Chapter 3

The office wagon-R cruised along the Worli-Bandra sea-link towards a studio in Andheri as Kajal began to google up her client. KB was apparently shooting for an Ad film that day and a group of press lay in wait. His PA had placed an SOS call to Rhapsody early in the morning when things began to get out of hand and hence the running around building, digging the proverbial well when the house was on fire.

Kajal shook her head as she read about KB’s shenanigans. He was a Casanova and had his string of flings with models and female actors. Especially his sordid affair with the actress Anushka Pandey had been the talk of the town as they waltzed from one party to another. After their mysterious break-up four years ago KB had been changing girlfriends like he changed clothes and currently the flavor of the month was Hetal Kapadia the hottest calendar model and his perfect arm candy.

KB wasn’t bad to look at all… in fact he was the proverbial hunk. 28 years of age and standing tall at six feet his brown orbs seemed as if they saw through your soul. In one of his pictures, it felt as if he was staring right into her heart. Her heart skipped a beat. What on earth was that reaction.

She had never been carnally attracted to men before and here she was drooling over a photograph of a man she didn’t even know before today.

As she browsed further, she came across and article, ‘Model/actor KB trolled for excessive kink… wounded girlfriend files complaint’. There wasn’t much available except for a few lines mentioning his fetish for unnatural wanton pleasures. Nothing made sense to Kajal. She was only 21 for crying out loud and had never experienced the feel of a crush or what they called love in the movies. She never had the time.

She chuckled as they reached the outer entrance of the studio. She was the last person KB would even like to look at given that he was spoilt for choice with hot bodies ready to do anything for him just to be photographed or spend a night with the guy whose every pore oozed masculinity… She shook her head as they approached the enormous gates and she saw the crowd of reporters gathered to get a couple of bytes.

The gates opened allowing the Rhapsody vehicle to pass and she was immediately taken to a room passing through the built up cul de sacs. She was made wait behind something that looked like backstage and as she looked around, she saw various props and other articles strewn over. Those probably had seen better days and were now the unwanted wastes. This was probably the shooting site of some mythological or historical series given the kind of thermacol and plaster of Paris wreckage with gaudy paint and glitter. There were some models of horses and couches from the medieval period.

Kajal was told she could have the day free and decided to surprise Krunal later by taking him out for an early dinner. She had got a special outdoor allowance and that could even cover the pav bhaji parcel for her mama and his family. Excitement surged through her body after months and she couldn’t wait to get done with this speech.

Soon the woman with the earpiece called her over and she walked onto a temporary dais. TO her utmost dismay she stood under a bright spotlight while the sea of paparazzi occupied the ground below and, in the darkness, she could only see their silhouettes.  A few flash bulbs went off blinding her despite her covering her eyes. She squinted to find her way to the marked spot.

She opened up the folder and began her assigned task.

“This is on behalf of Mr. Krish Bhatia alias KB. It is to be noted that baring circumstantial evidence of a seemingly doctored grainy CCTV footage, there is no proof indicating our client KB’s involvement in the assault at J & J bar last night…”

There was a huge uproar from the seated press as the flashes went on and Kajal had to look away. These people were actually hounds as they were rightly called. They were worse than little kids and no sense of decorum. She waited for the sounds to subside but the paparazzi were in no mood as they shot one question after the other.

“KB is known for his fondness for liquor…”

“What about the injured woman and her rumored paramor… did KB assault them because she was two timing him?”

“What about Ms. Hetal Kapadia…?”

“Why is KB in hiding…?”

 Kajal’s legs began to tremble as nervousness got the better of her. This was the first time she realized the true meaning of ‘been thrown to the wolves. She blinked back tears of humiliation as they directed questions at her… actually they yelled.

She only stared and they probably took it as a chance to wreak things further. Suddenly one of them screamed.

“Do you think its because of his game gone wrong?”

 What on earth was he talking about? Kajal only stared trying to process the question. She was supposed to just make the statements given to her and exit but this was turning out into something she hadn’t envisioned or prepared for. What would she answer? She didn’t even know the guy.

“lllloook… I  I…. I … He…” she stuttered.

“Cat got your tongue young lady?” Someone said and the crowd jeered.

She was now at her wits end and her tears made a beeline for her cheeks.

“Oh oh… the woman cries… someone give her a tissue… what is it lady? You missed the bus with the gorgeous client?” another voice blurted and she bit her lower lip trying not to turn into a muddle right there.

 “It’s that special feature that went wrong isn’t it…?”  there was another round of laughter accompanied by hoots.

“Where is the boss then… hiding away in his den and sending his lobbying cohorts?”

