Tutorial and Inventive Writing Journal Vikram Karve: “SMOKING BEAUTY” : Story : Quick Fiction

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SHORT FICTION by VIKRAM KARVE 

“SMOKING BEAUTY”

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Disclaimer: 

This story is figure of fiction. Names, Occasions, Locations,
Settings, Conditions and Incidents narrated within the story are fictitious and imaginary. The
characters don’t exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to individuals,
dwelling or lifeless, or precise occasions, is only coincidental.

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“SMOKING BEAUTY”

Fiction Quick Story By VIKRAM KARVE

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PUNE

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HOLI

March 8, 2023 – Late Evening 11:30 PM

An Condominium in Mumbai

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A PHONE CALL AND A PICTURE

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“Do you smoke…?” Nisha’s fiancé Ashok asks her.

“What’s unsuitable with you…? Did you name me so late within the night time simply to
ask me this silly query…?” Nisha says – irked and a bit offended at being
woken up from her sleep.

“It’s morning over right here. You reply my query – do you smoke…?” Ashok
asks Nisha once more.

“No – I don’t smoke…” she says emphatically.

“There’s a image of you smoking a cigarette on Twitter…” her fiancé Ashok
says.

“I’m not on Twitter – or – on any social media – I deactivated all my
social media accounts once I took up this job – I instructed you about my employer’s “no
social media” coverage – didn’t I…?” Nisha says to her fiancé.

“Sure – however an image of you smoking a cigarette goes viral on
Twitter – somebody forwarded it to me on WhatsApp – I’m forwarding the
screenshot of the Tweet and Image to you – you see the image – and you then
name me…” Nisha’s fiancé Ashok says – and – he disconnects the decision.

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The image arrives on her WhatsApp – a full screenshot of the Tweet –
the image of a lady smoking a cigarette – and – the image has a caption: “Smoking
Magnificence”

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Nisha appears to be like on the image.

Sure – it’s her – with a cigarette between her lips.

She appears to be like on the background – it appears to be the residential society in
which she lived just a few years in the past – then – she remembers – it will need to have been that
Holi celebration along with her buddies just a few years in the past – that loopy Holi – so loopy was
the wild rambunctious celebration – that – she doesn’t even correctly bear in mind
what occurred.

She wonders who clicked this image – so – she appears to be like on the Twitter
Deal with and immediately acknowledges the Profile Image – Oh – it’s that “Uncle” with the “Glad Eye” – who lived in her
constructing within the residential township in Pune the place she stayed just a few years in the past –
she remembers him vividly – they’d nicknamed him “Mr. Roving Eye” – as a result of
of the best way he overtly ogled at girls and flirted with them attempting to talk them
up and get pleasant.

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Expensive Reader – I’m “Mr. Roving Eye” – the “Uncle” with the “Glad Eye” –
who posted that image “Smoking Magnificence” on Social Media.

And – earlier than you get unsuitable concepts about me – let me let you know that I’m
not a dirty-old-man however I’m a easy young-at-heart “previous man” who admires
magnificence and likes the corporate of younger individuals.

Let me let you know how I clicked the photograph and why I posted it on social
media.

For that – I should take you again to the yr 2018 – once I
clicked the image.

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FLASHBACK

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5 Years Earlier

Yr 2018

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HOLI

March 2, 2018 – Morning – round 11 AM

Lawns of a Posh Residential Township in Pune

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GIRL WITH A CIGARETTE

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I appeared on the woman sitting on the bench reverse me – a well-known face
– one of many many younger “Techies” – who lived in our residential society – a
posh gated neighborhood.

The woman held a cigarette between her fingers – she introduced the
cigarette to her lips and took a protracted drag.

She continued to carry the cigarette between her lips as smoke started
emanating from her nostrils.

She checked out me – her eyes glazed – unfocussed – it appeared that she was
taking a look at me – however not seeing me.

I couldn’t resist the temptation to click on her image on my smartphone
– I clicked her photograph rapidly – fearing that she could react to my clicking her
image – however she saved taking a look at me – like a zombie – the identical vacant
expressionless look – as if she was taking a look at me however not seeing me – so – I
zoomed the digital camera on her face – and – I clicked a close-up image of her face
– capturing all particulars.

