CHAPTER 5 THE AGREEMENT
Neil was in his production house's office, sitting on a comfortable chair, leaning back and holding some photos in his hands. While Khatri was standing beside him like his loyal guard. He was giving Neil the information he gathered about Minni's family.
"Sir ji isse toh aap mil hi chuke hain. She is Preet. She is trying hard to get a break in bollywood. Ye us ladki ki elder sis..." Khatri said while showing Preet's pic to Neil but Neil interrupted him in between.
"Did you just say "us ladki"? Neil raised an eyebrow.
"Ye...yes sir ji, is there a problem?" Khatri replied getting confused over the question.
Neil glared at him in anger, "She is not some this or that girl, not a commoner. Her name is Minni. She is Neil's choice, future star. Usko respect dene ki aadat daal lo."
"Yes, sir ji, got it." Khatri nodded hi head quickly and continued showing him other photos and info. "Sir ji, this is Babita, she is Minni madam's mother. She is simple housewife, a simpleton but she is Minni ji's support system in the house."
Neil nodded and asked him to continue, "Sir ji this is Naeem bi" Khatri showing him next photo. "She is their aunt, a junior artist. Highly ambitious...she came here to be heroine but just remained junior artist all throughout her career now she wants to live her dreams through this Preet.
"Hmm...quite interesting...small happy family. Wait a minute...where is Minni's father?" Neil asked.
Khatri showed the last photo, "He is Ashok, Minni ji's father. He comes home very rarely. Most of his time is spent in either jails or in gambling. Treats his wife badly, doesnt care for the daughters either. He is into all kinds of bad habits. In our filmy language, you can say that he is the villain of their family."
"Inki life mein toh pehle se hi ek villain hai aur ab main. How you gonna deal with me Minni?" Neil laughed as he again looked at Minni's photo and ran his finger on her face admiring her beauty. "Khatri, call this Naeem bi and Preet right now, I want to meet them." Neil instructed.
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Minni came home tired from her work in the evening. As soon as she entered home she found Naeem bi and Preet were waiting for her eagerly. She has not even kept her hand bag down and they held her hands and made her sit on the chair and both of them sit either side of the chair on their knees.
"Whats going on?" Minni asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, you look so tired lil sis. Would you like to have some tea or coffee?" Preet asked batting her eyelashes with wide grin plastered on her face.
Minni now become even more suspicious, "Stop all this, come to the point. Why you are buttering me so much?"
Preet exchanged a glance with Naeem bi who gestured her to carry on, "You have to sign Neil Oberoi's film.
Minni immediately got up from the chair getting angry, "What! Preet kaure, I thought we are done with this topic."
Naeem bi pulled her down on the chair again with a jerk, "No we are not done with this topic, we have just started with it. You know what? Neil Oberoi has offered a role in the same film for Preet but the shooting will only start when you will become his heroine."
Minni was shocked to know the news, "What? Preet has also been offered a role. When did this happen?"
"He called us in the morning." Naeem bi informed and told what happened at Oberoi productions.
Flashback-
Preet and Naeem bi came all excited and happy to meet Neil Oberoi when they got the call from Khatri.
Preet tried to start the conversation, "Neil sir whats the matter..."
Khatri gestured her to keep quiet. "Jab tak Neil sir ji apni baat khatam na kar le tab tak aap jara chup rahiye...Sir ji ko pasand nahi ki unse pehle koi bole."
Preet looked down embarrassed at her audacity.
Neil who was still busy playing videogame finally noticed two of them, "Ah...sorry to keep you waiting lovely ladies. So miss Preet, I wanted to meet you. You know when you left from my office that day. I thought about it and I really felt bad.
"Its ..its ok Neil sir..." Preet replied sadly.
"No Preet, its not ok...it was really unfair. It was your audition tape and I selected your sister...you must have been feeling really bad." Neil reminded her of the fateful day.
"To be honest, first I felt bad but then I was happy for my sister..at least she got a chance." Preet answered honestly.
Neil put up a fake smile on his face, "Oh! that so sweet of you...that's what I liked in you...n I have been thinking that you can do an item number and also play a small role in the same film...what say?"
Naeem bi and Preet both had their mouth open in shock as they couldnt believe on their luck. Before Preet could process the whole information, Naeem bi made the decision on her behalf. "Bilkul sir. Isme sochna kya hai? Yes she will definitely do your film...its an honour for her...for us."
Neil stood up and congratulated them before they could rethink, "Ok then, Its final. I will sent the contract papers. Now, I have to go somewhere. Khatri will give you other details.
