So, this OS is absolutely lacking on Vitamin R for romance, but its brimming with protein SR, for Self Respect. I started writing this post Kunal's accusation of Vandana using Tara to get to him, and finished writing it yesterday only. Kunal these days is cute and all, but I absolutely stan our FL prioritizing her dreams before any handsome man, any day. So, if you like this part, do share your views because girlpower rocks!
|Takin Back|
For the first time in her life, she had been branded a social climber.
A gold digger.
By a man, who she had thought was her savior.
How wrong she was, though!
A little goading from his ex was all it took him to question her character.
No.
Vandana shook her head, leaning it back against the headboard. The man had never been a friend. She reminded herself, what she had pushed to the back of her mind.
[Bakwas!]
He could hate her voice and still be decent about it. Honesty didn't warrant rudeness. He had disrespected her the first time they had met. He had compared her voice to a bus's horn!
Vandana scoffed as she felt irritation grate on her nerves. Oh, how she had not allowed herself to entertain profanities anymore, once he had become her boss.
Forced boss. Forced by the situations the very man had created.
Disrespect aside, the humiliation he had put her through when he had made her write the contract...he had repeated the same motion today! How dare he!
He could have hell lot of money, but that hardly made him desirable! A man who respected woman, at all costs was far more desirable compared to a man who used weaker people as punching bags.
Kunal Malhotra had truly crossed all limits today.
He lost all reason when it came to two people- his father and Sonia. He believed he was all seeing when in reality, he was blindfolded.
The man was unapologetic! She should not have helped him that eve of diwali. Neither would have Mrunal recorded a misguiding video nor would she have been manhandled by him. He had never apologized for his transgressions really. Yes, he had been helpful on occasions but that didn't absolve him of the mistreatment he had put her through.
[MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCE!]
"Fine! If that's what he wants!" Vandana sat straight, determined. Determined to not be in the man's vicinity any more than needed. Determined to find a way out of Kanak records.
The next few days, Vandana functioned with absolute professionalism. She was there, yet she wasn't. And her urge to get out of Kanak only strengthened the past week, as Kunal's relative Simmi continued to make crude remarks at her. But she simply ignored the woman for her energy needed to be invested in one direction only. Towards her dreams.
In between performing her tasks as P.A, Vandana kept auditioning with various labels. Occasionally Kunal would ignore her erratic disappearance and usually reward her with scathing remarks. And frankly, she couldn't bother with him anymore.
It wasn't easy though; most labels were reluctant to have her. Therefore, following shivam's lecture regarding exploding popularity of content creators on Instagram, Vandana had made herself an account, and with Shivam's help, she had posted three reels in the past two weeks. Social media was a dicey place. With likes, she had also received a lot of unsavory DMs. She only hoped that she could catch a label's interest and receive an offer. An offer that would get her out of Kanak records at the earliest.
And a month and half later, good news came. She received a call; from the last person she would've thought of.
********
Indraneil still couldn't accept the fact that he had lost the sponsorship to Kunal Malhotra. And then there was Sonia. Indraneil groaned. He had become far too complacent and comfortable with the monotony. Sonia had been a mere means of destroying Kunal but apparently, he had become a bit too comfortable with her. She had been right about one thing though; he had lost the deal because he had been too focused on putting down Kunal.
Like, the man was no match for him anymore. A top producer of bygone days, that's who he was. And India wasn't even his home turf!
Indraneil scoffed. It was high time, he focused on what he came to India for. A new album. A fresh face.
"Sir, would you watch this?" His PA, suddenly popped into the cabin then, her outstretched palm eagerly offering her boss her iPad. Bewildered at the lack of manners from his usually well-mannered PA, he took the pad and watched, only to have his eyes blow up in surprise.
"Vandana Karmarkar sings!!" Indraneil exclaimed, replaying the video over and over. Why exactly had Kunal hired a decent voice as a mere PA when she could've been way more profitable?!
The real question though was, why had this video come online now only?
He checked another post on her account and nodded. They weren't on good terms but weren't sworn enemies either. And as far he remembered, he had done her no harm.
And so, he decided to take his chance. The worst she could do, was say No. And that would be her loss, only.
****************
Kunal couldn't let go of this nagging feeling, that something big was going to happen. There had been a prevailing sense of boredom for some time now, and it was ominous, to say in the least.
He was still very uneasy with the fact that Vandana had returned his money, taken back her house papers and resigned from the job. She had refused to divulge the details no matter how much he had pried. Lack of her presence had left his office emptier than before, and it has been two weeks since she had resigned, and he hadn't caught a glimpse of her, nor had he overheard Tara talking to her mimi secretly. It's like Vandana had just upped and walked out of their lives for good.
Isn't that what you had wanted though?
Then what was this sense of loss.
"Bro Veere!" Bobby stormed into Kunal's cabin interrupting his soliloquy and slammed a shimmering envelope on his table.
