Ajay

I couldn't fall asleep. The whole night I had been thinking about Maya. Such a troublemaker!

My tongue and lips still had the burning sensation. I would prefer to stay away from both chilli powder and Maya. She broke all the rules that she herself made. Of course, she has never been the 'going by rules' type of girl.

The only thing I appreciate is that she likes Cookie a lot. My phone rang on the bed as I dressed up. Another day at the shoot.

" Hello, Ajay. Where are you?" Sarah squealed as soon as I swiped up that green button.

" At home with your Cookie." I patted Cookie and gave her the food.

" Aww... Can you bring her along with you? At the studio? It's been so long." I could imagine her pouting sadly.

I giggled and said, " It's been just four days."

" Four days! That is equal to 96 hours. I can't stay away from her for so long." As she poured out her words, I could relate to her. Cookie is such a cute little puppy that everyone will fall in love with her. And when she had been with Sarah for months now, it was obvious for her to miss Cookie.

" Okay, I will bring her along. And you can take the updates there itself." She chuckled and agreed with that.

" Hey, I was wondering if we can have a little fun together as in you, Ishaan, Maya and me, what say? "

" Sorry but I have a meeting with Ramesh and Rajiv sir and Samyukta ma'am about the film." So, this was the half-truth. I could have joined them but there is a strong reason why I would prefer I don't. Maya. It would be irritating for both of us.

" But... okay fine. I will get Ishaan. Anyways, he is always free." She laughed loudly but soon, I heard Ishaan protesting, who was silent all along, "What did you say? I am free but for your kind information, I have already booked myself for the evening so don't drag me into your party plans. Anyways it becomes too hard to control you after you get drunk. I am not signing up for that."

" True. I agree, Ishaan, " I said while laughing.

" Both of you are the worst. I will talk to Maya. She is way better." She hung up the call. I kept the phone and took Cookie in my arms and said, " My Cookie will come with me today."

★★★

Maya

" Tomorrow is the audition day and I am not even prepared. I am screwed." I frustratingly stomped across the room thinking about my auditions and turned towards Pranav who was yawning.

" Are you even listening?" I asked Pranav.

" So what are you planning to do now? " He asked, sleepily.

I have no idea. I seriously have no idea how to make progress. I even cancelled on Sarah and also had to take work from home for today but nothing is working out. Memorising the lines itself is getting complicated and acting, forget it.

" Do whatever. I am going to bed," Pranav declared and went inside.

" I am going to watch Little Things and dream of cute stuff today. Good luck with your audition preparation." She too left and I could only sit and check the lines and the scene on the paper.

All of a sudden the bell rang and I saw a guy in a helmet and a flower bouquet in his hands. I was shocked and inquired of him and then what he said made my eyes open wide.

" Hello, future wife." The person chuckled inside the helmet and I soon realized he was none other than Ishaan.

My lips parted and I hardly uttered, "I...Ishaan? Y-you?" My mouth and eyes were wide open as I saw Ishaan taking out his helmet and showing his gorgeous countenance.

" Hi... Won't you welcome me?" He winked and I couldn't believe that he was really here. I pulled him inside fearing that anyone would notice him.

" Why are you here?"

" Just to visit you,"- he looked around and exclaimed, " Nice house." I still couldn't understand why he came here all of a sudden. As I kept staring at him, I saw him comfortably sitting and reading the paper in front of him. That same paper is going to be the death of me.

Soon, Pranav and Ayushi came out to see us sitting together. It didn't take Ayushi a second to recognize the handsome guy next to me but she was in a state of confusion and was suffering from 'I can't believe this' syndrome. He is her favourite actor. Don't get confused if she has a hundred favourite actors. She has the superpower of imagining every handsome guy on screen as her boyfriend in a parallel universe.

" Omg... Ishaan Kapoor? Here? This is so surreal." She was smiling widely and staring at Ishaan with a dreamy look. Soon, Pranav nudged her with his elbow making her mouth shut but she kept stealing a glance or two. I don't know what is up with them.

Ishaan, on the other hand, was relaxed and enjoying it. He looked like he was used to this kind of situation and didn't mind at all.

" Nice to meet you," he greeted Ayushi who just smiled dreamily.

" Sarah told me you are having your auditions tomorrow. How is your preparation going?" He asked me as he kept the paper back on the table.

I am on square zero and I am too ashamed of myself. I cleared my throat and said, " Good." He looked at me with narrowed eyes and crooked his eyebrows and asked, "Are you sure?"

His seductive voice made me lose my senses and I spilled out the truth, "No. It is not good." I bowed my head low and heard him chuckle.

He soon replied, "How about I help you?" My eyes glistened and I saw his sincere gaze upon me, screaming his honest promise.

" Thank you so much. Thank you, Ishaan. Thanks a lot." I jumped in excitement but soon realized that it was unladylike of me in front of Ishaan so instead, I awkwardly smiled and expressed my sincere gratitude.

He laughed out loud and kept his demand, " If you are so grateful then treat me with an ice cream and consider your audition sorted."

At that, I couldn't help but retort," So you are asking for a bribe indirectly, huh?"

He shrugged and leaned forward, "There are no free lunches, Future wife."

My cheeks flushed and I saw Pranav coughing and glaring at me, asking for an explanation while Ayushi was over the top excited, trying to control her big grin as she gave me her 'best of luck with that' look.

I pushed both of them inside and cleared the hall room. We both pushed away the tables to get more space and that's how our practice started.

★★★

" You have to show the pain this character is feeling. She is suffering from a terrible heartbreak."

Now, I regret agreeing to his help. I never imagined him to be so strict with such high demands. Well, that explains why he confessed to me, all of a sudden in broad daylight with cameras and a mob of people busily moving.