It was an excellent photograph – the lit cigarette held in her juicy lips – wafts
of smoke emanating from her nostrils – her greenish-grey eyes glazed – as if
she have been in a trance – every little thing captured fantastically – really – a basic
{photograph} – a masterpiece.

I needed to click on extra photos of her – when immediately – a boy arrived –
the boy took the cigarette from her lips – he took a deep drag – and – seeing
the brilliant glow on the tip of the cigarette – I guessed that there was
one thing stronger than tobacco within the cigarette.

Quickly – extra boisterous buddies arrived – and so they took the woman away to
the lawns – the place girls and boys have been dancing with wild abandon – throwing
colors on one another – celebrating the pageant of colors – Holi.

There was music – there was dance – there was particular festive meals –
beautiful Holi celebrations in our cosmopolitan residential society.

In our gated neighborhood residential complicated – a lot of the residents have been
younger “Techies” – who have been having fun with themselves uninhibitedly.

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FLASHFORWARD

Yr 2023

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HOLI

March 8, 2023 – Night – 5 PM

My Condominium in the identical Posh Residential Township in Pune

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“PHOTO-DUMP”

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Somebody instructed me just a few days in the past that the easiest way to protect photographs was
to add them on Social Media – the place they might stay eternally – and also you
may entry them anytime you need.

The truth is – it’s best to add your photographs all Social Media – on
Fb, on Twitter, on Instagram, on Pinterest, on Tumblr, on LinkedIn –
in every single place – for optimum redundancy – and this additionally makes it simple so that you can
discover your photographs everytime you need to

This “photo-dump” on social media lets you delete photographs out of your
Smartphone and launch cupboard space in your Smartphone – and it additionally precludes
the lack of your photographs in case you lose your smartphone or it crashes.

Although I began doing this “photo-dump” of current photographs on social
media since I obtained the recommendation just a few days in the past – as a result of my laziness – I didn’t
delete the older photographs from my smartphone.

Additionally – ever since I obtained this smartphone a few years in the past – I clicked a
massive variety of photographs – and as a result of all these photographs saved in my smartphone
photograph gallery – the cupboard space on my smartphone was nearly full – and a few
Apps weren’t working correctly.

So – after taking part in a vibrant Holi within the morning – adopted by a
fulfilling conventional “Puran Poli” Holi Lunch – and a pleasant siesta – I sat in
my balcony – sipping tea – deleting previous photographs from my smartphone – taking care
to “photo-dump” on social media – these photos I needed to protect – earlier than
deleting them from my cellphone.

In earlier pre-COVID-Pandemic days – I used to be not very energetic on social
media – so – a lot of the photographs I randomly clicked remained in my smartphone.

It was solely throughout the COVID Lockdown that I had grow to be energetic on social
media – as a result of loneliness – to attach with individuals nearly.

So far as posting photos was involved – at first – once I was
confined to my residence as a result of COVID Lockdown – I began posting photos of meals
– and later – when restrictions have been relaxed – I began clicking and posting all
types of random photos – of scrumptious meals, stunning surroundings, meetups and get-togethers,
with buddies – particularly Twitter Associates (made throughout the Lockdown).

As I instructed you – I had clicked the photograph of the woman smoking a cigarette
in 2018 – throughout Holi celebrations – on the two^nd of March 2018 – in
reality – it was one of many first photographs clicked on my smartphone which I had
purchased just a few days in the past in February 2018.

The photograph of the woman smoking a cigarette was actually very good – one of many
greatest photographs I had ever clicked – it definitely deserved to be preserved and
there was no query of deleting it.

So – I had “photo-dumped” the photograph of the woman smoking a cigarette on
all my Social Media Accounts – Instagram, Twitter, Fb and so on – with a
caption “Smoking Magnificence”.

Nicely – I’m fairly fashionable on social media – with loads of followers and
buddies – and – trying on the big response – feedback, likes, reposts,
shares, re-tweets and so on. – it was evident that many individuals had favored this
beautiful image “Smoking Magnificence”.

I felt good on the recognition and reward.

A good friend knowledgeable me that my social media posts with this image “Smoking
Magnificence” had gone “viral” on WhatsApp too.

I used to be elated – this is able to improve my recognition on social media.

