Part 4
Credit: Neha
Riddhima blinked her eyes as she rolled down the window of her car..The sunlight seemed too harsh for her. Her driver immediately ran out to open the door for her. She stepped out and walked off in a huff. She could never understand why Rohan had to have his office in this part of the town..it was such a long travel..besides what he called his office was just a 1 BHK flat...the hall served as his office..Worst was this building had no lift..she huffed and puffed her way through the stairs and impatiently rang the bell..
Ram immediately opened the door and without as much as a glance at him Riddhima just strode in and sat on the sofa...
Ram: Hii...
Riddhima just looked at Ram but offered no response..
Ram: Rohan will just be here..you want some tea/ coffee ..water?
Riddhima: No..i just want Rohan..please tell him he better be here right now..i cannot wait..
Ram found the same uneasiness creeping into him. Why was he always nervous around her? Why could he not speak to her? He dreamt of working with her one day...as the heroine of his film..He was lost in his thoughts when he heard her speaking to him..
Riddhima: How much time will Rohan take? Is my script ready?
She is so beautiful Ram thought...absolutely divine..
Riddhima snapped her fingers at him..
Riddhima: Hello..i asked you something? Are you always like this or you are making a special effort today?
Rohan: Hello...
Roahn walked in like a saviour and Ram silently thanked him for that..
Riddhima trained all her focus on Rohan..
Riddhima: Rohan whats this yaar? I am trying to contact you from when..and you have no time for me? Is this the way you treat your heroine? And that too me..i am a star Rohan..the star..
Rohan: Relax Riddhima..why you getting hyper? I was busy scouting locations for the film..and now that we have met..we can discuss the project ..so cool down..
As if by magic Riddhima seemed to relax..Ram looked on perplexed at Rohan who winked at him..how did he manage this every time..
Rohan: Ram get me the script..
Ram brought the script and sat down with them..He liked these discussions with Rohan..Rohan went into a different world altogether when discussing the scripts..
Rohan: So you play a prostitute and the love interest of the gangster..he visits you and then eventually falls in love with you..
Riddhima: And then he leaves the world of crime and we get married..so cliche...
Rohan: On the contrary no..he betrays you..uses you as a bait to entice his opponent and you end up killing him ..
Riddhima looked at Rohan not quite sure she had heard him correctly..
Riddhima: You mean to say that the hero dies?
Rohan: Yupp..my hero is you..your are the central point..
Riddhima: Does the holier than thou...drop dead gorgeous..Mr. Hero know about this?
Rohan laughed wholeheartedly..Riddhima had just done a perfect imitation of Kaustubh..
Rohan: Well i haven't told him the whole story yet..but i am sure he would not object..The reason he wanted to work with me was the different story that he could act in..
Riddhima: You do realize he talks nineteen to the dozen to media..just shoots off his head..he will never agree to this..never...The super star Kaustubh...dying in a film..that too killed by the heroine? Difficult to digest..
Rohan: Leave that to me..i need you to attend the workshop, you ll be spending some time with the women in the red light area..i have done all the arrangement..You me and Ram would start from tomorrow..
Riddhima: What? Are you insane? Attending a workshop and that too with those women? Are you out of your mind..
Rohan scratched his chin a little
Rohan: Upto you darling...if you do the film this is a requisite..otherwise i have others willing to give an arm for this role..
Ram looked uncertainly at Rohan..why was he being so harsh to Riddhima..She was a talented actress and would do justice to the role without any workshop..Her answer would be no..she would walk out of this...
Riddhima: Alright..only for the role..and i need you to be present always..
Rohan flashed a victory smile..
Rohan: I ll be there..