Laughter followed and she thought she would collapse right there as tears flew unhindered.

“BOSS ISN’T HIDING ANYWHERE… HE IS RIGHT HERE YOU MORONS… STOP PLAYING WITH THE LITTLE BIRD AND TALK TO THE LION…” A deep baritone boomed startling her and there was a pin drop silence.

She looked up shielding herself from the light above and moved a few steps behind. It was then she saw… Greek God personified… Gosh his pictures didn’t do him justice.

She felt like a rat standing before a lion in his den and this lion tough it appeared he was smiling, he was very very angry.

The most beautiful pair of brown eyes symmetrically placed on a perfectly chiseled face, starred daggers at her. The sprinkling of hair on his chest shining under the bright spotlight huddled by his black loose shirt casually hanging off his firm shoulders.

Krish Batra had arrived to face the wolves…. And he wasn’t happy at all.

©priyagole

Chapter 2

Kajal didn’t even know they had so many neighbors watching the number of people who came to pay their final respects to her departed father. At the moment, she couldn’t help but remember the ironic statement from Munshi Premchand’s novel, ‘kafan’. While living, no one cared whether her father was dead or alive or needed anything as he vacillated between life and death in the last decade. Finally, today, as he lost the battle and transitioned to the other side, everyone was suddenly mourning.

Guilt overwhelmed Kajal, watching her brother cry, but she was unable to shed tears. She had often wept whenever she had tended to baba’s bed sores or heard his lungs struggle with excess phlegm or watching him over the years turn into mere skeletal remains of his former self. She had often wondered if he could hear whenever she vented out before his unresponsive self or whenever maami spewed venom against them. But today, she was relieved that he was free from pain, physical, mental, and emotional.

It was an end of an era for Kajal’s family. Aai where are you… baba is no more… can you come now at least?

Besides curious neighbors, her baba’s old colleagues also came to pay their respects. Maami was happy to see the many men in uniform. Mainly because they were government servants, Kajal saw the gleam of finding a prospective future son-in-law for her daughter Poonam. Poonam tai had finished her graduation a couple of years ago, and instead of pursuing a career or being helpful at home, she would laze around binging on repeated TV soaps.

Maami went out of her way to provide the khaki visitors with refreshments and had insisted Poonam wear her new salwar suit as if they had come for a wedding and not a funeral.

As Kajal stood in the corner in poignant silence, Ganpatrao kaka, her father’s old friend and colleague, sauntered his plump way towards her. Ganpat kaka had always been there whenever they had trouble accessing her father’s funds when she was a minor. He had gone out of his way to arrange for some parts of baba’s medical expenses to be reimbursed for them, thereby easing the load a bit. Kajal’s eyes filled at the oasis of kindness during her demanding days.

“Kaka… don’t forget us now that baba isn’t there” She softly spoke amidst tears.

“…No child, Manohar was a brother more than a friend, always ready to help everyone. He didn’t deserve this decade of turmoil or the year-long tumulus life before that. I know things were difficult for you as well, but it hit him hard. Vaini’s (Bhabhi) disappearance compounded by his case tribulations had shaken him… I hope you forgive him child, let him rest in peace….” Ganpat kaka wiped his teary eyes.

Kajal nodded, and Ganpat kaka took out polythene handing it over to her.

“This is something that was with me for a long time… a little before that accident, your father had wanted me to burn it, but I couldn’t. It’s a folder on what he had found out after your mother disappeared and that broke him totally… I didn’t want to ruin your memories of your mother, but now that he is no more, I think you should have it. If you want, you read it and I leave it to you if you want to share it with Krunal.”

Kajal peeped into the polythene to see an old dusty folder. She wrapped it and hid it in her cupboard below her clothes before maami’s prying eyes found dirt on her parents.

The few days following the funeral were hectic as Kajal had to complete formalities and close her baba’s chapter from everything mortal. She could never find the needed solitude to go through the folder.

Krunal also had his final exams coming up and she had saved up some money for an injection prescribed for her father. She paid his final fees installment mentally berating herself yet again for the relief she felt. Krunal had been speaking less for last so many days and though she had asked him repeatedly he didn’t open up to her. But ever since baba passed, he had totally stopped talking, except to nod and answer her if she asked something. She wished she knew what was troubling him and decided to take him out someday after their exams and have a chat.

Her study leave had started and in span of one and half months she had her final exams. She had already started to update her resume and sending across to job openings.

One morning Krunal was at school and she had just wound up the kitchen after everyone had breakfast. Her neighbor who had promised a job arrived unannounced.

“Kajal beta, my PR firm is hiring and has a position open. They are taking freshers. The pay is good and currently its yet to be released online. I got the insider information. Come over today and give an interview…”

“…But uncle, my exams…” Kajal wanted nothing more than the job but she had to study as well.

“What exams and all are you talking about…?” Her maami butted in. “…Who is going to pay yours and Krunal’s living expenditure? Does money grow on trees? Should I even tell you how much we have spent on you people in the last decade? Your mama is retiring soon and Poonam is to be married… how on earth do we arrange for funds… enough is enough. You better take up the job, else leave the house.” She turned around and walked back into her bedroom.

Kajal blinked back tears. Years of painful word-bricks thrown still didn’t reduce the impact they had on her. She knew she had to make this choice. She had to take up the job… she would give exams later by correspondence as well, but at the moment the job mattered. She had Krunal to think of. She agreed and, in an hour, she was in ‘Rhapsody’ PR consultants.

From a brief wait and a little tour, she found out Rhapsody was the most sought-after PR agency by the celebrities. Be it models, small time actors and even TV stars.  She cleared the interview and though she didn’t have any experience, she was given an assistant position under Ms. Shipra Malhotra. The pay was better than what she had expected but she was told, her hours were not to be numbered. She agreed and was soon sent across to Ms. Shipra’s cabin.

As expected Shipra was a thin woman with an almost hourglass figure reeking of high-end perfume and wearing a figure-hugging dress in addition to a painted face. Kajal felt like an idiot before her. Shipra gave her a once over and rolled her eyes.

“Is this what PR has stooped down to? is this what Rhapsody needs? Heights of cost cutting… Anyways your attire will need to change when you go out in the field with me…” Shipra spoke bluntly waving a perfectly manicured hand towards Kajal.

Later that night as she watched Krunal sleep peacefully she felt confident about her decision. Everything will have to wait. She had to first get their finances on track and save up a bit.

Within a fortnight Kajal had gotten acclimatized to the working of the PR company. She was the most sought-after assistant and though she was assigned to Shipra, she was happy to help out other departments too in her free time since it taught her more about the functioning of the company. The staff was very friendly except for Shipra but Kajal was fine by it. She was already learning so much from her boss.

Kajal soon realized Rhapsody did the damage control for the wayward personalities be it breaking a signal, a little accident in inebriation, drug history, mistakes in the sack which became public… just about everything. Shipra was in charge of their VIP clients. She was very particular about Kajal’s dressing and lent her clothes during their outdoor visits, though Kajal only had to stand in a corner and make notes. The only drawback was the odd work hours, which maami was fine after Kajal gifted Poonam and her expensive perfumes she had received as a give away post an event.

One morning Kajal entered the premises to a flurry of activity. The atmosphere was tense and even Shipra who was usually uptight was scampering around like a scared rabbit.

She asked another colleague, Vijay, what had happened.

“Oh, don’t ask… just consider Shipra’s house in on fire and she can’t seem to douse it… its her biggest account who is in the eye of storm now… Good luck to you Kajal… you will have to bear with her foul mouth today.”

As soon as Shipra saw her she gestured Kajal to her cabin.

Kajal was surprised to see Shipra pace within the cabin confines instead of her usual poise. Halting, she bent over her huge mahogany desk.

“Look Kajal, today I am depending on you. You have a tiny but important task at hand. Um… I would have gone myself but I have other damage control to do. However, one of us will have to go to address the press conference. I can’t allow anyone else because of the confidentiality involved. So… you will have to do it.”

“I… Shipra ma’am…I don’t…” Kajal was nervous. Speaking before an audience in a debate was different and speaking to press hounds was a different ball game all together.

“Kajal, this is my request to you. He is our biggest account and we can’t lose him… Just go through the press release in the folder. You only have to read it out before the press on behalf of Rhapsody…”

If Kajal hated anything, it was going to a competition or an event unprepared. She had to find out what this was all about but there was barely anytime. She had her clothes laid out for her. This time it was a black business suit that Shipra had selected and she had also asked for Kajal’s makeup to be done. All dolled up Kajal couldn’t recognize her-self but she felt great for getting a chance to dress up for once in her life. She left Shipra’s cabin trying to figure out where she was destined to land.

A quick glance at the press release indicated some KB was charged with alleged drunken assault in a local bar and Rhapsody was announcing it didn’t happen as shown in the viral news. Apparently the video was doctored and grainy and not proof enough to indict KB. The press was asked to wait for the official announcements from KB himself while Shipra worked things out at the backend with the victim and the lawyers.

Kajal shook her head and looked around the office as she waited for the driver to bring the car around. Vijay walked up to her sipping the concoction they called tea form the machine installed.

