"Abhimanyu! Abhi! The loud yelling of Daiji snapped the eighteen year old boy from his sweet slumber. Adjusting the bright sunlight as the image of an old lady, with streaks of white hair appeared ahead of him.
"I'll pay later. Abhimanyu mumbled, proceeding to head back to sleep.
"Abhimanyu! They called. His eyes snapped open again, and this time did he really see his landlady with a bright smile. That was unusual, considering she'd only appear when he needed to pay the rent, or to make him lovely food.
"No way! He exclaimed, leaping up to grab the phone, before realising they'd left a voicemail.
He pressed for it to play.
"Hello Mr Rai! So last week you auditioned for the role of Sameer in the upcoming show. Well, we're pleased to tell you that you've got the role! If it's possible, can we meet up today at 1 in the afternoon. We want to start shooting as soon as possible. Congratulations and see you soon. The beep of the end didn't satisfy the joy Abhimanyu felt in that moment.
"I've got the role Daiji! He bounced up, twirling the lady around.
"I'm so happy for you Abhi! You'll finally pay the rent, and you're due for three months! She laughed.
Abhimanyu sighed, "I'll pay with my first salary, promise Daiji.
"I know Abhi, now hurry up, you need to meet up in an hour, get dressed and this make I'll make breakfast, even though it's your turn today.
Abhimanyu hugged Daiji tightly, "Thank you, Daiji, you're the best.
Then she left to carry on with her tasks whilst Abhimanyu got ready. This was it. His first ever big leading role. The first step to his success.
He still remembers that promise his eight year old self made, after being brutally beaten by that bully Karthik. He had managed to escape from that horrifying orphanage at the age of thirteen, when he'd stumbled across Daiji, a widow who has lost her son in war. She'd taken him in, raising him up until he was sixteen and then making him earn his money.
She was the next best thing to a mother, a blessing Abhimanyu could never forget.
He quickly gobbled down his breakfast, much to Daiji's disapproval, but he was already late, and had only ten minutes to get to the studio.
"Goodbye Daiji! He touched her feet, before rushing out and getting on his secondhand motorbike.
It took only a couple of minutes, a few traffic signal breaking, and an angry officer to reach at the appointed spot. His heart thudded loud in his rib cage as he parked his vehicle and headed for the building.
When, as he reached for the handle, it swung open, and if he hadn't dodged he was to get a flat nose. But then his eyes met hers. Brown, chocolate brown crystals. Time slowed, they were both moving, feet in opposite directions, their faces inches away. The surrounding blurred out and he was still captivated by those eyes. Those eyes.
Then it ended as soon as it had begun. He glanced back, but she was already gone. Shrugging, he headed inside. Little did he know that this was only the beginning...
Shiv Shakti