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Ammaji watched as Priya organized the children in a perfect circle. Afternoons was the time when all children strictly studied and Priya made sure that they played every evening to compensate for the hard work they put in...Watching Priya this way always melted her heart..The uncertainty of her own future loomed large before her and she averted her eyes..Try as she may she could not push the fear out of her mind..Priya had given her the sense of motherhood..in every way..She still remembered the tiny little bundle of joy that had been handed over to her..The way she had slept soundly in her arms..her soft gurgles ..the twinkle in her eyes every time Priya looked up at her..Priya's life could have been so much better..so so better if only her plan had worked out..If only she had not fallen in love with that stupid man..The man who had been her doom...her downfall...she was not as ashamed of her profession as she was of the fact that she had fallen in love with the wrong man..forgotten that no man who comes her is ever capable of emotional love..the only love that they know is physical...The sound of footsteps caught her attention..She turned around to find Jeevan standing near her..Jeevan was the local rogue..he considered himself to be the don of the area..A part of everyone's earnings went to him..He had the blessings of an established mafia king and hence nobody denied him the money..
Jeevan: Ram Ram..Ammaji..
Ammaji just nodded at him..
Jeevan: I just had some free time..so i thought i ll meet you people..i like to keep an eye on my people...
Ammaji watched as Jeevan's eyes darted across to where Priya was..his vision full of lust..She felt the rage rise in her as she saw who exactly Jeevan wanted to keep an eye on..
Ammaji came and stood in front of him almost blocking his vision..Jeevan had no choice but to look at her..He put on the fake smile..
Jeevan: Don't feel bad Ammaji..but i am telling you once again..your girls are getting too old...bring in something new..everybody else is getting fresh faces..fresh bodies..this way your business will go down the drain...
Ammaji: I am happy the way it is Jeevan..and you know i will not force anyone into this..
Jeevan: Ammaji who is asking you to force anyone..he rubbed his hands together...you have the resources with you..
Ammaji: Can you please be clear?
Jeevan: Ammaji..i don't believe you are so naive as to not understand my words...still for your benefit ill tell you clearly..to the point...Priya...you have Priya Ammaji..introduce her and you business will boom..in fact i can be the first...
Smack...before he could say any thing further..Jeevan felt a hand cut hard right across his jaw..He looked on shock as his cheek felt the sting of the slap..
Santosh stepped in between him and Amma..
Santosh: Not one more word Jeevan..or your parents will regret keeping you name Jeevan..
Jeevan saw the pure rage in Santosh's eyes..The sound of the slap had by now caught the attention of all the children as well as Priya..Sensing trouble she ushered all the children into another room..
Jeevan: Ammaji...tell this bull of yours to control ...even i can hit him..
Santosh: Try it once..
Ammaji: Jeevan..Santosh has done what i was about to do..stay in your limits...One more word about my girl and you ll be responsible for your own death..
Something in Ammaji's voice made him step back..He just turned around and walked off..
Santosh: How long are we going to let him creep around like that?
Ammaji: Relax Santosh..he is not the types who would do anything..
Santosh: Amma..why are you taking so much time? I have already told you my decision..Why the delay?
Ammaji: Because i need to know Priya's decision too..I just can't force her in this..
Santosh: Why would Priya object? I know her well Amma...Your health is also not great these days..there is absolutely no point in delaying
Ammaji: I need to talk to Priya..i cannot decide on her behalf..
Santosh stood there silently as he watched Amma climb those steps slowly..painfully..He knew her legs were not capable of carrying her through..but she still did...He immediately felt sorry for the way he had spoken to her..edging her to make a decision..Still emotions apart..Amma had to decide and decide fast..
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Ram was sweating furiously as he shifted for the umpteenth time in the car..He was sitting right next to Riddhima and making a complete mess of himself..
He felt Riddhima's eyes on him...she must be thinking i am a freaking moron...Stay calm Ram..stay calm..
Riddhima: Are you ok?
Ram just nodded at her..
Riddhima: No seriously ..are you ok? You are freaking me out..
Ram: I am sorry..its just..its just that's what you do to me..
Ridhhima looked at Ram's earnest face and burst out laughing..She had seen men trying to get her attention, using cheesy lines...but this was way different..No one had ever confessed like this to her..
Ram looked like a deer caught in the headlights..
Riddhima: I am sorry..i did not mean it that way..Just relax ok? I am not going to eat you up..
Ram smiled a bit..letting himself relax..Should he tell her that he had actually co written the script for this film and it was his idea that the hero dies in the end and that too through her hands..He had entirely written the part with only and only Riddhima in mind..
Riddhima: So what do you do?
Ram: I ..I write scripts..i love stories..
