Recap:
Jagdish swung his neck from side to side. Over the years that he was associated with Amita, he had completely failed to understand her. She had killed her would be fiance and then married his brother and now she wanted another person knocked off and that too at a public event. She wanted him murdered in the premiere. That amused him. He took out his gun and practised a mock shot...he knew he could not fail. Inside the envelopes were 2 passes to the premiere, so that he could enter undettered. He looked at the picture one more time...a pretty face he thought...well the curtains would be coming down on that one tomorrow..he chuckled to himslef.
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The premiere day was here and Priya was excited as hell. She wanted to look good today and she blushed at the thought that Ram had the same feelings for her as she had. She thought about how her life had changed in a span of mere 1 month. Ram had entered her life as a friend and had completely changed her life. He had made her believe that people from her background can also get a dignified life. Priya was happy at the thought that she would have a normal life, a life like the others in the society. However she could not shake off a strange feeling that she had. Ram had not communicated anything to her, not about the premiere or anything about them. Priya brushed aside the feeling thinking that maybe it was Ram's way of giving her a surprise. She was thinking on those lines when Amma came there.
Amma: Priya, can we talk for a few minutes.
Priya: Afcourse Amma, why do you even have to ask about it?
Amma came and sat across Priya. She had never seen Priya this happy. This was the life that she always wanted to give her and now finally her dream was coming true.
Amma: I want a promise from you
Priya: Anything you say Amma
Amma: After your marriage, i do not want you to visit here ever again.
Before Priya could protest, Amma continued.
Amma: Ram will be a very successful in his field, but do remember that he is from the entertainment field. That is lined with people digging up dirt on one another. I do not want your past to come up and damage your future.
Priya: Amma, i am not ashamed of my background. I am sure even Ram will not be ashamed. I cannot break off my ties with you, with this place. However the world views this place, it has given me everything Amma.
Amma placed a hand on Priya's and smiled.
Amma: Before the truth has a chance to put on its shoes, the lie would have travelled almost half way around the world. No matter how much you try to tell the world about your background it will never be viewed in good light. I do not want any fraction of your past damaging your future.
Priya sighed, there was no use arguing with Amma but she was no ways agreeing to whatever she had said.
Priya: What time are we leaving for the premiere?
Amma: We should leave around 7, Rohan will send a car to escort us. Hurry up and get ready, i ll tell the others too.
Saying this Amma walked off and Mangal arrived.
Mangal: So what are you wearing today?
Priya: I don't know, i haven't decided yet.
Mangal: Good, take this.
Mangal handed a parcel to Priya. Priya promptly opened the parcel to find a beautiful saree in it. She remembered that Mangal had saved money to buy the saree for her own wedding.
Priya: I cannot keep this Mangal
Mangal: Priya, i would never be needing it and besides today is a special day isn't it?
Priya: But i have never worn a Saree before and i am not even comfortable in it.
Mangal: Once you wear it, you will be comfortable.
Priya looked at the Saree uncertainly and eyed Mangal.
Mangal: I will help you drape it do not worry.
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Ranjeet thought at how the evening will unfold. Totally unexpected. He would get a good review from the film fraternity and also have his revenge. The stupid woman had ruined his entire life. He has lost his love and was stuck in a loveless marriage just for the sake of family. How different things would have been had all this not happened. Not that he had planned on this revenge but this was maybe god's way of redeeming the cruel twist of fate that he had been subjected to.
When he had learned about this movie and where it was going to be shot, the plan had immediately hatched up in his mind. Her daughter would suffer the deeds of the mother but then such was life. He suffered for someone else's mistake so its only right that Priya suffers now. He was jolted out of his thoughts by the ring of his mobile. He looked at the number, something urgent must have come up otherwise the caller would not have contacted him.
Ranjeet: Hello
Voice: I have some information
Ranjeet: Hmnn
Voice: The same person is seen a lot these days.
Ranjeet: Motive?
Voice: Not clear as of now
Ranjeet: Keep a tab, let me know if anything comes up.
