After her shoot Surbhi did the only thing she could to calm herself down and that was to talk to Ria 'Suri, chill yaar...don't let him get to you so much. I mean like your director said you guys are on the same side, and plus it's not like you will need to see him all the time...he isn't an actor he is behind the scenes guy' 'I know...anyway how is mum?' 'She is good, I managed to get her to go out tonight, she is always cooped up at home, she needs to get out more' 'I agree...ok, I am going to hit the sack, I will catch up with you tomorrow'.
Surbhi woke up with a renewed energy, consciously not thinking about the episodes of yesterday she got ready and met with Aditya and Suhanna downstairs for breakfast. As they took their seats a few girls came running towards them asking them for their autographs, as any star both her and Aditya obliged, even let them take a few pictures.
Across the restaurant sat Asad who looked at her in bewilderment. He was a no nonsense guy, what you saw was what you got. He lived life truthfully and worked hard at what he did to make sure he was the best, there were no grey areas. What perplexed him was how someone could have so many personalities, so many faces.
He sat there thinking if it really was money and fame that brought out the worst in someone. He was neither rich nor famous; he was a middle class guy who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Zack met Asad at a music festival he was attending, where he heard Asad play and instantly approached him. For Asad music was not only a hobby but an integral part of his life, he had never thought he would enter the film industry but it wasn't an opportunity he was going to knock back either. Since then Asad and Zack had really become good friends.
Finishing his coffee, he stood up and walked out 'Asad' Zack called out seeing him 'hey...look I am sorry about yesterday, am not sure what happened...Surbhi isn't normally like that' 'it's cool man, no harm done...what time is the press meet?' 'At half two, I want you to be there' 'do I really have to be...I mean the whole thing is going to be around them' 'true but...' 'I will be there when we launch the music...I am going to head back home, I think I have done what I needed to here' 'ok, that's fine, I'll see you in a few days' time'.
Akash made it in time to speak to everyone about who was going to be present and what kind questions were going to be asked. The director was adamant that no hints regarding the story line was given away. Looking over her dress and make up one more time Suhana gave Surbhi the thumbs up 'you are ready to knock them out...don't forget to smile...bring out the Surbhi charm' Surbhi rolled her eyes at her 'just because I had a bad day yesterday doesn't make me witch...see smiling' she said beaming her perfect white teeth.
The press meet went really well, the actors along with the producer and director spent a long time with the media answering questions and engaging with the people that were present.
'Surbhi...we have seen you in many romantic roles in your reel life...do you have anyone in real life?' Surbhi cleared her throat, if she got paid for every time she was asked this question she wouldn't have to work to earn a living 'no, for me romance and love only exist on film not in real life...but like I have said many times before if there ever does come a time in my life where I find someone I will let you know'
On cue Akash stepped in as he rounded up the final comments allowing everyone to get up and leave to return to another busy afternoon and evening of filming.
Surbhi was glad to be back, as much as she enjoyed being on outdoor locations she missed being at home, the one place she felt totally free. 'Suri, you have a call' Payal shouted out 'coming...one sec' Surbhi came running down 'who is it?' 'Akash' Surbhi rolled her eyes 'Akash, I do have a mobile remember' 'yes, I know, it would be good if you answered the damn thing I have been calling you for ages' Surbhi closed her eyes 'crap sorry, I still have it on silent' 'never mind...listen there is a charity event tomorrow evening and you are coming, be ready for 6. I will get Suhana to give you the rest of the details' 'okay, what charity is it for?' 'St Margaret's Orphanage, see you tomorrow'.
Surbhi stepped out of her car in a beautiful silver and black saree, as the flashing lights of the press blinded her she was greeted by one of the event organisers who welcomed her and showed her in. The charity even was packed with celebrities who had all gathered to raise money and awareness for one good cause.
As Surbhi met various friends from the fraternity she took her seat. The seating plan had been pre planned so she had no idea who she was sitting next to. The hall started to fill up and people had started to take their seats, four of the six people on her table were seated.
Playing with her phone Surbhi felt a presence behind her 'this is your seat Mr Khan' as soon as she hear Mr Khan she froze, slowly turning around she looked up to see him standing looking down at her almost matching her expression. 'Of all the people in the world it just had to be you' she said in a low growl. Pulling out the chair next to her slightly he took his seat 'life sucks, build a bridge and get over it' he said whilst he smiled at the people who sat opposite him.
'if I were you I would put that face away, you're an actress can't be hard for you to pretend...I assure you the pictures you find in page three tomorrow won't be a pretty sight...so smile'. Surbhi felt like turning around and punching him, she couldn't believe her luck; she had to sit next to this imbecile for the next three hours and that too with a smile. 'I can't believe they let any riff raff in' Asad supressed a laugh 'I know, one should really complain about the lack of security in this place...I mean a charity even for homeless and orphaned children and they have the wicked witch of the east sitting right in the middle of it' Surbhi looked at him viciously as her eyes opened wide 'Asad Khan Ahmed...or whatever your name is you...' Asad grabbed hold of her finger and pulled it down 'firstly, don't point, next time I won't be so nice, I'll break it, secondly can't you just shut up, like seriously...oh and one more thing...smile the camera is pointing at you'.
Asad started laughing as she quickly changed her expression and started to look around 'easily fooled aren't you?' 'Moron'.
After the first few presentations the charity organisers had invited everyone to go over to the lavish buffet they had prepared; food that was not only prepared for them but also for every child at St Margaret's Orphanage. Surbhi couldn't get up fast enough as she hurried away from him. 'What happened to you?' Akash asked her as she approached him with murder quite clearly written all over her face 'Where is Zack...Mr Khanna...anyone...I am not sitting next to that fool for the rest of this evening' Akash continued to look at her baffled 'you want to calm down a little...your face looks like a tomato, you continue and I promise you it will burst' Surbhi raised an eyebrow at him 'can you keep your stupidness to yourself just this once...I am talking about that new music guy...' 'You mean Asad...man that guy is so cool...wait...what happened' Akash said just realising that she was angry with Asad. 'I don't like him and I don't want to be sitting next to him' 'Suri...come on man...you don't even know him' 'and what makes you think I want to know him...swap seats with me' 'no way, I am sitting next to Suhana' Surbhi narrowed her eyes 'you swap seats with me or I am firing your arse' Akash let out an exasperated breath 'that's the tenth time this year my arse has been fired...you know as well as I do that threat holds no value...go and stuff your face with something and go back to your seat' 'ugh...I hate you' she said walking off 'forget drama queen the girl is the queen of tantrums' he said to himself as he walked back to his table.
Surbhi was to frustrated to eat so she did the next best thing and that was to drink. Surbhi wasn't a big drinker; she would occasionally indulge in a glass of Champaign if she was offered one on an outing. But today she wasn't holding back, knocking back three glasses one after the other she took her fourth glass and went to sit back down again.
Asad looked at her and felt a little uncomfortable at the sight of her glass. As soon as Surbhi sat down she started giggling, she looked at him adorning her beautiful smile 'just because you can sing...I mean really sing and you can pull a few stings on a guitar doesn't make you god's gift to the world...' Asad looked at her as she continued to speak making very little sense 'if you can't handle what is in your glass then stop drinking' he said in a voice that was not only laced with concern but also annoyance' 'who said I can't handle a drink or two...I can handle anything I want Mr Asad Music Ahmed' Surbhi lifted her glass and drank the rest of its contents in one big gulp 'see...can handle it perfectly'.
As the second half of the event commenced Asad looked towards Surbhi who visibly looked like she was going to be sick 'come with me he said' trying to hold on to her hand 'don't touch me...what is it with you...can't you keep your hands to yourself' she slurred, Asad grabbed hold of her elbow and held onto it firmly making her wince out in pain 'get up and start walking...now' he said in a low whisper but it was a whisper that got Surbhi's attention.
Seeing her walk out of sync Asad wrapped his arm around her waist in order to support her, the last thing he wanted was for her to go flying. As they reached outside Surbhi rolled out of his hold and turned to face him 'what is wrong with you...how dare...oh god' Surbhi stopped as she grabbed hold of her chest, Asad ran to her side, he quickly held onto her and took her around the corner and as he did Surbhi heaved, she vomited all over herself and Asad.
'Ya Allah...I don't believe this girl' Asad took out his phone and called Akash, within minutes both Akash and Suhana reached them 'shit...what happened' 'apart from stating the obvious and say that she puked, she was drinking' Asad said looking more than peeved off. 'Suri...what the hell...I am so sorry Asad...she doesn't normally drink...' 'I can tell' 'thank you for helping her...please come with us, we can help you get cleaned up too' Asad was about to say no when Akash sided with Suhana 'Asad it's the least we can do...please come with us'.
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