In response, Kunal looked up questioningly as bobby commented, "It's from Indraneil".
Immediately, Kunal found his fingers moving forward but hesitating still.
It couldn't be....that.
He could hear sonia's voice ringing in his head.
[Ye lo. Sambhalo apni bachhi and sign these divorce papers because I and Indro are getting married]
Still, he pulled out the card from envelope and was almost relieved to see that it was just an invitation to a Launch party. Apparently, his label was launching a new artist, and it was a reveal party for that.
Kunal chucked the card away. He couldn't be bothered with this nonsense.
But in his sideview, he spotted a little slip falling out and bending down picked it up, only to find Indraneil's familiar scribble tarnishing it.
{Dear Kunal, I know you are not inclined to show up, but I insist you do. Because a surprise awaits you.
Awaiting your august presence.
Indraneil }
******************
"C'mon Indro! Talk to me. I am sorry. But, at least tell me about the new face. Why so much mystery?" Sonia whined, trying to get Indraneil's attention, who was busy fixing his hair.
As he was about to reach out for his watch next, Sonia snatched it and grasped his wrist to put it there.
"C'mon, tell me na!" She pouted cutely, making Indraneil laugh.
Oh, how her face was going to deflate. He was very eagerly looking forward to that.
"Patience shona. Because sprouting of patience is sweet", And with that he was gone.
***************
"Are you ready?" Indraneil stood leaning against the doorway of the green room while inside was seated a dusky woman in front of the mirror. Clad in a green sequin saree, hair lying loose in curls, dark red adorning her lips, she made the perfect visage for envy.
"I am nervous and scared".
He nodded, "Understandably so. But you will be fine, because it's my job to make sure of it. And I am good at what I do".
She nodded and slowly, rousing from her chair, turned to face Indraneil. Her smoky green eyes actually caught him off-guard for a moment as she looked up at him. He stretched out his hand then, and soon a slender hand was clasped in his, as he led her through the corridor towards the stairs.
She could hear the commotion from down below and gulped. The moment she had waited all her life was finally here.
"Smile. Because confidence conquers", Indraneil whispered as his lips stretched into a self-assured smirk as the duo reached the top of stairs and suddenly the lights went out, and the music stopped.
Every guest in attendance, clamored in the sudden enveloping darkness as their flashlights started coming alive one by one.
Kunal saw bobby do the same and was carelessly looking around when his ears perked up to the distinct clacking of heels and boots echoing the sudden stillness. Apparently, everyone heard it too, as flashlights started turning to the direction of stairs, one by one.
Sonia narrowed her eyes as two silhouettes descended the stairs, one in suit and another in saree.
Duniya main, logon ne
dil apne fir thaame
aaya hu..lekar main
Fir kitne hangame~~
Indraneil's voice echoed through the darkness, as parts of his and his company's face shone in the dark.
Sonia's eyes widened when the mystery woman's face was illuminated for a second, and she found herself pushing forward through the crowd.
"Mujhko pehchanlo
Main hoon kaunn~~"
The music came back at that moment as Don's tune reverberated the halls and soon, a spotlight lit up on the woman, making the glass of water slip from Kunal's hands.
In the next moment, all the lights came back and Sonia and Kunal could see, what they could not believe.
"Ladies and Gentleman!" Indraneil's voice echoed over the mike, as he pulled at a string and curtains lifted from the huge boards that till now had been hidden.
"Presenting to you, Bezubaan's new artist, Vandana Karmarkar!!"
And there, Kunal saw Vandana standing in all her glory, her face glowing with a smile while her life-sized posters now decorated the hall. The one behind her specifically, being of her holding veena, doing her riyaaz.
Reporters and media, immediately surrounded the duo and started taking pictures as Indraneil, once again forwarded his hand for Vandana and both descended the last two steps, into the awaiting crowd.
Sonia couldn't believe it! What had Indraneil done!!
Kunal couldn't look away. Vandana and Indraneil were working together! How?!
His shocked eyes did manage to meet with hers for a split second, but she looked away instantly, her focus shifting to the media.
It was after an hour of being hounded by media, that Vandana finally had some space as Indraneil took her around the room, introducing her to some very renowned names in the field.
The introductions would have carried on some more when Sonia intervened and Indraneil walked away excusing himself. Vandana walked away too, eager to nurse her throat with water. If only, baba hadn't fallen ill suddenly, he would've been ecstatic to see his daughter debut with such grandeur.
Gesturing the passing waiter, as she took a glass of water, a familiar man stepped in front of her, and she looked up to see Kunal Malhotra looking at her. With a condescending smile.
"Mujhse badla le rahi ho?"
Her brows furrowed in confusion as he uttered those words, and she smiled, wiping her lips.
"Agar meri success aapko badla lagti hai, that's not my problem". She remarked in a matter-of-fact voice and turned to walk away when his words stopped her.
"Even after you know, he ruined me. You are with him, even after knowing what he did!" He was trying hard to control his temper.
