call it choice.
But like most choices out of one’s control, I found myself in a rather unfamiliar situation.

The strong winds turned north, I wrapped my jacket tighter. Tonight was a big night. I had agreed to go out with friend A, who had a visitor in town, friend B. After running out of excuses, for not turning up, I found myself sipping coffee on the third seat. Just two people? I can handle that. But as the night stepped forward, alphabets began to multiply. We were now on friend H, and the only thread that linked us all was 'A' who I must admit, was not doing too bad a job.

The evening picked up speed like the unexpected force of a rapid. The laughter grew so loud that it took my rule book by it's horn and flung it in the direction of an oncoming train.

That night I learnt:
1. When traveling by car, if there’s a choice between nurturing a crick in the neck or missing out on punch lines, choose the back seat! It’s comfortable [I was just plain lucky Mr.B:)]
2.If you haven’t finished your glass of wine, it’s ok to ask for a take away
3.Retro is just soooooo much fun
4.Having random men walk up to you in a club, as the aftermath of a prank, is actually quite funny. Neither of you know what you’re both doing in that situation
5.A 5 star hotel’s restaurant is packed even at 5 on a working morning! With powdered noses still in place.
6.It’s ok to sing along to the music. And really loud. Even if you can hear it only faintly from behind the club doors
7.Two girls need absolutely no reason to bond or not
8.You can exchange numbers at the end of only one evening with an honest intention of calling back
9.It’s ok to laugh when someone chokes up on chillies :)
10.A little flirtation never hurt (but I already knew that)
11.A table behind you, helps break the fall, especially when your partner looses grip while trying to jive
12. What definitely doesn’t help is walking too close to a fountain (I’m still not sorry, c’mmon, be a sport!)
13.Even if you’ve been drinking till 5 in the morning you wont feel it, cause your heels are killing you softly
14.Planned evenings don’t always hurt [yeah you! you know who I’m talkin’ to:)]
15.Reminiscence of such an evening can make you smile, even days later……

Strangers in the night….We were strangers in the night, Up to the moment, When we said our first hello…sometimes, that’s all it takes.

1 comment:

UnknownJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Wow, A wild night that ended up in rules.... Can we have nop rules for once.... just fun... no rules.....
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About Me

Ok, so I’m 5ft 9, about 139 pounds, big greenish brown eyes, long curvy lashes, a curvier body, soft curly hair and an electrifying smile. This impression exists in my head…and now in yours.

It’s not because what I look like makes me uneasy, but this is the number that I’d like to turn up in, someday.

Hence, the ‘Item Number’. A lot many maybe familiar with the term and all that it implies but for the ignorant read on…

I’ve always associated myself with the term ‘Item Number’ which however until recently was a phrase loosely used in Bollywood to describe a filler, a foreplay before the formidable act, a thesaurus for sleazy dance, an excuse for skin show (not always attractive).

All that is now the past. With cinemas growing sensibilities, the stigma attached to the phrase no longer exists and in fact, is now glorified by a list of A grade celebrities gracing the screen with their special performance, adding glam value to an otherwise submissive script.

However in spite of the recent but growing respect, the meaning of the phrase ‘Item Number’ has never changed for me. An item number is an exhibit out of the ordinary plot line, sometimes provocative yet necessary, it sometimes lends itself to the situation but other times it’s forced. It’s long enough to make you smile, but short enough leaving you longing for more. Sometimes special. Sometimes over the top. But never subtle.

I believe, if we search deep inside, we all yearn to be an item number (yes even you!)

It’s the longing to be special. To be provocative. To be able to tease ones boundaries. To be different. To be the one. To make people sit up and notice.

If only for an hour, if only for a minute or even a second.

When you hear the crowds cheer (even if it’s just in your head), respond to every appreciative/envious glare with a radiating smile from within, when you know the stars are shinning in this moment, only to make you look brighter, and you almost throw your hands up to the universe miming a big ‘Thank You’ that’s when you know you’re an Item Number.