by Saranya Rai
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Mini bar, you know I work for a living, right? Unlike you and golden boy here. I already told you I can’t do Saturday. I’ll bring you a present when I come back after this schedule.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
YOU CAN TAKE ONE DAY OFF. C’mon, Bhaiya, pleeeeeeeeeaaaase. I’m turning 21!
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Congratulations, you’re still not old enough to drink in Maharashtra!
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Vicky, don’t be a prick. Mini, I don’t know if I can do Saturday, but I’ll take you out for brunch Sunday morning. Also, why are we emailing each other like it’s 2008?
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
I lost my phone in college yesterday. Don’t tell mom. And don’t buy me a new phone, I have it covered. I just have to get my number back. Jahan, you’re the best. Vicky bhaiya, you suck.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Ofc, Jahan ki chamchi. Why don’t you switch siblings for your birthday too? I’m sure Jay will be delighted. He’s also stuck in 2008 only, with a yahoo ID.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
GROW UP.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Children, please. Mini, don’t listen to Vicky. He’s just sulking because Kritika doesn’t give him any bhav.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
YOU GROW UP MAN
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: Birthday
Ah, just as I suspected. My congratulations to Kritika for her continued show of good taste.
Vicky grinned at his phone screen. There was no way he was telling Jay or Mini about his casual flirtation with Kritika. They’d both yell at him. Perhaps, if things continued promisingly, he’d tell Mini when he flew down to surprise her for her birthday. He’d already cleared his leave with his team and Sudarshana.
He wasn’t even that mad at Bhaskar Joshi any more, given how that ill-fated interview had led to Kritika bringing up his relationship status out of the blue. Things were definitely looking up for him. Tossing his phone on to the bedside table, Vicky closed his eyes, hoping he’d dream of a certain dimpled smile and soft curves that fit so perfectly against him.
6
‘Where is this dratted girl these days? She never seems to be around.’ Malki huffed through to the courtyard where her husband and brother were seated on a charpoy, playing a game of dice.
‘Have either of you seen Heer? I’ve been calling for her this past half hour and she’s nowhere to be found. I even sent a girl to Veera’s house but neither seem to be there.’
While Chuchak shook his head with an indulgent smile, Kaido considered his next move carefully. It was time to ignite the powder keg he had been sitting on for weeks.
‘Veera? What foolishness, sister. Why would you send a girl to look for Veera if you want Heer, when the easiest way to find her would be to send someone to look for that Ranjha.’
Malki stilled with a foot over the threshold, and turned around to face her brother. Chuchak looked up with a frown.
‘What are you trying to say?’
‘I’m helping you out, dear sister, with Heer’s whereabouts. The whole village knows and you’re knocking on the wrong door? Heer’s been dancing to the tune of that Ranjha’s flute for weeks now.’
‘Kaido!’
As Heer’s old father trembled with rage, Kaido made a soft clucking sound with his tongue. ‘Why are you shooting the messenger, brother? Did you really not know? I know Heer has a lot of leeway in this house but I was certain at least one of you would have some idea of where she is all the time.’
‘Heer would never do anything to taint the reputation of her family and name!’ Malki had come to stand by her husband, placing a bracing hand on his shoulder.
‘She is a young girl, sister. Romantic and mischievous and thoughtless. I am not blaming her in the slightest. I’m just repeating what I’ve been hearing in the village for some time now. If you don’t believe me, go look for that Ranjha. See for yourself whether Heer is with him.’
Exchanging a look of silent agreement, Malki helped her husband off the charpoy and took him inside the house. Kaido remained seated, puffing on his pipe. His brother-in-law had not played his last turn, and Kaido had won the game.
~
‘I’ll give it to you, Kritika and Vicky have solid chemistry. They’re convincing as a romantic couple.’ Arun jerked his chin at the two actors who were lounging around in a clearing near ‘the fields’. They were going over the script for the scene they’d be filming and laughing over something.
Sudarshana followed his gaze, nodding with a small satisfied smirk. ‘You hadn’t come on board when they’d appeared for their screen test, na? They easily outshone all their competition. And that includes actors with far more experience. I considered offering the role to Raunak for a while, but in the end went with Vicky.’
A disgusted snort greeted her words and Sudarshana narrowed her eyes in amusement. ‘Not a fan of Raunak Rajput, I take it?’
‘Oh, nothing like that. He’s such a wonderful example of what you can do if your family has a lot of money and connections.’
‘He’s quite a good actor, you know. Have you watched any of his work?’
‘Yes, God help me, I had to sit through Yeh Jawani Teri last year at a family thing. All my cousins and their offspring insisted we watch it.’
‘It wasn’t that bad. Kritika was great in it!’ Sudarshana tried to sound as sincere as possible.
‘She was certainly better than that overgrown fish, yes.’
‘Fish?’
‘He has an awfully vacant look about him, haven’t you ever noticed?’ Arun waved a hand dismissively. Sudarshana couldn’t help but notice what beautifully shaped hands he had—long, tapering fingers with blunt, well-cared-for nails, capable and steady.
‘Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about the shot list.’
Sudarshana mentally girded her loins. She had known the truce wouldn’t last.
‘Yes, what about it?’
‘We’re never going to finish this today. Not at the rate we’ve been shooting.’
A frisson of irritation hissed through her nerves.
‘We’d get through a lot faster if you wouldn’t stop to argue with me on every other shot.’
‘Sudarshana, I don’t argue. I am going to offer my opinion if I think there’s a more effective way of doing things.’
‘And I value your opinion, which is why we’re working together on this film. But it is ultimately my call.’
‘You’ve made that abundantly clear. And I respect that too. But you obviously don’t respect my judgement, which is why we have these frequent “arguments”.’
Sudarshana’s mood had begun to match the gathering storm on A
run’s brow.
‘Arun, I’m not going to argue about whether we argue. This is getting ridiculous. If you’re done blocking this shot, we can begin and then maybe we have a chance at this shot list.’
Signalling towards her script supervisor, Sudarshana walked away decisively.
~
‘All right, Kritika, Vicky, are you both clear on the action?’
The corners of Kritika’s mouth trembled as she fought to hold in an ill-timed spurt of giggles, while Vicky stood stony-faced, more adept at getting his face to behave. He knew he was singularly responsible for what was happening but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. Even the retribution Kritika promised through her eyes wasn’t enough to get him to stop. If anything, it spurred him on.
‘Actually, can we go over the part near the water trough again? The order is . . . dialogue first, water second?’
Sudarshana nodded tersely. ‘Kritika is going to tug on this rope, drawing the water, while saying “ek baar barsaat”, etc., and once she’s done and is looking expectantly at you, dip your hand into the bucket and spray her face. The mood is playful, sexy, building anticipation, right?’
Kritika nodded seriously, her brow scrunching up with the effort of not laughing.
Vicky was barely holding it together himself. Kritika’s attempt at not giggling was funnier than the original joke. He’d merely pointed out to Kritika that all of Sudarshana’s directions in this scene sounded like they belonged in a pornographic film and the thought of their stern and aloof director seriously making an X-rated clip had Kritika in stitches.
Vicky admired Kritika as he saw her trying to control her laughter. Her dimples were irrepressible and totally gave her away. It was adorable.
‘Oh, and Vicky?’
Vicky snapped to attention immediately. ‘Yeah, I got it. I mean, yes?’
Sudarshana was as steely-eyed as always. ‘Don’t think I don’t know what you’re laughing about.’
Vicky’s eyes bulged and Kritika sobered up instantly as Sudarshana walked away.
‘If Father David wasn’t alive and well, terrorizing another generation of students, I’d have called for an exorcist. Uncanny, absolutely.’
‘If you get me into any trouble today, Vikram Behl, you’re going to be sorry.’
‘Ja na, teacher ki chamchi. Bet you were a right nightmare to have in class. You used to remind the teacher to collect the homework, na?’
‘Absolutely not.’ Somehow, Vicky didn’t believe her prim response.
Shaking his head with a chuckle, he got into position by the edge of the well.
At the familiar sound of the clapboard, he looked up at Heer, who had taken her place in front of him and was pulling on the rope that would raise the bucket of water. The tiniest hint of a smile hovered on her lips, and a mischievous twinkle brightened her eyes. Her face had grown achingly dear to him, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she cared at all. Was he only a friend, a playmate, like Veera? Or was there more to her teasing and tender affection?
‘Ek baar barsaat aa jaye. Kam se kam itni garmi mein aasman tale rehna toh na pade.’
She hefted the filled bucket out of the well and offered it to him, indicating she’d pour while he drank.
Perhaps it was time to ask Heer instead of losing sleep over how she felt. He dipped into the bucket, and in the blink of an eye, sprayed a generous handful on to her face.
Gasping, she dropped the bucket, splashing water everywhere, her hands trying to shield herself too late. Swiping at her dripping hair, she pursed up her lips in disapproval. ‘Yeh kya tha?’
‘Bin mausam barsaat.’ She did not return his grin. Huffing, Heer turned to leave.
In a flash, he was behind her, her forearm caught in his grasp. With a quick tug, she was in his arms, eyes wide and brow damp.
‘Agar garmi se itni hi pareshaan ho toh mere peeche-peeche kyun aati ho?’
She made a half-hearted attempt to free herself. ‘Ghar hi ja rahi hoon. Agar jaane do toh.’
He pulled her closer, tightening his arms around her waist. Droplets of water clung to her hair and made her skin gleam in the late afternoon sun. She seemed in no particular hurry to go anywhere, and Ranjha? Ranjha wasn’t quite ready to let her go either.
Dipping his head, Ranjha traced the arc of her cheek with his nose. A faint hint of something floral and intoxicating called out to him and he was desperate to find its source.
Trembling hands clutched at his tunic, stilling his exploration.
‘Jaane do humein, Ranjha.’
He stopped at the soft shell of her ear, his breath lifting the strands of hair that had escaped her braid.
‘Sach mein jaane doon?’
Heer nestled more comfortably into his embrace. ‘Nahi.’
‘Cut!’
Vicky pulled away from the hug, his heart beating obnoxiously loudly in his ears. There was a camera inches away from his face, white hot lights beating down upon him, and a couple of hundred people milling around. And none of it mattered as much as the woman standing half a foot away, her face unreadable for once.
‘Kritika, Vicky, that was excellent! We’re going to dry you off and do that a couple of more times, but great work, you two!’
Sudarshana was positively beaming with pride as a small army of wardrobe and make-up artists descended upon them. The lights dimmed and the camera pulled away but Kritika stayed uncharacteristically silent. Vicky’s heart thumped even louder as she walked away.
~
‘You’re really feeling hot, huh?’
Kritika proffered her make-up artist a weak smile as he pressed an ice pack to her brow and directed an assistant to turn on a nearby fan.
Sweating through her foundation was the least of Kritika’s problems at the moment, if she were honest with herself. Closing her eyes, Kriti focused on her breathing, allowing her mind to settle on the task at hand. The soothing motion of the sponge on her skin wasn’t enough. She kept returning to how frighteningly real it had felt in Vicky’s arms. As though the first take hadn’t been bad enough, Sudarshana had insisted on another four, so that she had some options. Everyone else on set had been thrilled with the morning’s work, but Kriti was freaking out internally.
If anyone suspected for a second that Kriti hadn’t been quite the consummate professional in that scene, it would be all over the tabloids the next day, and she’d be facing yet another circus around her personal life. Just thinking of her break-up with Raunak and the following media spectacle had her cringing. And all her careful campaigning to be taken seriously as an actor—all of it would suffer a serious setback.
As for Vicky . . . she didn’t really know what to do about Vicky.
Thinking about him made her uncomfortably aware of how much she enjoyed being held by him. The man gave great hugs—just right for every situation. And she was fast developing an unhealthy fascination with his hands. They were never still and her eyes were constantly drawn to them. She shivered slightly, remembering the scrape of his fingertips up her arms. It was just acting, Kriti! Just how shallow are you to fall for every eligible leading man who crosses your path?
‘Is the fan too much? Do you want it turned off?’
Kritika opened her eyes, mouth dry and cheeks still feeling hot.
‘I . . . think I need some air. I’m going to take a quick walk, Ash. I’ll be back in fifteen, I promise. Tell Chinu if she comes in with my change, please?’
Without waiting for Ash to respond, Kriti rose from her vanity table and nearly ran out of the van. She walked straight down a little path that she knew led to a secluded area of green. They weren’t shooting there, and it was usually empty of all except the odd caretaker or security personnel.
‘Kritika!’
She stopped short, in disbelief. Was she not allowed a damn moment of peace?
As Vicky’s well-built figure jogged up to her, Kriti tamped down on a sudden flash of resentment.
‘Hey, I wanted to talk to you. Are you g
oing anywhere in particular? Do you mind if I walk with you?’
Kriti stood in place, arms crossed. ‘No, I’m not going anywhere in particular. What did you want to talk about?’
Her brusque manner gave him obvious pause and he hesitated, running a hand through his hair. It was a nervous tic of his, Kriti had noticed. Just for a second, she wavered, and softened her tone.
‘What is it?’
That familiar grin of his peeped out, the one that Kriti saw hundreds of times every day, but it still made her stomach flutter a little each time.
‘So . . . I was thinking, we should hang out together some time. You and I have the morning off tomorrow, do you want to get brunch or something? I’ll look up a place that won’t even require you to cheat.’
Kriti released a shaky breath. ‘I don’t think that’s a great idea, Vicky.’
‘Oh, do you prefer renting a movie or something? I know the hotel has a rec room with a home theatre that we could probably book . . . I just have to—’
‘No.’
The end of whatever he was going to say tapered off and he suddenly looked uncertain.
‘Are you busy or something?’
‘No, I’m not,’ Kriti bit out. ‘I just don’t think it’s a great idea for us to hang out off-set. We’re here to do a job, and I like to keep things professional. I don’t need Sudarshana accusing me of not taking this movie seriously.’
‘Wha—is this about earlier? Because I saw Sudarshana exchange a smile with Arun right after and I swear she was in on the joke.’
Kriti threw up her hands in frustration.
‘It’s not about anything specific, Vicky. I’m not going to go on a date with you and give everyone something new to gossip about.’
‘This wasn’t—I didn’t mean it like that. I just thought it would be fun to hang out. Sorry, if I appeared to imply anything else.’
All his usual exuberance gone, Vicky turned around and stalked back towards the studio. And although Kritika knew she’d done the right thing, she inexplicably felt closer to tears than she had ten minutes ago.
~
Mrinalini shifted, settling more comfortably into her beach chair, her almost-empty bottle of beer dangling dangerously from her fingertips. A buzz hummed in the humid evening air and her cup of happiness was almost full. Almost.
