Chapter 15
Dil Se Dil tak
The engine had started, the wheels were taking the exact calculated curve, there were still some final arrangements of luggage going on,a bit of hustle and bustle and then the announcement was done.
“Please fasten your seat belt”. Airhostess came across all the seats and made sure everyone had tightened the seat belt in the business class.She came near 3rd row when she saw Arnav resting his head on back cushion.He hadn’t put his belt. Airhostess called out his name politely to convey him. Arnav did not respond. His eyes closed.Mobile in one hand and the other hand on his chest. She was confused, whether to tap him or not. Is he ok? , she mentally thought. Is it right to disturb him? But it was her duty to take care of business class passengers. She finally decided to tap him slowly. She placed her right hand on his right shoulder and just slowly tapped him.
“Excuse me Sir.”
He did not wake up. This time she valves him with little extra force.
Arnav immediately woke up and spoke irrelatively, his eyes sleepy, red
“What the ! Who are. “He saw the airhostess with sleepy eye. “ How dare you?” He didnot like this uncalled disturbance
“I am extremely sorry sir. The plane is about to take off. Please fasten your seat belt securely. You need to also switch off your mobile sir for timely period. It’s our duty to make sure all passengers are safely seated.”
“F**K. I am not going to. “ Arnav replied rudely .Airhostress could not understand how else to convince him. He is a celebrity. They were used to the uneven nature of some celebrities creating un demand ruckus. Arnav did not wished to be rude, he never behaved like this on plane, he showed a true class behaviour, but today it was different feeling. His was not quite in good mood; his headache was making it worse. The frustration had crossed it. He wanted to be alone, left on his own space.
He hadn’t slept from last 12 hours and he wanted to rest badly. When the flight took off, he popped a tablet and dozed off instantly without even having his dinner. After Reaching Mumai Airport, he checked for his message list, there was none which seemed important. He collected his baggage and was walking through VIP exit, he was well aware that there will set of cameras waiting for stars to come out of airport to click their pictures of airport look. He was sure the cameras would be waiting. He knew the questions would be fired about the recent outbreak. He was in no mood to answer now. He checked time and his mobile. There was no call.
He put on his goggles covered his head with jacket hood to avoid those big lens, but the papparazi’s can find you from deepest corner. They suddenly came forward and started clicking his pictures.
“Sir. Please one photo”. One of the photographers clicked. It added more frustration to already sick mind. He waved No and was walking sidelining them when his phone rang.
“Damm Karan , where are you? I would asked my driver to come if you f**king late. “ He made his way towards the vehicles exit over passing photographers. One of the reporter saw him from far and “ Hey look, its Arnav SinghRaijyada, cameras on, come with me, nice story we have got now..:” He asked the most snappy question Arnav was expecting when he would reach India.
“Excuse me Sir. Can you comment on the recent news? We know you are not fan friendly. But the recent outrage from the fan on you has gone viral. Your comments on this? ”
And suddenly other reporters from filmy beats local channels came running and took this opportunity to dig the news further, because they knew this new may grab lot of hits on their website. News on Arnav and it’s a big enough, with maximum hits. And it was for first time, Arnav Singh Raijyada was point of some gossip’. Extra cheese topping.
“ARnav sir, who is the lady with you. Your GF? Reporter was carrying a newspaper and showing towards her, He saw the photograph through corner of his eyes. , goggles were hiding his anger.
“So the rumours are true, you have broken with Lavanya.?” Question came from another reporter
He walked ignoring all the questions
“The lady in video has shown her frustration and anger towards you? Was it fair enough for you to do that.? She was innocent and moreover your fan?” one of the media person came in front him and asked smiling at him. Threshold point had already reached. Arnav pushed away him and spoke in most abusive manner. “F**K man. How dare you to interfere in my personal space. Mind is your business.”
Reporter wanted the same, to boil him down, and capture something which they haven’t seen of Arnav. Some of the reporters were paid ones from other actors in industry who wanted to get such chances and defame Arnav on whom no one has ever raised a single question or neither had he given a chance for anyone to make himself a part of gossip. Before he could split more beans on reporter,Karan came running and sidelined all of them
“Please . No personal questions. Leave. He needs rest. All those allegations are baseless.. That woman in the video just wanted to get some attention in social network. It’s all to defame arnav personality. Now please excuse us.“ Karan, a friend of Arnav from london whom Arnav helped in his difficult times and pulled him in entertainment world. Karan knew most of Arnav.
Before leaving of , Arnav made a comment to reporter. “I don’t like anyone interfering in my personal space. Did you get it? Watch your job, it could be at risk!” . Reporter was thundered. Did he dig in wrong hole? Karan waved him to go.
“Arnav, lets go” . Karan put a hand on his shoulder.
“Keys?”
“You will not drive!. No. You are tired. Look at you…”
“Keys karan” . Arnav was direct. Karan cannot deny when Arnav was out of his mood. He knew his nature. Arnav put the gear and accelerated the engine to the maximum. There was a silence for few kms. Karan looked at Arnav. He was roaring with rage. His Eyes fixed straight on the road. Eyelids did not split for a second. Karan wanted him to calm down a bit, before invoking anything on the matter.
Both of them did not speak anything till they reached his flat.
Arnav went to fridge and searched for some drink. He came and sat on his sofa, his eyes closed.
“shall we talk now? Karan decided to speak finally. There was no respond from Arnav.
“What has happened to you Arnav? Your reaction to that reporter,Oh my God.” Karan went near to him.
“Already the clip is surfacing over internet, and above that this ridge with media. Can you imagine, this will be headlines in tomorrow’s page3 news.”
There was still no reply from Arnav. He took the cold water and put on his face.
“Common please. I need to know. I am confused with the matter. Clip has got circulated everywhere. That twitter message from your fan!. Everyone are creating their own stories and writing up. Arnav you need to be good to your fan sometime. How can you be so rude. Is the news true?
“I just need to be alone Karan. Why the f**king you are talking so much. The hell, I am meeting all bullshit talkative people like you from last few days. “
“I rushed immediately to India after all this gossip surfacing, worried for you man and you calling me bullshit talkative friend?” Karan looked at the other side.
No one spoke for 10mins.
“I will handle karan.”Arnav spoke finally
“Yes surely you will handle, I know your way , You will call that girl ,call the owners , and shed some money.It will get deleted. But how about your reputation? You were never a part of any such talk of town news.
“So what I am celebrity Karan, Don’t I have my own space?. I cannot please them just because they are my fan. I did not tell them to be one!. Its their choice. “
“But still man, you could have handled it better way”
Arnav did not feel to reply. He knew himself more than anyone else.
“And for god sake, who is this girl you were hanging with, in some cheap restaurant? Look at this pic. Karan showed him page 3 magazine.. What were you doing with her? who is she? .
Karan looked at photo again “She looks even so middle class.What’s wrong with your taste?”
“I am not understanding anything. Can you explain?” Karan confusion was reaching heights, . Arnav was not answering to any of his questions.
Arnav grabbed sheet from his hand, and just tear it away.Anger puffing in his eyes.
Karan was now shocked. He never saw this bitterness in him anytime. Not with regard to any women.
“I have shortlisted few assistants for you. Have a look afterwards” Karan changed the topic after some time
“Not some one like Rohan”
“No. Not at all.. I have spoken to top hiring company. They have shortlisted few profile as per your need. Final call is yours. “
“I want to know whom Rohan was working for.?! He lied to me!. He was working for someone!.Ask to keep tab on him”
“Chil Chill, will sort that out. But before that Please ARnav , I want to know what the hell happened in shanghai. How would we now close all this stuff? I am so worried” This time karan voice was calm, so caring for his friend. Arnav saw his eyes. He took a heavy breath.
“Let the wave pass. All the birds will be silent. Just give them the whole year bonanza. They will shut it up. Tomorrow there will be no news about me!: Stating that, Arnav got up and went straight to take shower which he wanted badly.
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Shanghai:
“Hey all ok? You did not receive my call ? We haven’t talked once.“ Aman texted Khushi.
“Hey bhagwan. Life mai sab problems ek hi time kyu aate hai” khushi banged her head.
“Hey all well. Just busy with new project. I was also busy shifting new flat from hotel. There is no proper internet setup . Will talk to you soon” Khushi replied back
“I will be waiting. Bye tc”
She was rushing to office and it was the day to give her demo. She was not in any position to talk with Aman at that moment. But was she doing right thing, she thought hard. He has been texting from last 3 days and she is not been showing any interest.She decided to ignore all these thoughts as of now. She was sleep deprived. Last night she was fully awake. She was preparing her presentation which she was not able to complete in last 3 days. The incident and meeting with Arnav had disturbed her lot. She again started thinking of Arnav sitting on bed.
“Focus khushi. Be calm, its your presentation today, stop thinking about Arnav!. You may never meet him. Whatever has happened , has happened, leave it. You cannot undo now”
She got up and went straight towards the mirror. She stood infront of it and looked herself confidently and just spoke few lines of her demo to check for facial expressions and confidence.
“Be confident” she spoke to herself. She took her laptop, the home made lunch she prepared and went to client office.
She was at her desk, when Akash comes and asked if she is ready and that Anjali may come now. There was a meeting scheduled at 2. When India team comes we can have it done. It was high level presentation and khushi was nervous. But Akash was so friendly. He gave her much needed confidence.
She went to conference hall well in advance and made necessary arrangement setup for her demo. Everyone were seated and were waiting for Anjali.
“I am sorry guys to keep you waited. Please start” Anjali came rushing inside the conference room
Khushi observed anjali to be so bold, beautiful and confident. She was one dynamic lady. She observed her dress, which was so properly done for corporate meeting. She had short hairs. She wished to become someone like her in future. To place herself in top position. It was her first such high level demo with level heads of company. There was brief introduction given about her, and India team who will be going to work for the project.
Anjali observed khushi, and did not like her dressing attire. Her formals where simple kurta set. First impression was bad. Anjali looked at Akash making a face.
“Are you sure?”
“She is one smart catch”
When Khushi finally started with presentation, she left all those weakness silently sink beneath her her large pool of talent.. Her every statement boosted that she knew in and out of the subject matter. Her commanding expression showcased talent, leadership qualities, confidence and intelligence.She was so certain in her attitude. She did not fake and dam, she was so smart!! She did not let any of weakness popp in. All the heads, India and shanghai team wereimpressed. Most importantly Anjali .But somehow the first impression always last long and it takes lots of time to reverse that.
“I need in another month! By Chinese new year” Anjali demanded
There was a sudden shock at Khushi’s face. She knew, it was not possible. But she cannot convey it openly. She pinged to her manager immediately who was also at call.
“Minimum 2 months”
“Go head and explain” he replied back.
After getting an approval from him, she spoke confidently to Anjali and explained why she may need so much time with current design and its better to delay a bit and give proper delivery rather than to deliver with many issues
Anjali talked a while with Aman.
Khushi sensed something is not right. She saw Anjali face.She was not happy.
“We can release the proto version before and check response from consumer. It will be even helpful for us to evaluate before go live” Khushi spoke suddenly. Anjali was thoughtfull.
“That sounds good.” Akash said. Anjali nodded
When the meeting was over, Anjali looked at Akash. “She is good, but are you sure she and her team can do it?”
“hmm I think so”? Akash said her.
“Think? I need confirmation. I can’t take one more risk of losing Chinese market”
“She looks confident. I have seen her appraisal forms from her manager.She is been star performers of her team all time.. We can get work done from them. She looks dedicated.”
“Alright. We can get to know from proto release. Lets evaluate after 15 days and keep monitoring on regular basis. We are already shedding a lot on this”
“Not to worry”
She saw khsuhi passing through her cabin. Anjali looked at her cautiously.
“what happened.” Akash asked her
“I feel I have seen her some where. Not able to recall.
“She is new to Shanghai” Akash replied back
After few minutes, she suddenly opens her mobile. Click on the times entertainment news section and open the image of Arnav story pick. She zoomed the photo and pointed to Akash.
“Don’t you think, this side face resemblance Khushi”
“Na, not that much. Who is she? “ Anajli did not anser to Akash question, but her instinct was saying something strongly. But she ignored it later on. “Why the hell, she would be with Arnav!”
Back in the night, Khushi called to her mother .
“Did you talk with Aman?”
“No Amma, Was so busy”
“ Call karke ek baar baat karlo. Itna bhi kya excuse dena. I have already delayed discussion on engagement. After 15 days,there is good Murtha(auspious day). We will sit together and check on engagement dates.
“Amma!, please after 2 months!. I cannot get any leave right now. And Iam serious”
“ Ok Ok. You have said that many times. Will see first dates . Don’t worry I will postpone it”
After a brief talk about the daily routine discussion. Her mother suddenly ask about the Arnav photo in the paper.
“Did you check your Arnav photo has come in newspaper. The girl he is sitting with, she look like you Khushi. Baju chintu beta paper lekar aaya tha. He showed it to me “
“Nahi amma, Nahi dekha. Don’t get those papers here”
“Dekh lena khushi. Internet mai to milega hi khushi. . You need to see, side face is 100% resemblance. Some one has said see, there will be 7 people similar to you in this universe”
“Bahut office ka kaam hai amma, so much tired” Khushi wanted todivert the topic. She sensed something not write. Whose photo she is talking about. ? She didnot tell her faily about her meeting with Arnav. She cannot at this moment explain to them about how she met Arnav again. Not after, her marriage getting fixed with Aman.
“Arey beta. Arnav ka photo hai. Yours ARnav”
“Amma, Internet mai we have thousands of his photoes. Ok anyway I will check. Ok.
She cuts the call and opened the web page and recent news on Arnav circulating. Being busy with demo,she did not see any news , specially any news in entertainment section. She was hell shock seeing her pic with Arnav taken in Indian restaurant. Arnav face was clearly visible. But only side of her face was captured in picture, She was looking at arnav smiling cosily in the pic..
“Hey bhagwan…..What could be Arnav reaction. He could be fuming with anger” Khushi thought seeing and zooming the pic again and again
She then read about the incident written in description.
“Oh God!. Already the tweet has created so much noise, upon that this photo of mine with him”. She was imagining Arnav’s reaction.
It’s all your fault khushi. I should not have triggered him.This is the first time, something so rudely written about him . Khushi was feeling upset. All because of me…
Khushi , you to overacted. He had already given so importance to you , made you feel so lucky..what was that necessary to ask him stupid questions , when you already knew that about him. What were you expecting? Arnav would enter like hero in your life and propose you.? Why did you suddenly dream of all that? Sapne aur hakikat ki duniya alag hoti hai khushi. You should have been clever. She spoke to herself, convincing her mind.
She thought about the incident again and again.
“But , he lost his calm.It was his mistake. Don’t consider yourself responsible khushi…. I was not wrong in whatever I said “
“But still Khushi, you knew of his attitude. What kind of fan you are.. you knew in and out of him. How can you blame him..”
----When you adore, like someone from bottom of your heart, you keep on falling again and again ignoring all their actions..But …..
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India
With each drops of water falling on his body, there were khushi’s words echoing all the corner. Arnav pressed his hand hard onto the wall.
“Khushi !” He whispered.
He knew he has given so much importance to khushi. He gave so much un demand attention to her. To a simple mere common girl, sidelining all his status and dignity. What’ was wrong with you arnav. Why the hell did you spent time with her ?
He increased speed of shower and closed his eyes. Let her vibes and memories get erased completely, never ever she should come infront of me …I wished to never see again…..he wished it so badly from bottom of his heart!. “
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Anupamaa
Cricket
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