Nothing Lasts Forever - No Secret Can Stay Buried

by Vish Dhamija

  'Of course.'

  The women entered different rooms. Kim locked the room from the inside and broke down. She had put up a strong appearance for her friend all through the day, but she was equally shocked and disturbed. Seeing the usually cheerful Serena in a state of mourning grieved Kim. It was a relief to let go of herself in the privacy of her room. Crying suddenly seemed to assume a meaning in her otherwise happy life, with which the normally welcome sound of the wind chime on her balcony, jarred.

  3

  Serena, at almost thirty, was beautiful. She had aged quite graciously. She looked no less than a model and frequently received compliments on her figure and complexion. Her slender frame, mesmerising almost-black eyes, and straight, espresso-coloured shoulder length hair, lent her a quaint charm. Although her job did not allow her as much time as she would ideally have liked to spend in a gym, she ate cautiously to maintain her weight. The overall impression was that of a distractingly attractive woman.

  Kim was almost as good-looking as Serena, only taller, darker and younger. She was regular at her workouts and had an hourglass figure. She had a nice defined jawline with a flattering smile and brown shoulder length hair. Startling to look at and exceptionally well groomed, her countless attributes were augmented by the fact she knew her charm worked on almost every man. She had a way about her that was nothing short of alluring. With a body and legs like hers, she had no inhibitions about flashing some extra skin every so often. At any party, she was always the best-dressed woman, whether in a long black backless dress or a really short one, and being single, she had no dearth of admirers. Every living man tried stealing an opportunity to get close to her.

  Raaj was an exception. He danced with her occasionally, but there was a difference in the way he held her. Kim always told Serena that Raaj was not like other men. He could make women like her feel comfortable even when he was close. There was something in his hold that never felt lecherous, even when he was drunk. One of the reasons for this was probably Raaj's rock solid marriage with Serena. Obviously, the couple had their share of misunderstandings and nitpicking. That was normal. They were socially very visible in the Mumbai corporate and advertising circles and there was always something about them that set them apart.

  Kim, being part of the entertainment crowd, frequently invited the couple to her parties, each one of which was a sensation; a delectable blend of the best food, the best wine and the best music. The coterie mostly comprised of bankers, a few investors, some advertising and media professionals, Sonny, a chef from the Sheraton, and a bevy of aspiring models and television stars.

  Kim often teased Serena, saying that she would only get married if they could find another Raaj Kumar. No other man would ever be able to give her that feeling of reassurance or love that Raaj was capable of. She knew that their doting relationship was mutual, but she absolutely believed she could play the wife's part with finesse if she found the right guy. She had had a few relationships in the past but none of them lasted long. One guy was jealous of her career; another could not bear the thought of her stripping for a soap advert; a third could not put up with the lascivious jeering during one of her locally arranged ramp walks and got into blows with other men. Kim wasn't willing to give up her career for anyone. She recognised the fact that being a single model gave unnecessary signals of being available to chauvinist males, especially first-generation, middle-aged, pot-bellied, balding industrialists whose products she promoted. There was this one particular guy running a third grade detergent cake factory, who had succeeded in making his product into a strong local brand and in the process, acquiring substantially good reasons for his social mannerisms. The fellow's new-found success made him predictably arrogant and of course, swollen-headed. He tried his best to get into bed with Kim, offering any amount of money. When that failed, he made the ludicrous offer of giving up his twenty-five year old marriage and two teenage daughters to start again with Kim.

  Kim was very comfortable with herself, irrespective of whatever outlandish outfit she wore at parties or at ramp shows. She knew how to ward off unnecessary attention. She had met Serena through Ogilvy when the latter had handled the marketing communications for her bank in January 1994. They had clicked immediately.

  'Oh God, you're gorgeous. Wish I were a man,' Serena had quipped.

  'Thanks. You're no less yourself — actually I thought you were a model too.'

  'I am Serena Kumar — I work for the client.'

  'The bank?'

  'Yes.'

