Chapter 18

The car dropped her home outside the gates of her housing society, and KB only nodded expressionlessly as she thanked him and got out of the vehicle. No ‘goodbye’ or ‘see you soon’ nothing, and she wondered if she had got her hopes high.

As she walked swiftly towards her house, the cacophony of the children playing in the quadrangle between the society’s buildings didn’t affect her thoughts. Instead, she teared up, wondering what went wrong. Was she hallucinating KB’s interest in her? If yes, she had been the greatest fool on earth to give in to her desires. She reflexly touched her lips which still felt sore from his ravaging earlier that day.

As she climbed up a couple of steps to reach her ground floor house, she saw the door open and many footwear outside. What on earth? The memories of the day her father had passed flooded back, and her heart thudded.

But she stood at the entrance and saw her aunt distribute sweets to the neighbors gathered, even as her mama looked on uncomfortably.

“Oh, here comes our princess…” Maami squealed, startling her, and held her hand, dragging her inside the house. “…Look, Kajal, they have all come to wish you on the engagement. I teated them to motichoor laddoos. But, of course, it’s so expensive… but then it’s not every day that your niece gets engaged to a TV star. And do you know how many gifts they gave us…?”

“…That’s enough…” Her mama interrupted and released her hand. “…Kajal must be tired. Go inside and take a rest, beta.”

That was the respite Kajal needed to gather her thoughts, and she rushed inside. However, it was not to be. Poonam caught her in the way. Holding her hand and looking around, Poonam said, “Wow… this is a lovely saree, and have you seen the number of likes your viral pics have got? I have put up mine too… I got a record number of followers…”

“…Tai, I am tired, so…” She tried pulling her hand away.

“Fine, fine… I know you are a superstar’s fiancé and all that. But don’t forget who you really are and the arrangement. Do you think someone like KB will ever fall for the likes of you? Just wearing a designer saree and makeup will not hide who you are… remember that.”

“I have not forgotten that, but it looks like you have. You had to rely on me doing this to salvage your alliance, hadn’t you?”

Poonam looked menacing as she tightened her grip on Kajal’s hand, and the glass bangles Kajal had worn cracked, causing her pain, and she cringed.

“you have learned to talk back, haven’t you? You aren’t doing me any favor… you are living and breathing because of my father… else you have heard stories in orphanages and young women’s homes, haven’t you? You would have been on the roads, both you and that parasite of your brother, and eventually, you would have landed up in some brothel. So giving up a year of your life for us is nothing….” She let go of her hand, and even as Kajal held the bleeding wound, Poonam continued her rampage. “…Don’t forget you will be a rich woman, richer than all of us put together next year, and your brother gets set in life too. So once again, Miss Melodrama, you have to thank me…” She humphed and walked away, leaving Kajal to wallow in her miseries tearfully.

She got into her room and shut the door behind her, glad that Krunal wasn’t home. She had pooled in everything she had and completed his hostel formalities that morning before going for her engagement. Maami had been too blindsided by the bling she was facing, to object to the decision. She had even lent her the extra few thousand without having to ask twice.

Kajal changed into her nightgown and tied up her hair. Her tears didn’t seem to stop. She held the saree close… it still had his citrus fragrance, and it reminded her of the moment of togetherness in his room, which had raised her hopes, taken her to a whole new pinnacle, and now she had been ruthlessly thrown down the cliff making her struggle to gather her bearings.

She was a hopeless case, she sniffled her tears away. Sharp pain in her wrist got her back to the present. Poonam was right, she thought as she applied a bandaid to the cut. She had forgotten for a moment who she really was… she was just Kajal, a simple middle-class young woman who had dreams for her brother and herself. Finally, she made up her mind. That was what she was going to focus now on, making her dreams come true, and KB was only a catalyst…

She switched on her phone, and it pinged with an email notification among the others.  It was from the HR department of Sharanya Productions. They called her for an interview scheduled next morning. Kajal immediately felt better and mailed them her acceptance, hoping it wasn’t late. Instead, she got a quick reply giving her the time and the floor.

Kajal kept everything aside and inhaled deeply. She had to focus on two things at the moment, getting this job and finishing her final exams. The rest of the world, except for her brother, didn’t matter to her…

Krunal called her almost the next minute.

“Hey… how’s the hostel?”

“Tai… are you Ok?” he sounded serious.

“Of course, dear, I miss you, but I am fine. Why do you ask?”

“Tai I saw those pictures online, and I felt uncomfortable, I have become a mini-celebrity here as well, and thankfully many don’t know you are my sister… yet. But I am worried about you, tai… I hope you aren’t getting into something you shouldn’t, just for me. If so… just forget all this. We will manage like we have been doing all these years.”

Kajal teared up yet again. Her brother had become mature. “No darling, it’s nothing like that. You focus on your studies all right? Next year after you finish tenth grade, I promise you can live with me until you want… OK?”

Kunal chuckled, and his soft voice coming across the receiver sounded like music to her ears. That laughter was worth her sacrifice. He told her about his day, and they disconnected. She kept checking her messages for the next hour, but there was no text from him, except congratulatory messages from her college friends. She soon slept off holding the saree and dreaming about the handsome cryptic man she could never have.

The following day, she walked into the huge glass building of Sharanya Productions Ltd. Before she got into the stunning entrance, she looked around. The bougenveilla drapped surrounding compound wall with flower-filled bushes lining the ground beneath neatly trimmed brought life into the place. She walked into the foyer as  a blast of air hit her head, tickling her neck!.

She wrote her name in the visitor book and waited for her turn. The lobby was filled with people who looked like wannabe actors or writers from the looks of them. Amidst the murmurs, she looked at the walls filled with posters of the company’s different movies or TV soaps. There was a vast podium dedicated to housing the innumerable awards won by Rugved Choudhry and the production house across categories.

Kajal smiled in awe, and finally, her eyes rested on a life-size portrait of the most beautiful young girl she had ever seen. The eyes full of life beaconed her, and she walked towards the picture.

She read the name below in beautiful lettering.

 Sharanya Choudhry… eighteen forever…

Oh goodness, that meant the girl was no more? Was she related to Rugved Choudhry?

Before she could think more, her name was called, and she was asked to see the HR on the seventh floor.

Her interview was a formality and a cakewalk because she loved literature, and once they confirmed her position, she was asked to see Rugved in his office on the same floor. Soon she was sitting in his office as he attended to a call after indicating her to take a seat.

The colossal office had the looks of a typical producer’s office like she had often seen when she was with Rhapsody. But in addition to the filmy paraphernalia;lining the walls and the screaming decors, there was a huge couch too.

Once he finished the call, he plonked himself on the couch. The golden velvet cover, along with the shining brown throw pillows brought made him stand out. Rugved was immaculately dressed in a striped suit combination, and she didn’t know if anyone else could carry himself with the poise the actor radiated… well except maybe KB. No… she wouldn’t go there.

She looked around to see the same portrait of the beautiful girl, but of a smaller size, and here it was garlanded by fresh mogras. So that was the source of scent in the office. She smiled. Her aai loved mogra too and her baba made it a point to bring her a gajra every time he came home after a gap. Good old days… she sighed.

“That’s… my sister. Sharanya. I named this production house after her. She dreamed of being an actress someday.. But fate had other plans.” Rugved spoke softly, staring at the photo. Oh God… that was so sad… Kajal’s heart broke to hear of a young life snuffed out too soon. She couldn’t even fathom the grief the girl’s parents must have gone through if Rugved’s forlorn expressions were any indication.

“I am sorry to hear that…” She spoke softly.

He waved his hand and looked at her with a slight smile on his lips.

“It was a long time ago. Ne ways welcome to the company. I was told the interview is done with. So you will be joining next month onwards post your exams, right?”

“Yes and after my… marriage…” She added

“Ah… about that. Well, this job won’t be paying you as much as Rhapsody did, and now that you are set to tie the knot, is KB aware of this?”

Did she detect skepticism in Rugved’s voice? “Um… yes, of course. KB knows. He doesn’t have a problem with this.”

Rugved frowned and gave her a look she couldn’t make sense of. “Look, Ms. Kajal, I don’t know what the scene is…”

“…I beg your pardon?” what was he talking about?

“Your marriage scene. KB of all the people? I don’t intend to sound condescending, but he isn’t someone to commit to a woman. I have to say I am surprised, given what I saw the other day at the studio. Are you under any pressure Ms. Kajal? Is that man threatening you? Are you forced into anything…?”

“Sir… with due respect, I don’t want to discuss my personal life. However, I assure you that my marital obligations won’t interfere with my work. I will work hard and not give you any reason to complain.”

He looked taken aback, but the expression was soon replaced with an all-business one.

He raised his palms in mock surrender and nodded. He placed a call, and in a short while filled with uncomfortable silence in the cabin, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in…” Rugved spoke curtly

The door opened, and a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair walked in. OMG… Ashwin Acharya, the outstanding award-winning writer? Kajal couldn’t believe her eyes. Was she dreaming? She seemed to be doing that a lot these days.

“Come in, Ashwin ji…” Rugved gestured him to take a seat. “… this is Ms. Kajal, your newest protégé. I hope you both will share a harmonious relationship.”

Ashwin Acharya gave her an insignificant look and cleared his throat. “Rugved, which project is she going to assist me in?”

“I have thought of the new drama kickstarting next month. ‘Adhuri kahani’ The love story with a  twist… What do you think? She is new, and we can do with fresh ideas.”

Ashwin ji nodded and agreed. Then, after discussing a few details, they left the room together, and soon she was out of the building.

As she walked outside the enormous building, she saw the gathered people had swelled outside the gates, and there was some uproar as people screamed about giving one chance to their script or acting talent. There were young girls with dreams in their eyes and dejection written over their faces. They probably had come to Mumbai hoping of a bright future in Bollywood but couldn’t find a foothold.

She said a silent prayer to Bappa. So her situation wasn’t bad after all.

A year from now, she could be independent, and this work experience would secure her admission to her dream college in the UK, where she wanted to pursue her Master’s studies.

All would be fine if life were a bed of roses

But then, man proposes, and God disposes.

©priyagole

Chapter 17

“oh wow… Monopoly? You like to play this one?” Kajal exclaimed as she held up the slightly tattered box.

She was looking around his bedroom, which was probably the size of three-fourth of her home. She saw him blush and look away. Something was way too different about him today. The man was an enigma, no doubt, but today she saw another side of him. He wasn’t the arrogant star she had seen so far. He didn’t force himself on her vulnerability. She knew she was developing feelings for him because he was the first man who had touched her mind-body-soul.

