Credit: Neha
I think we should edit this shot a little, its too long. What do you think Ram?
Ram stared at his phone as if his life depended on that piece of metal. In a way his life did depend on that. Rohan's question was lost on him.
Rohan: Ram??
Ram looked up at Rohan as his senses registered that Rohan was asking him something.
Ram: Yeah...yes
Rohan: What yes? Whats the matter with you?
Ram: Its my result day..i am desperately awaiting the mail.
Rohan: It will come when it has to come..concentrate here now..
Ram thought of protesting but thinking the better of it he diverted his eyes to the screen. As soon as Ram looked at the screen, there was a beep on his mobile and he immediately looked at that. He took out the mobile and handed it to Rohan.
Ram: Please read and tell me. He almost closed his eyes as he gave the mobile to Rohan..
Rohan: Why are you so scared? Open your eyes..i am sure its good news..
Ram: Please do as i say Rohan..read it out and tell me...
Rohan took the mobile and opened his mail. It was the mail Ram had been awaiting for all morning.
Rohan: Thank you for expressing your interest in being a member of this prestigous school. It is with heavy heart and regret that we inform you that your entry cannot be accepted this year. We do hope that you continue trying ..Rohan's voice trailed off as he saw Ram slowly open his eyes..
Ram: You are joking right?
Rohan looked helplessly at Ram wishing that this was indeed a joke. But all he could do was shake his head and hand the phone to him.
Ram grabbed the phone and began reading the contents..his eyes moist as he reached the end of it. For few seconds he just stood looking at the screen not knowing what to do. He just could not believe that his film had got rejected.
Rohan put his arm on Ram's shoulder.
Rohan: Don't be disheartened brother..its
Ram: I had everything at stake Rohan...how did this happen. There has to be some mistake..
Rohan: Ram..relax..you never know how the jury works..i am sure you have made a brilliant film but there might be some aspect that did not appeal to them..Look take the day off..sleep it off..you ll feel better tomorrow..
Ram walked out without another word..his dream shattered..his hope lost.
Rohan watched him as he walked dejected..without purpose..
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Ranjeet stepped into Kaustubh's room to find him sleeping. Just like his father, Kaustubh had a care free attitude. That is what happens when you get handed over everything on a platter Ranjeet thought.. Ranjeet had never enjoyed that kind of life. Just when he was about to embark on his life fate had cruelly bound him to Amita. Ranjeet brushed that bitter memory aside, he was a man on mission and he would ensure that it happened as per his wishes.
He walked up to Kaustubh's bed and jerked him..
Kaustubh slowly opened his eyes..Rubbing them vigorously he propped himself on the bed..
Whoa..dad...whats the matter? Why are you up so early?
Ranjeet: Its already afternoon son, wake up.. Ram is coming over to our house. Get ready while i have a meeting with him.
Kaustubh: Ram? You are not serious about letting him direct for us, are you?
Ranjeet: Leave the planning on to me...and get ready..
Kaustubh sulkingly walked towards the washroom.
Ranjeet went over the plan in his head. When Ram had called him, he sounded very low..almost dejected. That meant that his plan had worked. He was one inch closer to his target. He gave himself a mental hi five thinking about all these people he was using to win. These idiots had no idea that they were playing into his hands..
The servant announced that Ram had come and Ranjeet nodded his head. Time for the next part.
Ram sat anxiously at the edge of the sofa. He knew he was looking a complete mess. He had not gone to the Studio since yesterday. The news had been too shocking for him. When the initial cloud of disappointment had settled down the burden of the loans he had taken began to pound him. He could never repay that being just an AD.
Ranjeet watched Ram from a distance..he looked every bit like a prey, waiting for its saviour not knowing that the saviour himself was going to axe him.
Ranjeet: Ram, pleasure to meet you..So nice of you to come..
Ram gave a half hearted smile..
Ranjeet: What brings you here young man?
Ram cleared his throat..trying to form a sentence that would make sense and at the same time not sound desperate..
Ram: I wanted to ask if i still have the offer open?
Ranjeet feigned ignorance..Which offer?
Ram: The movies that you wanted me to direct..
Ranjeet: Ohh..that..well..as much as i like to start with it i am facing a very unusual problem..
Ram's face appeared crestfallen as soon as Ranjeet said those words.
