CHAPTER - 22

Jasmine’s call vibrated on Pallavi’s phone. But she didn’t dare to pick it.

A week before, Jasmine and Viren approached Pallavi with Suraj Gupta’s script. They told her his last wish and tried to convince her for the project.

Now how am I supposed to deny or accept this offer! The past is more than enough for a lifetime. I don’t need a retake on that line.

But they had been persistent. What surprised me though is Amma and Nisha’s reaction.

Viren had got in touch with Nisha and explained to her why this project is the only chance for Pallavi to strive ahead. He assured her of taking care of everything else. Nisha knew cinema alone can bring her baby sister back to life; she convinced Laxmi of the same and asked her to not interfere in Pallavi’s professional life.

When the phone rang for the third time, she took the call.

“You know my answer Jas. I don’t want to do this”.

“Don’t be foolish Pallavi. If we had a choice, I wouldn’t have pestered you like Viren. Be professional, you know this is a gold mine opportunity. Also you can pay respect to Suraj sir’s soul by abiding by his wish. And the rest I assure you will be taken care of. You just have to be confident in yourself”

“It’s not that easy. You know how media works. And do you think Shyam, Nikhil etc are going to sit back and enjoy? They are going to mess it up. I don’t want to go down that road again”.

“Pallavi, if you choose to run now, you’ll have to keep running all your life. Instead stay put and face whatever comes your way. Fight for your opportunities. Media, Shyam, Nikhil all are going to pester you if you do this film or not. Past will always come back to bite you. So how long will you run?”

 Pallavi just stared out of the window without answering.

“You’re not facing such situations for the first time. The Pallavi I know, no matter how nervous she is of a situation will let herself go ahead once and see if it will work out for her. You became an actress only because of such a dare on your part”.

Pallavi just kept listening without a reaction.

“You were insulted on your first day of shoot by Shyam. Imagine cowering back then and giving up what you loved? You overcame it and went on to become an undeniable talent. Where’s that spunk gone?”

Jasmine just got silence from the other end.

“This is the best bet you can get as of now. Sure it comes with its own pitfalls. But you’ve to make a choice. Think well before denying. I’ll wait for your call till Monday. Rest is up to you”.

Pallavi threw her phone on the bed and covered her face with her hands. Few minutes later two small chubby hands touched her hands. Avni stood before her grinning. She forgot all her worries and got lost in the innocent smile of her daughter.

                 

                                                       ********************

Pallavi is at Viren’s office. She’s here to reveal her decision. But Viren is getting delayed because of a shoot that ran late. She’s done with her third coffee by now.She tried on Viren’s phone but it is going to voicemail. Finally she decided to leave as it’s getting late. She reached for the door but is surprised to see Pranav on the other side of it. He is also unprepared to face her.

Both pair of eyes stay focused on each other after five long years. But Pallavi moves her eyes away after the initial surprise and that makes Pranav conscious too. Awkwardness descends upon them. He moved inside the room unsure. They stood in the same room, feeling each other’s presence, yet not responding to it. Pallavi decides it’s better to leave and holds the door knob again when his voice arrest her.

“Don’t deny Suraj’s sir’s project because of me. I won’t be of any trouble this time”.

She’s startled for a moment at his directness.

“I just want to help…..I feel responsible”.

“What happened to me is a result of my own choices. I don’t want anyone’s pity”.

“It’s my guilt, not pity”.

She looked him in the eye for a whole minute.

“I’m professional in my work. Who my co-star is, is not a matter of concern as long as I have a good character and film at hand. And with Viren and Jas associating with this project I’ve nothing to fear”.

He bobbed his head in agreement.

“What about Janaki?”

Silence stretched between them.

“Well….I’m professional in my work too. I’ll make sure my family is assured of it”.

Family!

The door automatically closed after Pallavi left the room.

                                        *****************

Sure enough there is huge buzz and hoopla over the film’s casting. But nothing stopped the team. They began shoot and is progressing well.

They started with Pranav and Pallavi’s separate shots and sequence scenes with other supporting actors. When they began combination scenes Pranav and Pallavi gave it their best and remained strictly professional.

“I know it’s too late. But still...”

Though she remained quiet, her eyes were locked with his…     

              “I’m sorry”

  "CUT".

 For a moment Pranav and Pallavi couldn’t connect with their surroundings but in a flip second they did.

“Are the visuals okay?” 

Jasmine came towards the screen before Viren to check the visuals. 

“Beyond perfect since you are handling the camera”, he winked at her. 

As usual Jasmine ignored his obvious flirting. Pallavi smiled at them and strode towards her vanity van. Pranav hesitated for a moment before walking into his.

                                            ***************

Later in the evening,

Hotel Trident, Suite: 568

Pallavi walked in and closed the door.  She closed her eyes leaning on the door for a minute.  Images from past flashed across her mind.  When she opened her eyes, it was blank. She stood there for a moment before walking in for a shower. 

Much later, sitting in the balcony watching night settle over the city, she dialled a number.  As soon as the line connected, her face lit up with a smile hearing the voice at the other end. She whispered into the phone “I miss you too".

                                            *****************

Hotel Trident, Suite: 571

Pranav barged into the room slamming the door behind, and threw his wallet onto the bed. Though he expected things to be hard, he never counted it to be this tortuous. There was no one to blame because it was all his doings.  Suddenly his mobile started to ring.  The caller ID read ‘Janaki’.

“Hello”

“Good evening Pranav...Hope I am not disturbing”

“No, its fine”

“How is the shoot going?”

“Good”

{Silence}

“Actually Ayaan asked for you”.

“I will call him after a shower”.

“Okay.  Bye”

“Bye”

He disconnected the call and moved towards the balcony to open the curtains.  The sky wrapped in a dark robe and the city adorned with lights posed for his view.  Slowly, he let the memories engulf him.