But she had to be careful, or she would get burnt to ashes. She couldn’t get attached to him or his kind grandmother, who had showered her with love in the past couple of hours that she had never seen after her mother left. Despite her failing health and the old grandfather in a coma, the lady had seen to it that Kajal was comfortable and well-fed.

Ajji had asked KB to show Kajal his room, which was his true face according to her. KB had just made a face of annoyance and moved away. Kajal had chuckled and wandered into his room, checking out his framed pictures on the wall. Surprisingly there was only one picture of his from his younger days, and she wondered why. Would she ever know?

From what she had researched during her period with Rhapsody, there was nothing about him available from before the last eight years. All that was available was news about his initial struggle and how he became the most sought-after show stopper for designers and ad film directors and then his foray into mainstream TV. He had done a few side roles for movies, but he had tasted success only on the small screen. Most of the information available was only restricted to his flings and drunken brawls.

But she had never sensed him to be a drunk every time she had met him so far. Did he have any vices she didn’t know of? She shuddered but then, she needn’t have worried. She would be busily confined to her room or at work most of the time. She was yet to hear from Rugved’s office, but she hoped to get the job.

Though KB’s grandmother had given her a platinum credit card with a reservoir for a limit, she wasn’t keen on using it. Besides the fact that it was in KB’s name, she didn’t want to milk the guy dry… she wasn’t in it for the purpose. She was glad to get what was agreed upon… that made her cringe already.

She had found a rack of old books like Hardy Boys, TinTin, and a few board games. She was surprised as though he had never outgrown those or a phase of his life was not documented anywhere was something not to be spoken about. Whatever it was, she had the gut feeling he was a kind soul and probably was misunderstood… was it a PR gimmick? He constantly lived under scrutiny. She was glad he didn’t insist she did too… she would have felt suffocated.

She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t see him walk towards her. He took the game from her hand and looked at it with a forlorn expression.

“This was my father’s gift to me. For my 12^th birthday… I never played the game as such, but I have kept it more for his memory…”

“I am sorry… is shouldn’t have spoken about it… I didn’t know.” She turned to move.

“Let’s play?” He abruptly spoke, and she stopped.

“What?”

“You seem to know the game… let’s play…we have a few hours before the press meet… so why not just relax?” he looked at her with a look that reminded her of a little kid asking, for candy.

She smiled and nodded.

For the next hour, they played the game, sitting on the bed, and she was lost in fun. He wasn’t KB the star nor was she Kajal, the prospective contract bride who had just been engaged in a hush hush ceremony. They were just two kids involved in a game testing their business acumen, and though Kajal didn’t have much experience, she found herself enjoying every moment. KB looked carefree, a far cry from the snobbish personality she had experienced.

He was right; she was now relaxed and they spoke about her likes and dislikes and he cracked her up making fun of her choices of colours, movies and food. She burst out laughing, and he kept regaling her with a few tales from his shoots where he had freak accidents. She didn’t know when they came closer as he sprawled next to her balancing himself on his elbows. She was laid back and inclined to the backrest of the bed, and suddenly they looked at each other.

Kajal’s heart paced, and she turned to move, but he held her arm, pulling her on top of him.  She balanced herself on his chest and stared into his molten eyes. The fury was back now… there was something there she couldn’t fathom still, but she was getting pulled into them by the minute. He palmed her face with one hand, and she leaned into its warmth. Then, with the other hand, he dragged her closer, and soon her lips touched his.

This was not rushed like the last time, but she could feel the slow combustion… moving up her body now in close contact with his. Holding her in his arms and not breaking contact, he explored her softness with his tongue even as he turned over. She didn’t know her hands had a will of their own as they circled his neck, bringing him closer, monopoly long forgotten.

He gently bit her lower lip and sucked at, and she pulled him closer to her feeling his taut chest against her soft ones. Her breasts wanted to break through their barriers and feel him… she gasped at the intensity of her desires. She didn’t know she had any. He stopped the kiss and looked into her eyes. He kissed her forehead, a gesture she hadn’t expected from him, and her eyes filled. Something about the gesture spoked volumes of the brimming tenderness in his heart and she wondered if it wasn’t just a mirage.

“Kajal…” he whispered, sending shivers down her body. “…while I want nothing more than to take you right here, I know you aren’t ready… so… let’s prepare for the upcoming event, shall we…?”

She could only nod at his consideration. Yet, for all her wicked thoughts and bravado, deep beneath, she was scared. She shut her eyes to prevent the tears from escaping the boundaries.

“hey…” he spoke softly, palming her face. He was till close, and she could inhale and feel him. “…are you upset with what just happened? I am.. sorry… I …” he fumbled with words.

She shook her head. “No… not that..” she hoarsely said, placing her palm on his.

“Kajal, look at me, please” he was so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. Letting caution to the wind, she opened her eyes, and the stream of tears made their journey downwards.

He wiped her tears and helped her sit up. He leaned on the bed rest and held her close to him. She placed her head on his chest and felt her turmoil drain away, washing her fears along with it. She had never felt so secure in her life before, ever since her mother had left.

KB didn’t speak anything. He just held her close, rubbing her other arm as if he already knew what was troubling her. She knew he was hurt too… physically, emotionally… she only didn’t know the hows and the whys. She didn’t know if she even had the right to know anything personal about him. She just hoped, like how he made her comfortable and made her feel better, forgetting all her troubles for a while, she could help him someday.

About half an hour later, the makeup artists and the hairstylists came over to prep them up for the show they had to put up before the scribes. The event was to be held on the lawn right outside the bungalow.

Kajal was taken to another room and helped into a grey designer saree with pink floral motifs. Her hair… well they took an hour to do something with it along with her make-up while she sat still. The outcome was that her hair felt softer, and oh God, there were tints in it. They were made wavy and fell on one side of the shoulder. She wore a sleeveless blouse and felt a bit coy…. Would KB like it? She shook her head, chuckling. Since when was she interested in what KB thought?

Filling the stilletoes, she stood tall, admiring the finishing touches to her look when there was a knock at the door. Her heart fluttered as if it knew KB was here.

The door opened, and she turned to look at who it was. KB stood staring at her; his words paralyzed on his tongue. Then, suddenly gathering himself, he nodded at the make-up and hair artists as they left the room. He walked towards her and gave a side smile while she looked down, blushing. She hoped he wouldn’t hear her heart galloping at the rate of 120 kilometers per hour!

He looked gorgeous too like he always did. It was a simple buttoned-down shirt and faded blue jeans, and her limited fashion sense said it complimented her look. She was swooning over him, so he would have looked great to her, even in rags.

As they approached the area, the little dais built for them, the shutterbugs clicked away, and she was suddenly thrown back to the first-day fiasco with the press. She halted in her tracks, and KB looked back. He walked back to her and held her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers.

“Don’t worry Kajal…. We have got this sorted. They are only looking at you because you look a million bucks now!! So chill”

She laughed at his compliment and felt lighter. Then, they walked towards the central place directed by the organizer and were asked to pose.

Many questions were fired in quick successions precisely as they had anticipated, and KB answered them with his practiced poise. Finally, they posed with fingers upwards, showing their rings. The gathered crowd roared.

A while later, as they turned around to leave the area, one of them asked.

“KB, what about Hetal?”

They halted in their tracks. Kajal’s heart fell. How could she forget his latest arm candy?

He turned towards the crowd and smiled. “As you all can see, I am engaged to Ms. Kajal… we met on the sets in a professional capacity and fell in love… whether you want to call it a whirlwind romance, love at first sight… I leave it to you. So everything else is past, and Kajal is my present and the future. I think that should answer all the doubts!”

He turned back and took her hand, walking briskly back to the bungalow.

Though he didn’t say anything, Kajal could feel the change in the atmosphere… he had withdrawn into his shell, and the easy-going camaraderie was now gone. Did Hetal mean that much to him? He could have married the woman… Hetal swooned over him anyways.

So why did he agree to marry her, and all they just shared that evening was it all fake?

Ajji came to see her off and made her promise to visit her at least once before the wedding. Given the condition of his grandfather, the ceremony was to be a simple affair.

Kajal nodded, still disturbed that KB hadn’t said a word even when he accompanied her in the car as the driver took them to drop her home. He had frozen and was completely locked up as if possessed by another spirit.

As she watched the crimson sky changing its shade as the dusk passed and the darkness replaced it totally, she wondered if there was any similarity with the man next to her who had changed his shades… he was all dark now.

She rode on the exuberant bandwagon filled with love and desire

The start of a relationship marred by doubts spreading like wildfire…

©priyagole

Chapter 16

The fast and furious breeze slapped his doped face as he lay on the roof of the car. He was tied down to it, but strangely he liked it. Gyan was the designated driver as usual, and they had partied enough to last a life time… Ruhaan was weeping and laughing as though he was hysterical. The guy was probably stoned. And where was that pretty chick who had followed them into the car? He had tried to get rid of her in the party itself but she had tagged along… she had been whispering something into his ears about some exams… what exams? Did they know each other? He didn’t think so… suddenly, the car rocked to a halt, and he looked up to see they were in quicksand and the car was sunk to its wheels… oh God…. The car would soon drop entirely and he was tied and couldn’t make a move.

Where on earth were Gyan and Ruhaan? What were they doing? Suddenly he heard the murmurs creaking through the night and lifted his head. In the brightness of his headlight, he saw Gyaan and Ruhaan… yes, they were his friends. He recognized the cowboy pants that Gyan always wore and gifted that T-shirt that Ruhaan wore that night… it was an original Louis Vuitton. The guy was brand crazy… wait, why was he only seeing their bodies? As they approached the car, he almost had a stroke. They were just bodies… without heads. He tried to scream but it lodged in his throat… And his phone rang… what the Fuck? Riiiiinnnnnng…..

KB gasped as he jerked up awake, his shirt wet with sweat sticking to his body despite the full blast of AC. He was panting as the tentacles of the nightmare began to release him. He had this one after a long time. He often had visions like whenever he got behind the wheel at night, he would feel he was crashing into a wall and would begin to palpitate. So he now had a driver. He barely drove around without panic setting in… he had almost given up driving. His therapist had told him to face the fears and rationalize them, but it was easier said than done. Every time the scenes of the accident a decade ago came to haunt him… they were triggered by anything eventful in his lousy life.

He knew what triggered the nightmare this time. He got out of the cot and walked to the living room. It was 2 AM, and he knew sleep would only be playing hide and seek with him. Gulping a glass of chilled water, he sat in the dark confines of the living room. Kajal was the trigger this time… in fact, ever since she had maneuvered her way into his mind, he had had emotional roller coasters which threw him off balance. He had punished himself a couple of times. But he had to halt because he had the condom ad shoot and couldn’t risk showing off his new injuries.

