Dev Kapoor: Player or Playboy?

The headline had been circulating throughout the newspaper and celebrity magazines. The media houses throughout the country were moved.

The cricketer Dev Kapoor was seen with four different girls on one single night. The player had always had an image of the sweetest boy away from all the controversies. His game spoke for him.

But now, there was a spot on his image. 

“Sakshi? Chief has called for you.”

Sakshi Ghai. A journalist with XYZ News looked up from her desk. She got up and walked to the Chief Editor’s office.

“Mam?”

“Sakshi! Come in.”

She was given a file. Sakshi frowned seeing the details of Dev Kapoor in the file. But what got her attention were the words Sting Operation on top.

“Umm..what is this?”

“An opportunity for you to prove your worth. Baaki sab media houses ko mirch masala chahiye. But we want to uncover the truth. Whatever it is. And you are going to do that. You're going to conduct a sting operation on Dev Kapoor.”

“Dev! You need to clear it out man! It's harming your reputation.”

Dev’s PR manager said for the umpteenth time but Dev was adamant. He wanted to stay far away from media and it's games.

“Koi reputation harm nhi ho rhi hai Amit. Look! My fans support me. My game supports me. And I don't care about the media. Unhe jo assume krna hai kre. It's my life. I can do whatever I want to.”

Dev said nonchalantly while continuing his batting practice. Amit sighed and said.

“Ek statement hi release krna hai bas clearing it all-”

“Clear to whom? To the media? Not interested bro. The day my fans stop trusting me, I'll release a statement.”

That was the last conversation Dev had with his manager. Right now, he is at one of the biggest clubs in the state. A lot of celebrities came here often so it was safe for him here.

Sakshi had got intel that Dev would be at the club. She smoothened a hand down her dress which was too short for her liking. It reached her mid thigh and a lot of cleavage but she had to play the part.

She spotted Dev sitting at the bar and took a deep breath. Plastering a seductive look on her face, she sauntered towards him.

She stood beside him and waited for him to acknowledge her. When he didn't she called for the bartender.

“A sex on the beach!”

Dev’s gaze momentarily went to her but then he went back to his drink making her shocked. Did she not look good? Or was he not the playboy the media claimed him to be? Well, she was on a mission to find the truth.

“Hi!”

She called him but he ignored her again.

“You know it's rude to ignore someone right?”

“And you know when someone ignores you, they're not interested, right?”

“Not interested in casual or not interested in women?”

She asked leaning forward seductively. Dev too turned and leaned in.

“Not interested in you.”

He said and she looked at him gobsmacked. Did he just reject her?

“Besides, I don’t even know you.”

He said having a sip of his drink while looking into her eyes. 

“Sakshi.”

She said, forwarding her hand. He eyed it for a second and then held it in a firm shake. His eyes never left hers.

“You know when someone introduces themselves, you're supposed to do that too.”

Now he chuckled and kept his glass down.

“As if you didn't approach me knowing who I am.”

Sakshi pretended confusion and asked.

“Am I supposed to know you?”

Dev looked at her sceptically and she mentally prayed that he didn't catch her.

“Either you're too good at pretending or you don't watch sports.”

“Is everyone supposed to watch sports? What does that have to do with you anyway?”

Dev was actually surprised that she didn't know him.

“I..uhh…I'm into the sports industry.”

He said. Sakshi frowned too. Why didn't he tell her that he was a cricketer. Did he want to hide his identity?

“Sports industry? Like a player?”

She asked deliberately. Dev paused and looked into her eyes trying to decipher whether she was lying or not. But Sakshi didn't give away anything.

“No. I'm…I'm a commentator.”

“A commentator? Making good use of that hot voice, huh?”

She teased playing along and he laughed. Like, actually laughed.

“Yeah! You can say that.”

“So, Mr. Commentator, what can I call you?”

“Dev.”

“Dev, do you want to get out of this place?”

She asked in a flirtatious tone and he raised his eyebrow.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Wow! You realised! From the very start. Now tell me.”

She said and he chuckled. He then gulped his drink down in one go. He placed a good amount of money before the bartender and held her hand.

He started walking out of the club while still holding her hand and she panicked. Was he actually planning on sleeping with her? No! She had to do something.

When they got out of the club and reached the parking lot, he stopped.

“We're out. What now?”

He teased and she bit her lip. She couldn't blow her cover. Nervously, she placed her arms around his neck still trying to maintain distance and whispered.

“Now, you decide. If you want casual, we can go to some hotel, have fun tonight and never contact each other again. And if you are interested in something more, we get to know each other.”

Dev looked into her eyes, making her confidence falter a little when he didn't say anything for a minute and didn't hold her. She felt like a fool hugging him like that.

“I don't want either with someone who's pretending to be someone they're not.”

He said and she felt her blood run cold. Did he figure out about the operation?

“W-what do you mean?”

“What I mean is, you've never been to a place like this before, you've never worn a dress like this before and you've never even tried casual before.”

She looked away and muttered.

“How would you know that?”