Hooked on to an experience

Sometimes our journalistic curiosity takes us to places where no one in his sane mind would ever want to be; and sometimes it takes us where perhaps everyone would want to be, at least once in a lifetime. Subhash Rajta elaborates.

Sometimes our journalistic curiosity takes us to places where no one in his sane mind would ever want to be; and sometimes it takes us where perhaps everyone would want to be, at least once in a lifetime.

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Now, I was a bit curious about ‘those’ nightclubs in South Africa, and just made a casual mention to my friend. “Don’t worry we are going there,” he assured me. “I don’t want to go there, I was just asking,” I said, sheepishly. “Don’t be foolish. How come you can go back without being there, everyone goes there,” he said. The revelation made me feel better, and the next evening I was at one of the clubs.

If it isn’t clear that I am not much of a club-hopping party animal by now, stop reading. I entered the club with pounding heart and trembling legs. I quickly slumped into the first vacant chair I found and glanced around like a zombie. To my relief, I found quite a few other zombies enjoying their drinks and eyes trained on pedestal with a pole in the
centre. I followed their intense gazes and found a bold and beautiful doing a Demi Moore.

“Where are you from,” she asked, making herself comfortable by my side. “India,” I mumbled. “Oh, we love Indian men…they are very good,” she exclaimed. I quietly thanked my predecessors for building a good reputation here before blurting ‘thanks’ to her.

“Would you want to take me out,” she came to the point.

“No, thanks. I just want to enjoy the dance,” I said. But even if someone wants to take them out, it’s almost impossible for charges are a cool 10,000 rand (that is approx Rs 50,000).

On an impulse I asked: “Why are you into it?” “I have a little daughter to take care of back in Russia,” she said.

We were glad to see the cab that drove us here waiting. “Should I take you to the other place now. That’s much cheaper,” he said with a wink.

“Please drive us back to the hotel,” I said, surprising and disappointing him no end.