But he didn’t have any shoot where he had to bare his back anytime soon, and it was the right time to inflict some chastisement physically. His offense this time? He had been genuinely happy since last evening.

His ajji had only mentioned some woman coming over to visit them, and he had been planning his moves. He had developed cold feet and had wanted to get out of the marriage, fund money or not. His heart was stuck with Kajal, and until she stayed, there wouldn’t be room for anyone else. Of course, he didn’t deserve a pure and innocent soul like her, nor would he ever approach her.  He would watch her from a distance. Besides, all he had done was only put her off.

But he had seen Kajal seated next to his ajji the moment he had entered the room and all his plans went for a toss. He suddenly yearned for something… someone… he desired Kajal. She brought out all the dormant emotions, phallic and the contrary ones and he didn’t want that.

But at the same time, if he could think of anyone sharing his life for an entire year, it was Kajal. She had agreed as well, and all he wanted was to take her in his bedroom right there. He didn’t know since when he had turned into a horny maniac lusting after her.

He had judged that lady accompanying Kajal, and she seemed shrewd and conniving. He wasn’t surprised Kajal had agreed. The lady must have pressurized her and pulled strings for money. After their encounter the last morning, he had been happy and contented after ages as he had gone to bed last night.

And then he had the nightmare reminding him why he didn’t deserve to be happy. He was a murderer… his friend’s untimely deaths were on him. They had their lives snuffed out because he had been adamant. He should have died as well… As for that young girl that night… he didn’t even know who she was. Her identity was never known. And his grandfather had covered up everything. The police archives had only a mention of an accident in which all four had died.

Bottom line… this life was just something he had got ‘by chance’. He had no right to an iota of bliss… let alone marriage for love. As he was engulfed by grief threatening to drown him, he undressed right there and walked into his ‘room’ upstairs. As he got inside his special den, he walked to the assorted whips. He picked up his newest possession, a leather whip with a  glass handle. It was the perfect one for the Dom in him.

Tonight however, he was role-playing both the Dom and his Sub… He was the sub needing the severest of punishments.  He picked up a couple of nipple clamps and fastened them on his tits. These were the high-intensity ones with sharp edges, and they bit into his skin the moment he constricted his chest. Right then, he flogged himself, the pain increasing multifold with the clamping on his chest… He raised the frequency of hits till his hands ached and tears streamed down his stubble. Finally, he threw the whip down and removed the clamps, watching his bruised self in the mirrors facing each other, reflecting him numerous times.

He collapsed on the floor and took the fetal position coiling into himself as he sobbed… for his friends, for himself and that though he was sure he was in love with Kajal, he couldn’t do anything about it except make her despise him like he always did.

Kajal’s vision in that saree that brought out her curves in a delectable manner made him hard instantly. He walked to the attached bath and stood beneath the cold shower piercing his newly inflicted wounds, but nothing brought down his arousal.

Holding his shaft, he visualized Kajal on her haunches before him taking his manhood into the warmth of her mouth. Then, in the next moment, he roared, his hoarse cry echoing in the bathroom as he sprayed his release on the tiles as it got washed over by the infinite rivulets flowing from the shower.

Wiping himself, he flinched as the soft Turkish bath towel touched his lower back and glutes where he had just imprinted them with the whiplash literally!.

He walked painfully into his bedroom and threw himself into the softness of the mattress. It felt cold, just like his heart did… till it was lit by the smiling flames of the beautiful brown-eyed beauty. He was damned…

Two days later, he sat on the couch at ajji’s place, unable to take his eyes off Kajal. She was dressed in a bright pink georgette saree with a contrasting blouse. The choker set brought out the browns in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to drown into their depths and stay there than to face the world and its turmoils. She looked up and caught him, and he immediately looked away.

He wanted to get done with the ceremony… he had a break for the next couple of days, after which he had back-to-back shootings for the ongoing series and a few ads. His backside burned, and he hoped to recover by the time the shoot began, and then there was a wedding to plan too.

Today he was to address the press also as planned by his lawyers and Shipra. But, if the news of his marriage had pissed her off, she didn’t show it. Instead, he couldn’t wait to see her reaction to seeing Kajal as his fiancé.

Only Kajal’s maami and her cousin Poonam had come from their side, and Kajal seemed confused and worried. The frown marred her pretty forehead, and he still had to prepare her for the upcoming press meet. Though the scribes were handpicked, he didn’t want to take a chance and leave her between the wolves. He knew how this world worked, but she didn’t, and he didn’t want to sacr her for life.

The rings were exchanged and soon maami and Poonam were dropped back to their home. He held Kajal’s cold hand and took her to his room. He made her sit on the massive poster bed while he latched the door and sat at a distance, probably surprising her.

“Uh… Kajal… there is something you should know…”

“Wait… KB sir… are you hurt?” She asked, and he instantly glanced at her. How on earth did she know. No one ever had found out ever… he had been cautious in hiding his injuries.

“NO… why do you ask?”

“Um… It just felt… you seemed to be in discomfort.” She spoke softly, those brown orbs dropping a bit of their sparkle, and his heart stopped.

“No… I am fine. First of all, stop calling me sir… Its just KB. And today I have to give a statement to the press… it’s a part of PR. So you will have to come along.”

She nodded and began to fidget with the end of the saree. She was undoubtedly sacred, especially after the last time.

“Look Kajal; you won’t be alone… I will handle it…Ok? Trust me. Just… come along and just to update you, so we are on the same page…uh… I have cooked upa  story about our uh… affair.”

She snapped up to look at him, and he stared at his clasped hands. For superstar KB everything was effortless, be it acting or modeling or giving a speech, addressing the notorious press… just about everything. But today cat had caught his tongue. He saw her fidget even more, and she had caught her upper lip between her teeth. Oh God… he was hard again. Who the hell was she? A walking Viagra?

Drawn to her, he went before her on his knees. He released her palm from her saree and looked up to see her still gripping her upper lip. She was going to be the death of him. He touched her lip, releasing it, and she widened her eyes.

“Kajal, just relax all right? I will handle everything. I will do all the talking, got it? I have cooked up some story, and the press can lap it up. So I want you to relax.”

He saw she had unconsciously gripped his palm and her breathing was rapid. He sat next to her on the bed and hesitated a bit but put an arm around her shoulder and held her close. To his surprise, she didn’t resist. Her head on his shoulder he inhaled her shampoo, which didn’t help the pressure building in his loins.

“Don’t worry Kajal, I will see this through.”

She nodded into his shoulder still gripping his palm and her trust touched him. He had been a douchebag, but she had put her life in his hands.

He was a goner and it was not just physical… there was something about her that kept him getting back to her. Forget one year; how was he going to resist her even for a night?

The lengths traversed, keeping away gratification he didn’t deserve

Life threw her in the ring, and the bout was filled with verve…

©priyagole

Chapter 15

Kajal almost fell, feeling giddy as she felt the air snuck out of her body. So the prospective groom was KB? Was she hallucinating?

KB walked towards her, and if he was surprised, he didn’t show it. He didn’t show any reaction, and she gave him the credit of being an actor par excellence.

They sat on the couches. Kajal, still shaking with nerves, sat next to maami while KB sat next to his grandmother, and the way he held her weakened wrinkled hand in his was simply adorable. He looked nothing like the obnoxious man on the set.

They were provided with refreshments, after which Kajal could finally breathe at ease. It was then that she took a look around. The walls of the vast drawing-room were off-white-colored.

From the decorative pillows and cozy throws topping the expertly upholstered sofa to the eye-catching color combinations, every detail enlivened the space. Of course, it was an open-spaced living room with large windows opening to the lawn outside, letting the late morning warmth float inside. But, overall, Kajal felt that though there was a luxury, there wasn’t an overt extravagance.

Even ajji was dressed in a simple designed pure silk saree and was grace personified as she spoke or conducted herself. However, she lifted her eyes to see KB staring at her unblinkingly, but besides the usual turmoil brewing in his eyes, she couldn’t make out the expression, wondering why he had to resort to buying a bride for himself. Moreover, she wondered what he thought of her.

That her heart kept pounding, threatening to break free of its thoracic chambers, wasn’t helping her. Unlike him, her face was a dead giveaway; she was sure of that. 

She saw her aunt fawning over KB and was embarrassed. Maami was glued to TV shows every evening, and she would have indeed recognized KB, not to mention smelling the richness around.

“My Krishiv is an honest person, and the best son one can have. And I am glad he agreed to this arrangement.” Ajji spoke.

“Our Kajal is no less, kaki….” Her maami spoke. “…She is good at everything she does. Be it studies or cooking or painting.”

“Uh… Krishiv why don’t you take Kajal to the balcony upstairs and chat up a bit?” Ajji asked, and Kajal’s heart skipped a beat.

Her maami nudged her, and she stood up, following KB as he took the stairs. He led the way to the bedroom, which opened to an expansive balcony overlooking the sparkling lawn.  He gestured her to sit on the cane chair while he sat across on an identical one.

“So Ms. Righteous is here to become a misuss, eh?” he smirked.

Kajal looked away at the lawn, not answering.

“What happened Kajal? Didn’t work out with Rugved?”

At that, she glared at him while he continued chuckling. “…Okay, okay… so tell me what made you agree to this marriage? I am sure had you known it was me, you wouldn’t have come here… or would you? I was curious about the woman ready to adjust for the sake of money… but now that I saw you, I am not surprised anymore…”

“Wait KB Sir… what is that supposed to mean?” Kajal was annoyed at his nerve.

“Come on Kajal you are in this for the money, right? And what a settlement after a year… you have it all sorted for yourself and your family. So I have to give it to you, Kajal, acting all bashful on the exterior, but this is what you…”

“THAT’S ENOUGH KB sir… you have no right to call me names. You are in this for a reason, too, and you didn’t even reveal it … so don’t be the pot that calls the kettle black. And you are right. If I had known that it was you, I would have refused right away. Nonetheless, I will take your leave…” Kajal fumed as she stood.

“Wait Kajal…” He spoke standing and was soon next to her, making her breathing halt in the lungs. “… Please sit…” He moved back while she sat, not because she wanted to but because her legs almost gave away.

“Fine, I apologize, OK?” he smiled the devilish grin that made her insides turn into the marshmallow. How could she remain angry anymore? He had that impact on her… she had become brazen and immune to insults!

