there were auditions in our locality—
rare.
night.
a long line.
i was nearly last.
the director:
old man,
paan in his mouth,
gestures more than words.
i thought he'd send me out.
instead:
weigh yourself.
43 kg.
he wrote it down.
then from a speaker—
hard to hear—
i'll call you later.
i said okay sir.
outside,
my friends were shocked—
he'd said perfect,
asked me to bring my parents.
but i've heard
"i'll call you later"
every day of my life.
no, you wouldn't.