Maya

" Akash will be the lead actor." The hall echoed with the shouts of the people as the director sir announced the names. A few whispered among themselves. I stood up, clapping and cheering for Akash who was now standing on the stage.

" We had got a tie for the actress- Maya and Priya." The hall again hooted together. Akash was looking at me expectantly but I somehow knew that this time also I wouldn't get along with Akash as his co-star.

" We had decided to have Maya but unfortunately she will not be available because of her upcoming show. So our lead actress will be Priya Acharya." I clapped once again.

I noticed his sad pout but couldn't do anything but shrug.

" Why don't you join me in this show? I want to do this with you. The story is great. Just try it, Maya," he told me as soon as we came out of the theatre.

His crestfallen face made me want to tell him how much I wanted to do this with him. But I can't help it. My parents wanted me to focus on my studies and to take a break from theatre shows.

He must have seen my hesitation and so he quickly says, " Never mind. I will be okay. Do your show and you better not spoil the show for me. Last time you told me the whole plot beforehand. Against the rules, Maya."

" I... I couldn't control myself. And it was only you. I trust you more than anything."

" Oh, filmy dialogues, huh? It's already 5 pm. We have to go meet Shreya. Come fast," he said as he hopped through the garden. I had decided to manage my schedule and take the role next to him in his show. I followed him until we reached Shreya's house.

" Will you be able to handle both the shows? It will be hard for you," Mukesh sir said as he shook his head. I know this will be hard but still here I was, asking for the role; practically begging.

" I will manage sir. I can do it." I insisted.

" You are a great actor but... you know the decorum. We have already confirmed our actors. And secondly, how will you handle both? "

" Sir, please. " I could only request him to which he agreed to after a lot of thinking and considering every fact.

I was confirmed as the final actress and Akash as the actor. "I still can't believe it. How did you convince sir?" I shrugged my shoulders and ruffled his hair like I always did.

Everything was fine except Priya who thought I snatched her role when she was already selected for it. I didn't tell or mention anything about this with Akash. He considered her a pretty good friend of his and moreover, handling Priya wasn't a big deal for me. I had already gave her the most-needed responses to her queries in a well-respected way.

" Guys ready." The leader asked when we all showed the thumbs up.

I had to stand on a 5 ft tall bench and deliver my lines, acting all drunk. Taking an empty bottle, I went up to the bench. Akash had left in the afternoon after his practice. Today was the last day before the big performance. Thinking of performing in front of a hall full of people with Director Rahul and Rajiv sir as the guest of honour would be fascinating yet unnerving.

Years of doing this still can't make it equal to the nervousness inside me because this time there are high chances of getting a chance to work in TV shows or even films. Both of the guests being big TV and movie directors and searching for a new young talent made me want to give my best, just in case.

At the leader's gesture, I held up the bottle in my hand and swung it a zig-zag way in front of my eyes. As I was supposed to do, I twisted my legs a little to show the drunken state - unable to control my steps. The bench shook a little, no... a lot but I still tried to balance myself. The bench shook convulsively and that is the moment I knew what could happen next.

I fell from that 5 ft tall bench with a thud sound. I could hear muffled sounds and people rushing. I touched my forehead and through my blurred vision, saw fresh blood on my hands. As I tried to open my eyes to see the people who were holding me, my eyes didn't cooperate. The last thing I could see was Priya, probably smirking from a corner before my eyes shut down.

I saw Akash again, days later when I went to talk to Mukesh sir. 'Saw' is a better word because 'meet' wouldn't be appropriate in this context.

While passing by a pillar, I heard a voice telling, " What is wrong? Aren't you happy? We both are selected and are about to get the biggest chance of a lifetime. To feature on TV. Isn't it amazing?" I peeked a bit to see Priya holding Akash's hand and jumping with excitement.

" We managed it this far. We will do it together in future as well." Priya said, attempting to compose herself.

" I won't do this Priya. Not anymore. It's not fair."