“Kajal, there are a few rules you must understand if you agree to this marriage. First, I will not tolerate any interference in my personal life, nor will I bother you. Second, we will be staying in my penthouse in Andheri, where I will be giving you a room, and you will remain there or go out of the house whenever I entertain friends at home. Third, you are free to use anything you like on the lower level of the house right from the kitchen, pantry, library, mini gym, home theatre… whatever you like. But under no circumstances will you go up to the first floor. Lead the life you want to, and I won’t say a word… stay away from the press and a few occasions you will have to accompany me to a few dos to show the world. Is that okay with you?”

Kajal stared open-mouthed, and he snapped his fingers to bring her out of her daze. What just happened? Did he state rules? Goddamn rules? What was she getting into… frying pan to the fire? She shook her head to try to contain the sudden blood flow to her brain, which still felt blank.

“KB sir, I only have two conditions… no one should know about this arrangement, and I want to go to work.”

“The first I understand I wouldn’t want anyone to know either, but why do you have to work? Working with Rhapsody may jeopardize…”

“…I am leaving Rhapsody…” she said abruptly.

“…so where will you be working? Got a new job already…?”

“…I have an offer from Rugved Sir for an assistant to writer’s position… its something I always wanted to do… so…”

She saw KB stiffen. What was it between the two, just professional rivalry, or was there anything more to it? She sighed as she looked at him.

“Fine by me then… so let’s tie the knot in 9 days from now… and you have your exams too, right?”

How did he know? She nodded as he continued. “…you should appear for the papers then… the official honeymoon can be pushed ahead, and we will have a reason to tell the press as well… the exams couldn’t have come at a better time.” He smiled as if he was planning the plot of his TV serial, and she shook her head. But, of course, this was a TV serial in itself… they were going to act their parts of husband and wife.

The paths were laden with upheaval

yet they were trodden, as though critical…

She only hoped her heart would survive the emotional upheaval she was subjecting it to.

She stood up to leave, and he walked up to her pushing a stray curl away from her face behind her ear, even as his trademark citrus cologne engulfed her senses. She moved away from him, but he gripped her arm. She looked into his eyes, and for the first time since she had arrived, she saw that raw fire embedded in his eyes, snarling at her threatening to burn her. What she feared was agreeing to turn into ashes.

He moved closer to her, their bodies almost touching. He just had to touch her, and she was combustible in his infernos aura.

She gasped and tried to pull herself away, and as if out of a spell, his expression turned neutral again, and he released her looking away.

“Kajal, give me your phone…” he spoke softly and took it out of her hand. Her phone was locked. “…unlock it for me, please…” he almost whispered, and she was on autopilot as she put in the codes.

He typed a number and dialed. His phone rang, startling her.

“Save my number and answer me whenever I call… that’s another important rule I forgot to mention.” He gave her a side smile that did something to her insides. She nodded softly and walked out of the room, not bothering to take in the beautifully decorated room.

She spent the rest of the day trying to study but in vain. She looked at the phone now and then.. and her heart fell when there was no text or a missed call or anything of the sort. So then why the hell did he take her number of he had nothing to talk about? Everything in this reeked of quicksand, and she wondered if she was sinking deeper into it.

The only solace in the entire fiasco was she knew KB and was attracted to him… so the year shouldn’t be awkward… should it?

Later that evening, she explained her decision to marry to her stupefied mama and an unhappy Krunal, even as her maami wholeheartedly ‘supported’ her. She knew Krunal would eventually come along and convinced herself she was doing it to secure his future.

Her engagement was in two days, and she had emailed her resignation to Rhapsody, sighting personal reasons. But, as she went to bed that night, a strange fear rose through her being. Why did a rich, handsome guy like KB need to get into a contract marriage? And why did he agree to her when he had women ready to eat out of his hands?

What would her aai-baba say about her decision had they been here?

©priyagole

Chapter 14

Kajal slapped her book on the table. William Shakespeare’s words which she usually loved to read and analyze, were dancing before her eyes for the past hour. Krunal and gone to school, and Poonam and maami were in the local temple to her utmost surprise, and mama and Pratham dada had gone to their respective jobs.

She should have been happy since she got her me time for studies, and surprisingly maami hadn’t been pestering her to do the housework like she usually did whenever Kajal was at home. Instead, Maami had prepared her favorite sabudana khichidi and given her two servings!

Irrespective of the kind of person she was maami was a fabulous cook, and that Kajal had to give it to the lady.

The khichidi helped elevate her mood a bit after the day she had yesterday. She had rushed back to the office from the studio and changed into her original clothes and did a quick job of handing over her duties to the guy who was to be in charge of her workload till she got back.

But she could barely sleep last night watching the fan wings cutting through the streetlight streaming in through the windows, making the ceiling shadow-design sprinkled with cobwebs. Krunal, who had been overjoyed at receiving an autographed cap by his favorite actor, had gone to bed gripping the object in his hands.

But every time Kajal closed her eyes, she was haunted by the citrus cologne and the warmth of KB’s body at her back, and her heartbeat accelerated. She had to grip her chest to calm herself down. She was fiercely attracted to the wrong guy, and it was interfering in her daily life. How could she?

Even now, as she tried to focus on her studies, she felt the butterflies in her stomach every time she thought of him, and that was virtually every moment. Krunal had called sometime back saying he was staying in the hostel for the duration of his final exams, and the warden had agreed to let him be. So she packed a bag for him, thankful to get something to distract her at the moment.

Yet as she got back to studying, she couldn’t… what was it about KB? She had received an email from Rugved’s office asking her to fill an employee form if she was interested in joining them. She was offered assistant to the chief writer in Rugved’s Sharanya Productions. That was what she had wanted to do. Her pay was slightly less than what she got at Rhapsody, but the work hours were less, and she had the freedom to work from home as well. This was great if she wanted to pursue a postgraduate program by correspondence later.

The giant man had been kind to her, and she had heard the staff only speak good about him. What she felt for Rugved was respect. But, unfortunately, she was drawn to KB, and she had to get her traitorous heart under control. She didn’t know why KB behaved savagely like he did both times, but she wasn’t a toy for him.

She had studied all articles she could find about KB but hadn’t heard him behave in this manner despite the web being filled with malicious gossip maligning his character. So why did he do that to her? Not that she was complaining, and that made her hate herself all the more.

The front door clicked open, and she heard her maami and Poonam enter. They seemed happy ever since they had gotten back from the village.

“Kajal, come here please…” her aunt called her, surprising her at the politeness.

Kajal walked out, unsure about the chasm of uncertainty before her.

“Come here, Kajal. Sit here…” her maami pointed to the place on the couch next to her.

When Kajal sat, she continued. “Ok…Kajal, there is a piece of good news… in fact, several good news. First of all, Poonam’s wedding has almost been fixed. If all goes well, we will formalize it on Sunday next.”

Kajal saw Poonam blush as she sat on the opposite chair.

“Congratulations tai… congratulations maami… that’s excellent news.” Kajal was genuinely happy for Poonam.

 “Well, the boy is an engineer and works in a huge company in Baramati. The family is good, and the horoscopes have matched as well. The most important point is that they do not want any dowry, accept a house in Baramati where the couple will continue to live after marriage. I have agreed to the condition…” maami spoke hesitantly.

Kajal wondered how maami could be so naïve as to agree to provide a house. Of course, they didn’t have a hand-to-mouth existence, and maami had also kept aside some jewelry for Poonam. But beyond that, it was not easy. What was maami thinking, and did mama know about all this?

“…Umm… Kajal, your mama doesn’t know this as yet. And I just checked a house from a local there, and it’s a beautiful apartment.. But it costs, I mean thir… thirty lakhs….” Kajals heart skipped a beat. Maami had lost it. “…but kajal, this is a God sent alliance for Poonam, and she gets to stay independently without interference from her inlaws.”

“I agree maami, but how are you going to afford that house?” Kajal couldn’t help but ask.

“Um… Kajal, that’s where you come into the picture.” Maami straightened on the couch, and Kajal looked on confused. She didn’t have any jewelry or money kept aside. How could she help?

“How maami…?”

“you know my brother Sahu mama, right?” Maami asked, and she nodded. Sahu mama used to visit them regularly till a few years ago. He was a kind soul, unlike his sister, and was always courteous to Kajal and Krunal. Despite his sister’s utmost annoyance, he loved them more than Poonam and Pratham, getting them goodies every time he visited. Maami continued speaking, breaking Kajal’s line of thought.

“Umm… Sahu mama has been working at an estate for the last decade after his company closed down. Through the owners, he got an amazing marriage proposal for… you Kajal.”

Kajal stood up. She now began to understand why maami had been so good to her since yesterday. “What on earth maami…? Marriage and me?”

“Aga… bas jara…aikuntari ghe. (sit and listen at least).. The family is super-rich. Have you heard of the Deshmukh conglomerate? Deshmukh oils, rubber, and Deshmukh cooperative banks? They want a good girl for their only grandson. He is handsome and best suited for you. In a flash, all our problems solved.” Maami’s eyes gleamed of greed.

Kajal was angry, and the rage she had been feeling for a while rose to the surface.

“Maami… this is ridiculous… do you even know what you are saying? So you are selling me off to fund Poonam tai’s wedding? I know you don’t like me, but I promise you it’s a matter of a couple of months; I shall leave with Krunal…”

“…Of course you will leave…” maami spoke with an icy cold tone that chilled her as well. “…you will have to leave this house because we are selling it….” She looked at a stunned Kajal and continued. “…your maama had mortgaged this house ages ago. Do you think that petty pension coming your way from the police helped tide over the expenses of this house and your father’s bills? No …Kajal, your maama got the money after giving up the only treasure we had… this house. And he is retiring in two months as you know. Pratham’s job isn’t all that up to the mark, and I can’t ask him for money. So how do you expect us to run the show?”

“But maami…?”

“Kajal, for the last decade, we have given up everything for you and your brother. I know I am harsh, but if I hadn’t kept aside my jewelry for Poonam, your maama would have sold those as well… to fund your father’s bills. And now… even after we sell this house, we will barely have anything after repaying the loan. We will move into the village and build a small house for us, but Poonam’s marriage will not materialize, and your maama’s meager pension won’t suffice… do you want us to have a pathetic existence after all we have done for you…?” Maami wailed, her voice raising notches higher in pitch.

“Maami, there will be some alternative…” Kajal’s throat was clogged.

“Kajal, you listen to me now very clearly…” Maami’s tone had taken the aggressive route. “… It’s time you pay us back for what we did unless you want us to go on the roads in the next couple of months and your Poonam tai’s alliance getting canceled… it’s a tough life for all of us. Think of your brother too. Krunal has his future before him all in the dark, but a single ‘yes’ from your side will brighten it up… he can study whatever he wants to…. We all will be happy…”

“…And maami… what about me…?” Kajal’s voice cracked.

“What do you mean… you are marrying an heir to a huge conglomerate. You will be sitting on a pile of money… what else do you need…? Listen carefully Kajal, I have already had the talks. They will buy that house in Baramati, pay this house’s mortgage, and we get to retain it, but we will sell it and move to the village. They are also setting aside a huge amount for Krunal’s education so he can stay in a hostel and study and besides all that, Pratham dada will get a good-paying job in one of their factories close to our village… so can’t you see…? Everything gets sorted…”

Kajal stood rooted to the ground.  Maami continued her tirade.

“…Look kajal, your mama doesn’t know about all this, so I would prefer you keep this between the three of us. Listen it’s nothing to be worried about. Women have to adjust…And in case you don’t like the guy and want to separate, you can do it after a year… and that too with a huge settlement… I have asked for 2 crores of which we get 75 lakhs and you pocket the rest. After that, you can go abroad and study and fulfill your dreams…”

Kajal was hyperventilating as tears now streamed freely down her cheeks. “Maami… would you have asked Poonam tai to get into such a marriage…?”

“Why on earth would Poonam have to do that? Her parents are living, and yours aren’t. So for a moment, forget about all of us. But what about your mama…? He did so much for you. You and Krunal would have been in some orphanage if not for him. So cant, you do this in return for your mama’s happy retirement life? He is in tremendous stress about making ends meet after a couple of months…and don’t show up with this teary face before him… you know he gets affected when you cry… stop the melodrama… you can reign like a queen. What else do you need?”

Kajal only stood crying, and her chest constricted as she thought of the handsome face who had touched her mind, body, and soul. No, she didn’t stand a chance to be with him… even if he was a great guy. But she needed time to get over her crush… yes… that’s what her feelings were. She had a crush on KB. But this marriage…

“Kajal here take this… we have to go to see them tomorrow. You can meet the guy too…”maami handed over a packet to her.

“What…? So soon? Maami my exams…” Kajal muttered.

“Skip the exams for now. You can give them later. The Deshmukhs are in a rush to get the grandson married…There is a good muhurat in ten days from now. They aren’t revealing the reason for marriage, and we shouldn’t bother either so far as the legal documents are in place. So tomorrow, be at your best behavior. And… we aren’t saying anything to your mama right now… Got it? Don’t be a big mouth and ruin everything for us. Now go inside…”

Maami walked into her bedroom, followed by Poonam and Kajal slumped on the floor sobbing on the hard ground.

Aai where are you? I need you so much now…. Please come back… she wailed, but there was no one to hear her cries.

Kajal was glad Krunal wasn’t around to see the drama unfold at home. She gave it all a thought and realized she had to sacrifice herself at the marriage altar for her brother’s future and repay her mama. It was a matter of only a year after all… in the larger frame of life; how much did a year matter?

The next day after her clueless mama left for office maami and Kajal took an Uber. Autorickshaw would be too downmarket maami had said. So Kajal had been drapped in a simple yellow with pink border chiffon saree and had matched it up with bare minimum accessories.

As they arrived outside the vast estate, Sahu mama came running to welcome them and take them into the house. Maami had a strange bounce in her steps as she walked ahead. Sahu mama held Kajal’s hand and stopped her.

“Kajal, I know this is all a shocker for you, but trust me, this will be good for you… I know this family very well, and they are a gem of a people. You will be happy… I can assure you that. But if you don’t like the boy, feel free to say no and I won’t allow my sister to pressurize you… got it?”

Kajal only nodded, blinking back tears, knowing she was walking into a lion’s den and there was no turning back.

They were welcomed into the elegant drawing room by a herd of maids, and a frail old woman whom she was told was the boy’s ajji.

Kajal touched her feet, and the woman instinctively hugged her flooding her with a strange warmth of affection she had never known. Instantly Kajal’s eyes filled, and she tried her best not to cry.

“Welcome, my child… my grandson will be here any minute now. You are far more beautiful than your picture. I hope you like my grandson and say a yes to him. Oh, there he comes.” The grandmother said.

Suddenly, it hushed around, and the uniformed maids all got away as Sahu mama and maami stood up in anticipation. Kajal turned around in the direction of everyone’s vision, and her heart missed a beat.

She watched wide eyes as KB strode into the drawing-room in his trademark suit like a lethal tiger in its regal stride, drawing out all the oxygen in the air around her.

©priyagole

Chapter 13

KB sat across the table where they had all assembled for the meeting. His lawyers, Mr. Mehta, and the lawyers for Sensation were all present. Everyone had been in a good mood given the successful shoot of the scenes in the first take after initial debacle.

“No one can beat you at that KB…” the director had chirped in. “… today’s performance was par excellence…”

But as he sat listening to legal jargon while the lawyers spoke and Shipra had joined on call, he saw a sullen-looking Kajal, sitting in a corner, staring at the floor. Her shoulders were drooped, and cheeks reddened. She had tried to patch up a bit using make-up, but the swollen eyes were a dead giveaway. She had been crying, and even now, occasionally, he saw her tear up and blink them away.

He had been a douche bag… he had royally used her. He wanted to kick himself. Of course, his punishment was due later today, but he wanted to uplift her mood at the moment. Just as he was wondering what he could do, someone came in. He recognized her as a studio staff, and even as the others kept the meeting going, she went directly to Kajal. What work did the studio staff have with Kajal?

Before he could think of it, Kajal nodded smiling and walked out with the woman. There was a slight bounce in her step as she left without even a look at them.

He had not been paying attention to anything so far, and he had conveyed his requirements to Mr. Mehta… all he needed to do was sign the documents once the conditions were resolved amicably. Then, giving an excuse to use the washroom, he walked out.

He saw Kajal walk towards the studio exit as he stealthily followed her. He saw they halted next to a an open vehicle… he knew whom it belonged to.

Rugved Choudhry got off the vehicle and walked towards Kajal. He spoke something, and Kajal was all smiles as she replied. Then, he removed his cap and signed an autograph as he gave it to Kajal. And Kajal was in a complete fangirl mode.

KB tightly fisted his palm. What the fuck was going on? How did that Rugved and Kajal know each other? What on earth was going on. Why was she fawning on the veteran actor? Without realizing he had walked towards them.

“Ok Kajal then you take care and whenever your brother wants to visit here he is welcome… Alright?” Rugved said but made no move to go back to his vehicle.

“May I know what’s going on here, Kajal? Being on my payroll, you are frolicking around… plan to change sides, do you?” He spoke starring daggers at Rugved.

“You watch that tongue of yours, KB… been wagging a lot off late….”  Rugved drawled as he straightened to his full height, almost matching his own as they stood facing each other.

“I am not talking to you, Rugved… she is my staff and supposed to be in an all-important meeting… instead, she has been only shirking responsibilities. She came in late and now wants to rush away… What is it, Kajal?” He didn’t even know what he was blabbering but he couldn’t seem to contain his annoyance. “…I see that you had other commitments.”

“That’s enough KB…Stop tormenting the poor girl… do you even know what she has gone through…? But then you are a superstar who doesn’t look beyond his selfish blinders, do you…? You are lucky to have a hard worker in your midst… who got back to work despite being in a freak accident on the sets today….”

What? Had kajal been in an accident? He looked at her accusingly. “And why didn’t you say anything, Kajal? Need sympathies from other quarters, do you?”

“KB watch it already… you are crossing the limits of decency like some jealous boyfriend.”

“Just buzz off Rugved you are the outsider here” he muttered walking close to the big man.

“for the last time KB, WATCH it. Don’t forget I have my eyes on you. One mistake and I will take you down….” Rugved spoke with a lethal voice just for his ears even as Kajal and the other studio staff looked on wondering what was going on.

Kajal inhaled deeply, and he could see she was trying to hold on to her control. But she turned towards Rugved. “Thank you, Rugved sir, for all your help today. I don’t know what would have happened otherwise.”

Finally, the giant of a man relaxed his stance and made a move to the driver’s seat even as a fuming KB looked on. Rugved shook his head and turned to kajal. “Keep in mind, Kajal, my job offer stands. Right now though, you may rush to the all-important meeting which KB himself has left to follow you out…” He chuckled and waved as he drove away.

The other orderlies and staff left and Kajal turned to walk back to the ad set.

“Wait Kajal I am not finished.” KB caught up with her.

She stopped and turned towards him folding her hands close to her chest. She glared at him, her beautiful eyes reflecting the agony in her heart, and he knew he was partly responsible for it.

“KB sir, I don’t understand what your problem is or what do you think I am. For me, you are nothing… just nothing… except a job that I need to survive. This is our last meet. Henceforth if Shipra ma’am pressurizes me to attend any of your meetings, I will resign, come what may…” She was panting and stomped away.

He felt someone had taken a hammer and broken his heart into a trillion pieces. What if she never turned up? Did he ruin everything with his behavior? He couldn’t control himself around her… even now; all he wanted was to drag her to his bed and sheath himself inside her softness…… he wanted her with a fervor he never wanted anyone else before. What was wrong with him? Why was he acting like a horny teenager?

Later that evening he was seated in his grandparents living room looking at the walls filled with his mother’s photographs and paintings. There were a couple of his childhood pictures with his mother but nothing more than that. Even those were retained because his mother looked stunning in those clicks.

No one ever cared for him… his mother had died early and his father… well lesser said the better. His nana-nani only had expectations from him, which he had screwed up before they cut ties. However, he did speak to his grandmother once a year on her birthday. Though stern, he knew that deep in her heart, she loved her daughter’s only living memory. He walked towards the French windows overlooking the large lawn…

When he had stayed here after moving in with them, this was his favorite place. He hardly went to other places in the house, mainly to avoid his domineering nanaji . Also later the place provided him the solitude he wanted after the accident.

His nanaji had worked hard to remove all traces of the accident from the media and never forgiven him for ruining his reputation and political relations. Gyan and Ruhaan’s parents hadn’t pursued the case as the high levels of alcohol and drugs in their bodies would taint the family image if the facts came out. That’s how fucked up their folks were.

He heard a screeching sound of metal on the floor and saw the maid push his naniji’s wheelchair towards the window. Naniji had aged beyond her years and her back was further hunched, making her look older and frailer than her 82 years. She gestured him to sit while the maid locked the wheelchair and walked away.

“Krishiv, I am glad you could come today.” The tremors in her voice were more evident than last time, and he felt guilty about not spending time with her.

“What is it nani…I mean ajji?” He corrected. She hated him using Punjabi terminologies and insisted on using Maharashtrian ones, given that his maternal home was a Marathi one. That was again a bone of contention. He was used to a bit of Punjabi culture, or rather no culture at all. Suddenly, at 17 his grandparents wanted him to ingrain the Marathi culture, which wasn’t possible for him… he didn’t want to do it either. He had been angry forever… his anger not directed at anyone in particular and it had taken him years to curtail his rage.

He barely lost control in the last few years, till that brown-eyed beauty came into his life recently.

“Krishiv…” His grandmother cleared her throat. “…I will not mince words. But its just that there is this question of inheritance and …”

“Ajji… I have said I don’t want a penny… I am doing reasonably well for myself, and I have mom’s trust fund, too, right? That’s enough to last me a lifetime…”

“Its about that trust fund that I wanted to talk to you.”

“What about it… just a few months more as per the clause put forth by nanaji… I mean ajoba…my thirtieth birthday…”

“There was something you didn’t know to date Krishiv, there was an all-important point in that clause.”

“What is it now ajji…?” he was getting irritated. His grandfather left no stone unturned to get him under his control. “…It was my mom’s trust, wasn’t it? Yet instead of handing it down to me eventually, ajoba put in clauses since he was the one who made the trust… I accept that… now what is it ajji? What else is there?”

“Krishiv… how important is that trust fund to you? Since you are already doing well?” she asked him

“Ajji, you know how badly I want to buy back that property in Madh island. That entire area I grew up in? I want to spend the rest of my life there, away from the showbiz, away from everything….” He rubbed his eyes as he continued. “…I have been buying a few plots, but for this one where dad’s house once stood, I can’t buy it even if I put everything on the line…it was auctioned away to a big shot guy and now the prices have inflated like crazy. I have to buy him out, then establish the fishery business…so this trust fund matters a lot.”

“In that case, you must listen to the clause Krishiv.”

“Fine ajji…” he sighed.

“Krishiv listen carefully. The clause is first you have to complete thirty years of age, and the second, you have to get married before your thirtieth birthday and remain married for a year before the trust money can be encashed.”

He stood up abruptly, disrupting the glasses placed on the center table and a few side pieces. “What the hell ajji…? Why wasn’t I aware of this one.”

“…Sorry, child, I got to know of it recently when I spoke to the lawyers. I want nothing more than you to be happy, whether you believe it or not. Even your grandfather placed the clause with your best interests in mind.”

“FUCK…” he looked away. “… its all nonsense ajji. its just ajoba’s way to not let me go… he had done that to mom… so she had run away with dad.”

“Enough Krishiv, you don’t know what you are saying…”

“So ajji… tell me how this is helping…? I have to get married…? No ways…” he declared. “…you know what ajji you can keep all that money or just give it away… I don’t care anymore… my dreams will take a lot more time to materialize… or maybe they will never. But I will never visit you, people, ever again…” he began to walk away.

“…Wait Krishiv… just listen to me.” His nani began to cough violently, and he halted and moved back to her, offering her a glass of water. He took in a few deep breaths and spoke, holding his hands in her tremor-filled wrinkled ones. “… please listen to me Krishiv… I have not told you but… your ajoba is in a coma. For the last six months…after a stroke.”

He felt someone had slapped him.

“…he may… may not recover at all… and though the business is safe in the hands of the strong team he had built up, so your Subodh mama wont get anything however he tries. But you know the political connections he has and he plays dirty. The trust will go away as unclaimed. I want what is your right… to come to you my child. Let’s think this over… it’s a matter of one year… just stay married for a year and then go your separate ways if you both don’t want to continue the marriage…

…but Subodh is watching, and he now knows about the clause. We have disowned him ages ago and he cant have the business so he now eyes the trust fund. He will try everything under the sky to destroy your credibility to get the trust control…

…eventually you will be the signatory in the business as well. What you do with the money is upto you. You can continue with the admin team or sell it off… its your decision. But the point is the board of directors will decide and they may go against you if this marriage fiasco becomes public… so do you understand child? If all goes well, you can fulfil your dream. It’s the business built by your ajoba from scratch, and he gave his life for it… would you like it to go into stranger hands just because you aren’t interested?”

“But Ajji…? Marriage? I don’t know anyone…” he was surprised he even said that.

“Don’t worry about all that… I have found the right girl for this. She is related to our estate manager. I just spoke to her folks, and they are willing to our conditions…”

“What conditions…?” He didn’t believe this was happening

“Conditions for… a year-long contract marriage”

©priyagole

Chapter 12

“Sorry Shipra ma’am… but I can’t… I mean, today is my last working day before my study break… I have a lot to hand over to the new guy from Admin. He is clueless about the work here…” Kajal tried to argue. She had reached here early morning to get the significant work done and escape her maami, who was to reach mid-morning.

Last evening still lay heavy on her mind, and her curiosity about unanswered questions rose by the minute. She couldn’t believe what her parents had done. Whether it was about her aai’s extra-marital affair or her father trying to frame a young guy or trying to end his life. Nothing made sense. It was as if she didn’t know her parents at all.

Amidst all the emotional potboiler was her fierce attraction towards the Casanova, the parents always advised good girls to stay away from. But, she felt caught in a web, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t stop the resurgence of those feelings. Finally, Shipra’s voice brought her back to the present.

“…I can’t help it either Kajal. It is crucial else, I wouldn’t have insisted. You know how KB is. So today you don’t have to do anything. Just put me on the call when you are with the lawyers. There will be lawyers from KB’s side as well as the product company’s legal team. But come what may, KB should finish the shoot today. If he doesn’t, not only will his credibility be questioned, but my professional reputation will be on the line as well…. My son will be discharged tomorrow, and only after that can I come to the office or the site. So handle this for me, OK…?”

Kajal couldn’t help but remember her first fiasco with the press where she only had to read the release… which she later got to know Shipra had intentionally planned to take the heat off KB. But KB had saved her hide.

But there was much water under the bridge in this short period, especially that rendezvous in the vanity van a couple of days ago. She reflexly touched her lips which felt his touch even today. She gasped and quickly looked away. She had forgotten she was in office. She inhaled deeply; she had to hold her fort today. She couldn’t crumble for the simple reason that she couldn’t be a self-obsessed casanova’s toy.

She had loads of responsibilities, the most pressing being finishing her graduation and looking for a secured job so she could get Krunal out of that place. She had to plan for his education. He wanted to study Architecture, and the fees were enormous to sail through eleventh and twelfth grade with a good class for preparing for the entrance exams. She wondered how she could manage it all… Would her future salary be enough to pay the rent and fund his education along with their living expenses?

It meant she had to stick to this job. Shipra had told her that there would be a slight rise in her enumeration once she got a degree. Even now, her salary was beyond regular job standards, and a raise would help her sail through. But that meant she had to work for long hours… Krunal had been throwing hints about staying in a hostel after his ninth-grade final exams. There was one close by where he had some of his classmates staying. But at the moment, it was tough, given the extra expenses in the house beyond her contribution. Moreover, she still didn’t have any savings for the rental home deposit…

She sighed as she gathered the all-important folder. Today also she had to prep up, and she chose an orange salwar kameez with a colorful dupatta. The only aspect she had loved about this job besides the money was wearing pretty clothes that she could otherwise not afford. Maybe KB wouldn’t even notice her… but why did she think about him. She just had to do her job and get back to the office. She just knew he was in some ad shoot, and she had to meet Mr. Mehta, who would arrange her meeting with the lawyers of both the parties. Then, she had to sit back and call Shipra, who would conduct it.

She hadn’t read the contract details, just that a company called Sensations had signed KB as their model for their three premier products over a span of nine months. It was paying him a bomb… something she couldn’t even think of making in the next few years. So then, what was the problem? Why did these celebrities think they could make people work around their whims and fancies?

She stepped out of the company car and walked into the beautiful studio. She saw a popular reality show being shot in one end of the studio and was thrilled to see the action. But, since she was early, she decided to look at them a little more. Krunal’s favorite TV actor Rugved Choudhry was hosting the show, and she hoped she could get a picture or an autograph for her brother. The bearded veteran action star was an enigma in himself, and watching him conduct the show and interact with the participants with natural poise; she was in awe.

Through Rhapsody, she had seen a few two-bit actors throw their weight around, but Rugved was a star in the true sense of the word.

A participant fell of the rope ladder she had climbed on a  makeshift pool, hurting her. Though the medicos present on the set tended to her, Kajal saw Rugved tend to the woman with the utmost care, and despite her pain, the woman smiled.

The man moved kajal. He was such a big name in the movie industry and an action hero though he was typecast, and these days he was busy with reality action shows and movies down south. Suddenly the group gathered again, and the shoot began with the next participant.

Right then, a rat scampered along and went over Kajal’s feet. She was startled and screamed, looking at the furry rodent dart away. But then, there was silence all over, and she looked up to see all eyes trained on her.

The director of the reality show bellowed. “Who on earth was that…? Cant, we get some work done here without disturbance?”

Kajal stood rooted to the spot. Oh God, would they complain about her? Oh No … not again. She couldn’t be a laughing stock today as well. So she retreated towards the dark corner behind, but unfortunately, there was scaffolding, and without warning, it gave away, and she fell into the other end of the makeshift puddle.

She stood up immediately covered with slush dripping all over, and oh goodness, the folder was dipped in the muck. She tried to take it, but it was stuck.

“Your priority should be to get out rather than looking for something….” A deep voice spoke behind her, and she turned to see an amused Rugved Choudhry standing in his handsomeness.  He gestured to a couple of set guys who helped her exit the puddle.

“ I… I … please, I need that folder….” She requested the guys.

“What’s so important in it… you should get yourself cleaned up first….” Rugved chuckled.

“…It’s the  con…” She halted mid-sentence, wondering how much she could reveal. “…It contains important documents… please….” Her eyes filled. She had lost track of time, and now she was late. Not to mention her mobile was soaked, and even if KB’s team called her, no one would be able to reach her

“Where are you from… you don’t seem to be from among the staff here…” the deep voice now set in the chills… she was feeling cold as the blower breeze hit her.

“…Rhap… Rhapsody… for KB sir…” she blurted.

There was a bit of murmuring, and from the corner of her eyes, she saw someone walk up to Rugved.

“If I am not mistaken, you are the same damsel in distress who ran out KB’s vanity van a few weeks ago, right?” the woman spoke and laughed in a shrill voice.

Oh God, she had thought the matter had died down, but it appeared everyone still remembered it. She had to get away but the folder…?

Someone placed a blanket on her, and she stopped shivering in the cold. She looked up to see Rugved smile with a kind look in his pretty eyes. Though the beard gave him a ferocious look, he seemed gentle.

“Let’s get back to work… look, miss, why don’t you clean up? I will see if the folder can be retrived….” He walked towards the shoot set with a warm smile and a nod, but not before instructing the boys to retrieve her folder. The crowd gathered also dispersed, and she hoped no one clicked pictures…

A little later, she emerged from the ladies changing unit, and there was a pair of undergarments and a pretty salwar kameez waiting for her. It was a bit oversized and hung on her frame, but at that moment, nothing mattered more than rushing to KB’s set. First, a female attendant helped her give touches to her face and a blower for her hair. Then, when she was a bit presentable, she wanted to thank Rugved for all his help. The folder was also retrieved and cleaned.

Fortunately, the documents weren’t damaged because of the superior leather folder exterior. But she was already late for the meeting with Mr. Mehta and hoped the shoot didn’t get hampered because of her clumsiness. She wrote a thank you note for Rugved Choudhry, left it with the attendant, and rushed to the studio where KB was shooting his ad.

The ad shoot was in progress from what it appeared. The door to the inner studio sanctum was shut, and she could see the shadows beneath the door… that meant lights were off, but why? There was some sound and music too, but she couldn’t make out anything. She didn’t have a mobile to connect with Mr Mehta, so she gently tried the door. To her surprise, it opened without noise.

She walked in and saw limited people around, and her eyes moved towards the director shooting at the center. Right before them, the studio was designed to form the most elegant bedroom she had ever laid her eyes on. The four-poster bed with the pristine white bedsheet, the floral arrangements on the nightstand, and the song from Ram Leela played softly… ‘And laga de re…’

The director gave the orders to stop the music and a model covered in a bedsheet walked in and sat on the bed. Her assistant then removed the bedsheet, and Kajal’s eyes popped out of their sockets watching the sensuous reed-thin woman in a two-piece bikini that left nothing to the imagination… lie on the bed. The door opened as soon as the music started and the director screamed  “ACTION.”

Before Kajal could recover from her heightened awareness, KB walked in his boxers…. goddamn boxers, and they both gyrated a bit to the song. When the mukhda ended, the music dimmed along with the lights, and they both lay on the bed. The woman stretched out on the bed like a feline cat, and KB looked away, rubbing his face… WHAT?

“CUT…” The director screamed, and the lights came on. The model’s assistant rushed to cover her modesty, or whatever remained, and Mr. Mehta walked towards KB with his robe. The model and KB went back to their respective makeup rooms on either side of the set.

The director was fuming. “What on earth is wrong with KB…? He was a pro at these shoots. I have directed him so many times before… then why is he freezing? So we are delayed by another hour now. Fortunately, the female model is a newbie so she is adjusting…” the director drawled on.

Kajal stood rooted to her spot in the dark, wondering what on earth just transpired. She decided to meet up with Mr. Mehta and at least let him know she was here. She walked carefully, trying not to trip… one fall today was enough. She moved towards KB’s makeup room.

She knocked, and a deep voice boomed. “COME IN…”

She opened the door carefully and stepped inside only to see KB standing all alone in his boxers. Wide-eyed, she turned around immediately.

“What is it Ms. Righteous? Did being late not count? Now that you are acting all coy… “ he spoke in an angry tone. Why was he angry with her? And where on earth was Mr. Mehta?

“I am sorry KB sir, I was here on time… I just…”

“…I don’t want any excuses… you Rhapsody guys do as you please for some cheap PR thrills… you have absolutely no sense of professionalism or boundaries and…”

She had enough already. She turned around and, not bothering if he was clothed or not, walked towards him.

“…Just… mind your language, KB sir, you are the one crossing boundaries here…” She said, not knowing in what direction her emotional storm took her.

“…you didn’t seem to mind the boundaries broken the other day…” he murmured as he took a step closer, his cologne strongly making its presence felt.

She turned to go, but he held her arm and pulled her towards him. Her folder dropped as she hit his hard wall of chest… bare chest. He embraced her from the back, and she couldn’t rescue herself from the bind.

“…Let… let me go KB, sir…” She muttered, panting.

But his hold only tightened. He bent and kissed her shoulder, now exposed because of her loose-fitting kurta having shifted. It was a soft peck, but her heartbeat sored, and she could feel him breathing rapidly too, his warm breath right behind her ear, as he held her lobe gently between his teeth. She was frozen and curled her toes in her new slippers. There was a sharp prodding in her lower back as he pulled her closer while he continued to suck her neck and then blow soft whisps of air… She was transported to another world where it was only him and her. She wasn’t a nobody, and he wasn’t a TV super star.

Right then, there was a knock on the door, and someone screamed about the shot being ready. He unlocked his arms, and she now felt the chill and the sudden absence of his warmth.

“Thanks, beautiful… I had trouble getting into the mood… you were a huge help. See you….” He covered himself with his robe and walked out, the banging of the door reverberating through her body as she slumped to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks.

©priyagole

Chapter 11

“…CUT…” the director bellowed and took off his cap, banging it on the makeshift table on which his camera was precariously placed; his annoyance had skyrocketed. Then, turning around, he walked to a pensive Mr. Mehta.

“Mehta, what is going on… we have been in this godforsaken suite since morning, but your KB cant get one shot right. This was his forte. Bedroom scenes were his favorite… do you know how much I had to convince Alina’s team and then sign an iron-clad document to get her consent to shoot the intimate scene… this scene is the story’s turning point of the story and its already afternoon… We are taking a  break, and I was hoping you could talk to him. I can’t waste any more time trying only a single shot… Goddamn it…” the director huffed and walked away.

Mr. Mehta struggled his way to the other room designated for KB while the bedroom was reserved for Alina and her all-woman team.

“KB sir… the director is upset. The scene had to…”

“…It will be done, Mehta… just fix me a glass…” KB drawled. He knew he was at fault, but he couldn’t help it. Every time he bent close to kiss Alina, Kajal’s flushed face would swim before his eyes, and those lips swollen from his onslaught would cause him an erection of such a  magnitude that he had to move away from Alina to spare him the embarrassment. He rubbed his face.

He had done these scenes with so many actresses, so many times, but it was all an act… today; however, it didn’t feel like it, and he was in a mental mess… If Alina got an inkling of his puffed-up loins, she wouldn’t hesitate to crucify him in the media. He had, after all, refused her advances for months. She was a superstar… probably greater than him, and didn’t like to take a no for an answer. She was watching his every move literally and figuratively, and he didn’t want to serve her a chance on a platter. He knew she was pissed off but saw the gleam in her eyes as she thought of retribution.

“KB, sir, please gather yourself. What has happened? Is something troubling you? If the schedule gets canceled or postponed, not only would we have to share the extra costs, but you have another commitment tomorrow…”

KB rubbed his face yet again as the make-up artist came in for a touch-up. He sighed. He had in his contract put a clause that he wouldn’t be doing nude scenes… just the topless ones only. Well, he wasn’t concerned about vanity… he was worried his reality would lay bare for the world to see. Yet even with a half-opened shirt today, he was uneasy…

“Mehta…. Don’t worry, the shooting will be done with today. By the way, what’s the schedule for tomorrow?” He sighed. He had been in a fudge state for the last month… Mr. Mehta had arranged all his schedules along with his team, and he only had to sign the dotted lines. So he hadn’t been concerned and just gone through the day’s chores till Kajal had come along.

She had caused ripples in his still waters, and even when she wasn’t around, he could feel her presence, her shining salwar Kameez loosely fitting that shapely body within, the kohl-rimmed browns sparkling in passion or the tiny whiff of talc she would have used hours earlier. He was hard immediately, and he swore loud enough for the make-up guy to stop. Mr. Mehta also hesitated to answer him.

KB adjusted his seat to release the discomfort in his pants and instructed the make-up guy to continue.

Soon it was time for the shot, and his Aadarsh walked confidently towards the bed. Again, the number of people in the room had been reduced to the bare minimum given the intimacy. This time, however, instead of smirking Alina-Ketki he saw the bewitching Kajal staring back at him with passion-loaded eyes as the lids shut half-mast and she raised her neck further dipping her head into the pillow.

At that moment, he was not Aadarsh anymore but Krish, and he visualized Kajal’s slender neck plain except for the tiny Adam’s apple bobbing slightly as she swallowed anxiously… he kissed the lump even as her breathing raced and moved to her shapely jaw as he showered her with tiny kisses and finally the glossed lips already parted to welcome him…

“CUT…” the director blasted, jolting KB out of his reverie, and he scampered away from Alina. “…Bravo KB… I knew you had saved the best shot for the last… super… I can tell you this shot between Aadarsh and Ketki is bound to send temperatures sky-rocketing…”

“Ahem… KB … that was… um… something…” Alina muttered and chuckled as she moved away to her troupe.

There was the last scene left to shoot, after which it was a pack-up for the day.

The last scene involved Aadarsh pulling Ketki, standing with her back towards him, and preventing her from running away to her rumored boyfriend. But as he did, he was back to being KB again, and it was Kajal standing in her resplendent but straightforward salwar-Kameez from that day in his van and he did what he couldn’t do that day when Kajal had turned towards the wall. He pulled her towards his chest and buried his head into the crook of her neck.

But the feeble talc was replaced by some obscene perfume, and he moved back.

“…CUT…” the director screeched and stood clapping. “…KB this is perfect… a one take shot… you made up for the lousy morning. KB and Alina… bravo both of you… what chemistry…”

KB shook his head and moved to his room Mr. Mehta on his heels without bothering to acknowledge Alina or the other unit members like he usually did. He wasn’t in his element…

He sat on the plush chair as the makeup artist came over to clean his face.

“Mehta.. you didn’t tell me tomorrow’s schedule.” He drawled with his eyes shut.

“It’s an off-day from the shoot because of Alina’s solos tomorrow. So we had scheduled an ad shoot…”

What? When…? He had to do something about his hangovers. He was all fucked up…

“What ad-shoot is it Mehta…?” he asked, settling back into the soft chair.