Voice: Ok
Ranjeet disconnected the call absorbing the new information. Who was this man and why was he loitering in the area? Ranjeet thought of speaking to his source in detail about this, but right now this had to wait. He was eagerly waiting for tonight. He thought he will check out Kaustubh once, lest he did something stupid that will ruin his plans. As he walked towards Kaustubh's room he saw Amita come out. On seeing Ranjeet she looked a little startled.
Amita: Kaustubh has a headache
Ranjeet: Headache? Did he had too much to drink?
Amita: No, just a normal headache, i have just given him medicines.
Ranjit: OK, i guess i ll meet him directly at the premiere, i have another meeting to attend, tell him to come directly at the premiere.
Ranjeet turned to walk and then abruptly turned around to face Amita.
Ranjeet: Can you please make sure he gets ready on time and reaches the premiere venue?
Amita: Yes
Ranjeet: Good, this is an extremely important event and i want him to be at his best.
Amita: I understand, don't worry.
As Ranjeet walked off Amita agreed with what Ranjeet had said, it was an important event for her as well.
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Ram looked at the Premiere pass one more time, he had no heart to go there but he had to take Priya there and did not have an option. He was glad that Ranjeet had atleast backed him, he had seen his talent. With these 3 movies he would atleast find a foothold in the industry. He thought about his mother, if she were alive, she would have been delighted to see his success. His thoughts went to Priya, there was going to be a huge transformation in her life and he was genuinely happy for that. As if on cue, her smile flashed before his eyes, the innocent face full of hope for life. He was excited that tonight when the announcement of his film will be made, Priya will also have the change in her life. He had taken special permission from Amma to escort Priya himself. He had to take her to the hotel where all arrangements had been made. He was glad that he was the one that was going to make a difference to Priya's life. Let her get all the happiness she deserved, he prayed to god before heading out from his room.
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Priya smoothed her pleats one more time. She was nervous as hell and the newness of the attire was not helping either. She tried to imagine the scene in her mind again and again. Will Ram say it after the premiere, before it or during it? Was she supposed to say her feelings right away or take time? She sat down on the bed and tried to relax. She was anyways thinking too much. Let it happen as it had to happen. She stood up and looked herself in the mirror again. The saree looked divine on her, perfectly fitting around her petite frame.
From the door of the room Amma looked at Priya admiring herself. She smiled when she looked at Priya. For the first time in many years she thought about her stillborn child, she had been devastated at that time but Priya had changed it all. Priya had been her reason to live, her reason to go on despite the illness and now she felt she could die in peace. She turned around as she heard footsteps to find Ram coming up the stairs.
Ram: I ll escort Priya
Amma: What time should i expect you both back.
Ram: If you don't mind can we be a little late tonight?
Amma: Ok but keep me informed about it.
Ram: Also i wanted to tell you that Priya and me will be seated away from you all, hope you don't mind.
Amma: I trust you Ram, just make sure you never hurt her.
Ram acknowledged it with a smile as he saw Amma retrace her steps back to the room below. He took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Priya turned around to find Ram standing there looking all handsome in his suit. For a few moments Ram just stood looking at Priya, she looked lovely in the saree, it was as if she had suddenly transformed into a completely different person.
Ram: You look beautiful
Priya smiled at Ram, Thanks, you look good too.
Ram: If you are ready shall we leave?
Priya nodded at Ram as she checked up on her attire one last time.
Ram had brought his old car to take to the premiere. Priya sat in the passenger seat and waited for Ram. Ram started the car and in no time they were out on the road. Priya glanced at Ram, he was concentrating on the road ahead but had not spoken a word. Strange she thought to herself, all her knowledge about love and such kind of relationships were based on the films she had seen. This was the first time she had actually been in this situation and had no clue what to do.
Ram had a hard time concentrating on the road, he had absolutely no idea why he wanted to look at Priya again and again. Suddenly being alone with Priya in the car made him jittery. The best alternative was to look at the road and not say anything. He had everything planned, he will take her to the hotel, where the staff will be ready on the rooftop restaurant. Thinking this he accelerated and took the turn for the hotel.