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SAME DAY

A Few Hours Later

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HOLI

March 8, 2023 – Nearly Midnight – 11:45 PM

An Condominium in Mumbai

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VIDEO CALL

NISHA (Mumbai) CALLS HER FIANCÉ ASHOK (USA)

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(A couple of minutes after Ashok’s name from USA – Nisha calls Ashok – she has
had a great take a look at the image of her smoking a cigarette – and tried to
recollect and collect her ideas. It’s a Video Name)

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“Hiya Ashok…” Nisha says – however Ashok interrupts her rudely and speaks
in an offended voice.

“What are you doing in Pune…?” Ashok asks Nisha, “celebrating Holi with
your “Ex” – are you…?”

“I’m not in Pune – I’m in Mumbai the entire day – I used to be with Asha in
her home until afternoon – her mom had made particular lunch for Holi – you may
ask Asha – she is going to verify I used to be along with her – I’ll ship you her quantity…” Nisha
says to her fiancé Ashok.

“I don’t belief Asha. She is your greatest good friend – she is going to inform me no matter
you inform her to say…” Ashok says, “I’m certain you might be in Pune – otherwise you had gone
to Pune to have fun Holi – this man who posted your image on Twitter – he
appears to be fairly an influencer – he has posted your image on Fb and
Instagram too – with location – the identical Township in Pune the place you lived – and
the date is 8 March 2023 – at the moment…”

“It isn’t attainable – I swear I didn’t go to Pune at the moment – please consider
me…” Nisha pleads to her fiancé Ashok.

“Why are you mendacity to me…? Subsequent – you’ll say that this isn’t your
image – inform me – is it you within the image or not…?” Ashok asks Nisha.

“I don’t know…” Nisha says.

“What do you imply “you don’t know…” – are you telling me this image is
faux – or morphed…?” Ashok asks Nisha.

“I don’t know…” Nisha says – confused.

“This man is overtly posting your image throughout social media – do
him – wait – I’ll ship you screenshots of his profile from Fb,
Instagram, Twitter and so on. – inform me should you acknowledge him – and also you name again…”
Ashok says – and – he sends Nisha screenshots of my social media profiles.

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Nisha appears to be like on the screenshots – in fact she acknowledges me (“Mr.
Roving Eye” – the “Uncle” with the “Glad Eye”) who lived in her residential
complicated in Pune.

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Nisha calls her fiancé Ashok and tells him about me.

“Sure – I acknowledge him – this “Uncle” lived in my constructing within the
residential township in Pune – he used to ogle at ladies and attempt to flirt with
us – we had nicknamed him “Mr. Roving Eye” – however – I’ve not seen him since I
left Pune 4 years in the past in 2019 and relocated to Mumbai – I’m certain he has not
clicked this photograph at the moment – this have to be some previous image…” Nisha says to her
fiancé Ashok.

“Ah – so now – you might be no less than admitting that it’s you in that image
smoking a cigarette…” Ashok says to Nisha.

“Perhaps it’s me – however I don’t bear in mind smoking a cigarette…” Nisha says.

“What do you imply “perhaps it’s me”…? Can’t you acknowledge your self within the
image…? I’m your fiancé – I anticipate you to inform me the reality – not attempt to
cover issues from me…” Ashok says to Nisha.

“I feel this image was clicked throughout Holi celebrations – there may be
color on my cheeks and hair…” Nisha says.

“When…? The place…?” Ashok asks.

“I feel 5 years in the past – 2018 – within the society the place I lived in Pune…”
Nisha says.

“Oh – if you have been shacked up with that “Ex” of yours…” Ashok says, sarcastically.

“I used to be not “shacked up” with Rohan – I lived with ladies in a separate
house…” Nisha says, “and he lived along with his buddies in one other house…”

“On the identical flooring – isn’t it…?” Ashok says, nastily.

“Why are you being sarcastic…? I’ve instructed you every little thing – I broke up
with Rohan – modified my job – and moved to Mumbai…” Nisha says.

“You broke up…? Why…? Or – did he dump you…?” Ashok says, spitefully.

“Why are you saying all these irrelevant issues…?” Nisha says, angrily.

“Oh – “irrelevant” – okay – I’ll ask you what’s related – inform me
about this photograph which has gone viral on social media – inform me what you
bear in mind about that Holi celebration 5 years in the past if you say this photograph was
clicked…” Ashok says to Nisha.

