Maya 

“ Shot one, take one. Action.”

Question of the day: Maya is having the first-day shoot of her first film as a lead actress with an experienced cast and crew team. Describe her feelings right now. 

The right answer is just a word with seven letters: nervous.

I took a deep breath and stood aside. This scene wasn't for me but the next surely was. I observed the actions of my co-actors. Just like a theatre show, the scene mostly starts with a passerby or the childhood of our leads or our protagonist running behind a bus which left on its unusual right time only to screw up our character's most important day.

I was standing behind the camera as the actors roamed about the huge house. A drone hovered over them, taking a birds-eye view shot.

I was about to step in front when I halted at a voice. " Maya, can you come for five seconds?" I turned to see Raghav sir. I nodded at him. 

" Maya, are you ready with your lines? Not nervous, are you?" His voice was of concern but his look said the contrary as if I have to welcome my death if I say otherwise. 

" No sir, I am prepared." I gave him a convincing smile. He heaved a sigh of relief and gave me a thumbs up. 

" Shot is ready." Someone shouted and I ran up to the camera screen and the lights flashed over me. I got tensed up for a second but then my eyes fell on the guy behind the lights. The one with black eyes and a steady gaze, waving his hands at me. I smiled and waved back. 

He mouthed something as if to say, " All the best." I blink my eyes, remembering that moment of my 'first time'. His way of relaxing me down. As he smiled charmingly, my heart raced like anything. Do you need to keep that smile? 

I showed my thumbs up to the director who just asked me if I was ready. Taking a deep breath, I looked ahead. Here it goes.

★★★

" …Yes, keep it up you all. Pack up, guys." 

And the day ends here with loadful of awkwardness, uncomfort and surely a pack of bad nerves. I guess that is why " Pack up" sounded way better than it usually did during the look test and photoshoots. 

I had to take more than 10 takes which just brought down my confidence. And if anyone is guessing that the best part would be my scenes with Ajay. Nope. You are absolutely wrong. 

I didn't have any. All were shot differently and even if we would shoot together, it would have a whole drama. The word is simple: Nervous.

But somewhere deep inside, I felt happy. Happy to see my dreams come real. The world I wanted for myself — is in front of me. 

I walked back into the hotel when I heard a few footsteps behind me, who were discussing stuff and giggling at times. 

" You are right. We can definitely add that element. It will surely add to our comedy level." 

" Yes, but don't you think the concept of speech disorder as comic relief is overused in cinema?" 

" Not wrong but hey, people enjoy it." I felt nauseated at their words. I roll my eyes, listening to their conversation. They won't be tired of using the same things over and over again just because people prefer it. All they is how to make it in the commercial world.

Just like a coin has two sides, every good thing has a bad thing. And this is definitely one of those 'bad' things in Bollywood. 

I almost gave up on their useless blabber when I heard something had just made my senses alive. " What do you say, Ajay? Should we add such a character? We can even use that idea on any character present already. What, say?" 

" To be honest, do we need such a character? Even without that, this film has some real good comedy and the characters all have their authentic personality. Our work is to display it in the best way," he said in his deep, clear voice. His words brought a smile to my face. Finally, using his gifted brain! 

" Moreover, as Nakul said, it is already too overused. Let's keep some originality." 

I could hear a laugh as another man spoke, "That is rare these days, seeing how they are remaking old movies and songs.”

I continued to keep my steady walk in front of them, paying attention to their conversation. Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message notification. Ajay?! What, did he just catch me eavesdropping? Shit.

Run away!

The two-word message made me confused as hell. And there I made another mistake of my life. That is, I turned around to look at him. There, that was the end of me.

“ Miss Maya Padwal? Join us, girl. You were great on the basis that it is your first day. Well done,” the supervising producer said, pointing his fingers to go near them. I froze for a second, crossing my glance with Ajay's. 

I looked away the next second and smiled at them. It's okay. I am good at socialising.

" Well, even Miss Maya is here, so why don't we have a feast together? It is her first day on the journey to struggle. Let us empty some glasses and plates." A few of the production team laughed at the word 'struggle'. The destiny of the so-called outsiders.

Nakul giggled, nodding his head while Ajay rubbed his temples as if frustrated. His eyebrows frowned at me to which I gulped without understanding what he meant. Right at that moment, I received another text from him.

You better say a fat no unless you want to die. 

Another confusing line but surely his frustration dripped with every word, along with another emotion. Maybe, worry. 

I shrugged off my uneasy feeling and approved it. I am just a debut actor. Shouldn't I just follow their wishes and commands? I had already created a problem beforehand. So, this time I didn't want that to happen. 

I had to say yes. I can't say 'no' to them :(

I replied. Almost immediately a message arrived.

Why couldn't you? You have every right. 

I stared back at his face which stared at his phone with a serious look. Practically are at it, waiting for a response. I felt the urge to respond at his glance— no, glare. 

It's okay. Don't mind it. What is the worst that can happen anyway? 

I looked back to see him closing his eyes as started punching the buttons in a hurry.

