Credit: Neha
Santosh barged into Amma's room fuming with anger. Amma glanced at him once and then went back to her work.
Amma: Good you came, deposit this money in our account..
Santosh just stood there looking at her.
Amma: Whats the matter?
Santosh: You know Amma, you should never have given permission to this guys. They are spoiling our girls..
Amma raised one eyebrow at Santosh. Santosh was known to blow things out of proportion to make it look like something very big had happened.
Amma: Tell me clearly what has happened?
Santosh: You allowed Priya to go to that party. And why did you send Ram with her? I could also have gone with her.
Amma: Santosh i trust her and i trust Ram..They are good friends and i see no harm in that.
Santosh: Amma, thats, your problem. You see good in everyone and Priya..she is naive Amma..anybody speaks to her with a smile she feels that the person is good.
Amma: What is your point?
Santosh: Amma, I don't want Priya mingling with them. That Kaustubh ..he gave her flowers and Ram is always around her. We will get married soon and i have objection to this behaviour of hers.
Amma: Santosh for the last time Priya will never go beyond my words and as you said you will get married but till you are not Priya is my responsibility.
Santosh: But..
Amma: No more discussion Santosh..take this money and go to the bank and also update the passbook.
Santosh took the money and walked off. Amma sat on the bed thinking about what Santosh had said. Kaustubh mingling with Priya was not good. Priya was not aware of her past and it seemed that Kaustubh was also not aware. She prayed that Kaustubh would never come in front of her. She had seen him once and had been awestruck..He had the same features as Amar the same brooding eyes. She wanted nothing that would remind her of the ugly past.
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Kaustubh looked around but could not find Priya. Ram was arranging the scene and explaining the scene to Riddhima. He wondered why his father was interested in Priya so much. She was beautiful no doubt but she could never be his girlfriend, his dad would be the first to object then why did he want him to get close to her. Ram also may be a brilliant assistant director but how was he any help to Kaustubh was way beyond his imagination. It was just a few hours and he was already bored portraying the good guy.
Ram finished explaining the scene to Riddhima and waited for Rohan to take over. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Priya coming down the steps. She still looked upset. He looked at her and smiled and watched as she walked all the way towards him.
Ram: Where were you?
Priya: I was just speaking with Mangal. Ram if you don't mind can we have a little shoot for the women..i mean they want to be on camera.
Ram: Why not? I don't mind Priya, infact i was about to ask you. you see i will need their shots for..Ram halted mid sentence, he had still not told Priya about his documentary.
Ram: For the film..some stills and videos would do..Can we gather after packup?
Priya: Yeah..you have to do it before 6 30 after that all of them are busy..
Ram: Yeah sure..
Both of them stood in silence for some time..
Ram: Priya, can i ask you something?
Priya: Hmnn
Ram: Whats the matter? Is something bothering you? You are very quiet from morning.
Priya: No nothing like that.
Ram saw Kaustubh looking at them from afar. He remembered their convo sometime back.
Ram: Priya..do you love Santosh?
Priya looked at Ram trying to gauge him. Why was he asking her that..no one not even Amma had asked her this.
Ram: Its ok if you don't want to answer.
Priya: I don't know..
Ram looked at Priya..directly meeting her eyes..Her eyes had a sad tinge to them.
Priya: I don't have a choice. Santosh is my destiny.
Ram: Who gets to decide what your destiny is? Just because you are born here it does not mean you have to compromise. He looked at Kaustubh as he said that.
It is possible that your destiny is somewhere else..but you just don't know it now.
Priya: That is possible only in your films Ram, your stories which you create. Reality is a lot different. And Santosh is a nice guy, i have known him since childhood..Once you get married you fall in love with that person..
Ram: No Priya, sometimes the stories are real. Its just a matter of what you believe in.
Priya: I believe in the truth Ram and the truth is that i belong here..my background is imprinted on my fate. There is no way out. I ll be here the rest of my life.
