Dosti And Diamonds
Monday dawns bright and clear. Refreshed from a Sunday spent in the warmth of the company of his dear friend, SP, or Suds as he fondly calls him, RS smiles brightly while going about getting ready for the new week.
The day was finally here when he could present to the world the truth about the much maligned, and much misunderstood character who was closest to his heart.
Vanraj Hasmukh Shah.
He could finally lay to rest all the misgivings of his legions of fans and validate their faith in Vanraj, that they had not been wrong in standing by him all these years.
His mind wandered back to when Vanraj’s character was still a nebulous thought in his mind. Even then he had been sure that Suds was the only one who could play him. As the character was fleshed out, he had become even more convinced that no one else could do justice to such a multi-faceted, layered hero. The blend of dashing looks and gravitas that was required for the role, fitted him to a T.
The last few months had been traumatic for Suds and seeing him in such a state had not been easy. Randomly blocking people on social media, posting odd reels with Maddy, giving rambling interviews, was so unlike the person he was.
Thankfully, the idea of the prequel had popped up after a few brainstorming sessions with the DKP creative team. It had been lovely seeing Suds get his verve back. Filming had been a breeze. The promotions had all gone smoothly. Conveying the message with just the right touch of humour and mystery which is, in fact, so like Suds in real life.
RS settles back in his seat as the hustle bustle of Mumbai’s morning rush hour surrounds him. Glancing across at a car that comes to a stop alongside his at the traffic light, he sees a lady in the passenger seat staring intently at the ipad in her hand. He glances absentmindedly towards the screen and sees a suited GK leaning against a wall staring deeply at the camera. The lady in question keeps clicking the watch again for all the while the car is stationary.
Grimacing slightly as he recalls having styled Suds in a pinstripe suit leaning against a wall for one of the photo shoots for the prequel, he forces himself to ignore the thought and opens Twitter to check on the engagement for the prequel tweets. The first thing he sees is that GK is trending. Still.
Tossing the phone aside he closes his eyes tightly and takes several deep breaths. Reassuring himself that once viewers watch the web series, all will be well and the balance will right itself in Suds’ favour.
Nodding at the watchman who jumps to attention upon seeing him, he heads straight to his office. Puzzled at seeing dozens of bulging jute bags dotting the room haphazardly, he calls out to his PA.
The harried man rushes up to him in a tizz.
“What the hell is all this?”
“Sir, these are being delivered in their hundreds. It’s getting out of control. At first we thought they were good luck messages for the prequel, but they’re from jewellery shop owners up and down the country.”
“What? Why?!”
“Sir, please read this letter which has just been hand delivered a few minutes back and everything will be clear.”
RS glances down at the letter he’s been handed. A look of horror dawning on his face as he reads it.
RS turns to his PA, fury writ large on his face.
“Get me Bhaavna on the phone right now. No, get her here right now!”
The nervous PA scurries off, muttering entreaties to Kanhaji.
RS sinks into his chair, closing his eyes and dropping his head back. All thoughts of prequels flying out of his head.
“Dammit Bhaavna, just because you like doing Mumbai darshan in the dead of night, stop incorporating nonsensical midnight shenanigans and escapades in my damn shows!”
oOo
What can I say... they just ask for it 😆
~ Ruchi
Arjun
Web Series
