Party headlines.

SCENE I:

A socialite throws a 'bash' for her husband who gets a meaty role in a 'K-serial'. (As though they need reasons for a bash!) All the big names of the Television industry are invited for the do. And some out-of-work film personalities too. Where else can they get some limelight? So, at the party-

Mrs. Hostess: Oh Mrs. Khanna! *mwah-mwahh* Its been so long. You look so very young even at 37.

Mrs. Khanna: 37! Honey, I just celebrated my 32nd birthday last week. It was really wonderful. Just me and Anand (Mr. Khanna) and the beautiful beach in Schylles. I could not ask for more!

Hostess: Wow! Yes. We had been to Schylles too last year. We may plan something for this year too. Harry was asking for you. Simran! Your attire looks fabulous! *hugs and kisses*

Simran (a wannabe model): This one? Yeah! Bought it from Gucci when I had been to Paris. You should've checked the Paris Fashion Week. It was amazing. Some model co-ordinators met me and are willing to keep me in mind for the next fall.

Hostess: Aww! I missed it. (Bitch! No Indian designer will be willing to hire her and she's talking about Paris. Wait till I tell Pinky about it. Gucci! Must have borrowed it from some down-market boutique.) What about your boyfriend? I've been hearing some rumours lately.

Simran: He's a dog. A good riddance! Anyways I'm seeing this another guy *blushes* Don't let anyone else know about it. I'm just telling you. I consider you my closest chum, you see. Hey! Isn't that Khanna? What has she done to herself? She thinks she's some 30 year old!

Hostess: Oh! She? Everybody knows she's already going under the knife. Whom does she think she's fooling? I heard that Anand is straying away past one year.

Simran: There's Jiya. I'll just catch up with her. She had some urgent work with me. Good that you arranged this party. Where is Kunal? (Mr.Host)

Hostess: Actually, Kunal is caught up with shooting. You see, he plays such an important character in the serial. He'll be coming after a while.

(Simran heads towards Jiya. Hostess tries calling up Pinky, but there's no response from her side. She then gets back to attending guests.)

**********
Tyra(a sociallite. Her ticket to parties are dating celebrity guys.): Hello Mr. Raj. Nice to see you here. I've heard that your new movie is set for release next week.

Raj: Ya. I'm pretty much excited about it. Its a completely different story. I play the lead guy who is in love with a rich girl and her family disapproves. We've shot mostly in Uk and Switzerland. People are gonna love this story.

Tyra: Interesting story. I've also heard your director uncle is looking out for new faces to be casted?

Raj: If you want, I can refer your name. Meet me sometime soon. I'll surely try to push you in.

Tyra: That will be so very nice of you. Wish you luck for the movie. (Damn I hope the papers have my pic with him. His girlfriend will ditch him then. I'll be no more be single again.) *smiles her best smile*

**********
Jiya: Just look at that slut! Hooking some another bakra. Simran, do you know What I saw last week?

Simran: What?!

Jiya: Kunal and Pinky were leaving a nightspot together. They were walking hand in hand.*giggles*

Simran: Don't tell me! *in disbelief*

Jiya: Why do you think they're missing from the party? Anyways, how is Anand? Will he not even speak to you in midst of other people?

Simran: *sigh* I myself have called for it. Forget it.

**********

Kunal and Pinky enter the room. His wife goes to greet them. Pinky smiles at her and walks away. Kunal seems to be already sloshed.

Hostess: What is wrong with her? She's be behaving like this for past few days.

Kunal: Why the hell are you asking me? She's your friend.

Hostess: Behave yourself Kunal. Keep your voice low.

Kunal kept ranting, while everyone now looked at them in utter silence. His wife was almost into tears. One of the hostess' friends, Samir, intervened. But Kunal shoved him in a fit of rage. Samir went ahead and punched him in the face. And the argument turned into a fist fight. Everyone now gathered around them.

The cameras went click-click... a woman shrieked, another was trying to make it to the exit. Most of the men were busy trying to keep those two apart while the hostess was continuously wailing. Someone took Samir and left the party. The remaining too left the scene after a couple of minutes. Kunal had bruises on his face and a blackened eye. But he still was hurling abuses. His wife went to her room and locked herself in sobbing and packing her bags. She may go to her mother's place.

**********

The next day the paper had carried out this news on its Page 3 section with the headline-
" A 'Bash' to remember!"





SCENE II:


Ramu lived in a slum. This had been a very special day for him. It was his son's first birthday. His wife had earlier given birth to 4 daughters. But finally, he had a son who would proud to carry his 'lineage'. So on completing a year, the son 'deserved' to be celebrated. His daughters' birthdays had never even seen a cake beneath a candle or even new clothes. But here the whole moholla was invited. Lights were put up and the loudspeaker blared the top most bollywood numbers and had all the kids dancing the evening away.

Everyone were given a paper plate with some wafers in it. He sat among his friends and boasted how lucky he was to have a son. His friends agreed with him and merrily drank the country liquor he had bought for the occasion. All men drank and sang and danced along the track Himmesh was crooning from the speaker.

Suddenly, one of the men fell on a woman. Her husband reached to the man and hit him. In no time there was a brawl with every man trying to get their hands on each other, slapping, snatching, punching, kicking. The music died out and profanities filled the air. Women dared not to pull their husbands away. Little children cried clinging to their mothers while elder ones looked in horror. Teenagers were excited. Some cheered the group, some tried to resolve the conflict and some themselves got into the riot.

Suddenly there was a sound of police siren and some motor bikes. The police had arrived as well as some scribes. Several people were detained by the policemen.

**********

The news was carried on in the crime section of the newspapers with the headline-

"Big brawl in the city slums."
Several detained by the police.