Ram wanted to speak further but stopped as he saw Kaustubh approaching them..
Kaustubh: Hii
Ram: Hey
Kaustubh: I was thinking would you guys mind joining me for Lunch?
Before Ram could reply Priya turned to kaustubh
Priya: I cannot join, i have all my meals with Amma.. You both carry on. Saying that Priya walked off.
Kaustubh: She is still angry ain't she?
Ram: I don't know..maybe..
Kaustubh: My invite is still open for you..can you join me for Lunch?
Ram looked on as Priya disappeared out of sight. Priya was upset with something but it was not Kaustubh or maybe Priya had some feelings for Kaustubh? Whatever it was he decided that he should find out from Kaustubh what he felt..
Ram: Sure..give me 5 minutes and i ll join you..
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Why are you not eating Priya? Is something bothering you? Amma asked Priya as she just picked about her food lost in her thoughts.
Priya: Nothing Amma..Can i ask you something?
Amma nodded her head..
Priya: Amma is it necessary for me to get married?
Amma put her plate down as she looked at Priya. Priya had never questioned any of her decision not even when she asked her to leave school..
Amma: Every girl does get married..
Priya: Yes Amma but i don't want to..not right now
Amma: Why? You are well above 18..
Priya: Amma i just don't feel ready yet..
Amma: Priya..no girl is ready for marriage till she actually gets married. What are you so nervous about?
Priya: Amma i was thinking if i could complete my education? Can i get a job Amma? Work somewhere? I promise i will bear all the expenses myself..
Amma looked at Priya and suddenly was reminded of her own time. the time when she begged her parents not to sell her off. When she had come here and how she had wanted to get out of here..With a heavy sigh Amma let her gaze slip from Priya to the window.
Amma: Priya, my child..all this is not easy..Who will give you a job? This shoot people? Its not a steady job. Besides who will look after you when i am gone?
Priya: Amma how many times have i told you, don't say that.
Amma: My not saying that will not change what is going to happen. Priya you mother left you to me, i have raised you as my own child. I have done all possible things to keep you away from this world but i cannot completely keep you away.
As a mother i only want your happiness and i have seen this world a lot more than you. At your age its very easy to get carried away, to think that everything is possible but the stark reality is that nobody gets out of here.
Amma came towards Priya and kept a hand on her head.
Amma: Believe me if i felt that marriage was not good for you i would have never fixed it..but its the only security i can give you. Consider it my dying wish..
Priya hugged Amma, the woman who had given her everything. Amma was right in her place..Who better than Amma to think whats right for her. But still somewhere in her heart she could not picture Santosh.
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Kaustubh: So you basically stay alone?
Kaustubh asked Ram. Ram was a little bit overwhelmed lunching with Kaustubh. Normally he was used to sitting with the unit and having lunch but this was the first time he was sitting inside a Van.
Ram: Yes..i stay alone...You keep this van with you everywhere?
Kaustubh: Yeah..i basically do not like to share my stuff unless its a very special person. So yes i have this with me everywhere..
Ram: Must say its very well maintained..
Kaustubh: Thanks..so tell me how did you get into this?
Ram: Well..i love writing stories..different stories ..and to see them come alive on the big screen...
Kaustubh: I bet you are one talented guy..so whats next? Planning to direct a movie..
Ram: Eventually..but for now..my dream is the film course in New York..Just saving for that..
Kaustubh: Cool yaar..lets do a deal..after your course..the first film that you will direct will be mine..
Ram: You serious?
Kaustubh: Dead serious...I have a knack of recognizing talent..Be with me Ram and you will reach out to great heights..
Kaustubh held his glass in mock style and brought it towards Ram..
Kaustubh : To the brightest future..you and me...
Ram clinked his glass with kaustubh's ...
Cheers..they both said in unison..
As Kaustubh gulped the water he had a twinkle in his eye. He had played his part well now only thing that was remaining was to charm his way into Priya's life..
