Stellar Affair : Part 6

It looked too good to be true. In a summer swanky outfit with the sea in front and him. Oh yes him! He and his chizzled body. He came near and leaned forward. 'Hey there', he spoke sounding as amorous as his movie dialogues. 'Stop right there!' I wanted to scream but who on earth says no to this man. It was all so enchanting but suddenly the beach echoed with an unusual voice. The voice was getting louder and louder. And the man that stood in front of me, oh lord! His face disfigured and turned into a Blackberry. 'What on earth?', I yelled. Indeed my eyes opened, my god forsaken Blackberry was ringing as if the world had come to an end. I checked the call log. And who else could ring me at 3:48 am except for this animal. I called him back. 'What is it Ayan?' I asked, still in my half dreamy tone.

'Were you sleeping?', he said.

'No, no. Just doing Bhangra' , I replied (sarcasm).

'Oh! Shireen don't you think this is an odd time to dance?' he asked. What do you call a male-dumb-not blond man? This man was just so smart.

'What is your work at this hour? This is the fifteenth time in eight weeks that you've called!' I said, sounding to be rude when actually I am pleased. He and I had some late night chemistry. We talked like kids in the night.

'Do you think I am ugly?' he asked.

'What?'

'No, there is this chick here next to me who said I was ugly'

'Where are you again?' I asked.

'Hmm..Puglia', he answered innocently. 

'What on earth are you doing in Puglia?' I raised my voice.

'You have commitments to follow!'

'I am just taking a break'

'By flying to Italy! Are you out of your mind! Listen, if you don't get your arse back here on Monday, I swear it would be your last day on earth!'

'Do you know how sexy you sound on the phone? Especially when you're angry' he teased.

'Shut up!' his flirty little comments had become usual. I know he didn't mean a word of it but it still got a smile on my face. 'Shireen Sharma, I am still your boss and paying you for your bread. Be nice to me', trying so hard to sound stern. 'Just be here on Monday!' 'You didn't answer the question' 'No, you're not ugly' 'Seriously?' 'Yes, now goodnight!' and I cut the phone. 

Only two months had passed and I got to know so much about this soul. He was like any typical actor; the one who arrives late to the sets, who doesn't follow time tables but ultimately gives his best. The producers cried over his unprofessional work ethics but they knew he would set everything right. He was infamously known for his hothead nature, but only because he is true to himself and the world. He doesn't portray a good boy image because he knows he isn't. He doesn't play the bad guy either, he is Ayan Kishore. The man who thinks only when required. And that happens occasionally. I may sound like his lawyer, but the truth is, he is just like any ordinary guy. He has the same insecurities like we all do. He gets emotionally attached to people and often gets his heart broken, so he decided not to give his heart to anyone. I still don't know what kind of a relation we have, in the initial months he was arrogant ass.

 He treated me like his servant and gave me the worst experience of being with him. When I had it too much I talked to the manager and asked him to release my contract. 'But Shireen its a six month deal', he said.

'He doesn't own me!' I argued and left the place. I had decided to leave Bombay then and there, I didn't think of the law suit he could file against me, all I knew I had been treated unjustly. The following day, Ayan had personally come to apologise. He said he wasn't used to people holding onto him. And from that day, we became pro-fro. Something he likes to call me, his pro-fro. 

He and I continued with our discussions time to time. He revealed only little about his inner self but the exterior was well known to me. He hadn't recalled anything about the school days, I didn't mind it either. He and I were clearly not the best of friends then. We still aren't. I treat him like my employer mostly, especially when in front of the world. Apparently, he is single as his leading lady is going around with some other co-star. Tabloids report link-ups daily. He gets excited when he gets paired with some hot actress. But usually he doesn't give a shit what anyone says about him. Also, he bitches like a girl about his contemporaries.

'Ayan, don't bitch in public. It will only drag unwanted attention', I had adviced him this before his big release. He tried and succeeded.

 

Waking up every morning in the same hotel room had made me sick. I wanted a change, so I decided to look for an apartment for myself, and as it is I had four months left on my contract. Usually at every Sunday I would crash at my cousin's place. But this time I tried to take out time for my friends. Friends from school who had settled in Bombay. 

***

Meeting them after eight-nine years seemed so exciting. Most of them had settled, I and Naina were the only girls who remained. Naina, who I hadn't talked in the past one month. She hadn't called, nor did I get the time.

'So Shireen, what brings you here?', asked Rohit

'Oh! I am here for a work related assignment' I answered, with the right amount of element of truth.

'What like?', the laughter in the group had subsided and everyone looked straight at me.

'It's for the firm I worked for. However, stuff related to the job is clearly under a non-disclosure agreement'

Now, for people who are working as engineers and accountants, non-disclosure meant Greek and Latin.

'Hey remember Ayan from school?!' and the eyes rolled onto Tara, one of our gang member.

'Kishore? The film actor, who doesn't?' Rohit answered.

'I am sure Shireen remembers him the best' Sahil scorned. For a moment my throat went dry. How could they know? My heart throbbed.

'Oh yes! The talent show' said everyone in unison. I paused, trying to understand what exactly was the topic of discussion.

'You all know?', I asked, clearly clueless.

'Yeah, we all know. Naina opened up at the last reunion. The one you missed', replied another friend.

'How's Naina anyway? Shireen aren't you and her still in touch?' Sahil asked

'Yeah, we are. Raunak and her are still going good', I spoke.

'Are they? I thought they had hit the end' replied Sahil.

'Why would you say that?' I asked

'Wasn't Raunak interested in you after all?' suggested Rohit and looked towards me. 

'No, that wasn't the case at all. All utter nonsense', I rubbished the rumour, which as a matter of fact very true. The only secret I kept from Naina. The only thing I didn't want her to know. 

After a few hours of more gossip exchange, we all bid each other good bye. After talking to them I had to this urge to call Naina and I did. The phone kept on ringing when finally someone picked it up.

'Naina?'

'I AM GETTING MARRIED!'

To be continued...