Ranjeet: Don't get me wrong son, i have no doubt over your talent its just that i am worried fro Kaustubh..
Ram: Kaustubh?
Ranjeet: Yeah..my son has fallen head over heels in love..and cannot see anything beyond this girl..
Ram breathed a little..sure this was no big problem..His face began to relax..
Ranjeet: You see..Kaustubh will not concentrate on these movies unless he gets his mind cleared..Right now he is too much into the girl ..You know how love is dont you?
Ram looked at Ranjeet and for some strange reason he remembered Priya..
Ranjeet: Oh by the way..you are suppossed to go to new york right?
Ram looked away trying to hide his failure..
Ram: I ..err..i did not get through...
Ranjeet: What? That is so unbelievable...i tell you it sometimes takes genius to spot talent..and you are immensely talented..
Ram: But not upto their standards..
Ranjeet: Ram..i have a proposition for you...think over it and let me know...
Ram: Anything sir
Ranjeet: As promised i will get you your 3 movies, with no budget constraints, no actor constraints..Ranjeet paused to let the full impact of his words reach Ram..
Ram looked at him astonished, he was literally giving him a free hand not even the established directors ever get that chance..
Ranjeet: You just have to help me
Ram: I am ready to help you Sir, any way i can..
Ranjeet: Ram, what i am telling you right now may seem unethical to you, anger you or chances are that you might want to smack my face..Ranjeet looked directly at Ram..watching his face turn intense as he latched on to his every word..
Ranjeet: My son Kaustubh..is in love with Priya and i want you to help him..
Ram looked at Ranjeet in disbelief...when did this happen and how was he supposed to help?
Ranjeet: See Ram, i belong to a very open mindset and i have no qualms about who Kaustubh falls in love with. Its his choice..nor do i belittle the girl for belonging to the background that she does. We cannot choose our birth, its as simple as that..All i know is that she has the potential to calm him, to make him a better man to make something out of him.
Ram listened with shock and awe both as Ranjeet took a pause to let the conversation sink in..
Ranjeet: I know you have a close friendship with her and its only you that can help my son..
Ram stood their speechless..he did not know if this was real. Priya was a wonderful girl but he was not sure of Kaustubh. Moreover Priya and Santosh's marriage had been fixed, and there was no way Amma would change that..
Ram: But Sir
Ranjeet: Think of it Ram...you get Priya to Kaustubh and i get you the 3 movies..I leave the choice to you.But just remember that you can help in giving her a life that she would not even have dreamt of ever.
Ram: But her marriage is fixed...
Ranjeet: Fixed...yes but she is not married yet...
Ram: Does Kaustubh really love her?
Ranjeet: Come with me...Ranjeet dragged Ram into Kaustubh's room. As soon as they entered Ram saw a life size poster of Priya just above the bed.
Ranjeet opened the cabinet at the side of the bed...it was empty..
Ranjeet: The person who used to drink day and night now doesn't keep even a drop of alcohol near him. Gets up early in the morning...does his work, comes home..
Tell me honestly, have you heard any untoward incident reported about Kaustubh recently?
Ram nodded in negative..
Ranjeet: Tell me...the one girl who has so much influence on my son just merely being in his life..what will it be when she actually becomes a part of his life..Ranjeet could see Ram agreeing with him..Take your time..i am in no hurry...
Ram just nodded his head and turned to leave..
Ranjeet: Ram...
Ram looked back at Ranjeet
Ranjeet: You are very naive...i heard about your entry being rejected..You know you have immense talent...and sometimes this talent can come in way of a lot of people..
Ram: I am not sure i understand you sir
Ranjeet: Just keep in mind not everybody you come across has your good intention on their mind..I ll wait for your answer..Ranjeet put forward his best smile..
Ram just nodded his head and walked off. He sat on the bus stop not knowing what to do. What Ranjeet had told him was almost like a fairly tale. 3 movies to direct no budget and actor constraints but he was not sure about the Priya part. How did kaustubh suddenly fall in love with Priya and did Priya love him too. Kaustubh was good looking and a charmer, which girl would not want to be with him. His mind conjured up the images of Priya with Kaustubh and Priya with Santosh..Kaustubh was the way out for Priya..the key that would unlock a lot of avenues for her. She would be rid of the stigma that she had carried all her life. Suddenly the deal seemed like a favourable one...he would get the movies..Priya would get a good life. With the decision made Ram hurried to meet Priya.