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Nisha tries to recall what she remembers of that Holi celebration 5
years in the past in March 2018 – and – she tells her aspect of the story to Ashok.

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Nisha appears to be like at Ashok on the display screen of her smartphone and speaks.

“It was Holi – a good friend had obtained Thandai – it was very tasty and soothing
– so – I drank two glasses – I didn’t comprehend it was closely laced with bhang –
after a while – I began feeling “excessive” – then – I bear in mind we went right down to
the society lawns for the Holi celebrations – then – the bhang will need to have taken
impact – and – I don’t bear in mind something…” Nisha says.

“Are you certain…? You don’t bear in mind something…? You don’t bear in mind smoking
a cigarette…?” Ashok asks her – not believing her.

“Please consider me – I don’t bear in mind something – I will need to have had a
psychological blackout – I wakened within the night – my buddies instructed me that I had obtained
completely “stoned”…” Nisha says.

“What…? “Stoned”…? You have been “stoned”…?” Ashok says – surprised.

“I instructed you I had a complete blackout and went to sleep – after I wakened –
my buddies mentioned that somebody gave me a joint to smoke – however – I swear – I don’t
bear in mind something…” Nisha mentioned – in a beseeching voice.

“No surprise your eyes look so glazed – you definitely look “stoned” – I
ought to had realized – however I by no means imagined this about you – inform me – what have been
you smoking in that cigarette…? Weed…? Hash…? Marijuana…?” Ashok asks Nisha –
angrily.

“Please – it’s not my fault…” Nisha begins pleading – however – Ashok interrupts
her.

“Bhang…? Hash…? I believed you simply smoked cigarettes – however – you’re a
bloody drug addict too…” Ashok says angrily to Nisha.

“No. No. It occurred solely as soon as – I wasn’t even in my senses – I don’t
bear in mind something – once I got here to my senses – I used to be not even in my house…”
Nisha says – distraught.

“Oh – so that you have been mendacity “stoned” within the house of your “Ex” – isn’t
it…? Ashok says.

“We have been all there – everybody was “excessive” – with bhang, beer, and…” Nisha
says – shamefacedly.

“I’m certain your “Ex” and his buddies will need to have “roofied” you…” Ashok
says, “the bastards “micky finned” you and “roofied” you…”

“Roofied…? What do you imply…?” Nisha asks.

“ what I imply – it will need to have been a bloody freaking orgy with
all of you stoned loopy…” Ashok is saying when Nisha interrupts him.

“Please – please – please – I encourage you…” Nisha says in a beseeching
voice, “I don’t need to speak about that horrible day – it was a nightmare I
need to neglect – it was not my fault in any respect – they made a idiot of me…”

“So – that’s why you dumped him – didn’t you…? Now – I’m certain you have been
roofied that day…” Ashok says – maliciously.

“I’m harmless…” Nisha pleads – however Ashok interrupts her rudely.

“Hear – I don’t care whether or not you might be harmless or not – you by no means instructed
me all this – I’d by no means come to know the reality about you in case your image
smoking a cigarette had not gone viral on social media – I have to thank that man
for posting your image…” Ashok says.

“Please – Ashok – I’ll clarify every little thing if you come to India subsequent
month for the marriage…” Nisha says – contrite.

“Wedding ceremony…? Are you loopy…? Do you assume I’m going to marry you after
all this…?” Ashok says in an offended voice – and he disconnects the decision.

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For a second – Nisha is surprised.

Then – she breaks down and begins sobbing inconsolably.

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For a while – Nisha is in a state of daze – psychological stupor – her thoughts numbed
– so – she doesn’t discover her smartphone ringing.

Her flat-mate knocks on the door and says in a loud voice from outdoors: 

“Nisha – your sister needs to
communicate to you urgently – why are you not choosing up your cellular…?” 

Nisha doesn’t open the door however solutions her flat-mate.

“I’m sorry – I used to be quick asleep…” Nisha says to her flat-mate, “Thank
you – I’ll name my sister…”

Nisha waits for just a few moments for her flat-mate to return to her room –
after which – she calls her sister who’s at residence along with her mother and father.

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Story to be continued…

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