Maya

I stood bewildered, staring, or probably glaring at the man standing in front of me. How did this happen? 

Why is he standing here? Isn't the hero supposed to be here? Why him? 

My mind was filled with a jar of questions but I doubt myself to be able to utter those. With every second, my heart was crashing down with my hopes dying. The man in front of me was checking me and was constantly rubbing his eyes, making me want to punch his eyes blind. 

I turned towards Ramesh sir who was happily smiling at both of us." Do you guys know each other? Great." 

" You both look amazingly charming together." Samyukta ma'am commented, making me cringe. 

My temper rose with every second with a bunch of confusion piling up but my mind lost my remaining senses when ma'am pushed me to stand beside the man. I gritted, looking at his face when he too made a disapproving expression.

We both started at Ramesh sir and Samyukta ma'am. " A masterpiece on-screen couple— Maya and Ajay as Rani and Vicky." They both smiled at each other and that is when I realized my life is doomed. 

★★★

A few hours back

I took a step into the hefty office with all four walls, attracting every piece of my soul. They were covered with paintings of great artists of the century and had a tree collage with posters of classic films like Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Padosan and others. I took a seat on the couch near the entrance. 

Covering my belly with my bag, I prayed to all the deities, whoever was listening, to guide me and let things happen in the best way. 

The staff were busily moving when I saw a girl approaching me. I stood up as she led me into Ramesh sir's cabin. I took a deep breath and clutched the keyring around my fingers hoping this ring helps me today.

As I stepped in, I saw Ramesh sir and Samyukta ma'am sitting across the table. I took my seat but not before nervously greeting them. I passed my portfolio to them with a smile awkwardly hanging on my face. 

" Maya Padwal… You are one confident girl to speak your thoughts as an aspiring actor. Impressive," Samyukta ma'am said, making me slightly shocked. " I heard the whole thing and I heard how you handled the situation. But one thing to advise, don't be so rash. It is real life; confidence is another thing but you could have lost your chance in that way." 

" Sorry, ma'am, but I think I wasn't completely wrong. Well, of course, I will try to not make rash decisions." 

Ramesh sir laughed out, all of a sudden and I couldn't help but stare at him blankly. Even Samyukta was looking at him, shaking her head as if she is too tired of this daily thing.

" It feels like the 3 idiots job interview scene." I was dumbfounded at his off-topic comment and saw ma'am pressing her right temples. 

As he gestured to me to rate his joke, I felt the sudden urge to appreciate his effort. I immediately broke into maniac laughter which sounded more like a ghost haunting the town.

I could feel both of their gazes, one was extremely happy and the other made her face similar to those popular memes on the internet. 

" Maya, can you give a live audition? And then we can select on the basis?" 

" Sure, sir." 

He led me to another room which had a few cameramen adjusting the camera lens and a few just crunched on their biscuits. I was given a line from the movie to mug up and give a live audition. 

" Ready?" 

I nod, keeping the script aside. Taking a deep breath, I compose myself. 

" Vicky, I... can't answer your questions. But think of it that I don't really have a house address or ID that I own here. I can't... explain to you much. Just think of me as someone who lives far; so far that you won't be able to find me once I disappear." My eyes held fear but still maintained a steady glance, a little away from the camera where the lead actor must be standing.

I took a sharp breath as I looked up with determination. The fear slowly wore off me. " Please don't ask me anything till 30 days. Till then just... think of me as one of your well-wishers. I want to give you a happy ending." I gulped down the scary feeling that not just my character was experiencing but my whole self was undergoing.

" Great," Ramesh sir said as I turned to look at him.

" Fantastic. For me, Maya is perfect to play Rani," Samyukta ma'am smiled at me. 

I still couldn't believe my ears and I placed my hands over my mouth just to stop the squeal but soon said," Thank you so much." 

" Maya, this is the script and your role will be Rani." I looked through the first page which had the characters' names and I found the name Rani in the second line, typed beautifully in italics.

" Your initial role would have been Siya, the friend of our MC. But now, the actress who was initially appointed as Rani has opted out of the film and so, we decided to take you as the lead. No problem, right?" 

My eyes were sparkling and I never knew that I had such an awesome level of luck. Of course, I was born to be a hero… oops, heroine. 

I nodded vigorously to imply how desperate I am to take the role. " Ramesh sir is here," Samyukta ma'am said, looking at the entrance. I turned to see him talking over the phone. 

He hung up the call and said, " Maya, let's clear the money stuff. Twenty-five lakh rupees, are you okay with that?" Twenty-five lakhs?!! That is huge!

Without thinking for a second, I said, "Yes, sir absolutely." I signed the film contract and that is how this whole thing was settled by the law. 

" Maya, are you curious to see your lead actor?" 

I smiled nervously and bit my lips. Of course, I was curious to know about my partner on-screen. Well, who doesn't want to see their love interest, even if it is scripted? But my guts didn't feel right about this. For some reason, I couldn't say yes directly, maybe I was nervous or maybe my instincts were trying to warn me ahead of time.

