CHAPTER - 10

2017

Pallavi Nanda is a superstar today. Name, fame, awards, mind-blowing performances and iconic dance numbers - she walked through all this in her career. She has definitely touched the highest realm of her dreams.

On the other hand, Pranav Malhotra was and is still the most powerful superstar of the industry. Success has become a habit for him, something that never tires him out. But the same cannot be said about his personal life though! There are news about Mr and Mrs Malhotra getting fertility treatments but the result is still negative. But it did boost his family man image and withered down other rumours. His drinking habit though is becoming a headache for people working with him. But his box office success and huge fan following helped him in having the industry at his fingertips.

Viren and Jasmine has successfully scaled new heights in their careers making an individual standing within the industry. Viren with his potential and uniqueness as a director, aided with his easy go nature and diplomatic stands became an industry favourite in no time. Jasmine, owing to her gender, potential, fierce spirit, unquestionable guts and hotheadedness though was beaten down many times. But she rose up again and again proving herself as a fighter, getting admiration even from her enemies. Her hotness and haughtiness made her a prized challenge to others.

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Pranav is lazily checking instagram feed when he chance upon an interview of Pallavi with her co-star Nikhil Khanna.

Anchor: Your last film together was a great success and we hope this new release will repeat the same success at Box office.

Nikhil: Huh...we would prefer it to make more wonders than last time!

Anchor: Haha sure, before we end this session, all our viewers would like to know, when will we be able to see the most adorable onscreen couple tying the knot? I mean there are strong rumours, so your clarification?

Nikhil: Today 9pm we are getting married, venue not to be disclosed.

Pallavi (laughing): You just gave them a kickass promo for the interview.

Anchor: I’m sorry but many actors who initially tagged themselves as friends, later declared either they are lovers or are getting married. So can we expect such a 'miracle' in your case?

Nikhil: Sure if Pallavi by any chance learns to cook, but that is next to impossible.

Pallavi: And Nikhil stops flirting, which is not going to happen in this life!

All three of them started laughing.

Pranav felt anger taking over him seeing the interview. There are rumours about Maya and Nikhil within industry and he is aware of it. He threw his glass on the floor. His drunken stupor only enhanced his anger, jealousy and hurt.

By then he reached his bedroom and found Janaki sleeping peacefully. She might have slept off while waiting for him.

Why can’t I feel what I feel for Pallavi, for Janaki? She loves me, and somewhere I do too. We have years of togetherness, shared highs and lows in life. But why do I still yearn for someone else? I’m not doing right by her!

He landed on bed and crawled next to her. He spooned her and rested his head on his pillow. Janaki felt a sudden weight on her and stirred in sleep.

“Pranav?”

She turned in his arms and faced him. He just hugged her tighter with tenderness. She deduced he is trying to shower her with support for tomorrow’s test result.

Maybe it’ll be negative again and he knows it. Yet he’s here, with me, loves me as always despite my inability to mother his child. What more do I need?!

She felt her eyes moistening and hugged him back fiercely and within no time started showering his face with wet kisses. Half way through the kisses, she felt him taking control. And that night was one of the most beautiful nights of Mrs. Janaki Kashyap Malhotra’s life. 

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FILMFARE AWARDS 2017

Celebrities have started gracing the red carpet and posing for paparazzi. After making grand entries they got busy in socializing. Viren was greeting a senior director when he saw Pallavi entering the venue. After addressing media she walked towards him.

“Hey Viren, long time!” they hugged each other.

“I missed you girlfriend. Have you by any chance become more pretty?”

“Spare me boyfriend”, she laughed.

“I am just giving a compliment. And you know, Viren Sinha doesn't need...”

“.....words to woo a girl”, she completed his line.

“Exactly, but your friend alone is an exception”.

“Haven’t got over your obsession with Jasmine yet?”

“Ah ....Jasmine!” he mimicked a heartache.

Pallavi laughed at his antics.

“Viren, it’s been a long time since I laughed like this”.

“That's the magic of Viren Sinha”

Just then they heard media calling out Pranav’s name. For a moment Pallavi froze but she masked her expressions easily. It’s been long since they faced each other.

Pranav entered as always in a dashing Black suit with Mrs. Janaki Kashyap Malhotra in tow. Janaki wore an electric blue colour velvet gown; she smiled for the paparazzi flashing her sweet dimple. Her partner was in his stylish avatar, oozing arrogance and charm at the same time. If Pallavi felt facing him is difficult, she didn't even know what to say about facing him with Mrs.Malhotra. It did hurt her somewhere to see Janaki hugging on to his arm and entering the hall with grace and dignity. But she brushed that thought aside.

Pranav is seeing her after a long time. His face reflected the indifference mask like hers but the eyes had a different tale to say. He knew it’s awkward to meet again with Janaki beside, but he couldn’t help it.

Janaki approached Viren who stood with Pallavi; media is clicking away and spying on each movement of theirs.

“Hi Viren”

“Hi Jaanu”

Janaki acknowledged Pallavi’s presence too.

“Hello Pallavi, nice to meet you”

Pranav’s eyes rested on Pallavi, but after a brief smile of acknowledging his presence she resolutely moved her eyes away.

“Pleasure is mine”

Janaki was about to continue with pleasantries when Nikhil appeared and held Pallavi’s shoulders in a friendly gesture which bothered Pranav.

“Hi everyone”

“Hi Nikhil, I saw your recent flick. Good job man”

“Thank you Viren”

“Are you performing tonight for the function?”

“Yup as always, but this time it’s a combo performance with Pallavi. Hello Pranav and Mrs. Malhotra”

“Pleased to meet you Nikhil, so when are you and Pallavi making it official?”

Pallavi's eyes drifted to Pranav’s for a second with Janaki’s question. She noticed his fists tightening. She was about to say something when Nikhil intervened.

“Oh no, you got it wrong Mrs. Malhotra. We are just friends”.

“It is always going to be the same dialogue- 'just friends'”.

Nikhil laughed it off while Pallavi and Pranav seemed quite uncomfortable with this turn of conversation. Viren guessed it and diverted Janaki’s attention.

“Function is about to start, why don’t we get seated?”

Event started in all glory and ended in no time. Nikhil and Pallavi did their solo and combined performances and undoubtedly received applauds from the crowd. Pallavi won the Best Actress award and Pranav walked away with the Best Actor award. He went up to honour Suraj Gupta with Lifetime Achievement award. Whenever he went up the dais, Pallavi took a full look at him. She noticed the tiredness, rigidness in his posture and the hollowness in his eyes and voice. She was feeling like a mess the whole night but was cautious of the media glare around. When Pranav is giving his speech, his eyes went in search for those hazel eyes but he saw her leaving the venue with her manager.