Maya

I was standing just in front of Ishaan. I expected him to say something but unlike my thoughts, he stood in silence without uttering a word. I hate myself for the random thoughts crossing my mind. He sure has dreamy eyes to make me forget everything.

It was weird because of two reasons. One is the long awkward silence and the other is the headache, Ajay, who was continuously staring at us in a not-at-all-pleased manner. 

As if the world was inclined to break our sweet yet awkward eye contact, someone shouted, "Pack up." We both looked away in the direction of the shout. There was a hassle around. Everyone was hurriedly packing up all the accessories. 

I noticed the familiar faces whom I had only seen on the silver screen or the television of my home. Among all of them, I saw Sarah Desai, the renowned actress, and gorgeous diva. Quoting the words straight from the Vogue India magazine, "The Bollywood Diva on the Spotlight." She has a joyful aura and her facial expressions leave a special mark on her movies. Although I am not a crazy fan, I can't disagree that I love her acting a lot. 

As my eyes shifted from her, I saw Ajay and Ishaan talking in a very friendly tone. Surely, it makes sense as they might know professionally or maybe more than that. I was standing still like an outcast.

"You both have to come to the party tomorrow. It will be so much fun," Ishaan told Ajay and Sarah Ma'am, who came towards them after having a chat with the producer. 

"I will surely come. I have this urge to break some floors. It's been too tiring these days. It would be awesome to have a party," Sarah Ma'am shouted enthusiastically. 

"Wow, pay me the repair cost in advance if you plan to break my floors. I accept money only in cheque," Ishaan replied with a very serious face, while Sarah playfully nudged his shoulder. 

I smiled at their innocence and cuteness when I noticed Ishaan looking at me with a strange look. I waved at him mouthing 'hi' but he didn't react and only turned away as if I was invisible.

I was confused. Did he forget me? But how could he after he confessed to me? Although it was just a shoot, he had caught me off guard.

"And what about you Ajay? I bet you won't come, right?" Ishaan asked, completely ignoring me. 

Can't he reply or at least react? Or maybe he doesn't feel it is necessary to talk to me. How rude!  

I turned away and then was just about to leave the place when a voice interrupted my actions.

"You concluded I am rude, didn't you? Were you bad-mouthing me? " 

I looked up to see Ishaan standing in front of me, leaning on the wall beside him with arms crossed. He was looking at me suspiciously with slanted eyes and head tilted slightly.

He brought his face closer to mine, examining something on my face. My mind was roaming with random thoughts. It was sending me continuous alert messages to control my racing heart. 

"Why don't you say anything? You did want me to talk to you. So, when I am talking to you now you should reply and talk as well," he said, pulling his face away and smiling at me.

Oh please! don't smile like that. Someone, please save my heart. 

"Oh, sure. I... eh...by the way, What did you ask in the first place?" That smile paralyzed my senses.

You are such a stupid, Maya! —A part of my brain shouted.

I was making myself look like a fool in front of him. But ok, it was his fault to look so good. He didn't say anything for a moment and broke into a laugh the next second. " You are really funny. You should do something about your poor memory. Anyways, I was just telling you to talk casually." 

"Oh, Hi, I am Maya Padwal, a reporter from 'Spotlight Horizon'." I introduced myself most formally, showing him my identity card which was hanging around my neck. 

"Hi, I am Ishaan, an actor in the Bollywood industry. This is the most formal manner to introduce oneself. Isn't it?". I smiled awkwardly without knowing what to say next. 

He continued," I am sorry for what happened earlier during the shoot. I know you weren't ready for that. It's my way of working and you know, I am quite an impatient kind of person but...I have my way to pay for a mistake I made, so I am inviting you to the party tomorrow which will be held at 9 pm sharp. Accept my sincere apology and come tomorrow for the party on time."  

Wow, That was long enough. But what did he say? Party?! Which means the big Bollywood party with all the renowned celebrities. 

Speaking of which, I remembered the packet I still held in my hands. I had to give that packet to that foodie but I totally forgot about it with all the unusual things happening around me. I looked at Ajay who was pretending to look so disinterested. If I agree to go to the party it would be a great chance to get to know Ishaan better.

After recalling what Ishaan told earlier, it explains that Ajay is not active in parties. So, he possibly won't go and I will have a chance to get rid of the devil at least for a few hours. I have had enough of him for today. 

"Thanks for inviting me! I will surely come. I have to say that I didn't expect that kind of apology." I joked to make the atmosphere lighten up. I would have expected him to say, "It will be a costly apology still never mind," but he wasn't just an ordinary human to say that. 

"Oh I know, you will say that you never had expected to get an invitation to the party by Ishaan Kapoor himself. I don't mind you bragging about it to your friends. You can do that." 

He sure is very confident about himself. We both started laughing without being aware of anything around us. 

"Let me ask for leave like a gentleman. See you tomorrow, Maya." He playfully bowed and went towards the bench to take his phone from his manager. When Ishaan called my name, it surprisingly made my heart flutter. 

I turned away from Ishaan when I heard Sarah Ma'am speaking, "Ishaan, you have to listen to what Ajay said. Wow, I can't believe my ears. Will you really attend the party?" 

I looked towards Ajay, who glanced at me before saying, "Yes, I don't have a packed schedule tomorrow so, I will come to the party." He stressed the words 'will come to the party' as if telling me to be aware of that. 

God, Seriously! Was it mandatory to ruin my mood in this way? This is not at all fair. 

What bad things did I do in my past life to deserve this? 

As I looked around the room, there were only a few people left. Ishaan and Sarah Ma'am left with their team members. I came near Ajay, glaring at him without speaking a word, half-expecting him to understand my silence and back off his plan to attend the party but he didn't get anything in his big head. 

"What is wrong?" he asked me, raising an eyebrow, and continued," See, I know what you will say but for your kind information don't even expect that I will cancel going to the party. Ishaan is my friend and I have to be there. Good luck with the party and don't try anything funny. " 

"I am not that dumb to not understand your motive. You want to attend the party just to irritate me but listen, it won't divert me from enjoying the party. It's a very big chance and won't lose it because of you. " 

"That dumb? That means you are agreeing that you are somewhat dumb." 

"You-", I paused and decided that arguing with him is a waste of time. It is not worth it to lose my energy in talking with him. I looked down at the packet angrily. "Take it and if you please, let us complete the interview," I said, placing or you may say, tossing the packet in his hands. 

Without waiting for an answer, I reached the exit door. "Hey, you should tell me about that incident earlier. I don't want to owe you," I said, turning around to face Ajay. 

Before I could leave the place, I heard him saying my name. I peeked through the door only to find Ajay talking to someone over the phone about me. 

~•~

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