Page 81 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

‘Maybe you can write a script on the plight of middle-class Indians. So
many people will be able to relate to it. Even I can.’

‘That is a good idea, bro! By the way I am performing for the first time in
Pune. Join me tonight.’
‘Of course, brother! Will be there. Share the details on WhatsApp .’

Shikhar always tells me, ‘The world knows who you want to become.
You know who you want to become. Yet, every day, you don’t come home
to your own self.’

I finish the meeting and secure my share for throwing my father a party. I
then rush to Carnival. With jitters down my spine and a racing heart I tell
myself that I will rock tonight.

On reaching, a volunteer guides me to the green room. I find three other
stand-ups sitting there as I enter. They aren’t really speaking to each other.
Sandeep and Ankush know each other, while Ruchi, the only woman stand-
up, is being ignored on purpose. They give a cold response to my over-
enthusiastic hellos.

‘You go first,’ the volunteer tells me, ‘next is yours,’ he tells Ruchi, ‘then
you,’ he points to Ankush. We nod. ‘You’re the showstopper,’ he tells
Sandeep.

Sandeep says to the volunteer, ‘The coffee tastes like shit. Can you get
me some warm water, please?’
‘Okay,’ he nods and leaves.

Sandeep tells Ankush, ‘These young stand-ups, I tell you. They’re full of
shit. There’s no class. They talk about stereotypes. No pun. No sarcasm.’
‘They aren’t even punctual,’ Ankush adds.

Ruchi, meanwhile, is busy rehearsing. I take my diary out and scribble:

They try to break me.
Again and again.
I don’t give up, I rise,
again and again.

As the light over the audience dims and a spotlight moves over me, I am
reminded of Alara, not Tara. It feels as if she is standing in the crowd and is
asking me to give my best. It is comforting in a good way. I smile, then I
start: