LOSER MANAGING A FAKE SMILE!

Once again he looked in the mirror. He checked himself

smiling and nodded. After losing his 6^th job he never managed to bring that natural smile on his face. But today, he was determined to bring back the lost smile. His cousin sister’s wedding reception was just a couple of hours away and he knew that his juniors would be there, relatives would be there. He didn’t want to look like a buffoon in front of them. Somehow he managed to smile. Let me put it in other way; somehow he managed a fake smile on his face and decided to move to the auditorium.

He wore denim and a black shirt. After losing his last job he has managed to reduce his weight. He became lean. He didn’t shave and went with a beard which was telling everyone watching him that, he was not alright. Yet he thought that, the fake smile would cover up everything. He reached the venue half past 7 and got a warm reception. He smiled and moved on. But one of his relatives asked him straight away “Dude you lost the job as well right, ha ha ha , now you are gone man”!. Suddenly the smile on his face faded away and he left the scene in seconds.

He bumped on Rani Aunty whose son is settled in US of America after his MBA and Daughter working in Wipro, Bangalore after her B-Tech. It was like escaping from a lion’s den and entering straight into the leopard’s mouth. Rani Aunty was excited seeing him

“Arey Sidharth Bhetta… How are you? Oh I am sorry, You lost that job too na?. Now you must think a lot before going to join somewhere. See your Cousin Rohan is performing well and was the best performer Award winner for the previous month too. You should chat with him when he comes online. He will give some tips to you, which would help you find out some good jobs”. [Sidharth had stopped contacting Rohan since he started talking about dollars and global marketing terms]. Sidharth nodded and walked away from Rani Aunty.

He met Tinu, his cousin whose marriage reception was underway and about to leave to the food court. Then one familiar voice called him and he looked back. It was Rwitika his Ex-Girlfriend. Rwitika and Tinu were classmates from school and Sidharth wished to die there. He cleared his throat and returned a cold ‘Hi’ and about to leave. But Rwitika came forward and stood in front of Sidharth, blocking his way.

Rwitika: Dude heard that you lost that job as well. When you gonna be consistent man? Show some maturity. At least think about your future no?

[She was the girl once loved Sidharth’s immaturity, Childishness and what not!]

Sidharth: Rwitika, leave me alone. I know what to do. He left the food court without eating and rushed to his motorcycle and left the auditorium.

He drove his bike to the beachside BAR and settled with a half bottle whiskey. He tried to relive in all scenes. He thought about his first job, second job, third job, fourth job, fifth job and the last one. He thought about that uncle whom he met first at the wedding reception in the evening. He thought about Rani Aunty, Her Son Rohan and finally thought about Rwitika and her sarcastic statement. Then he pulled himself and locked inside the toilet. He looked in the mirror. Started counting…One…two…three…and he saw the smile coming on his face and that was what he needed. He laughed loud and drove back home, Drunk and with a smile on his face!

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME

SHARATH MUTHIRAKKAL