“…KB sir… it’s the Sensations condom advertisement…”

That got his attention. “What the fuck Mehta…I had told you I wouldn’t do it…”

“KB sir… did you forget our meeting last month when your news about driving under the influence got viral…? Our legal team and Shipra ma’am had decided that you had to counter the image using the condom ad… a perfect Casanova. And you had agreed, sir. Sensations is a huge brand not to be messed with, and a lot is riding on the ad shoot tomorrow. Just compensating them with money won’t help… your reputation will be ruined since that press fiasco is still fresh in the public mind… that fight with Hetal’s ex…”

KB’s objection to going completely bare despite having a  fabulous body was the revelation of the self-inflicted scars…His back had them too, but they were now faint and concealers did a graet job. His make-up guy was paid well and signed an NDA to keep all he saw under wraps. But the condom ad meant he had to. So how would he conceal the fresh injuries on his thighs and not to mention the usual freeze before the camera like today morning…?

“Uh… KB, sir, don’t worry. I have seen to it that you won’t have to go all bare. It’s just being topless and moving the denim slightly below the … pelvis … I mean…”

“Fine, fine … I got it… but how many such schedules have they planned?”

“KB sir, this is the first of the three. There are two more… after three months each.”

“Well then, I want to review the contract tomorrow itself; after we finish the first ad shoot…contact the legal team and ask them to come tomorrow…and place a call to Shipra…”

“Sir…? Shipra ma’am…? But why…?”

“…Are you so naïve Mr. Mehta? You know how Shipra had constructed every byte to the media for two years now. She has had too much of a leeway. But this is getting too far…”

“… But sir… your entry into Bollywood…”

“…it will happen when it has to happen… I can’t do this nonsense anymore…”

As Mr. Mehta placed the call to Shipra, KB rubbed his face yet again. He didn’t know what had come over him. Nothing had affected him after the debacle a decade ago. But all of a sudden he was worried about his image…. For whom?  Except for malicious gossip no one was interested in him…

“Sir… Shipra ma’am on the line…”

“Hello Shipra, I want you to come over to the Sensations location tomorrow at 11 AM. My legal team will be there as well. So…”

“…Sorry KB, but I am in the hospital with my son… so I can’t make it, but what is this all about now?”

“Shipra I cannot tolerate this blatant projection of an image of this sort. I want to review the contract with Sensations… I want to draw the line at…”

“…KB”… she interrupted. “…Listen to me carefully. I don’t know what has come over you these days. But don’t forget Sensations is huge. The top film actors vie for the coveted position of being their top model, and I had to pull numerous strings to get you on board. You had signed the contract… and the pay is the best in the industry, not to mention it will pave your way to a Bollywood debut as a hero.”

“Shipra… please… I can’t do it… anymore… you should know that to do these ads, one needs to get into the groove into that element. My USP has always been, to blend in, and somehow… this time, I can’t just… please… I have to review the contract…”

Shipra paused for a while. “…Fine KB. There won’t be many modifications possible, but if you give your best shot tomorrow, then maybe I can arm-twist my way to get things in motion… I will send Kajal along with the documents for your review, and she shall explain the rest to you… I hope that’s fine now…”

He agreed. It was more than acceptable… if Kajal came, then probably he would prevail through the shoot.  

“KB sir…” Mr. Mehta spoke. “…there’s something else…”

“…What now, Mehta…?”

“…Uh… madam… your naniji has called you home tomorrow for an early dinner…”

“…you know I don’t like to visit Mr. Mehta. So why didn’t you give some excuse…?” His heart began to thud. His grandparents wanting to see him was never good news.

“…KB sir, she specifically wants to talk to you… something about your birthday coming up in a few months… and she has said your nanaji won’t be home…”

KB rubbed his face wondering if his features that brought in the moolah would be intact at the rate at which he had been at it all day.

So why did naniji want to meet him? All of a sudden, for the first time in five years…? He barely spoke with her and had stopped talking to his nanaji altogether years ago when he had defied their diktat and had chosen this profession. And what was this crap about his birthday. No one wished him in the last decade… it was a cursed day for everyone. Not that he ever celebrated the day except for once during the period when that woman had visited.

Nanaji had also never bothered keeping in touch, so what did naniji want now?

©priyagole

Chapter 9

Kajal rushed home and shut herself in her room. Krunal had been surprised to see her in a slightly disheveled state, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he went out to his friend’s home for some project work while she decided to wallow in the darkness of her room.

She hugged herself and cried, touching her lips intermittently where his touch still lingered… she could still feel his lingering cologne as if he surrounded her and her sobs only got louder. What had come over her?

In the last three years, Rahul and a few others had tried to befriend her a little more than usual. While others had given up knowing her financial constraints, Rahul had persisted. But she had never felt an iota of attraction or the tsunami of emotions for any of the guys she had come across in college or where she lived or in her office. Of course, she interacted with other good looking successful models whom Rhapsody represented once in a while, but she had been successful in keeping their advances away.

What was it about KB that drove her to him like a magnet to iron… no, she was a moth dangerously drawn to the fire that would turn her to ashes if she didn’t keep her distance. She wiped her face with a cloth and stared at the crimson evening sky from her window. Her life was also changing shades like the sky as she passed from one phase to another.

She sighed… the evening was wasted just like yesterday, and tomorrow maami would return with Poonam. She shook her head and walked to the kitchen, trying to get her bearings together. As she started at the pressure cooker waiting for the lentils to cook, she made a decision. She would tell Shipra to excuse her from anything pertaining KB. She had got the all-important signatures today, so Shipra would cut her some slack. Besides, she was going on a fortnight-long leave for her final exams in a few days, and Shipra had already sanctioned them. After that fiasco with the press last time, Shipra had also decided not to deduct her pay for the fortnight she would miss… everything happened for the best indeed, as her aai always said.

Speaking of aai… Kajal gasped. The folder… she had to read it, and now was the right time when she was all alone. Krunal would be dropped home late tonight, and she had confirmed it with his friend’s guardian.  She shut the gas burner and ran to her room closing the door, though she didn’t need to. But somehow, reading about the hidden secrets of her parents seemed awkward to her, and it was as if she wanted to hide away from the world as she dishonored their memories… But she had no choice. Those apparent secrets were like a sword hanging over her head and had ruined her life…

She took out the folder and carefully arranged the tattered sheets date-wise. Her eyes filled seeing her father’s meticulous handwriting when he had started writing… the first page was dated a little over eleven years ago. It was precisely a month before her mother disappeared. That piqued her curiosity as she read the Devanagari script.

‘I followed her to the hospital today… wondering why she needed to go there every day. Who was there? She isn’t in touch with her family except her brother and mine are in the village.  But then I saw her emerge in different clothes. She thought she could hide? I could find my Shobha anywhere, even if she were a needle in a haystack. And then she caught a cab and moved into the traffic….’

Kajal halted and tried to remember the period. Her mother did go away for long hours, but she always said she was trying to supplement her father’s income, and she would always cook and clean for them before leaving home. Kajal was always in school, and Krunal played in the neighbor’s house when she returned. Kajal had never bothered about any absurdity in the situation to date. She sighed and continued reading.

The following page was dated a week later.

‘What is Shobha hiding? Is she tired of us? I know she is overworked and had to give up her dreams for me… but what about the children? Does she not care about them? She seems very happy these days. Is it because of… him? Who is he? I saw her phone buzzing today morning. It was a private number, and when I answered it, the person disconnected. I checked her call details… she spoke for hours on the same number… who is it? I saw a few hidden folders too… and could manage to open one of them… it contained her picture on a seashore, and she looked shyly into the camera… who is it? I have requested her call details and location… though it pains me to doubt the love of my life, I am helpless… I know I haven’t been a great husband, but I am working hard to get that promotion to move to a better place… so that my Kajal and Krunal can have the life we have dreamt for them… Oh Shobhna, have you given up on our dreams already…?’

Kajal wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks. She had been so preoccupied with her little life; she hadn’t realized all this unfold. What was her aai doing? It was impossible to fathom her infidelity but was her baba wrong? She remembered a few screaming bouts behind closed doors when her parents thought she was asleep. She couldn’t make out anything then, but did they fight because of baba’s suspicions?

She read the next page written about another week later, but there were so many inkblots and marks on the paper as if her father had been drunk while writing.

‘I am doomed… my life makes no sense. I no longer trust anything. I saw her today… I followed her to that godforsaken factory… and I saw her with him. He deva… I couldn’t believe it, but Ganpat was with me… he was shocked to see her as well… I would have shot that man had Ganpat not held me back. That asshole gave her a peck on her cheek and hugged her before getting into his high-end car, and she waved to the vehicle as it moved along the graveled road. Where did I go wrong in my duties as a husband? I tried to give her everything I could… why the backstabbing? Ganpat says I should talk to her… but what do I ask her? I am distraught… First, this case I am working on, and now Shobha is cheating on me. I am so mad at the world now… If not for my little children, I would have gone ahead and shot that bastard… even if I had to spend the rest of my life in jail’.

Kajal sobbed silently. How could you do this to us aai…? Didn’t you love us?

She took the following paper it was dated a week after her mother had disappeared.

‘Life is a vacant mess. I can’t face my children. From the bottom of my heart, I hated Shobha for cheating on me, though she denied it all along. The Shobha I knew never lied, but I was way beyond trusting her. For all that happened, I never wished she would leave us forever. I feel responsible… I wish she had continued with her rendezvous and I had never known or not fought with her. I should have let her have her way… But the what-ifs shall always remain. I am sorry my children… your aai left because of me…

Kajal felt the life drain out of her body as she lay in the fetal position on the hard floor. She hadn’t switched on the lights. Vivid memories of her father arriving home drunk sprang before her eyes. Her father punished himself and his children too.

Why aai-baba…? Why did you do whatever it was… didn’t you think of us?

The following page had only one line written.

‘Finally, the bastard got what he deserved… God is great. He set everything right. Why don’t you now come back to me, Shobha?’

She read the last few pages, all probably written in her father’s drunken stupor where he only reminisced the life gone by and missed his wife… the handwriting was next to illegible, and the pages were soiled… However, the last paper was better and was dated a couple of days before her baba’s accident.

‘I finally can get my revenge… I found out about the bastard’s progeny. Like father like son. It’s time he reaps what his father sowed… I hope Ganpat gets what I asked of him. He has been suspicious of me off-late… but this is one last favor I ask of him… I will then resign from the force and take up farming… go back to the village with my children. They deserve better than that godforsaken life with my brother-in-law and his family.

What on earth was all this? Kajal’s head reeled, given the emotional roller coaster she had faced today. She gathered the papers and kept them back in the cupboard in their hiding place. She decided to talk to Ganpat kaka as soon as possible. What did her father possibly do? What revenge was he talking about, and from whom?

In her quest for answers, she didn’t know she would be faced with more questions… It looked like a Pandora’s box was about to open.

She only hoped the secrets wouldn’t consume her brother and her…

©priyagole