Riddhima: You do? Interesting...
Riddhima: Tell me where has Rohan gone?
Ram: He had gone to meet Kaustubh..he should meet us directly at ..at the place..
Riddhima: You have been to the place?
Ram: Yes..a couple of times...
Riddhima: How is it?
For an unknown reason Priya's face flashed in front of Ram..her smile and their conversation..
Ram: Its actually..very good..its a different world...
Riddhima: You look impressed by it..
Ram: As a matter of fact it is..you know they have the same emotions..same feelings..like all of us..but we view them so differently..
Riddhima watched Ram closely..his eyes held a sincerity as he spoke..The car screeched to a halt breaking their thoughts..
Ram: We have to walk from here..Riddhima nodded..she put on a scarf to cover most of her head and the enormous shades the covered whatever was left exposed..They had walked a few steps when Rohan caught up with them..Ram took a step back and preferred walking behind them..Soon they reached Ammaji's house..
As expected there was a certain buzz around the house. The news of a film being shot here had spread like wildfire and every one wanted to have a glimpse of it..
Rohan looked on at the crowd..he had handled loads of crowd before..but this was a sensitive area and moreover Riddhima was with him. He expertly moved Riddhima to safety..no one had recognized her as of now but it was just a matter of time when the people would put two and two together and mob them..
Rohan: Ammaji, can we go somewhere secure?
Ammaji motioned to Santosh who quickly handled the situation. Within moments the crowd had dispersed..
Riddhima heaved a sigh of relief..she sat down in the corridor and removed her shades..She looked around to find a host of women looking at her wide eyed..Inspite of herself she was conscious and scared at the same time..
Rohan: Relax...everything is set..i want you to relax ...
Priya stood in a corner staring at Riddhima like the other women..Like everyone else she was in awe..Riddhima was stunningly beautiful..she was everything that a girl..a woman wanted to be..The flawless skin ..hazel eyes and the delicate frame..every bit the heroine that had people eating out of her hands..Her eyes shifted to Ram who was standing at the side..Their eyes met and Ram gave her a smile...Priya returned his smile.
As everyone settled down Rohan began his session..He choose two girls and asked Riddhima to observe them..As they sat chatting Ram walked up to Priya..
Ram: Hii
Priya: Hii..
Priya: You like her don't you?
Ram looked at Priya surprised..He feigned ignorance.
Ram: Who?
Priya: Riddhima..
Ram: Me? No..i mean she is a nice actress and all that's it.
Priya: Has anyone told you, you are bad at lying?
Ram looked sheepishly at Priya..
Ram: Is it that evident?
Priya: Its written all over your face..
Ram let out a sigh and rolled his eyes over to Riddhima who was engrossed in her discussion with Rohan and the women..
Ram: You know what..you all are so different..You don't wear gaudy make up..
Priya: Who said we do?
Ram: I guess i have seen all the wrong films..you know even in an hollywood film the actress was dressed a little loud..
Priya: Will you be attracted to a woman like that?
Ram thought for a while..
Ram: Actually no..it is repulsive..
Priya: There you go...we don't need to attract people that way...People come here not looking for a beautifully dressed up doll..
Ram : Hmnn...makes sense..have anyone told you, you have a good sense of observation and the power of words..You make complex things look simple..
Ram: But why do you refer to yourself as we..i mean you are not a part of ..of this..
Priya : I may not be a part physically but my soul is here..This is my family...my happiness my sorrow..everything is with them..
Ram looked at her full of compassion...how apt she was as his Bandini..Tied to her circumstances..
Ram: I so enjoy talking to you Priya..I should do an interview with you
Priya threw her head back and laughed..
Priya: Interview..you make me sound like a star...
Ram: Who says you are not?
Priya stopped laughing and looked at Ram..no one had ever said that to her before..A sudden overwhelming emotion gripped her as she stood silently just gaping at him..
Ram: Priya?
Priya snapped out from her stupor..
Ram: You want to have a look at the script?
Priya: I would love too..
Ram: Great..he fished out the spare copy from his bag..
Ram: Here you go...i have co written it..Riddhima's character is written by me ..Ram looked away as he blushed..Priya smiled looking at him..