  'I am…'

  'I know — you are the famous model Kim. Who doesn't know you?'

  'You embarrass me darling, I am far from famous,' Kim had said.

  Later that evening, as they lay in bed, Serena had told Raaj about meeting Kim.

  'That sexy model…' Raaj could not control his reaction.

  'Yes. And she looks even more gorgeous in person.'

  'When can I meet her?'

  'Someone's got an itch?' She had teased.

  'Darling, it will take more than a dozen Kims to take me away from you. You know that, don't you?'

  'Yes sweetheart.' And she had melted in his arms.

  Serena's second meeting with Kim was also in the agency where they had both been invited for the storyboard. Serena was there as a client and Kim decided to come along, as she was sceptical about playing a young mother for this campaign. Her career till now had consisted of assignments with local brands portraying a carefree girl. Transforming her profile for this project could jeopardise her career. Her objective was to establish herself as a glamorous fashion model. Modelling for a bank as a young mother was not on her agenda, and did not appear to be the right thing to her. She was seriously considering dropping the offer when Serena stepped in. Serena was aware that the banking industry's stodgy image was deflating Kim's motivation. Their bank was purposely trying to morph its image from stodgy to sexy by investing in upgrading the dull branches into upmarket ones, like retail stores. The challenge of communicating the changes in the bank's service strategy and repositioning it as a bank to identify oneself with, rather than a commodity service provider like all other banks, was a task given to Serena, who was convinced that Kim could make all the difference. They needed an attractive face — a face and personality like Kim's to carry it off.

  'I can understand your concerns about modelling for a bank as a mother…'

  'I am not sure if I am the right choice. I don't want your campaign to fail because the consumers might not accept me in this role,' Kim had explained.

  'I am confident they will welcome the idea of a financially savvy yummy-mummy. The world is changing and so are perceptions. People no longer expect women models and film stars to be single all their lives, which explains why so many married women are coming back into modelling and movies after marriage and kids. But you have to be convinced. I can guarantee that we will make sure that you look very attractive. And don't forget, it is a multinational bank with a big budget, so you would be more visible in the media than ever before.' Serena passed on the media budget sheet for Kim to see.

  The penny dropped as soon as Kim saw the media budget.

  'You are a great saleswoman, Serena. Let's do it.' Kim had signed up.

  Back at home, Serena had boasted to Raaj about signing up Kim as the new face of the bank.

  'Guess what? Kim has signed up for the campaign.'

  'I am surprised she's taken up that role.'

  'I convinced her.'

  'Someone's ego is a bit charged up tonight,' Raaj had mumbled, taking her into his arms.

  4

  Both the women showered and came out of their rooms in about an hour. Serena was in a white V-neck ribbed sleeveless T-shirt and knee length khaki shorts. Kim's pyjamas were too long for her to manage. Kim was wearing a natural-coloured linen casual dress with a long slit on the right side. She was sans any make-up for once.

  'What can I serve you, my darling?' Kim asked Serena as she walked towards her wel
l stocked bar.

  'Vodka, please.'

  'With?'

  'Could I have one straight on ice, please?' Serena asked.

  'It's only six; if you have vodka on ice, you will be drunk in no time.'

  'Do you still imagine I want to be in my senses?' Serena asked. 'Let me have one straight. I promise I will have the following ones with cola.'

  'Okay. I'll have the same.'

  Kim went into the kitchen to get some ice from the refrigerator. A minute later, both the women were sitting comfortably on the sofa with their vodkas, and in another five, the first round of drinks was already over.

  Kim once again disappeared into the kitchen, this time for cola, and made up new drinks in tall crystal tumblers.

  'Thank you Kim… very beautiful glasses,' Serena acknowledged as she took the drink and had her first ample sip.

  'I bought them on my last trip to Bangkok. In fact, I was modelling for them, they plan to launch in India by the end of the year. They have a large range, like all other crystal manufacturers, but some of them are really exquisite designs that would stand out even in an overcrowded market like ours.' Kim was happy that Serena had started a conversation about something other than Raaj for the first time in so many hours.

