Celebration of Fates: RagNa FF, Part-23, Pg-147, 30/07 - Page 8

PART-3

After four days of the audition Kalpi got a call from the production house informing her that she was shortlisted for the next round of audition, to take place on the same day. Kalpana and other shortlisted girls were there and she did her best again. Needless to say, Kalpana was found to be the best choice for this role and after three days of the second round of audition she was informed that she has bagged the role. It was celebration time at Jadhav household today. Kalpana caught hold of her Aai's arms, excitedly going round and round with her in circles.

Kalpi: "Aai, Aai, Aai, I am so happy today. I got selected for the show. Now everything will be fine Aai, my struggle to become a top actress has found first stair of the stair-case today".

Kamla who also was overwhelmed by her daughter's success, somehow managed to find a voice, "Kalpi calm down, and your old Aai cannot make so many rounds now. My head will start spinning".

Kalpi: "Oh Aai, you are not old. Now it is time for you to enjoy your young days. Now you'll see I will try to give you all the happiness of this world Aai, which you rightfully deserve. You have done a lot for us, now it is my turn".

Kamla kissed her daughter's forehead, applied a black tika (mark) on her neck "You are already the biggest happiness of this house Kalpi. Your laughter is the life of this household. I am so proud of you my child. Now don't make me cry so much, else my own evil eye shall befall you".

Kalpi: "Sshh Aai, your eyes can never do anything bad to me and Dada" and gave Kamla a side hug, "Wait let me inform Dada also about it. Tonight we'll go for a party".

That night Kamla, Pakhya and Kalpi went to a five-star hotel for dinner, leaving their own restaurants. It was a party from Kalpi's side and she was adamant on going somewhere else. The trio's small family was having a gala time enjoying the special moments, more so because Kalpi's other show producers, wherein Kalpi hosted a children's programme had allowed her to do this other show. She was to continue hosting the said children's programme as well, shooting for it on every Sunday.

"Bas Dada aur kitna khaoge" (It's enough Dada how much will you eat) Kalpi was teasing her Dada as they had ended up ordering majority of dishes of his choice, instead of Kalpi's and they had already ordered a lot. She gave a fake frown to him, indicating that she is upset that he forgot her choice.

"Hey my Princess, don't look at me like that, I know what I have to do" he called on a waiter, and gave order of a special raita. Curd was Kalpi's favourite and she never ate outside without ordering one of the curd varieties.

"Thank you Dada" she said excitedly "you are the best bro in the world", she said serving herself some of Pakhya's favourite dish, earning a head nod from him as if saying "is ka kuchh nahi ho sakta" (nothing can be done about her),and both of them started laughing at her antic.

Soon their order came, but the waiter also brought a "chocolate souffle" as a sweet dish, as the Jadhavs looked at it in astonishment.

"Excuse Me, this was not ordered by us. Maybe there is some confusion. We'll order the sweet dish later" Kalpi told him.

Waiter: "Actually Ma'am this is a complimentary gift from the hotel. There are some celebrations in our owner's house-hold and thus every fiftieth customer of our hotel receives a sweet dish as a complimentary gift".

Kalpi, still confused but still took his words in "Oh, okay. What is the celebration about?"

Waiter: "I am sorry Ma'am I cannot help you on that as I am not aware about the reason. I merely follow orders".

"Okay, thank you very much" Kalpi said and the waiter left. She was still looking in his direction, thinking it is such a weird reason, when Pakhya tapped her hand "What Kalpi? Why are you going in details? Leave it na, we are getting a free chocolate souffle, why do we care for the reason" he said. "Yes Dada, I guess you are right" and once again the family was engrossed in their happy meal, unaware that it was not a complimentary gift from the hotel but some other person; a person with whom Kalpi shared a special connection ever since her childhood. It was a connection which had given her many pains and tears in her eyes, but made her stronger too.

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"You were right Raghav Sir; Kalpana Jadhav is the right choice for this role. In so many girls whom we auditioned her acting was the best. She is naturally beautiful; her looks will easily suit our character, is a good actress and seems intelligent also, so she'll understand the requirements of the character also. She has a certain spark in her eyes, she is different". The producer of the show for which Kalpana had got selected was telling Raghav, as he too looked in the direction in which Raghav was looking, towards Kalpana.

"Hmm, she is different. You are right" the producer got the answer from Raghav. Raghav Singhania the superstar who had left everything three years ago, when he was reigning the film industry for his mother 'Mrs. Gauri Singhnania' was sitting with the said producer. Three years ago Raghav's mother Gauri had suffered a paralysis stroke, making her immobile and Raghav had to take their family business' reign in his own hands as there was no one else to take care of it. He was very successful in that too and under him their companies had reached a new high. But now his mother was completely fine and Raghav's best friend Samar Raizada was there to take care of his business, so Raghav had decided to return to his first love- acting. He had chosen a Television show for his comeback instead of a film. One reason was because in these three years many new comers and actors junior to him had taken over a substantial position in the industry. Hence, he wanted to select his roles carefully. This show was giving him a good role, good money, excellent coverage by media and easier connectivity with viewer's heart and it was on a big scale. Most of the actors to be associated with the show were either film industry stalwarts or big TV stars, only the heroine's role demanded a comparatively fresh face. Recently many of his contemporaries had turned to TV for a temporary phase, so it was no big deal now to do a TV show even for big film stars. Raghav was sure that after this show, he would get good roles in films too.