Priya was a little confused when the car stopped in front of a 5 star hotel. She looked at Ram but saw that he was already out of the car. Priya also stepped out of the car and looked at Ram. Ram gestured Priya to follow him. They walked straight through the entrance and waited.
Priya: Ram, is the premiere here?
Ram: No, but i have ..Ram stopped mid sentence. Do you trust me?
Priya: Yes
Ram: Just come with me Priya.
Ram and Priya walked towards the elevator that took them to the rooftop restaurant. Ram made Priya sit in a private sit out.
Ram: Please be here Priya, i will be back in some time.
Priya: But Ram...
Ram: Please Priya, just trust me..
Priya nodded at Ram. Ram smiled at Priya and made his way outside the restaurant. Once outside he messaged Ranjeet that he had got Priya to the rooftop restaurant.
Ram sat in her car and drove towards the venue. Kaustubh will take over now and by tonight both of them will be happy.
Once Ram was out of the hotel, one of the hotel staff came up to Priya.
Madam, you are to wait in the room.
Priya: Room?
Yes Madam, Ram sir has instructed that you be escorted to the room.
Priya got up from there and just followed the waiter.
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At the premiere there was a lot of activity. Rohan had a reputation in the industry to be a stickler for time and hence everyone had to make sure that they were on time as the premiere would start as stipulated. Ranjeet, Rohan and Kaustubh stood on one side, smiling to the cameras and answering questions. Rohan looked over to the far side where Ram was standing. He knew what he was about to do would shock Ram but it had to be done.
Ranjeet : Kaustubh, make sure that you leave mid way. I ll manage the rest.
Kaustubh: Dad, i am not feeling all that good, can we just
Ranjeet shot a look to Kaustubh which silenced him. He had never seen that look and the message was loud and clear. As the announcement for the film was made, everyone settled into their seats. Rohan's assistant glanced at Rohan once before going on to put the film in the projector. As the lights went off and the credits started rolling, Ranjeet beckoned to Kaustubh who quietly sneaked out. At the back door a car was waiting for him which took him to the hotel. Even as Kaustubh tumbled from the car he felt heavy in his head. The hotel staff escorted him towards the room and messaged Ranjeet.
As the people gathered at the premiere were engrossed in the film the film came to an abrupt halt. Before anyone could know whats happening Priya's image filled up the huge screen.
Priya: I have never know this feeling ever...so many men come and go..but its only you..only you who has touched my heart..my soul..Despite knowing that love is a trap for people like us..i am still standing at its threshold...hopelessly waiting to be sucked inside this emotion...The one thing is was warned of ..the one trap i was to avoid but look at me now..
I know i cannot have you..that our paths are meant to be different..but still whatever little time that our paths crossed i will cherish those moments forever..I cannot say that i would be happy to see you go but i can always say that a part of me will stay with you..forever..
I might never gather the courage to say this to you..but i have fallen in love with you...I love you Ram..i really really do..
Priya's voice and image made Ram look at the screen and he was shell shocked. He did not know what to do or what to say. He just stood rooted to the ground as the lights came up. Rohan walked up to the mike as he addressed Ram directly.
Rohan: This is not the film Ram, its reality. I know you must be amused as to when we shot this, but the fact is that we have not shot it, this was recorded by mistake. Over the past few days i have seen you struggle, i have seen you go through a lot of emotions including of the feeling that i have betrayed you. But the truth is that i have your best intentions at heart. Rohan brought Jagan forward who confessed to changing the movie on the pendrive that had to be submitted. He did it on someone's behest and i am sure you can very well figure out who.
Here what i have with me is your acceptance to the NYC University and what i have on screen is the most heartfelt confession of the purest form of love. This Ram, is a person who has loved you, adored you and who is waiting just for you. Now i would like to call upon Ram and Priya both on stage.
This was the moment when it stuck Ram, that Priya was not in this room. Priya was far away from hi. Infact he was the one who had been responsible to take her there.
To be continued