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As the word spread that Ram will shoot them all the women had gathered in the corridor..Everyone wanted their 5 minutes of fame and did not want to let go of the opportunity. Priya sat in one corner lost in her thoughts unfazed by the chaos around her..
Ram adjusted his camera and instructed the ladies as to what they had to speak in front of the camera. As instructed one by one all the ladies spoke about themselves and their lives.
Mangal observed Priya who was watching the whole process but not quite in the thick of things.. She walked towards her..
Mangal: Whats the matter Priya?
Priya: Huh ..nothing..just a little tired..
Mangal: You do realize that you cannot lie..atleast not to me..so give up this attempt and tell me..
Priya narrated the whole conversation she had with Amma to Mangal..
Mangal: Priya..i don't think Amma is wrong here..
Priya: I know Mangal but i can't get myself to accept the fact that i have to be with Santosh all my life..
Mangal: What is wrong with Santosh?
Priya: Nothing..he is nice but i cannot explain...
Mangal looked at Priya who was looking intently at Ram..
Mangal: You have not fallen in love with Ram right?
Priya quickly turned away from Ram and faced Mangal..
Priya: What? Are you Mad? Ram and me are just friends..what all thoughts do you get..
Mangal: I was just asking..besides its good if you have not fallen for him..he has a girlfriend you know..
Priya: Girlfriend? Who? How do you know? He never told me?
Mangal burst out laughing..
Mangal: Look at your face...Priya..you still want me to believe that you are not in love? See yourself in the mirror Priya..there is Ram written all over your face..You love him Priya..thats the reason you cannot accept Santosh..
Priya: Mangal stop this..i am not in love with him..He is just a very good friend..
Mangal: Upto you Priya..i said what i saw. You want to tell a different story then be my guest but try as you might you can never hide it..
Ram: Who is hiding what?
The sudden voice of Ram had both Priya and Mangal jump out of their skins..
Priya looked at Ram and then at Mangal..wondering what he had heard..
Mangal: Your heroine...she is hiding her feelings for the Hero..
Priya looked wide eyed at Mangal..as Ram looked on confused..
Mangal: I meant the heroine of the film..thats the story right?
Ram: Ohh that..yaa..By the way every one else has finished only you both are remaining...
Mangal: What about a little change in that?
Ram: What change?
Mangal: You both stand in front of the camera..and i shoot for a change..
Priya: No..Mangal what absurdity is this..I am not doing any of this stuff..
Ram: Come on Priya..don't be a spoil sport..you look good on camera..
Seizing the opportunity Mangal positioned herself behind the camera..Ram showed her the operations and making sure that she has understood came and stood besides Priya.
Priya was the first time became aware of Ram's presence..Out of the corner of her eye she looked at him. He had a childlike smile and his face had a handsome cut..His hair were shortly cropped but had streaks of Golden colour in them..
Ram: Madam..what scene do you want us to do?
Mangal: Speak what you fell about each other..Mangal winked at Priya as she said that..
Ram suddenly held Priya's hand in his...Priya felt a strange sensation grip her by his mere touch. She desperately wanted to get away but her legs just stood frozen to the ground..
Ram: This is my most cherished friendship..In Priya i have found a friend who is simple, caring and extremely beautiful..Beautiful not just in her looks but beautiful from inside..When she laughs she spreads happiness..this friendship is sacred, pure and something that will remain as a fond memory all my life..I always thought how will i survive in New york..with no friends no family but now i have the answer..Our friendship..will take me through..
Ram looked at Priya and smiled..
Ram: How was it?
Mangal gave a thumbs up to Ram..
Ram: Your Turn...
Priya: No...i have to go..Amma wanted to speak to me..
Ram: Okies..come to the terrace when you have time. Ram hovered around Mangal to see how the footage had come. Both he and Mangal were glued to the camera unaware that Priya had actually walked back to her room..
To be continued...
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