Thus a well-planned publicity was being executed around this show, starting with creating an aura of mystery around the hero of the show. People were already curious to know as to who was that famous star who was making a comeback with this show. As far as he himself was concerned he was already sure of his success, especially when he saw Kalpana in the auditions. Her coming back in her life meant his life was making a new start and that he'll be successful. She was his fire trigger, someone who had indirectly always contributed to his success, especially his films career. He still remembered her words on their last meeting "Mr. Raghav Singhania, enough is enough and today I am cutting all cords I ever had with you in my life. I promise to you, that even in dire need I won't ever work again with you, I don't want to see your face in my life again" and without giving one glance back from their theatre stage, she had left. Her words rang in his ears and he had pledged to become so successful that Kalpana Jadhav can never say no to him again, that she has no choice but to say yes for working with him, if life ever presents such circumstance. Years had passed, he had become a superstar, someone for whom girls till date sent letters written by blood, someone who never left people's hearts and who was a role model for many youngsters. He had always waited and wished to return to Kalpana her own words, so that he could erase the echo of those words from his mind forever. So, he hadn't believed his luck when he saw Kalpana in the audition. He needn't do anything at all to land her this role. Her immense talent did all the work itself, all he had to do was push just a little to make sure that her talent got noticed by the producer and directors of the show. He just put her in front of them, made no recommendation, and they were impressed by her by their own. So assured were they of Kalpana's talent that Raghav had easily got one last round of audition cancelled, which was meant to check the leads' chemistry. He did not want to come in front of her yet.

Tonight again he could not believe when he saw her dining with her family in the same hotel. Raghav had come there also with the producers, directors and some other senior actors, their seat being exclusive and a corner one. He could easily see Kalpana, but she couldn't. So he had made sure to send her a sweet dish, giving her some happy surprise, before her smile vanishes tomorrow. "Have a sweet night Ms. Kalpana Jadhav, because after tomorrow your days and nights shall not be sweet anymore" he told her in his mind, smirking.

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The next day post-lunch Kalpana was sitting in the home of the producers of the show. She found it odd, but didn't object. She had been shown the mini-office portion of the residence, big enough to conduct small meetings. She was sitting on one of the sofas, leaving the office look table-chair empty, when the producer Mr. Daljeet Singh came there and introduced himself to her "Hello Ms. Kalpana. Myself Daljeet Singh and I am happy to have a talented girl like you aboard our show". Kalpana shook hands with him, "Hello Sir, it is my pleasure and honor to work with you and get such a good break".

Mr.Singh: "Oh, please don't be formal; we have to work on a daily basis now. So it's better we are friends and do not behave formally. Please have a seat, Mr. Shubhanshu Roy- the Director and our hero of the show are also coming. Till then we can complete contract formalities. Come sit" he came to sit at a single sofa beside her, handing her the contract papers.

"Sir, may I ask one thing, who is the famous star opposite whom I'll have to work?" she asked unable to mask her excitement and curiousity. "Excited already huh? Well, he is coming here as I told you in a few minutes, so let it be a pleasant surprise. You'll surely love him" Mr. Singh said "come let us complete the contract formalities till then". So Kalpana turned her attention to the contract papers kept in front of her. The papers said she cannot leave the show in between, if she did she'll have to pay compensation amounting to Rupees Ten Lakh, and that she'll not take any new show without prior permission from the producers. Satisfied that the terms and other conditions mentioned are reasonable, she signed the contract. She had finished signing at all the necessary places when they heard a car coming to a screeching halt.

"It seems they are here" Mr. Singh told her. When Kalpana turned her face to the door, she saw her past coming back to haunt her and she was shocked. "Raghav Singhania?" she asked shockingly. "Yes, Raghav Singhania, the heartbeat of millions. Hadn't I told you that you'll love him? Here are my rocking leads and director, first time ever together. Come Raghav we were waiting for you eagerly" Mr. Singh said as he hugged Raghav, who was aware of the shockingly fixed gaze of Kalpana on him. So shocked was she that she didn't even notice the director of the show who had also entered with Raghav.

Raghav's attention was now on Kalpana. They both were looking into each other's eyes, she with shock and he with amusement and smile. "Hello Kalpana, how are you? It is so good to see you again, now that we are working together it is all the more special" Raghav said. He extended his hand for Kalpana to shake, and she had no option but to take it. All she could manage was a feeble "I am fine", she had already signed the contract so she had a big reason to worry now. He squeezed her hand as he touched it, she gave him the look of anger and his eyes challenged her with equal intensity, their room-mates somehow not important for both of them this moment. Their roommates had no idea of the intensity of emotions passing between their two leads. All they knew was that Raghav and Kalpana knew each other from their theatre days. Kalpi looked him in shock, in anger but the perplexity on which her mind was working on, was not hidden from Raghav. He recognized that she was already trying to find ways to deal with this situation, something from which she could not get out. He took advantage of her confusion, came near Kalpi, put one of his arms around her tender waist and pulling lightly towards him gave her a hug, his arms were around her. But to others he was successful in portraying this as a friendly hug between old, separated good friends. Mr. Singh and Mr. Roy were only too happy at their luck, their business-minded eyes only seeing the chemistry between their leads, and a successful show. But both Kalpi and Raghav knew this was anything but friendly, his arms around her waist were making her uncomfortable and breathless, his other arm firmly holding her shoulder. She had no option but to hug him back in front of their companions. He recognized her feelings, and felt it from her stiffened body, and discreetly he tightened his hold on her waist, brought his mouth closer to her ears and whispered "You better get used to this and more".

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction using characters from the show 'Ek Mutthi Aasmaan" on 'Zee TV". The characters are owned by creators and owners of the show.

PART-4