Maya

I was right. It didn't end. Not because of Cookie but because of the news headline on my phone with an attached photo.

My heart bumped and I think my already destroyed brain cells rose from their death bed trying to figure out the hell around me. 

I stared at my phone.

The picture was of him holding my waist to prevent me from falling, which looked nothing less than any romantic scene of movies. But they don't know what followed it was nothing sort of what you call romance. 

" Ajay, I wish I could kill you." This is the first thing I say after calling him. My exact feeling. I seriously wish I could stab that man. My career is ruined even before it could start.

He sighed." You started again. But don't worry, I have mutual feelings. Why did you call?" 

" Read the news," I shouted, unable to control my anger. 

" Don't scream and I don't have any wish to read the news. I am very busy." He made it sound like he is the least interested to know the hell we got ourselves into.

I took a deep breath and said with gritted teeth, " Read the news now if you don't want your untimely death." I hung up the call with that. My mind roamed about with no idea what to do next when Ayushi came running.

" What is this?" She shoved her phone with the picture on her phone. " Don't tell me you had a scene with him. But didn't you hate him? Whatever, this is so romantic." She is hopeless. 

" It is not funny. This guy ruined everything. Who told him to hold me? I want to kill him. What if our boss gets to know? God, this isn't what I signed up for!" I blabber out gibberish in nervousness. Honestly, this situation is worse than it looks.

It is media and rumours here doesn't take long to make it's cozy room in the hearts of the netizens.

" Calm down Maya. Don't think so far. You are famous now. Let's party with Boys over Flowers." She jumped in excitement.

" Ayushi, I am not in a mood for this." 

" Mood spoiler alert." She made a grumpy face before going inside her room. I heaved a sigh and looked at the news again just to ruin my mood when I got a message from Ajay. Reluctantly, I opened it. It read—

Ignore that news. 2 days and people will forget. It is a rumour anyway. So rest up, Monkey. 

I was about to throw away my phone due to the extreme anger rushing down my veins when I realised it would be the greatest loss. Frowning, I sat when I got another message. It was from Raghav sir.

Can you meet me at my office? We need to prepare the portfolio. Bring those required pictures and documents. 

I soon replied with a yes. Refreshing my mind, I got ready in my jeans and blue top. For safety, I even got my scarf to cover up myself. This is all because of Ajay. I grumbled and left after informing Ayushi who already knew about my decision to give acting another chance. 

I just hope everything goes right. 

★★★

" Done." 

My big fat portfolio was finally ready by 9 pm. It took us four hours to prepare the whole stuff. "Thank you so much, sir. I could do this just because of you." 

He shook his head and said, " Don't thank me. It was my pleasure. You are an amazing talent. You won so many medals and trophies. Appreciable." He clapped his hands.

" Thank you, sir," I smiled.

" I will only recommend that you practise a little at home and if possible try to talk to Ajay. You know him, as in very closely, right?" I soon got the hint of what he is trying to point out. Of course, the news.

I shook my head vigorously and said, "No sir. You got it wrong. Those are just rumors. That was just after I took his interview. He had held me to prevent me from falling. (Only him and I know what happened next) Nothing else." 

He gave a sly smile and said, " Are you sure?" 

" Yes sir. It is nothing like what is seems to be. I am already stressed by these rumours. Please." He chuckled at my plea and nodded. 

I took his leave and a while after, my phone buzzed inside my bag. I smiled at the display name. 

" Hello, Akash." 

" Did you call me? My phone was on silent mode so I couldn't hear. Sorry." 

" It's okay. Hey, if you are free tomorrow, can we meet at Coffee Cafe? Pranav wants to meet you," I said, unsure of his reaction.

" Oh… okay, fine." 

I smiled and asked," 7:30 pm?" 

" Done." I hung up the call a while later. The smile lingered on my face when I saw the keyring jingling around my bag.