“So off to the lion’s den. Wish you all the best Kajal” He chuckled.

“What… what do you mean…?” Kajal’s anxiety only rose notches higher.

“You don’t know who KB is?”

Kajal shook her head. She was a disgrace to PR dealing with celebrities… she never followed the news. She didn’t know one actor from the other. Vijay was only too happy to flaunt his knowledge.

“KB is none other than Krish Batra, famous model, TV actor and…” Vijay sighed.

“…And…?” Kajal was now curious as she watched the driver arrive at the entrance.

“…And… he is PR industry’s worst nightmare…”

©priyagole

Chapter 1

Ten years later….

“And the student of the year award goes to Ms. Kajal Manohar Shinde, final year BA-literature. Not only has she excelled in academics, but she has been an allrounder. She has actively participated in various intercollegiate competitions and has brought accolades to this institution. We are proud to have her as our student.

We would also like to announce that Ms. Kajal has been one of the few fortunate from the country to be selected by the reputed University of Winchester for their renowned Master’s program in the literature that would commence next year. We have enrolled her for the bridge course in our college for the upcoming year and the subjects are of her choice.

We congratulate her on behalf of the management, staff, and students and wish her a bright future….” The emcee announced, and the auditorium roared.

Kajal walked up to the dais amidst the shower of claps and hoots. Holding the corner knot in her modest faded cotton dupatta, she blinked back tears, remembering her mother, who had always been encouraging irrespective of their dire financial status. This was her dream!

Aai, where did you go?

There was a shrill whistle jostling her to the present. She looked below to see Rahul dressed in his blue checks shirt neatly tucked into his trousers. He was the most decent guy in college and every girl’s dream boyfriend to introduce to their parents. But Rahul liked her, and she knew it though she hadn’t reciprocated. At 21 years, she had loads of responsibilities on her tender shoulders and didn’t have the time to invest in a relationship.

She sniffed and walked towards the dignitaries and accepted the trophy and the certificate.

She was asked to say a few words, and she nodded, walking towards the mic.

“Hello everyone….” Everyone roared, and it took enormous efforts on teachers and other staff to bring them to silence. Kajal smiled and continued.

“…First of all, I would like to thank my teachers and my batchmates, as well as the seniors and juniors, for having supported my endeavors. My life in these five years in this esteemed college right from 11^th grade to date has been a dream… a dream from which I don’t want to wake up.…” there was giggling and murmur

“…I thank the management for the opportunity of doing the year-long bridge course, but unfortunately I will have to decline…” the auditorium was now silent with soft murmurs.

The teachers and the principal looked at each other. Kajal paused, giving everyone time to assimilate what she just rendered.

“…I am sorry I won’t be able to join the University of Winchester either… So, the upcoming final exams next month will mark the end of my studies. Thank you, everyone, once again….”

The auditorium was now in complete silent mode. Kajal bowed to everyone, and picking up her trophy; she turned to leave the stage.

As she walked outside the auditorium building, she was surrounded by her close friends. She wiped her calmy hands to her simple lemon-yellow salwar-kameez her only good outfit that she had reserved for events. She tried to plaster a smile even as tears threatened.

“What is this Kajal…?” Her best friend Raina asked huffing. “…this was an opportunity of a lifetime…Come on, yaar!” The stubby girl stood with her hands on her hips.

It was then that Kajal saw Rahul navigate the crowd and move towards them. That was the last thing she needed, a confrontation with him. So, she dragged her friends away, and they ran till they reached outside the vast campus. It was lunchtime, so the campus was filled with a sea of students loitering around.

They moved under a tree to escape the wrath of the afternoon sun.

“Now shoot Kajal…” This time her other friend Shivani spoke, annoyance dripping from her voice. “… this was an opportunity to escape your crappy life. Why did you decline? You would have received a modest stipend for a year….”

“Look, Raina, Shivu… you know my situation. I am in the dumps, just a little away from hitting rock bottom. Baba’s medical expenses are now getting tough to bear with… as I had told you, the savings are all exhausted, and so have all the severance pay he got six years ago. I sold all the jewelry left behind by aai… I have nothing left, and baba still needs care. Besides, Krunal is now in the 9^th grade. I haven’t paid his fees installment…It’s tough. Forget the stipend, I can’t afford the education even with a scholarship. And what will happen to Krunal then?” her voice choked, thinking of her younger brother, who had matured up far ahead of his 14 years.

Her friends only stood watching the crowd move.