I was exhausted but during this whole practice, I understood his way of acting and his preferences which made us come closer. I sat down on the sofa, surrendering myself, "Please, I can't."

I gulped down water and saw him smiling at me. He took a seat next to me and said, " Quite appreciable. I must say, you are doing great. It explains your awards." He pointed towards my portfolio kept on the table. I shyly smiled and thanked him.

" My gift? In your words, my bribe?"

I chuckled and replied, " I am going to bring it." As I was about to get up from the seat, his hands covered mine, making me stop in my tracks." We both will go together."

I took my scarf and just as I remembered about the gift I bought for him last time, I ran inside my room and came out to give it to him. His eyes sparkled as he opened the gift. " Cute. Thank you." He patted my head as I chuckled.

A while later, we were standing in front of the ice cream parlour. We both had covered ourselves. I had my scarf and he had put on his cap and black glasses just like Ajay did last time. Why am I thinking of him?

I shook off his thoughts from my mind and we both enjoyed our ice cream together. This day will always remain as one the best days in my diary of life.

★★★

" Good. Superb." Rajiv sir, the director sat across the table with crossed feet, checking through my portfolio. My heart was thumping fast and loud inside my chest as I saw the director.

" You were a performer in Shivam theatre?" I nodded and replied with a 'yes'. He closed the file and asked me, "Hmm...Your audition was good. You were just a little nervous. Raghav told me this is your first time auditioning but you are quite good in this field."

My eyes met Raghav who slightly nodded and smiled. Rajiv sir continued, "Everything is okay. Your figure, height and even your above waist-length hair would go perfectly with the script but your skin shade..."

His voice trailed off as he turned towards the other members of the casting department. " What do you all say?"

" Camera and makeup can do the work."

Some girl interrupted in a hushed voice, "But we have seen far more beautiful girls than her. Then why only her?"

An old man next to her pointed out, "Don't be racist you all. She has the potential. And today's world is much advanced. Stories are what drives them."

Rajiv sir interrupted, " You are right but is it worth risking with a newcomer on this case."

The old man shrugged, pushing himself back on the chair.

My heart thumped faster and faster, threatening to break through my chest. It felt as if the opportunity is slowly leaving my hands.

He looked at me, adjusting himself as he said," Maya, I know this may sound rude but people have their beauty standards set and when you represent yourself on screen, you need to look your best. So...You know what I mean, don't you?" He asked, unable to frame the right words to express his thoughts.

When I turned towards Raghav sir, I saw him bowing his head as if he was helpless and had nothing in his hands. I can't comprehend my current status. Maybe anger, frustration or simply disgusted.

" I didn't get you sir." I made the last attempt to keep my immense anger at bay.

" Let's face it. You are a fit to the role and we can adjust your colour shade on camera by light effect and make up. Will that be okay for you?" He asked me more like commanding me.

By then, I understood he was just another stereotypical director. I took deep breaths and twisted the ends of my bag strips and showed a smile in an attempt to control my rising anger.

When my destiny is to lose the film project then let me end this talk once and for all.

" I understand sir but I would prefer to keep it natural. Anyways there are numerous actresses with dark skin and they are doing quite well. And then, surely, I am not comparing myself with them but just reminding you. Being a debutant I know telling these is risky but I am ready for that risk. Thank you." I joined my hands and greeted them before taking my leave. I am so done with these kinds of stereotypical people. Anyway, I am getting rejected.

★★★

Soon I reached home and threw my bag in frustration. What was your need to become the rebellion girl? You should have taken it lightly, Maya.

Then I heard an indistinct sound from Pranav's room. As I was about to enter his room, I said, " Are you in, Pranav?"

My eyes widened as I saw Ayushi standing in a corner, waving at me with a bizarre expression and as I turned to my left, I saw Pranav smiling creepily.

I stared at both of them before saying, "Why are you both acting so weird? And what was that sound?" Pranav pointed toward the pile of books which fell from his desk.

I helped him pick up the books and gave them a quick glance before leaving the room. Soon, my phone rang loud enough to shake away all my thoughts. It was Raghav sir.

As I picked up the call, he apologised for the matter earlier. " I am extremely sorry on his behalf. You must've felt bad."

" It is nothing like that. Just that I didn't like the way he spoke about it. And I am sorry too. I could've framed my words in a better way. Also, Sorry I couldn't make it into the cast listing. You helped me a lot but still..." I bowed my head low even though I knew he wouldn't be able to see. He giggled all of a sudden, scaring me to the core of my heart.

" No worries, Maya. You were great to tell that to him. Whatever he is, he doesn't have the right to criticize anyone that way. He just a human after all. " I laughed along with him at his remarks. But he soon ceased his laughter and continued, "There is a gift for your courage."

I paused in between my tear-jerking laughter and asked him about it when he announced loudly, " The writer, Miss Samyukta and the producer, Ramesh sir, are going to meet you, personally."

I was so shocked that I forgot to reply to him. He laughed and continued, " I am sure you got a heart attack but don't die yet. Picture abhi baaki hain, mere dost."

After repeating the famous dialogue of Shahrukh Khan, he hung up the call and I couldn't help but scream at the top of my lungs, announcing the happy news to the whole world. Ayushi and Pranav came running after hearing the scream.

" Why are you screaming so loud? People will get wrong ideas, " Ayushi made her point.

I instantly stopped shouting and glared at her but soon, notified them of the news. Meeting the producer who created more than forty films with more than half blockbusters at the box office and the writer who created stories showcasing the beautiful tales on screen for a decade now. Their duo have been famous for creating tear-jerking, remarkable romantic drama flicks.

This is my second and probably the last chance to crack it.

God, please guide me.

•~•

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