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Part - 12
Credit : Neha
Jagdish stood behind the tree watching the going on from a distance. He had prided on being a no nonsense man, he had that reputation. No questions asked, money received job done. That was how he had operated for the last 30 years or so. But this time even he could not help but ponder over the question rising in his mind. He quickly brushed it aside..he was given a job and paid for it too..and that's what was the bottom line.
He laughed a little at the two words bottom line making him feel like the CEO of a company out to present his reports. He looked at his watch and wrote down the details..his target was not someone who was a great follower of routine. He had to be vigilant if he wanted to carry out the task at the particular time and date.
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Ram woke up with a start and looked around. He was unsure when and how he had dozed off. He checked his watch to see the time, the watch read 9 am..He propped up with an ability of a martial arts expert. How could he be late. Today was the last day of shoot and he had to reach there before nine. Rohan was sure to kill him..Ram looked at the screen on the Mac and sighed again. He was supposed to send his entry today. God forbid if he forgot that ..he would have to wait another year. He quickly transferred his film on to the pen drive lying nearby and dashed out of the room hoping that he could make it within 5 minutes..
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The set as usual was bustling with activity. One of Ram's colleagues another AD was setting up everything. They were supposed to shoot a crucial scene today..a scene where the female lead realizes her love and even confesses it. Ram was still no where to be seen. Riddhima had still not arrived so there was no real panic but Rohan could come anytime soon and if they were not ready he was sure to blow his top.
Mangal and Priya watched the hustle bustle and the frenzy with awe. Priya was somewhat used to it but it was new for Mangal.
Mangal: Do they really manage to shoot a film amidst all these?
Priya: Thats how it works..the crew sets up the entire scene all the props and everything. Once the actors come they don their make up and then they start shooting..
Mangal: Lots of work this people do...hey look thats the script right?
Priya looked at the direction where Mangal had pointed her finger. There were some lose pages lying on the chair..Priya quickly shifted to reach out to those pages.
Priya: Its today's scene ..i wonder why is it lying here unattended...
Mangal: For us to enact..come on Priya..you can read it..do the scene for me na
Priya: What?? Are you out of your mind? I am doing no such thing..this is so ridiculous..
Mangal: Whats the harm..this way we can boast that we know what the heroine is going to say before hand...please na Priya..this would be such fun..
Priya: If any body sees us...
Mangal: Look around you Madam..you think in this frenzy anyone has noticed us..infact no one even knows the script lies here...
After a lot of coaxing Priya agreed to that..
Mangal sat down as Priya read the script.
Priya: It says that the heroine has to realize her love and confess it..
Mangal: Wow..then what are we waiting for..lets go ahead...
Priya put the script down..she did not need any script for this..
Mangal: Priya..look we even have this camera here..you can pretend it is running and say your dialouges looking at it..
Priya thought it was a silly idea but nevertheless gave in. She just wanted to get over with this..
Priya: I have never know this feeling ever...so many men come and go..but its only you..only you who has touched my heart..my soul..Despite knowing that love is a trap for people like us..i am still standing at its threshold...hopelessly waiting to be sucked inside this emotion...The one thing is was warned of ..the one trap i was to avoid but look at me now..
I know i cannot have you..that our paths are meant to be different..but still whatever little time that our paths crossed i will cherish those moments forever..I cannot say that i would be happy to see you go but i can always say that a part of me will stay with you..forever..
I might never gather the courage to say this to you..but i have fallen in love with you...I love you Ram..i really really do..
Priya gasped in horror as she looked on at Mangal...There were tears in Priya's eyes and she immediately looked away..not wanting to face Mangal..Unable to comprehend anything Priya dropped the script and ran upwards towards her room without as much as a glance backwards. Mangal followed her as quickly as she could.
Rohan appeared from the sidelines to see the retreating figure of Priya and Mangal. He bent downwards to pick up the pages of the script..He could not understand what had happened that both had run away.
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Ram stormed into the set and literally ran to where Rohan was standing..Rohan looked up at him, their eyes met and Ram mouthed a Sorry..which was acknowledged by a curt nod from Rohan..Apparently Riddhima was ready and they were to start shooting. Rohan called for the shots and there was complete silence as Riddhima went about delivering her lines. Rohan was not happy with the shot and ordered a retake.
Ram: Sorry Rohan..i overslept..
Rohan: Its ok..by the way did you submit your film?
Ram: No..i was suppossed to yesterday but i don't exactly remember when i slept..I wanted to burrow your mac too..i ll upload it...Ram looked sheepishly at Rohan expecting him to disapprove his lack of discipline.
Rohan: Ram, as you know we have a very crucial scene here..i suggest that you do your work quickly.
Ram: Thanks Rohan..thanks..i ll
Rohan waved a hand at him...
Ram understood that he really did not have time...He quickly rushed to the spot where Rohan's mac was placed and opened it.
He opened the website of the academy and filled in all the details required. He waited for the next page to upload..Just as he inserted the pen drive Jagan came calling for him..
Jagan: Rohan has called you..urgently...
Ram: Yaa..just two minutes...
Jagan: No 2 minutes..he wants you there now...