Then be prepared for that worst. 

My eyebrows twisted as I found him putting the phone back in his pocket. Will anything happen? No way. I would handle it if it turns out wrong. Half worried and half-prepared, I was ready for the feast. 

" Ajay, you won't come, right? You should enjoy this type of fun sometimes." He nodded with a glimpse of rage and concern, which he took off in a second. My eyes looked down. I felt kind of alone. Do I need to celebrate alone? 

—So, now you want him. Did you change your mind? 

A part of my brain shouted back.

I felt caught and exposed for which I went numb for a while before walking inside the restaurant with them, leaving Ajay who walked to his room after glancing at me.

Maybe, I changed my mind, Ajay. 

★★★

Why am I here? This is crazy! 

They were having loads of tasty delicacies. Chicken butter masala, Aalu paratha, Malai kofta and what not! And here I and Nakul were gaping at the dishes while stuffing on our leafy diet. 

" Enjoy!" Nakul joked, watching me murder the poor veggies with the fork in anger. 

" Shut up and stuff those leaves," I groaned, pointing to his dish to which he laughed more.

" Maya, would you like some chicken?" The supervising producer was about to put the chicken bowl in front of me when I blocked his way. Closing my eyes, I shook my head vigorously. I resisted looking at the savoury dish.

" Just take it." I heard a very familiar voice and instantly bobbed my head towards the direction of the voice. The owner of this deep voice stood next to the table, his one hand in pocket, posing effortlessly. 

My eyes twinkled to see him. " Eat it if you want. It won't hurt to skip diet for a day," he said, handing me the dish. I avoided looking at it first. He took the seat next to me and eyed the dish. I looked at my dish with my mouth-filled with saliva. Okay, this is the end of my resistance. 

I took a bite of the chicken and it clearly spoke volumes of taste. It reminded me of Sarah's words. " This is heaven."

" Someone is being caring to his co-star, " Nakul mocked. 

" So they are lovers, right? " The supervising director asked to which I became alert. I saw Ajay getting some salads as he said, calmly, "We are good friends." They gave us a sly grin as if they knew everything. 

" Didn't you say you don't want to come?" 

" I changed my mind," he said aloud and then whispered into my ears, " I am not late, right?" I didn't understand so I just shook my head anyway. 

Only when the drinks arrived and glasses clinked that I realized what he meant by "worst" here.

They nagged me to take a sip on the wine but I just denied them. " I don't drink," I chanted, now and then, but they kept pestering me. 

They tried to persuade me for another time, handing me a glass of drink. Let me take this now. I gave up on denying and just took it. But this time, Ajay just took away my glass and downed it himself. "Why are you forcing her? Leave her. Let us have a drink." 

He looked at me when the others were busy pouring drinks. His eyes directed to the exit as if telling me to leave. But should I leave him between this? 

" Aren't you leaving as well?" I ask in a whisper.

" Not now. You go first," he whispered, downing another shot. 

I felt guilty to see him that way. He downed his drinks with my ones. Every time someone handed me a glass, he took them gulping them down. I tried to snatch them out of his hand but I couldn't. In the end, I sat there helpless.

As my phone buzzed with a message from Ayushi. An idea crosses my head. I called her. 

" What? Did I hear that right? No way." I widened my eyes for a reason. Time to play. 

" You found me to do these pranks. I am hanging up," Ayushi said from the other end. 

" No!" I shouted to which everyone on the table became alert. " Wait, I can't believe it. How did that happen?" 

Ajay gave me a questioning glance as I pulled him up. " You know... Cookie…" I hiccuped to show how real I was. 

His eyes turned determined and worried and he tried to keep a steady glance, " What's wrong?"

Sorry Ajay but no option now. " She…she... is lost." I stuttered and made my voice clearly audible for the people on the table. They took turns glancing at us.

His eyes turned worried, shocked and nervous. His mouth opened slightly as he asked, "H...how did that happen?"

" I don't know. We need to go back to our rooms and talk to Sarah… She will be able to tell. We don't have a network here." Lie. 

He looked tense but was unable to react. I pulled him along with me, waving back to them. Finally, we came out of that hell. Soon as I heaved a sigh of relief, he pulled out of my hold, staggering back. " Where is… Cookie?" 

" She is fine with Sarah." I sighed. 

" Then, why did you say that she… she is lost? Are you mad?" He suddenly shouted, coming near his room. 

I suddenly felt anger controlling my nerves. "Mad? You are the mad person here. I was just helping you. Who told you to drink so much? Who told you to even come?" 

He gave out a dry laugh as he said," Who told? I was just concerned about you. But what were you doing? You just lied to me. Do you know how scared I got? You know what? I… I shouldn't have been bothered about you." 

My heart felt a sting. " Fine. You don't need to care. I never told you to guard me." I scoffed at him turning towards my door. 

" Yeah. That's better. Let's keep the lines," he said, getting inside his room. I gritted my tooth and slammed the door behind me. 

This is what was supposed to happen someday.

Way to end the first day!

~•~

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