Disclaimer: Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental! (wink!)
OS: The Real Hero
Khushi stared at the man in front of her and rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"Jiji, is it really him?" Khushi whispered to Payal who was also staring at the man in question.
"Looks like him, Khushi. But please behave yourself, OK. Don't do anything..." Payal warned in low hushed voices but by then Khushi had rushed forward, tearing through the crowded mall, straight to her target.
"Khushi" Payal called out, darting glances around her to see if people were already beginning to stare. They weren't staring yet. But it was a matter of time. Payal fished out her phone and dialed speed dial 8.
"Arnavji, you have to hurry..." Payal said hurriedly.
In the meantime, Khushi had reached her target who was smiling and talking to a lovely woman by his side. His wife, presumably. She was pretty, incredibly so. Though Payal wasn't sure it was the wife. After all, she hadn't been introduced to the masses ever, people resorting to pictures snagged through sources of sources, friends of friends of acquaintances and social networking, credibility of most of which was always under question.
"How dare you?"
Payal wanted to sink to the floor and if possible be consumed by it. But no such luck was about to pull her out of this situation.
"How could you do this to me? How could you? After all I did for you. After everything in the world. After every fight I had to undertake with Arnavji for you.." Khushi's voice was rising dangerously with each word and the confusion on the subject's eyes was growing.
"Listen, Miss.." The woman by his side began softly, taking over for her companion who was suitably stunned by now.
"It isn't Miss. It's Mrs. Raizada. Mrs. Gupta Singh Raizada while we are at it." Khushi yelled. "And wait, are you Pallavi? How could you Pallavi-ji? Couldn't you help him see sense? Have you see the show now? It is ridiculous. I read that it is going to be pulled off air in a month's time. And it's all," Khushi rounded on to the man who was now calm and composed again, his sunglasses now perched on his nose, the handsome chiseled face just as brilliantly dazzling as it had been on screen. "his fault."
"Mrs. Gupta Singh Raizada. I am so sorry but I hope you will be able to forgive me someday." The man had spoken at last, his voice deep and husky. Payal sighed. It was the first time she had come face to face with her TV heartthrob and he was everything she had imagined and more.
"Varun-ji. How could you leave the show half way? How could you do this to your fans? To your entire team? Do you know how terrible Manaya-ji looked on the SBS section yesterday." Khushi demanded, her voice now slightly lower but the damage was done. A small gathering was assembled around the quartet - A TV heartthrob and his wife, one angry fan and one very confused and embarrassed sister.
"Khushi, please..that's enough...come now..." Payal grabbed her sister's wrist and tugged at it forcefully, sending apologetic glances at the couple.
"No Jiji. Wait. I have waited for this moment." Khushi's eyes blazed at the man. "What happened to professionalism, Varun-ji? Was the film so important that you couldn't do justice to the show that is the reason you are who you are?"
"Ma'am I don't think you understand our profession. It's a job and like any other employee would, I've given it my best till it gave me what I wanted." Varun explained patiently.
"Varun, come on. There's no need for this. We should get going." Pallavi tugged at her husband's seeing the crowd gathered around.
Payal looked at her and mouthed a sorry, genuinely sorry for the couple who just happened to be in the path of a cyclone called Khushi.
"Varun-ji ... It's not that as a fan I don't understand your needs to further your own career." Khushi said softly. "But at the expense of your current engagement, when I am sure you knew that it would hamper the show?"
"Ma'am, again... one actor cannot be held responsible for the show, its success or its failure." Varun explained, his voice still smiling, still calm.
"That's a great explanation for a child, Sir." Khushi shook her head. "But unfortunately that's not ho things work. I only know that I spent many a months emotionally involved with your show, even fighting with my Arnavji when he wanted to watch CNBC instead."
"I wish I could apologize to your husband, Ma'am" Varun said softly, now chuckling.
Payal suddenly felt a jolt of irritation run through her. Why was this man patronizing her sister so? Sure, Khushi was way out of line but...
"What about your co-stars, Sir?" Khushi asked, refusing to back down.
"I don't think Varun has taken the responsibility of everyone on the team," Pallavi said sharply.
"Well, if you ask me, he did when he took the show up." Payal was surprised that she had spoken up when all she wanted to do so far was to take Khushi away.
"Well, ladies. If it's me you want to see, my film is releasing in a month's time. Please be sure to..." Varun started...
"Oh well, Varun-ji. Unfortunately according to my agreement with Arnavji, we watch only Salman-ji's movies. So I don't think I'll catch your movie. But I hope it does well, really. Jiji," Khushi turned to Payal and smirked, "You will watch, won't you?"
Payal shook her head and smiled.
"Khushi,"
Payal turned around at the voice and heaved a sigh of relief.
"Arnav-ji! What are you doing here?" Khushi exclaimed, her face suddenly sunnier than it had been in ages.
"Ermm," Arnav looked at Payal who wiggled her eyes in a silent plea, "I was in the area for a meeting and remembered that you and Payal are shopping here. What's going on?"
"Nothing, Arnavji. I thought I saw the hero of my favorite show but" Khushi patted her head, "Silly me. I have but one true hero, don't I? You, Arnavji."
Payal turned to see Varun and his wife Pallavi take the opportunity to walk away. She smiled. Disaster averted. Thank God.
"Oh, does that mean, I have finally trumped Salman Khan in your affections?" Arnav asked as her swung an arm about her, surprising Payal with the uncharacteristic display of physical affection. The man was not recognizable anymore. "Let's go home, Khushi. Nani and Di are waiting for your jalebis. You promised to make them some, didn't you?" Arnav said.
Payal followed her sister and brother in law, darting one last glance at the other couple that was just walking away.
"But Varun, that guy..he looks so much like..."
Payal chuckled. Strange, indeed.
Que sera sera, folks. Whatever will be, will be. Nothing lasts forever. Not Khushi. Not Arnav...ermmm...Gham!
PS: This OS is not intended to hurt any sensibilities. I apologize if I have offended anyone unintentionally!
Marathi TV