Naeem bi and Preet hugged each other in excitement. While Khatri watched them with a wicked smile on his lips.
Preet had the big grin on her face, "Khatri ji, when shooting will start?"
Khatri gave his wicked smile again, "Preet, I should ask you this question?"
Naeem bi and Preet were confused, "What? Why? We didnt get it"
Khatri laughed like a hyena before explaining the catch in Neil's offer, "Preet, as you know Neil sir ji had selected Minni ji for main lead and she has not yet agreed to the role infact she tore the contract papers in front of sir ji but you know about his nature...don't you? Once he decides something ...its final. So he will make this film only with Minni as lead or else the script will go to the dustbin. So its me who should be asking you when Minni ji will sign the contract so that we can start the shooting? Because your dream debut depends on your sister's answer."
"But she has already refused to..." Preet began saying but Naeem bi interrupted her.
"Don't worry Khatri ji , we'll convince her...you keep the contract papers ready for both the girls." Naeem bi replied confidently.
With that both of them left the place. Determination was clearly visible in their eyes. They have to convince Minni at any cost after all now its about their dreams, Preet's career. While Khatri saw them leaving, again wicked smile crept on his lips as he called Neil and said, "Work is done sir ji...now Minni ji will have to sign the contract if she wants to see her sister and that dumb head aunt Naeem bi happy"
Flashback ends-
"I know...I know why he has done that...he is just trying to pressurize me to sign the contract...he has offered a role to you so that you will do emotional blackmail on me." Minni guessed the right reason behind it.
Preet pleaded, "Please Minni, emotional blackmail or not. Its any of his plan to pressurize you or not...the truth is that he has offered a role of in his film to me...n thats a big thing! Plz sign the contract...it will be great...two of us will make our debut through Neil Oberoi's film."
Minni was frustrated, "You are not understanding Preet...he is just using you... he is so..."
Preet now implored, "I don't want to understand anything...plz...first you said its not your dream to work in films...but now...our dreams are attached...plz do it for my dreams...for me."
Minni was now irritated at the fact that Preet cant look beyond the greed of this small lollipop Neil has shown to her. "I don't know anything... plz...I need sometime." Minni left the chawl to get some fresh air.
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It was late but Neil was still in the office as he personally made sure to get the contract papers ready which Minni will come to sign. But whole day has been passed there was no sign of Minni or Preet or even their phone call. He was occasionally giving angry glances to Khatri and Khatri was all nervous and wiping off sweat from time to time as he knew Neil will burst out like a volcano any second and he will be the one to bear his wrath. And the moment came and his volcano of anger finally erupted.
Neil shouted in rage, slamming a hand on table, "What the hell is this Khatri? You said the plan worked ..she will come today...but whole day has been passed and she hasn't come yet."
Khatri started stammering in nervousness, "Believe me sir ji...I really thought she will come today after we made that offer to her sister. I thought she will convince Minni ji...don't know whats wrong...but I will find it out...I will solve the problem...you calm down sir ji.
Khatri somehow managed to convince him to take rest and go home. While he made a phone call to one of his man and gave him some instructions about Ashok to use his plan B.
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Minni was trying to concentrate on reading her book while Preet and Naeem bi were constantly trying to gain her attention.
"Allah maari, maan bhi ja. Teri behen ki life ban jayegi teri ek haan se." Naeem bi nearly scolded her.
Minni was about to reply when Ashok came home. He almost fell down but managed to grab the door latch for support. This was enough to prove that he was drunk again.
"Sahi to keh rahi hai Naeem bi. Minni, you should say yes for the film." Ashok said in his slurry tone.
"What! And how did you came to know about it?" Minni asked.
"Thats none of your business. You have to say yes for the film. Thats it." Ashok announced his decision.
"And you think I will obey you?" Minni asked sarcastically.
"Yes, you have to and if you dont then..." Ashok took a pause and went in to the kitchen where Babita was making the dinner. He grabbed her hair and pulled her to the drawing room. "If you dont want me to treat your mother like this everyday then say yes for the film." Ashok threatened.
All were shocked by his behavior. "I cant believe it. So that Neil Oberoi has stoop so low. First he bribed my sister with that offer of item number and small role now he bought you on his side?" Minni asked shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yes, his man came and bail me out of jail. He said I will never run short of whiskey in my whole life. He also took care of my loan at the bar. And in return of all this he just want to do a film with you. He is not asking a favour, he is doing another favour on you. Whats the problem in that?" Ashok answered.
"Now, you got it. Why I was not agreeing earlier Preet? Whether it was giving you an offer to now buying our father with money. That Neil Oberoi is going out of his way to just coerce me for doing his film. God! I used to like him earlier, even went to watch his films with you. But, never knew he is such a bully." Minni said to everyone.
"Bakwaas khatam ho gayi ho to kaam ki baat par aao. Tomorrow, you will go to his office to sign the contract or else be a witness how I will make your mother's life hell." Ashok threatened and went inside.
"Ab to maan ja Minni. Agar Neil Oberoi bully hai to tu bhi kya kam ziddi hai? Agar teri ek haan se meri life ban jaati hai to tujhe kya problem hai? Tujhe filmein nahi karni to mat karna aage se, bas ye ek film sign kar le." Preet pleaded.
Minni saw her pleading looks, folded hands and her mother's state. Every thing just convincing her to say yes but she needed to be sure about this. So she left the chawl to think over it.
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Minni didnt know where to go. She was just walking on the street when she heard the temple bell. She saw on her right were the stairs of a temple. Having no place to go, she climbed the stairs and sat down at one corner of the temple premise. She was hell confused about what everyone has to say about film offer. Should she agree to do the film or she should not bow down in front of that maniac Neil Oberoi's wish.
She felt frustrated and looked over to the idol of God and wondered, "This is all because of you...why you always put me in such situation...now what should I do" she turned around when she heard someone's laughter behind her. She found an old man laughing at her words. She looked carefully who was he and recognized that he was the same strange old man who visited their chawl the day they were distributing prasaad.
"Are you laughing at my words?" Minni asked embarrassed on her situation.
"Yes, I just noticed you are same ...just like other people...many people come here daily and they all keep complaining God about their problems...all are fools..why they can't understand just a simple fact that whatever happens is for their betterment... God gives us what we deserve. He is either rewarding or testing us." Old man said.
Minni was confused, "You mean, we should accept whatever comes in our way without any fuss even if we don't like it?"
Old man answered calmly, "Yes my child, everything happens according to God's wish there is nothing much we can do about it...so we should not waste our time in complaining. Remember my child, "jo hota hai achhe ke liye hota hai, zindagi agar hume mauka de toh use khule dil se sweekar karna chahiye"
Minni sighed after listening all this, "May be you are right." She suddenly felt her mind was at peace... confusions, reservations were still there but they are not affecting her now as she has finally took her decision...at least for Preet's sake, for her mother's well being, she can do this much
She went to her home smiling all the way imagining the reaction of Preet and Naeem bi when she will tell them that she will do the movie.
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Minni came to Oberoi productions with Preet and Naeem bi. They all were greeted by Khatri and he took them to sign the contract. He only gave Preet's contract and she happily signed it.
"Where is Minni's contract? I thought you will give her contract first." Preet asked from Khatri.
Khatri curved corner of his lips in wicked grin, "Actually sir ji wants to meet her personally and make sure she signs the agreement in front of him. So Minni ji if you don't mind...plz come sir ji is waiting for you."
Minni and Preet followed him to Neil's cabin but before they could enter, he blocked Preet's way, "Sir ji only wants to meet her...so plz Preet and Naeem bi, you have to wait here till then she returns."
Minni became a little nervous when Khatri asked her to come alone. She looked at Preet and Naeem bi who gestured her to do as khatri said and encouraged her to go in. She went in after Khatri.
Neil was sitting on the chair reclining backwards, legs on the table. As soon as they entered, Neil welcomed Minni and smirked at her giving her a "I knew you will come" look which immediately pissed off Minni, returning the anger on her face. Neil gestured Khatri to leave them alone.
Dont think that since I have come and agreed to do the film, you can intimidate me." Minni warned.
Neil stood up from the chair and came close to her, giving her goosebumps, "I dont plan to intimidate you. You are very special to me. I plan to sweep you off your feet." Neil winked at her after giving seeing her shocked expressions and gave his most charming smile.
Minni immediately turned her face away to hide the pinkish hue that crept on her cheeks despite her protest and tried to behave normally like she is not at all affected by all this. " Whatever..I still not have any interest in your film...I am telling you in advance...I don't know anything about acting n all...you can re think if you want."
Neil smirked, "Don't worry honey...I will take care of that."
"Please, call me by my name." Minni made it clear she didnt like to be called honey.
"Its Neil's way of addressing the people he likes." Neil answered while Minni just rolled her eyes at him. Neil handed the contract papers to her.
