Prologue
Accepting a ride from Shashi was the most thoughtless thing and it was a bad idea to start a day. I tried to swallow the uneasiness that crept over my body as I shut the novel and shooed into mybackpack, giving in, unable to focus on it. Avoiding my eyes carefully on Shashi and the woman beside him, I fixed my gaze out of the window while I played with my index fingers out of habit.
It had been a day since I reached his place. As much I hated to be with them, I couldn't help but respect the decision made by Mother. She wanted me to be with Shashi after her death. Mother loved Shashi but things went wrong after my birth. He wasn't ready to have more responsibilities, he had said and they parted ways. Or that was the reason they told me. And Shashi re-married five years after the divorce. But Mother had been in contact with him throughout their lives. They were thickest of friends I had ever known. Mother lost in her battle with her death three months ago. It was what meant to be, she had said, that everything held a reason for its happening. I was brought up in such an environment and I was strong enough to accept the loss, at least I loved to think in that way.
His wife was a great woman and Mother was very fond of her. It was me who had problems with the woman. Not anything serious but a feel that she was in my mother's position. So, I kept my distance near her. I was in my last year to complete my graduation and I had to plan my future. All my plans were linked with Mother and with her absence in my life, particularly as emotional presence didn't matter, and now, I needed to re-plan everything.
So, at the least, I had to stay with Shashi and his family for a year. I needed to bring myself and used to have them around me. It wasn't like it was the first time that I was staying close to him. He would always come to my home and spend a week's time in every three months with me. But without a time limit, it was the first time that I would stay with them, and the thought was as much uncomfortable and welcomed. Good thing about them was that they allotted a room for me on the corner most on the second floor towards east in their three storied building. It gave me privacy, knowing that their room was on first and Rina and Veer, their kids rooms were towards the west on second floor. The most uncomfortable of all the things were, my half-siblings seemed to be interested in having a friendly bond with me. I was not ready to develop a new relationship with anyone in any way right now, and definitely not with Shashi and his family.
"Are you sure you will manage to return, dear?"
I heard her directing that question 100 times from the time I reached the place. Controlling not to shake my head at her, I tried to smile and hoped it delivered in a friendly way, "thanks for the concern, Aunty, but I will manage."
I watched the smile wiping off her face as soon as I called her Aunty. She wanted me to call her something affectionately and I could never blame her for that – she was such a lovable soul. I wanted them to understand that it was difficult for me to accept with them all of a sudden, which I never did in my 22 years of life. And Mother was the only person I had as my family. Losing her had a bad impact on my emotions that I lost the ability to think rationally.
"I am sure Khushi can manage, Garima," Shashi tried to ease the situation as he looked back and forth between his wife and me, "but Khushi, I want you to come to me anytime, regarding anything."
I nodded, not replying to him. Approaching him was a thing that I needed to sort out within myself first before blindly promising him. Thanking God, I bid goodbye to them as they halted their car in front of huge metal gates with heavily and beautifully crafted. I sighed inwardly as I stepped into the gates. People here would stare at me for transferring on the middle of the graduation course. I tried to suppress unwanted feelings and made my way towards the admin block. All I have to do was, meet the head of the department, submit my resume and few papers from my University back in my place, and start my journey here, in a new place.
It took almost 45 minutes to finish all the procedures and thanked the HOD, Mr. Shukla."Welcome to the University, Miss Gupta," the elder man with grey hair spoke while we made our way to my supposed studio, "I hope you will not disappoint me."
"I will do my best, Sir," I said with a smile, taking in the glory of my new university. This was the place where I belonged to. I could be on my own as long as I stayed in the premises, without my new family's presence. This was the place where I could bring life to my imaginations. This was the place where I could able to fulfill my dreams. I could see it happening. I would complete this year and have my degree in my hands. Then I would fly to NY to have master's degree in film making and then I would have my journey as a film maker. This one year was a Vitol point in my career and I would look myself as a film maker.
The studio was dark and a spotlight was on a lone figure on the stage. There was an act going on and curiosity made the better in me. Slowly, I followed Mr. Shukla towards the front of the studio in the dark, from a corner, as my eyes took in the act.
"Lights…"
A deep voice cut through the silence and lights were switched on, making my vision blur for a split second. I watched Mr. Shukla signaling a man who sat on the chair on left side of the stage, a monitor in front of him – a director body. He was tall, probably 6'2'' with his front locks falling on his forehead, covering his brows. His blue t hugged his body perfectly, not too tight or loose, revealing the outlines of his muscles. His eyes were of deep brown in color as he reached us, almost chocolate.
"She is the one I was talking about," Mr. Shukla said to him, pointing at me, "I am sure she can help you, considering her grades." He then turned to me, "Raizada here is filming few short stories with final year students, Miss Gupta. He will be looking after the things. Now, I will leave you all."
He smiled at me, while extending his hand and I returned the shake, "Hi, I am Arnav… Arnav Singh Raizada."
"Khushi Gupta," I introduced myself. My stay here was not going to be that bad, I guess, apart from my stay with my new family.
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Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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