" What isn't fair? Is it about Maya? She is already out of our league." I turned my face and closed my eyes. Is this true? Or just a bad dream? Was Akash involved and now wants to back off?

I immediately left the place, wiping off my uncontrollable tears.

That is how it all ended. For me and Akash. Every time I look at the worn-out and cellotaped keyring, this is what it reminds me of. Only pain because happy moments were long erased from my chapter with him.

But now that I think of it, what if those were not how it seemed to be? What if I was wrong? What if?

" Breakfast time." Ayushi banged on the plates with spoons to announce.

" Noise pollution," Pranav said, laughing and shutting down his laptop.

Ayushi stuck out her tongue and served the food. I and Pranav helped her out and soon we had our plates full with Pav bhaji.

The delicious smell of Pav bhaji spread all over the place and soon every bit of tension and pain seemed to dissolve with the pav and bhaji. Rolling up my sleeves, I took the whole pleasure of eating. As I was about to take my last spoon of misal, I heard some indistinct, weird sounds from outside. Ignoring it, I kept enjoying the mouth-watering food.

" Wow... amazing." The words left my mouth as I finished my food.

" Credits goes to Pranav," Ayushi said, licking the last bits off her fingers.

" Thank you," I and Ayushi said in unison.

" Welcome. Welcome." Pranav bowed, taking all the praises from us.

Soon we got ready for our office. Pranav also had to leave his workplace as he accepted the job offer in Mumbai to stay with me.

As I stepped out of the house, I saw a few people rushing over, bringing in furniture and household items inside the empty flat opposite ours. I stared at Ayushi and Pranav, confused at the sight. As far as I was aware, the flat owner lives abroad and comes once in two years to check on it.

" What is going on?" I barely asked, no one in particular.

" Shifting procedure." An oddly familiar voice made me alert and I cautiously turned towards the voice to see a guy in a black hoodie leaning on a pillar and twirling the car keys around his fingers. My heart leapt out of my chest and my lungs choked my throat. My shock was too great to make me numb and dumb.

" Ajay!" Ayushi squealed with excitement and surprise and the same goes for Pranav. But for me this is terror. If my brain cells are still functioning, did he come here to shift to this flat opposite to ours? No way! What the h-

" How are you here so early?" Ayushi asked and I looked at Pranav who must've gotten the reason by now as he kept staring at me and Ajay. I turned to Ajay and saw him smirking.

" Nice to meet you all, neighbours." Neighbours? So is my doubt real? Oh God, I didn't sign up for this.

" Neighbour?" Ayushi asked the question which I was supposed to ask. He just gave his weirdo smile and replied, " Yes from now on, we are neighbours," his eyes shifted towards me, "Again."

I couldn't control my temper any longer. Digging my nails inside my palm, I said with gritted teeth," Neighbour! Why the hell are you planning to shift here, all of a sudden, leaving your richie house? One second, how did the owner allow a celebrity and... the secretary? Does he know?"

" Wow... control power. Impressive." He clapped and continued," For your second question, Of course. I told the secretary I would be living here for some time to get into the skin of my characters. As a method actor, it is important. And about the owner, I had obviously rented it. Both agreed. Only I have to keep this house a secret from the media."

"Now about your first question. A flat in Mumbai is expensive. If I keep an extra flat, it is always good as a future investment. What do you say, Miss Monkey?"

Enough!

" What do you think, huh? I am not a fool. Listen, Mister, I know you are planning to ruin my life but the best part is I am not going to stay here anymore. I don't want to stay as your neighbour. I will leave this place tonight." My voice came out loud enough to make all the men around pause in between their work of shifting items.

" Then leave." As words escaped Ajay's mouth, my determined and angry expression replaced worry and tension. Seriously, how the hell I am supposed to find a flat in a day's time?

Covering it up quite efficiently, I said," Yes, yes. I will leave." I turned to see Ayushi and Pranav staring at me with wide eyes.

I pulled Ayushi with me. " Let's leave. We will be late."