Ram looked at Jagan exasperatedly..there were just 2 minutes remaining for the upload..
Just then Sujay walked in as Ram's saviour..
Ram: Hey Sujay..can you do me a favour?
Sujay: Depends...
Ram: Please yaar..can you just see to it that it gets uploaded and then remove the pen drive please?
Sujay: Alright..
Ram: Thanks dude...saying that Ram dashed off..
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Priya sat in her room still reeling under the shock of what had just happened..Mangal cam and sat besides her..
Mangal: When do you plan on telling him?
Priya: Telling whom and what?
Mangal: Telling Ram about how you feel for him..
Priya: I am not going to do anything like that..i have promised Amma that i ll marry Santosh.
Mangal: Does Amma even know about this?
Priya: She does..
Mangal: Still she wants you to marry Santosh?
Priya: Mangal..this is not a film, that i go tell Ram, he too confesses and then we live happily ever after..
Mangal: But you can atleast try..I am sure Ram has not realized
Priya: Mangal..i don't want discussion on this topic..Lets not discuss it ever..
Mangal: But
Priya shook her head and looked out of the window: Never
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Rohan: So Ammaji..we atlast come to the last day of our shoot. I cannot thank you enough for the immense support that you have given us..
Amma smiled at Rohan. The shoot had gone of smoothly without any major problems..
Rohan: As a goodwill gesture we would like you to keep this cheque ..Its for the education of the children here..
Amma looked hesitantly towards Rohan. No one had ever been so thoughtful. Inspite of her best efforts she knew none of the students could complete their education due to lack of funds.
Rohan: Please Ammaji..this is from out hard earned money. My entire crew and cast has contributed to this..if we can be of a little help it would mean a lot to us.
Amma: Thanks ..i really appreciate this..
Rohan: We normally have wrap up parties after the shoot gets over..and we would like to celebrate with you ..if you allow us can we order food for all of us?
Amma: Afcourse...we would be delighted to have lunch with you all..
Rohan: Jagan..Sujay..can you guys please look after the arrangements?
Jagan and Sujay nodded at Rohan..
As soon as the food arrived everyone gathered around to have their fill. Though Kaustubh did not like sharing with so many people, still he smiled and participated in it.
Rohan: Ammaji. mind if i ask you a question?
Ammaji: Yeah
Rohan: Why can't your girls leave this and look out for a more stable job?
Amma: Rohan, that is practically impossible..
Rohan: Some of your girls are really talented Ammaji..specially Priya..She has a good sense of situation and given a chance she can do wonders.
That was the moment that Amma realized that Priya was not around. She scanned the entire room but could not find her..
Amma motioned to Santosh to come over
Amma: Where is Priya?
Santosh: In her room..says she has a sight headache
Amma nodded at Santosh and looked directly at Ram. He was eating with his team..laughing and having a good time..She had seen feelings for him in Priya's eyes but she was not sure about Ram. She did not want her girl to get hurt..Was it worth talking to Ram once?
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It took Ram a little while to realize that Priya was not around. Mangal had informed him about her headache but still it was unlikely of Priya not to meet him..She very well knew this was the last day of shoot.
Ram decided to check on Priya himself. He swiftly took the stairs and found himself in front of Priya's room. He knocked on her door. Priya opened the door expecting it to be Mangal but found Ram instead.
Ram: Hii
Priya: Hey
Ram: Heard you have an headache?
Priya: Ya..that irritating types..
Ram: Yeah...you won't eat..full stomach is always a sure shot cure to anything..
Priya: I ll have a little later, don't feel like eating right now.
Ram: I actually came to say good bye..i mean not good bye..but i submitted my film today..
Priya: All the best..i am sure it will be selected..
Ram: Thanks..i hope so too..otherwise i am in big trouble...
Priya: Trouble?
Ram: Yeah..i have taken lots of loans for it..so it better come through..
Priya: It will...Priya gave a feeble smile..
Priya: When you come back..will you come to meet me?
Ram: Sure..i ll come..by then you would be Mrs. Santosh right and who knows mommy to little Priya as well...
Ram felt strange as her uttered those words..
Priya did not say anything but just looked at him. It broke her heart to see him go. She would have happily stayed as his friend if that gauranteed that he would come and visit her..
There was complete silence for a few seconds..
Ram: I do hope you are coming to the premiere?
Priya: Premiere?
Ram: Yaa..the premiere is 1 month from now. We will edit the film and then the first cut would be shown to the film fraternity...
Priya: I am not sure i can
Ram: Please Priya...don't refuse..that way i can meet you before i leave for New York..
Priya sighed...How could she go? How could she watch him leave? Did he even have an iota of idea of what she felt for him..
Priya: I ll try to come...
Ram: Great...Ram thrust his hand forward...Till we meet again buddy...
Priya shook his hand warmly letting the feel of his touch linger on her hand..She watched as Ram walked back slowly whistling to himself..Priya looked at her hand as if it was made of glass and could break any moment..
Good bye Ram...we would never meet again...hope your film gets selected and you get all the success in the world...
To Be Continued
Fan Fictions