" Oh, why are you being so shy? It's fine to be curious. You have every right to see the guy you are going to romance on-screen. You are lucky that he came here. Come, you will be shocked to see him." Ramesh sir insisted and I couldn't help but follow him. 

And as if my destiny was playing games with me, I was entirely shocked to see the guy in jeans and specs, standing in front of me. "Meet Ajay Sharma, the amazing actor and he will be playing Vicky alongside Rani, a.k.a, Maya Padwal." 

Present time

We both stared at each other. Now I want to cry. I am so done with this hell of a life. But as if this wasn't enough, both of them insisted on taking a picture of the leads together to make the cast announcement.

I forced a manic smile while he too pulled up the end of his lips in a curved way. As we made the most creepy expression, I heard the click of the camera button. This was just the beginning and now we had a lot of drama to handle. 

★★★

Ajay 

Wow, this is what I have been waiting for! (Note the sarcasm) Getting Maya as my co-star; can this get any worse? I had already signed a deal for three movies together with the R films production company. Can I just quit now? No, right? 

" You better not make that grumpy face while eating. Stuff this into your mouth." Sarah pointed towards the chicken pieces on my plate while chewing on hers. I looked at Maya who was evidently enjoying her food very happily.

" Cheers to Maya entering our film industry, " Sarah shouted and lifted her glass of wine in a way of cheers.

" Congratulations, Maya," Ishaan smiled and congratulated her. She too nodded and gave a wide smile. I remained quiet and took a sip from my glass.

" It's great how both of you got cast together. And the film is making heading from the time it has been announced. Also, it is a product of Ramesh sir and Samyukta ma'am. Isn't it great to be a part of such a film?" Ishaan asked Maya who made a forced smile and nodded. 

" Ramesh sir? Maya, I could have talked to him. He is like my uncle. I would have arranged it for you. You wouldn't need to worry so much." My eyes went wide as Sarah said those confidently. 

Ishaan shook his head at her words and said, "Everyone is not like you. She is getting a chance on her talent and hard work unlike you. Let her enjoy her life." Sarah went speechless and slapped him on his arm. 

I sighed and went on with my food, knowing very well that their hand fighting will continue for a while now. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Maya trying to stop them. Seeing her, reminds me that I need to romance her but is this even possible? 

After finishing our little celebration, as expected, Sarah was completely drunk. " I l...looove you so much Ishaan. My bestie forever," She hung her arms around Ishaan who struggled to free himself from her tight hold. She looked at me and Maya and smiled widely, giving a creepy smile while linking her arms around us. 

Bringing our hands together, she said, "Cutest couple in Mumbai, no- in the universe. Maya, look after this idiot and my little Cookie. I can trust you more than this guy." She pointed towards me. Now she is speaking nonsense. 

Maya widened her eyes and gulped as it was hard for her to believe. I rolled my eyes at Ishaan, indicating to him to take Sarah with him. 

He nodded and took Sarah with him, telling her to act sober because of the media while she just laughed out, hugging and expressing her 'immense love' for Ishaan. We too made our way out but not before glaring at each other.

Cutest couple? Hell.

★★★

We rode down the night street towards Parvati Buildings. There was pin-drop silence the whole time. I turned to find her long hair dancing along with the wind and her sombre face spoke how much she is upset with her whole fate. Like me.

First of all, those rumours of us dating were not ending and with this cast announcement, the media will fuel this up a lot more than we can think. 

After a while, we were standing in front of our respective doors. As I was about to enter the house, she suddenly opened her mouth after a long time. " Ajay, why did you have to take up this film? Better reject it." 

I frowned and replied, " Stop trying with this idea. This plan won't work. I am not going to reject it. We already signed a contract and it is disrespectful if I change my decision now." 

She sighed and frustratingly pressed the bell several times. 

I turned towards her, " Maya, don't get tensed up if you see the media cooking up stories about our dating. Let us clear this up. No point in waiting anymore." 

She grimaced as she looked into her phone and shoved her phone in front of me. It showed the news from Entertainment plus. It read as: 

Maya Padwal, the reporter of Spotlight news is currently reported to be assigned as the lead actress of the big-budget film, 30 days opposite the rising actor, Ajay Sharma.

It is reported that when the initial actress opted out of the film, they were in search of a new face— a new talent.

A few days back, the rumours of Maya Padwal and Ajay Sharma dating each other were circulating on the internet but no one confirmed the same. 

Can there be more to the story than it seems to be?— 

Maya took her phone before I could complete the whole news. " What are we going to do?" She frowned and pressed her temples.

" I will clear this out. And anyways we have to work together. So, I was thinking, how about we start fresh and try to be good to each other?" She turned towards the door which was left ajar and a voice interrupted, " The door is opened." 

" Not happening." She went inside and shut the door with a thud. Well, how did I even think that would work? We can never be friends, at least I can't deal with this girl anymore. 

Soon after I went inside my room, I received a text from my manager. 

Don't think of doing anything with the dating news before tomorrow. We need to talk. 

This short text from him made me confused but I decided to wait till tomorrow. 

~•~

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