Ayushi was about to open her mouth when I gestured for her to stop. Before getting inside the elevator, I heard Ajay say," Wish you a good day, neighbour."

★★★

"Why did you say that to Ajay?" Ayushi asked in a solemn mood. She took her coffee with 3 cubes of sugar and this time with a perfect blend, making her mood better a little.

" You know the rule. When a handsome boy becomes your neighbour, welcome him and treat him with love as much as you love yourself." Her dreamy expression soon changes back to her indifferent look, " And what you did? You are trying to leave your house and search for a new place to live just for a harmless guy like him? You are an idiot." She said sipping on her coffee.

" The words just slipped out of my mouth. He also agreed to it easily." Even though this complaint made no sense, I still had to say something to defend myself.

" Now what? You are searching for a house?" She asked, looking at my desktop screen.

I was looking for a flat in vain. Although I know it's impossible to find one in a day, it is about my self-esteem.

" I don't know about you both. Sort it out as fast as possible and also take care of the interview. Boss won't always be in a good mood, madam." She went back to her place and I couldn't help but think of Ajay's reaction if I just went back.

Sighing, I leaned back on my chair. Another headache to handle.

Ayushi and I were on our way back home after a day full of work. Making a presentation and spending hours in a conference meeting can truly make anyone sick and tired of life. But for me, it wasn't just that, I had wasted a considerable amount of time in searching for a flat.

I had no option other than to go back to my flat next to Ajay's. I took out a cake from the bag and we shared it on the bus ride. Well, I needed the energy to fight that guy. Cakes can surely help it, right?

★★★

" Why will I leave? I pay the house rent every month. Why should I leave? You leave." The fight started again.

" You have a lot of energy to fight, huh?"

Before I could reply, Ayushi came outside hurriedly.

" Stop it, you both. Maya, calm down. Don't fight like this. Neighbours will come outside and make a scene out of this fight. Keep it low," she said in a whisper and left.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. Nothing can change with this useless fight.

" Listen. Let's keep a few rules. To avoid these daily fights. Okay?" I asked, keeping my anger under my control. After a pause, he nodded.

" Rule #1 We will keep our distance. As in we won't enter each other's house."

" Add the word 'unnecessarily' at the end."

" Why?" I shouted.

" Guys, keep it low," she announced from the kitchen in a measured tone.

" Whatever. Where was I?... Yes. Rule #2 Let's not show our faces."

" Then how are we going to meet? Keeping our faces back at home?" His attempt at making jokes miserably failed. Such an illogical thing to say.

" Idiot. We won't meet unless and until required." He glared at me and then shook his head in disbelief. Shrugging his shoulders, he grumbled, " Fine. I don't have any wish to see your monkey-like face."

Ignoring his comment, I went on," Rule #3 We will meet during the interview and that is going to be the last time we see each other. We will separate our ways after that. Okay?"

" You are still behind that interview?" He sighed and continued, " Fine. You are done?"

" No," I said in reflex and then after giving it a thought, I mumbled," Ah...Yes."

" Good."

" You don't have any rules?" I asked when he turned around.

After thinking for a while, he said, " Yes."

" 35821" he uttered a number loud enough for me to hear as he turned towards his door. I stared at his back facing me with confusion when he turned and said," I hope you will remember the number."

He opened his door and went inside, leaving me in a perplexed mood. What the hell was that? What did he say? Gosh, seriously! He is mad!

His locked door opened again and he smirked seeing me still standing. " Don't think too much with your bird brain." Before I could say anything, he closed the door. I scowled at his words and threw punches in the air, hoping it was Ajay.

Sighing, I turned and looked back, pondering upon his words when my phone buzzed in my hand. It was a message from Shreya.

I got his number. Akash. Thank me later. But I wish you won't try calling him :(

There was a number written below it. My mind has got a lot of questions for Akash and after what Priya said, I need to know everything. Sorry Shreya but I have to try calling him even if it means breaking my own heart a second time.

With a determined heart, I went inside but not before giving a final look to the door opposite to ours.

~•~

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