★★★

Pranav was staring— no, glaring at Akash who was uncomfortably shifting about his place. I gulped and looked at both of them.

I smiled awkwardly and handed the coffee to both of them. " Pranav, stop glaring at him like that," I whispered in a warning tone when he straightened himself and cleared his throat. 

" So, where do you work now?" Pranav narrowed his eyes and observed every gesture keenly.

" Capgemini, the IT sector in Pune. I had come to Mumbai for work… work purposes," he stuttered.

" What work?" He looked as if he was going to pierce him with his sharp glance. He looked intimidating as he checked Akash from top to bottom.

" Office work… I had a meeting with a client here." I could feel how uneasy he was with all this interrogation. Why would Pranav ask such things? 

" Did you know that Maya lives here?" My eyes went wide. I understood where this conversation was going. 

Before Akash could reply, I interrupted, "Pranav. Stop it." 

He protested but I glared at him to stop whatever he was trying to point out. He raised his hands in the air in a way to surrender. "Have the coffee." I pointed the cups to both of them.

After a while, Akash left because he had some important business. Pranav kept staring at him till he left and turned towards me." He is suspicious. Stay away from him." 

" He is not suspicious. You are crazy. Why were you asking him those questions?" 

" I needed to know his ulterior motives." I sighed when I saw him still glancing from the cafe window to check if he was out there.

My overprotective brother.

★★★

" Gosh Maya, this news is getting viral. I am sure his fans are going to break your bones when they find you," Ayushi said as she showed her phone to me. 

The comments were flooding and I received numerous calls till now. Pranav told me to keep my cool and not worry about it but I can't help but worry. 

This is enough to ruin my career even before it can start and also that the boss now wants some secrets of Ajay so that they can sell that news. I was thinking all these when my phone rang loudly. 

" Hello." 

" Maya, what am I hearing? Is this true?" Prakash asked from the other end, making me sigh.

" Of course, no." I tiredly protested.

" Are you sure? I mean if there is nothing, why didn't he dismiss the rumour?" His words triggered my tired senses and I stood upright. 

" What? " I asked the obvious and stared at Ayushi who was just as confused as me. 

" When the paparazzi asked him about the dating rumour, he didn't say anything. He just ignored the question." Why didn't he say 'no'? He has a loose screw for sure. 

My anger boiled under my skin as I felt it gripping my nerves when saw the footage on my mobile. It's amazing how he ignored it and walked away. (Note the sarcasm)

I hardly uttered, "Ajay, you are so dead." 

I rushed out of the door and smacked my fist on his door and rang the doorbell several times before shouting, " Ajay, open the bloody door." Ayushi tried to stop me but I wanted him to answer. 

He didn't answer even after I called his name numerous times. When I was about to use my power and might to break the door, I noticed the password lock. Something triggered inside me and I remembered just in time what he earlier said to me.

35821. I hope you will remember the number.

" So, If I am not wrong, was he telling me his password? But why?" I muttered to myself when I saw Ayushi giving me a questioning look. I nodded at her and decided to try the number to open the lock.

I slowly clicked on the numbers and at the end when I pulled the doorknob, it opened effortlessly. I turned towards Ayushi who was still trying to figure out the magic. 

I peeked through the door and couldn't see anyone. Reluctantly, I tiptoed inside and gestured to Ayushi when she shook her head but eventually, came inside. I saw Cookie playing with a ball. 

She ran towards me while barking when I gestured to her to keep quiet. Like an obedient child, she quickly stopped barking. I took her in my arms and patted her and whispered to Ayushi, " I have a plan." 

Taking Cookie with me, I went to the kitchen when Ayushi went to take a look at the rooms to see if Ajay was present. To my pleasure, I noticed a plate full of pasta on the dining table.

Mr. Ajay, be prepared to taste the hell. 

I smirked to myself and sprinkled the chilli powder and stirred it well when Ayushi came hurriedly and whispered, "I think he is coming out of the washroom." 