"Before signing it, I want to make it clear to you that I very well understand how you convinced my sister and monetarily favoured my father to coax me to sign it. But I am here because I care for my family not because I was afraid of you. This is just one film. after that I will never see your face." Minni said with her head held high in pride.
"Never say never my dear." Neil replied.
"Huh! What?" Mini couldnt understand.
Neil shook is head and just smiled and handed the contract papers. Minni noticed him, it was like a reply was almost on his lips but he refrained from talking. It made Minni suspicious but soon she became busy in reading the contract papers.
"Oh God! Who will read all of this?" Mini sighed when she noticed she was still at third page after 15 minutes and there were another 7 pages left. The fact that Neil was sitting right in front of her, seeing her closely, noticing her every move was making things difficult and the legal jargon was going over her head and she was frustrated.
"God! I cant read it any more. Can I have pen...I will sign it." Minni gave up finally.
Neil laughed and handed her a pen but then before she could take it he held it back again, "Think again...its not a joke...you are signing a legal contract. Wise men say, "read carefully before you sign anything"
Minni was suspicious for a moment as to why he said those words but shrugged this thought when looked at the lengthy agreement and thought Preet has also signed it without reading. And its just about a film. its not like he is taking her sign on her property papers, she didnt have anything to lose. To understand this legal jargon she needs an advocate and she cant afford one.
"Its bouncing over my head. Cant you brief me on the important points." Minni asked for little help.
Neil smiled, "Ya, sure... Its says that you will be playing lead actress in my film and you will not break this agreement later otherwise I have a legal right to sue you and claim for my losses and if you fail to pay compensation, you can be jailed...thats it."
Minni looked up at him worriedly on the jail's part. " Dont worry! Its just the language. Its a common contract language. You can consult a lawyer if you dont believe me." Neil assured her confidently.
Minni took a deep breath and thought what would Neil gain by tricking her. So she made the decision and took the pen to sign. She didnt look in his eyes at that time thereby missing the wicked grin on his face and signed the papers n handed over it to him.
"Finally!" Neil sighed. "So honey, welcome to the film industry. We will meet tomorrow at sharp 11.30 am at the studio to discuss about the film and your look...now you can go ...or if you wish you can give me company till I am here."
Minni was irritated by his flirting attempts, "No thanks...I will go now."
She was about to leave when Neil called her back, "Miss Minni, I am sure you must have read this one clause in the contract but I am just reminding you."
"About what?" Minni asked.
Neil came close to her and leaned in to almost whisper in her ear, "Actually this contract is not just about this upcoming film, "ek ishq ek junoon". By signing it you have agreed to do three films with Oberoi productions...with me...n yes one more thing, till then you can't work for any other banner."
Minni was shocked was an understatement. She felt ground slipped under her feet. "What! Three films!!!...but ..but you said you want to cast me in your upcoming movie...then... now three films!!! I only agreed to do this film for Preet's sake...for my family...It was about this one film from the starting...no way I am doing three films with you...No..its cheating...why didn't you tell me before ..its a cheating." She shouted as she realized why he wanted to meet her alone, intimidate her, confuse her so that he could make her nervous about it, she will want to leave quickly and sign the papers in hurry.
Neil now laughed loudly on her reaction, "Cheating...really!! Didn't I gave you time to read it...didn't I warn you to read it full before signing...huh?"
Minni stammered nervously, "But...but...I thought..."
Neil admired her confused look, her quivering lips and questioning eyes. He leaned in closer and put a lose strand of hair behind her ear, "Time of Ifs n BUTs is gone ...you have already signed it...so I will see you tomorrow...honey."
Minni was completely dumbfounded. She didn't even protest not to call her honey, just stood there silently trying to digest the reality. Neil was still enjoying her reaction now observing closely the myriad of emotions going through her big brown beautiful eyes. Unknowingly his one hand moved up to caress her face and this brought her out of shock but when she looked at him and found those deep black mesmerizing eyes staring at her. Despite her inner turmoil those eyes were successful in capturing her attention. She once again got lost. Both were staring each other intensely but this beautiful moment was ruined by Khatri when he knocked at the door. Both came out of their dreamland and Neil gave an angry glare to Khatri.
Khatri smiled sheepishly, "Sir ji..woh ek urgent phone call hai."
Neil took the phone from Khatri and Minni turned around to go when Neil called her once again, "honey...don't forget 11.30am sharp...I don't like late comers". She just nodded and this time also didn't protest him calling her honey ...first due to that contract n now due to that intense eye lock between them her mind was not working...she just wanted to leave as soon as possible."
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Precap- Minni fails to say dialogue making Neil angry.
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