  'Bangkok… uh… I have such fun filled memories of the place. Raaj and I went there for our vacation in '93. I still remember the Menam Riverside Hotel we stayed in, it was gorgeous, right on the river. It is still so fresh in my mind, like it was yesterday. I can still hear the ripples break the silence. Raaj took me around to the infamous Patpong district for an authentic flavour of the place.' Serena was on the verge of breaking down but she calmed herself with a long sip of her drink. The iced concoction went down easily and soothed her. She felt better after two more generous sips.

  'Oh honey,' Kim comforted and moved on quickly, 'I am surprised Raaj took you there, most men would not take their wives, its a kind of… red-light… area, isn't it?'

  'It is. But you knew Raaj — he was comfortable with everything. In fact, after reaching there I figured out that I wasn't the only wife there. There were lots of men with their partners — Patpong has become a tourist spot for all the wrong reasons now. It's more than just a pick-up joint. Actually, Raaj and I went into a strip joint for a show too, where girls perform all sorts of tricks…'

  'Is it safe?'

  'Of course. The country survives on adult entertainment and that is the backbone of its tourism. I am sure there are some horrifying places too in that area but Raaj decided to go to the ones titled Kings. His explanation was that in a monarchy, no one would use the word 'King' blasphemously. They even accepted American Express…'

  'Did the naked Thai girls not offend you, as a woman?' Kim got up to refill their glasses for their third drinks.

  'Not at all… if Moulin Rouge doesn't bother people this shouldn't either, although this does not have the same grandeur and sets; it's a strip joint with pesky girls bouncing their perky tits. The only difference is that if you buy drinks for these girls they come and sit in your lap and some men can be disgusting even in public, but that's life. I admit some of the tricks were repulsive…'

  'Like?' Kim wanted to know the details of the explicit tricks, obviously, deriving a vicarious pleasure from Serena's narrative.

  'Well, there was one act, for example, where a girl blows out candles on a cake using her...' Serena said, pointing between her legs.

  'How do they do that?'

  'Don't know. I never tried it,' Serena retorted, with a faint smile; the first time since she had done so since she had known about Raaj's accident.

  'Gross.'

  'I know. Let's talk about something else.'

  'Okay, honey.'

  'Another drink?' Serena asked.

  'You're going way too fast, girl… and making me catch up with you. We will both get drunk soon.' Kim got up to fix yet another drink. 'What will you have for dinner? I can order some Chinese or a pizza.'

  'Pizza will be fine, Kim. Thanks.'

  'Let me call up for cola and cigarettes,' Kim said and dialled out.

  Mumbai's home delivery service can be compared to the best room-service available in hotels; one can order virtually anything and the local corner shop would send it promptly and without any delivery charges. The colas and cigarettes arrived in no time. Kim lit up almost immediately as she paid the guy off at the door. 'I've been dying to have one for hours now,' she said.

  'Could I have one, please?' Serena asked.

  'Of course, honey.'

  Both the women sank into their seats once again.

  'Did you hear from Raaj after the Saturday night party?' Serena suddenly asked as she took a sip.

  'No. I had gone for a shoot at the Taj on Sunday, that's why I left early on Saturday night — remember? It was supposedly a three-hour assignment but the creative director revised his story and my costume. You know how it is in this profession; it was for a new range of depilatory cream and the initial shot was of me using it on my leg but the client thought it would be better if I were shown using it on my bikini line to demonstrate it can be used on sensitive areas of the body. I don't think he was totally wrong, though you cannot rule out his secondary motive of getting to see a female in a scanty string bikini… I had to call my agent to amend the contract and terms; they've now agreed to shoot it tomorrow afternoon.'

  'You love that, don't you?' Serena said, in a matter of fact tone.

  'What?' Kim queried.

  'The attention.'

  'Who doesn't like a little admiration?' Kim responded with a glint in her eyes as she lit up another cigarette. It was almost seven now. 'Let me know what time you would like to have dinner? It takes at least an hour to deliver,' Kim mumbled through the lit cigarette in her mouth.