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Amma cut the call and looked out of the window. She had seen the man lurking too often always near her house. he had never entered the house but somehow he was always there in the background. She made a mental note to speak to Santosh about it. It always paid to be cautious.
Santosh: Amma who's call was that?
Amma: Rohan..he Amma stopped as she saw Priya approaching the room.
Priya: Amma, time for your medicine..Amma watched as Priya waltzed into the room carrying the medicines and water for her..The last few days Priya had been a mere shadow of her former self. Amma could see the efforts Priya put in to blend in with everyone, to hide the pain, but she had recognized it. Somewhere she felt herself responsible for this. Had she not given permission Priya would never have come into contact with Ram.
Amma: Priya..i was thinking that you should study further..
Priya immediately looked up at Amma. Amma sounded serious.
Priya: Amma, i have learnt enough..its time that others learn. Now that we have funds we can do that. I am anyways getting married and will be here only..so why waste that money on me.
Amma: That was your dream Priya..and it would mean a lot to me if you fulfill it.
Priya did not reply on that..
Amma: By the way Rohan had just called, we are all invited to the premiere of the movie..its this thursday.
Priya shifted uncomfortably, she had been trying hard not to think of Ram and she felt the familiar tugging of her heart.
Priya: I won't be able to come Amma..i am going out with Santosh.
Santosh looked at Priya with wide eyes racking his brain to remember if they had decided anything like this.
Amma: Priya you have worked on that film and its a great chance to see your work come alive..
Priya: Amma..you are saying as if i have won an award. And you would be seeing it right..so its as good as seen by me..
Amma: Santosh..i want you to go the bank. The bank people wanted to meet us, i forgot to mention it to you.
Santosh: Alright Amma, i ll go right away..
Amma waited till she saw Santosh exiting the front gate.
Amma: Ram won't be there Priya.
Priya: I know..he would be in USA..following his dream
Amma: No, Rohan just spoke to me. He told me that Ram's film got rejected and he hasn't seen him since 2 days..
Priya looked at Amma dumfounded. She had never thought about this and what did Rohan mean that he had not seen Ram.
Before she could react or say anything they heard a knock on the door. Ram stood there looking directly at Amma.
Priya ran upto Ram and hugged him..
Priya: Ram, are you fine? What happened? Where were you? Rohan just called and he said that
Ram gathered Priya in his arms : Ssshhh...Priya..i am fine..Look i am fine standing in front of you..
Priya looked at Ram and immediately stepped back suddenly aware of her actions..
Amma looked at the both of them thanking the almighty that Santosh was not in the room.
Amma: What brings you here Ram? Amma knew she was being a little harsh but she had to protect Priya..
Ram: Amma i need to speak to you ..Ram paused and then added alone.
Amma looked at Priya who looked at Ram once and stepped out..Once Priya was out, Ram bolted the door and walked towards Amma.
Amma: Ram, i know your film got rejected and i am sorry for that, but i am not allowing you to shoot any more in this place.
Ram shook his head: No Amma you are getting it wrong..I have not come to ask for any permission to shoot..I wanted to request you for something..
Amma waited for Ram to speak up..
Ram cleared his throat and took a deep breath...
Ram: I want you to break up Priya and Santosh's marriage alliance..
Amma looked at Ram, astonished at the audacity of the statement.
Amma: You want me to do what?
Ram: Break off the marriage Amma.. Ram said with much more conviction than before..
Amma pulled open her cupboard and took out the weapon. In spur of a moment..she had the gun pointing towards Ram, her forefinger firmly lodged on the trigger, awaiting her command.
Ram swallowed hard as he looked at the barrel.
Amma: Will you say that even now?
Ram looked at Amma to see if she was joking but she sounded dead serious.
Ram: Killing me won't change what i feel..
Amma stared hard at Ram and slowly put the gun down..
Jagdish watched with amusement the entire drama unfold before him. Whatever it was, this was getting more and more interesting...It was out of instinct he had followed Ram and he was glad. This piece of information would fetch him some more moolah..He remembered one thought that his father always used to say to him...Always ask God for a great destiny rather than intelligence..coz intelligent people work for people with great destiny...and right now his destiny was shining upon him...
To be Continued...
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