Page 56 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

Goa is drop-dead gorgeous. Goa is a reflection of your mood. If you’re
happy, it feels like a happy place, if you’re sad, it feels dark and gloomy.
Every encounter in Goa feels new, different. For me, living by the beach is

the same as living life like a slow-burning candle. Today feels like one of
those days when you prefer listening to the radio for the element of surprise
rather than playing your long-lost playlist.
My Tinder shows 10 odd profiles and, like every other day, I swipe all of
them left. My smartphone rings. ‘Happy Birthday!’ says the lady at the

other end.
‘Thank you!’

‘You can avail 800 credits on MakeMyTrip for your next booking.’
So, here’s the deal. It is not my birthday today. I am signed up with more
than 15 online travel companies and I have mentioned a different birth-date
on each one of them to avail the birthday month benefits every month and

ride for half the price to Goa. Young and broke college students often do
that.
Switch your phones off before you enter, reads a big board in front of

Ricky’s. I clearly remember noticing this when I had accidentally landed at
Ricky’s for the first time.
‘Look who is here,’ uncle Ricky hugs me and pulls me out of my reverie.
Sheen smiles from a distance. She’s busy attending to some European
clients.

‘Hello, uncle! Why did you tell everyone about my stand-up gig? Why
can’t you keep your mouth shut?’ I say as I place all my stuff in the coco
hut. Uncle Ricky makes sure to reserve it for me before I reach.

‘Fear. No Fear. No Fear. Say this out loud,’ he laughs.
‘Wow! Is this Elisha’s song playing?’

‘Yes!’

‘Why don’t you share this playlist with me? It is not on YouTube . I love
her voice.’
‘It’s my prized possession. Nobody can have it.’

Elisha became my favourite singer the moment I listened to her first
song. I can listen to her songs on and on. They give me the power to live, to
believe in my dreams, and to dare to fall in love again! I wish I could meet
you at least once, Elisha!