“Kajal seems like Rahul is looking for you. By the way, he had proposed, right? So why don’t you accept? You can eventually get married, and he is fine with Krunal living with you as well. He is OK with you going abroad for studies, ready to wait… you like him too, right?” Raina spoke calculatingly.

Kajal sighed. “It doesn’t matter if I like him or not. Marrying just because I want something from him is wrong. It’s not that at all. He is a great guy, but I can’t burden him or anyone else with my problems. I have borrowed money from mama for the next couple of months and hopefully will get a job after exams.”

“What about that part-time work in the café next to your home?” Raina asked

“I had to stop. I couldn’t spend more time because Krunal was getting neglected… He had to give up on tuition for that… He says he doesn’t need it, but I know its tough for him to manage… I feel so helpless at times.” This time she couldn’t keep tears at bay.

“I wish I could help you, Kajal, but besides moral support, I can’t do anything….” Shivani lamented.

“You two are my pillars of strength. Without you, I don’t think I could have lasted this long.” Kajal squeezed their hands grateful for the sprinkle of blessings in form of her friends.

Kajal escaped Rahul and hurried to the bus stop. She had switched off her phone hours ago to escape the texts and calls form her batchmates and teachers. She just wanted few moments of solitude to gather her thoughts. Her repaired footwear bit into her ankle, but she didn’t have a choice now; every penny mattered. As she waited for her bus, her life flashed before her eyes.

They had been a happy family where her father, a sub-inspector with Mumbai Police, and her mother, a homemaker, doted on her. They lived in the police quarters at Andheri, and she had been well provided for. Her baba especially treated her like a princess even after Krunal had arrived when she was 7. Her aai was a beautiful woman who had eloped with her baba when she was barely 20 and had never looked back. Aai wanted to become a fashion designer but had given up on her dreams.

But aai never seemed unhappy, so eleven years ago, when she suddenly disappeared, it came as a shock to all of them. Baba had been excessively preoccupied in a classified case and was never home. Was aai,  a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesha, feeling neglected? Kajal had always wondered. But at ten she couldn’t fathom the turn of events.

Baba was never the same again. He had taken to the bottle and was always angry, taking out his frustration on Krunal and her. Finances were tough, but she somehow managed so far. She never had a proper childhood or fun moments like children in her class, but she didn’t complain. She had to look out for her brother.

Then that horrific day ten years ago, her father was grievously injured in the line of duty. It was devastating for them, and they came over to stay with her mother’s brother to save on the costs. Since then, her father was almost vegetative and after months of hospitalization his permanent address was now, the tiny storeroom in her uncle’s modest home.

Kajal had tried her best to make him comfortable, but the treatment costs had skyrocketed beyond their capacity. Her uncle wanted to help, but he wasn’t well off either…

Kajal’s mami wasn’t happy with the intrusion in her tiny gamut. Kajal’s cousin, brother, and sister were much older and weren’t happy to share their rooms and things. But her uncle had been firm, so they had relented. Form the go, it was a life filled with mocks and insults every step of the way. Kajal tried to keep Krunal away from everything, but she had to bear the brunt of the constant taunts thrown their way.

Being good in studies, she took up home tuitions for younger kids in the neighborhood, earning their keep in the house.

She had tried her best to juggle the expenditure and also tried looking for her mother, but there was no trace of the woman. Was her aai so unhappy that she didn’t even miss her children?

There were talks at home, where her mami often spoke about the wastage of money on the vegetative man. She had even contemplated sending Kajal and Krunal to an orphanage.

Her uncle had stood by the kids much to the chagrin of his wife and had put his foot down. Once eighteen, Kajal had withdrawn their meager savings nominated to her, and her aunt had been pacified. She sold off aai’s little jewelry, but nothing ever sufficed.

Her college had been kind enough to wave off half her fees given her scholastic abilities. She was the recipient of a philanthropist’s generous program throughout college. She hoped to meet the person someday to thank him/her for saving her life, in a way.

Did you see aai? I belive in Ganesha too… just like you taught me…

Kajal had spoken to a kind neighbor who had promised her a job at his PR firm right after her exams. Despite her situation, she had been an ace student and hoped her accolades would help with the job. That would take a load off her uncle’s aging shoulders.

Throughout her journey homewards, she was lost in thought about spending the upcoming two months in deep turmoil. She was tired of facing the curveballs life threw at her and hoped to get a respite.

Aai where are you when I need you the most?

As she walked towards her home, she saw a small crowd that had gathered outside the flat. Everyone moved as she approached. Her heart stilled, wondering what had happened.

Just then, Krunal saw her and rushed outside, hugging her, crying into her shoulder.

“Tai, why did you switch off your phone…? baba died… an hour ago….”

©priyagole