  Serena bent forward to pick up the packet of Bensons to light one herself. 'How drunk could Raaj be that he managed an accident like this?' she started again.

  'Oh honey.' Kim got up and sat next to Serena with an arm round her to give her friend much needed support.

  'What was the need to drink so much in my absence? I wish I had been around that day to save my Raaj…'

  'I know Serena. But you will have to be strong.'

  By the time the pizzas arrived, it was past nine and the two women had almost finished the bottle of vodka. Kim poured the last drink from the bottle for both of them before they sat down for dinner. With their stomachs full of the liquid, they barely had more than a few slices and then stumbled into their rooms.

  ***

  The telephone ring, once again, shattered the morning calm in the oasis. It wasn't as early as the hangover made it feel. It was nearly eight.

  It was Inspector D'Cunha again. 'Good morning Miss Kim. Could I speak to Mrs Kumar please?'

  'Good morning, Inspector. She's in the washroom — do you want to hold on or should I ask her to call you back? Kim asked.

  'I'll hold.' D'Cunha was firm.

  Kim knocked on the door and handed the cordless telephone to Serena.

  'Hello, Inspector.'

  'Good morning, Mrs Kumar. What time could you come over to the Worli police station today?'

  'Again?' Serena asked.

  'Yes, morning would be good for me, as I have to attend a meeting on security arrangements in South Mumbai later in the day,' D'Cunha carried on without answering Serena's question.

  'We will be there by eleven…'

  'Not we Mrs Kumar, just you... please come alone. I'll see you at the Worli police station at eleven.' D'Cunha made it adequately clear that he wanted to see Serena without Kim.

  'What did he want now?' Kim asked as Serena came out of her room to the dining table as Kim had already made tea.

  'He wants to see me again.'

  'What for?'

  'Don't know… he said if I could make it by eleven, it would be good.' Serena took a sip of the hot tea, holding the cup between her hands.

  'Okay. The driver said he would be here by nine and we
can leave right away if we get ready. Let me call up and cancel my shoot for today.' Kim picked up the phone that Serena had just kept on the dining table.

  'You don't have to come along. I should be fine,' Serena suggested, recalling Michael's instructions.

  'You sure?' asked Kim.

  'Yes.'

  'Don't bother about my schedule, it's easily changeable.' Kim insisted that she came along.

  'It's okay Kim, I'll manage. Why don't you drop me at Worli police station and carry on? I will meet Inspector D'Cunha and catch up with you at the Taj after your shoot.'

  'Good idea.'

  5

  Serena wore a borrowed blue and white floral full-sleeved top that had slightly flared cuffs with a round neck and big buttons fastening it in the front. It went well with her tight blue jeans. Kim dropped her at the police station and asked again if she should come along but Serena convinced her to carry on with the shoot.

  'Hello, Mrs Kumar.' D'Cunha politely got up to welcome Serena.

  'Hello.'

  'I needed to see you alone.' D'Cunha looked into Serena's eyes and said with a straight face.

  A man arrived with a kettle of tea at D'Cunha's desk, poured it into cups and left.

  'Mrs Kumar — I am sure I have asked this before and I trust you to have told me what you believe, but was Mr Raaj Kumar seeing someone else... any other woman?' D'Cunha apologised for repeating the question, albeit a bit differently.

  'I don't think so. I am worried about why you are asking me the same question again?'

  'Let me rephrase the question for you, Mrs Kumar. Was Mr Raaj Kumar seeing Kim?'

  'What? That's even crazier. Kim is a mutual friend, the reason we've been friends with Kim for so long is that we trust each other. Kim has been a true and reliable friend for years now.' Serena sounded disgusted.

  'Relax, Mrs Kumar. I told you, I have to make sure of everything.'

  'What made you even think on those lines?'

  'Do you know that Mr Kumar was insured for four crore rupees, which is approximately one million US dollars?' D'Cunha continued.