"Yes, even after knowing all that, I am working with him. Because, what has your history with him got to do with me. I was offered a chance to make my mark. Must I decline it for a man, who had once put me down saying that I will never make it. Where's the catch?"
"He is using you!" Kunal shouted exasperated.
"And I am using him. Don't we all use each other? I am using him to become No. 1. You used me to have your revenge. I used you to save my house. Give and take, is how the world works" Another deadpan response.
"He is doing this to destroy me!"
And Vandana laughed, "You make it sound as if Indraneil poached me from your label or something. You never wanted me as a singer, he did. Where do you even fit in this equation?"
Before Kunal could speak more, Vandana raised her finger to stop him. " I have a performance coming up next, so I'd rather not stress my vocals".
"My star, there you are!" Indraneil came up from behind her then, only to see Kunal standing opposite to her.
"Oh, hey Kunal! You actually came! How's the surprise, huh?" He asked smug and Vandana turned to leave.
She had made it perfectly clear to Indraneil that she wanted no part in his and Kunal's enmity. And he had agreed.
"Vandana mimi!!"
Vandana stopped as she heard the voice that made her heart ache and found her fingers being clasped in small ones. But she didn't dare look at Tara and looked at Indraneil instead, reminiscing their conversation.
["I will initially sign a contract of one year only. I am grateful for the opportunity you are giving me, but I don't know how you are going to treat me as an artist. I've already worked under a terrible boss, and I can't be doing that again".
"Alright, take your time. And just to put it out there, I won't be your boss exactly. We are in this together. I am as good as your manager. To hone your raw skills and make them marketable is my job. So, you don't even have to be formal with me. As an artist, it's imperative that we share a certain level of understanding. And I promise to give you the right environment for that'.
Vandana nodded and hesitated before speaking next. "Also, I need a signing amount of 25 lakh".
And the next thing she heard was rustling as Indraneil took out cheque book from his drawer, entered the amount and tearing the cheque, kept it in front of her.
She looked at him, baffled. "You won't ask me, why I need it?"
Indraneil shrugged, leaning back. "I don't think you are inclined to tell me. I am sure you have your reasons".
"But I have not signed the contract yet?"
"Will you not?" He tilted his head and she replied, "No, of course, I am going to but-
"It's fine then", he nodded and added next, "That's me making an effort to win your trust but-
"But?"
"What are you going to do about Tara?"
She was baffled from the tangent this conversation had taken, "What do you mean?"
Indraneil sighed, "You are emotionally attached to Tara. That in itself would not have been a bad thing but Kunal doesn't approve, I am told. I believe there's more to your and Kunal's equation, than I know. And as your producer, I believe it's in your best interest that you keep your distance from Tara. It's just some advice. Take it or leave it. Your choice".
"I-but I love her", Vandana crazily missed Tara, and cried over the calls she had not taken the past month.
"I know and that's the problem. You love a child who is not yours. The father doesn't approve. The mother is, well alive and actively a part of her life. I feel that it's too much of an emotional burden rather than support. My question is, why must you struggle to carve a place where you are not needed? You don't know when Tara will leave your life. All I want to say is, let her not hold you down in any way. I am signing you up, because I want to be No.1 and so do you".]
Vandana unclasped Tara's fingers from hers and looked straight ahead, "I will get ready for my performance".
And as Indraneil nodded, she walked away.
"Well, I should take my leave too", Indraneil too bowed out, and walked off.
****************
As Vandana walked down the stage amidst roaring applause, she found herself being dragged behind a pillar and coming face to face with Sonia.
"Since it didn't work out with Kunal, you are after Indro now?!" The woman accused right off the bat, but before Vandana could pry her fingers off her wrist, Indraneil came in between and pulled off her hand instead.
He smiled tightly at Sonia and turning to Vandana addressed her, "Why don't you check out the photos with Ria? I think they'll be needing a few more".
As Vandana retreated, Indraneil glowered at Sonia and hissed, "What part of 'stay away from her', do you not understand?"
"Leave my hand! How could you do this to me?" she shouted hysterically.
Indraneil let go off her instantly and scoffed, "I am not the one pining after the man I abandoned, as far as I recall. Be warned Sonia, if you want to work with me, be productive, or leave. Don't be a dead weight and force me to cut you off. And fair warning Sonia, it'd be in your best interest to watch your behavior around Vandana. She is working with me now, and any disrespect towards her is disrespect towards me. So, watch it".
And then he stormed off.
*****************
"Your flight is at 6 tomorrow, so the car will be picking you up at 3.30".
"Okay, thanks Ria", and with that Vandana cut the call, and walked out onto the rooftop.
Tomorrow was her true beginning. First day of her music video shoot, in Kashmir, no less. She was absolutely thrilled and very much looking forward to it.
She was going to begin afresh and leave her mark for sure.
She was going to be the No. 1.
Hope you all will like it!
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