Ram suddenly looked up...
Ram: Priya..you know how to...i mean this is a written script...
Priya laughed...
Priya: I have done my education till 9th..i sure know how to read...
Ram: I am sorry..i did not mean to sound like
Priya: Ram...stop saying sorry...its completely ok..Life is full of surprises isn't it?
Ram watched as Priya buried herself into the script..He thought about his decision again..should he just tell Priya about his documentary and her being his subject? He had not confided yet to anyone about it..And anyways the documentary was just for submission purpose..never meant to be screened..He let out a sigh..perhaps Priya not knowing was the best decision..
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Priya scurried down the steps ..she was late today..The script had been so engrossing that she had lost track of time..She hurried over to Ammaji's room praying that Amma had not fallen asleep..The dim light in Ammaji's room was still on..
Priya rushed in breathless...
Amma: What happened? Why are you running?
Priya took a few quick breaths..
Priya: I thought you had slept..your medicine...
Ammaji: How many times i have told you..the medicines will not work..they are merely prolonging the inevitable..
Priya: Amma..how many times have i told you..not to speak such things at night..its inauspicious..
She handed the pills to her and watched as Ammaji gulped them in one go...
Ammaji: Priya..sit here..i want to talk to you..
Priya sat near Ammaji..
Ammaji: I know i have failed to give you the life you deserved...
Priya wanted to protest but she was silenced by Ammaji..
Ammaji: When Sharda was pregnant we only wanted the best for our child..the very best..All we wanted was to keep you far far away from this..this filthy life that we lead..Unfortunately..i could not fulfill that promise my child..I gave you sleep but i could not give you dreams..Simple things are a struggle for us..I know how difficult it must be for you to be here..among us..
Priya: Amma...i am one of you...whatever it is ..but you have given me happiness that no one ever has..Amma i could have ended up being forced into this..but you protected me..is that now enough that you kept me away from all this..
Ammaji: Priya, i know you have dreams..for your life..for yourself..and also the fact that i am not capable of fulfilling those dreams..i have taken decisions on your behalf till now..but this is one decision that i want to be completely yours..
Priya looked at Amma a little nervous..Amma had never been in this serious mood..
Ammaji kept her hand on Priya's..
Ammaji: Priya..i want you to think about marriage..
Priya withdrew her hand immediately..
Priya: Amma..i am too young to be married and beside i don't want to..
Ammaji: Priya..lets face the truth..you and i both know i cannot make it..no matter what the doctors say..Before i go..i have to see a secure future for you my child..This world specially ours is a ruthless one..Ammaji shuddered as Jeevan's gaze full of lust appeared before her eyes..
Till i am there you are safe but after me?
Priya kept her head on Ammaji's shoulder..
Priya: You are not going anywhere Amma..
Ammaji kept a delicate hand on Priya's head..
Ammaji: I wish that were true Priya..but its not and the sooner we accept it the better..
Priya: Amma..but who will marry me?
For a brief instant and altogether unexpectedly..Ram's face flashed before her..She could not help the blush that crept on to her..
Amma cleared her throat
Amma : Santosh...
Priya looked at Amma..wide eyed..Santosh? She had known Santosh for the longest time..he was also like her..but marry him? She had never had that sort of feelings for him..and she knew deep within her heart ..it would never be..
Amma: Look Priya..the decision is entirely yours..but i would request you to think practically..i wish i could give you a life other than this..but under the circumstances this is the best..Marriage to Santosh will ensure your safety Priya..and the security of your future..After me he will be the one managing the place..and you are my only child Priya..
Priya: I need time to think Amma..
She got up to walk to her room..
Amma: Do think about it Priya..Santosh is a good boy..
Priya just looked at Amma as she spread herself on the bed..her hands folded together..praying to the almighty as she did every night without fail..
Priya came to her room and opened the window..She looked outside ..her mind thinking about what Amma had just said..She saw Santosh's silhouette out in the street..sitting alone as he always did in the night..She looked at the script lying on her bed..she had finished it in one go..she suddenly felt jealous of the heroine..she fell in love with the gangster only to be betrayed by him...but atleast she fell in love..Priya did not even have that luxury...
To be Continued
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