" You leave. I will stay here." I quickly paced towards the door and locked the door after pushing her out. I hid behind the sofa and gestured for Cookie to not make a sound but this time she jumped out and went towards Ajay who was standing in his shorts.  

I turned my face around in embarrassment. My cheeks burned up without my notice. I bit my lip and put a few strands of hair behind my ear.

No, Maya. Don't let it distract you. Let's focus. 

I could see him taking his first bite when Cookie interrupted him with her roaming and sniffing about his legs.

" What happened, Cookie? My good girl." He rubbed her head and took her in his arms when she swiftly moved the plate away. Dog senses. 

I nervously gulped and saw him hesitating but then he made her sit on the sofa and took two spoonfuls of pasta. The immediate action was a frown replacing his smile and soon I could see his face turning pale. I covered my mouth and giggled at the scene in front of me. He was panting and breathing heavily. 

I somehow felt a stance of guilt as I saw him rummaging for water. Getting up slowly, I tried to erase the guiltiness from my face. " This is what happens when you try to play smart with me." I tried to hide my guilt but somehow I couldn't. 

He jumped in surprise, seeing me coming out of nowhere. He was breathing heavily and once again, I put my head down after laying my eyes (mistakenly) on his shirtless body. When he realised his condition, he quickly ran inside to put on a shirt. I cursed myself for getting distracted and soon poured him a glass of water. 

He came back running with a list of questions for me to answer. Before he could ask anything, I handed him the glass. He gulped it down without giving a second thought but still, he was panting badly. 

He coughed and asked," W...what are you doing here?"

" I think you should take a seat first." 

" You first tell me," he demanded. 

" I will tell you and I, myself, have a lot of questions to ask. But before that... just wait here." I quickly made my way out of his house and before he could stop me, I was inside my house, taking out the packet of sweets from the fridge.

" Maya? What happened?" Ayushi suddenly asked to which I promised her to tell everything later. Before she could further question me, I went inside his flat to see him sitting on the sofa, drinking water in haste.

I held out the whole packet and offered him the sweets to which he reluctantly picked one and glared at me, demanding all the answers. 

" Before I say, you need to say something. Why didn't you say 'no' when the paparazzi asked you about our dating rumour? And if I don't get a logical answer then I am going to kill you for sure this time." I showed him the plastic knife which was kept inside the sweet packet.

He backed a little before giving a retort, "Are you a gangster or something? First, you got inside my house, you mixed the chilli powder and now you are threatening me," he paused to see my shocked expression and asked, " You mixed the chilli powder, right?" 

My eyes wavered when I said, " T...that's not the point. The point is why would you not deny those rumours? Or are you trying to pull my legs? And why would you give me your password?" 

He shook his head in disbelief, " You… You are unbelievable. You should be sorry for breaking into my house. Privacy and rules, Maya." 

" Okay, sorry. I am sorry." 

He sighed and replied, " I ignored it because many people assume that a rumour most denied is that one most true. I am just trying to end this whole gossip. Maya, I know you must be stressed because you are a non-celebrity. You must be getting more trouble for this but you need to be patient. It takes time for everything." I averted my eyes and gave it a thought. 

There are a lot of differences between us but I think even though I hate him, in this case, I have to consider his opinion. 

In the end, I nodded and apologised to him again before going to the door when Cookie ran towards me. I patted and rubbed her back and before I could give her a goodbye, I heard Ajay saying, " I had given you the password because this house is always available to you when you need it. My parents persuaded me to do this. Don't get the wrong idea. And…" he paused and continued," Good night." 

The whole night, I couldn't forget this whole incident in his house. And I remembered that I broke all the rules we made.

Not to visit each other's house. Not to see each other's faces. Not to have any relations after the interview. 

Everything seemed messed up. Another night ended with me looking at my dark future as I am now sure that nothing is going to be according to my wishes.

~•~

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