The Royal Fling - Part 41

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Chapter 41

Shantivan

“Daadiji… you have called the Priest?” Anamika asked the old lady, stepping in her room.

Subhadra Raizada got up.

“Is he here?”

“Yes”

“Okay, come with me”

Anamika followed Daadi to the living room where their Royal Priest was seated.

“Panditji, namaste” Daadi greeted. “I hope you remember why I called you”

“Yes Subhadraji. How can I forget Aman Singh Raizada’s Death anniversary?”
Anamika’s toes curled as she processed this. Subhadra turned to her.

“Anamika, go call Arnav here. Tell him the Priest has arrived”

Anamika was still stationed there, unable to move.

“Anamika, are you deaf? I said go call Arnav”

“Jee” she stuttered before hurrying to call Arnav Singh Raizada.

Soon she came out again with him.

“Arnav, Panditji says the ritual have to be started at 11:40am” Daadi informed.

Arnav plainly nodded. It had been 2 years since Aman was dead and this weekend was his Death Anniversary.

“Just like last year, we will be doing this only between the family members” he added. “I don’t want outside people to come and fake their sympathy on our loss”

Anamika’s fisted her fingers. She tried not to reveal stiffness in her posture which could make the family suspect her motives or her identity.

“Anamika and me will take care of all the preparations” Subhadra decided.

Arnav Singh Raizada got up to leave but he stopped at Anamika who immediately held her Veil properly to cover her face.

“This is a very important ritual for my family, don’t skip anything and no mistakes” he warned.

She gently nodded. Arnav made his way out. Subhadra swallowed the pain formed in her throat. She knew how difficult this day is for Arnav. He still considers himself the reason for Aman’s death and can never forgive himself. Never!!

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

Mumbai – Studio

“Pack up”

Khushi finished the shoots and was about to head back to her Vanity when the Producer of the Web Series she was going to Audition for this weekend.

“Khushi, hi..” Mahesh Sinha stopped her.

“Mahesh? What are you doing here?”

“Had to meet my Directors. Anyways, congratulations on your wedding. It’s unfair that you didn’t call anyone from your Professional circle”

Khushi sighed.

“Everything happened to suddenly that I couldn’t invite anyone”

“That’s okay” the man smiled. “I can understand. But glad you didn’t give up on your career. Otherwise marrying such a rich man from the Royals, anyone else would have stayed back home and enjoyed the luxury. I always knew you were different”

“Thanks Mahesh”

“Now that you are here, let me introduce you to the Directors of my Web Series – the one you are going to audition for. Come”

Khushi was more than willing to go. She quickly changed into her regular denims and T-Shirt and strode with Mahesh Sinha to the other set in film city.

“That’s Tiwari, our director.. and where is he?” Mahesh scanned the area.. “There.. there he is.. come on..”

Khushi realized he wanted her to meet the other crew member who was standing with a group of artists, guiding them. She couldn’t see his face. He was standing facing his back to them. He had ripped muscles just like Arnav Singh Raizada and even had his physique common with that of her husband.

“You look Busy” Mahesh exclaimed reaching the man who instantly turned around to face them. Khushi froze when she saw his face.

“Not for you Mahesh” the man replied, shaking hands with him.

“Khushi, that’s Aman, our assistant director. He is going to assist Tiwari in the web series”

Khushi’s eyes darted in shock. Aman? He… he was Aman Singh Raizada? Of course he was. She had seen his pictures in Shantivan. He had to be Aman. Just that he had tanned a bit.

“Aman?” she stuttered.

“Hey.. I have seen your work. It will be an honor to direct you in our web series” Aman smiled at her.

Khushi was too confused how to react. Somebody called Mahesh from the other side and he had to leave. It was just Aman and Khushi now.

“You… your .. I mean… whats your name again?” she asked.

“Aman” he replied with the same cheerful smile.

“Aman … what? I mean… your last name?”

Aman stiffened.

“It’s just Aman” his smile vanished. “Anyways, nice meeting you Khushi”

He extended his arm for a handshake. She shivered but soon shook his hand.

“Khushi Singh Raizada” she replied on purpose to see if he behaved unusually hearing her full name but he didn’t.

“Oh yes, Mahesh told me you got married to a Royal family recently. Congratulations”

He didn’t react? Why? Did he not remember? Damn!! What is this mystery?

“Excuse me”

Khushi watched him leave. Aman Singh Raizada was alive? He was definitely the same man but why didn’t he recognize her name? And what was he doing here? She had to find out. And until she gets all his info, she wouldn’t be able to tell this to anyone from the Raizada family.

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

That whole night Khushi kept thinking about Aman and why he was here in Mumbai and not with his family at Shantivan. The only person right now who could sort some of her confusion was Millie. After meeting Aman today, Khushi had asked Millie to find out more about him through people of the film fraternity. Someone had to know something about him. She was desperately waiting for Millie’s call and when it rang on her phone, she almost jumped from the bed to answer.

“Millie.. please tell me you have found something”

Millie sighed.

“Not very much Ma’am. Except that he has worked two more web series projects before signing this one with Mahesh Sinha. No one knows anything about him. Everywhere he has mentioned only his first name. There is nothing else mentioned about him. I have tried. Still I have trace some more information”

Khushi groaned in disbelief. He was purposely hiding. She knew it. But why? And did he not recognize her? He must have known she is married to his brother Arnav. Why was he pretending to be a stranger? Khushi asked Millie to continue her search without actually revealing it to her why she was so much interested in this man.

Payal called her up late night to check upon her.

“Khushi.. how did your shoots go?” Payal asked.

“Good” Khushi was not in a mood to talk. Her mind was lost in Aman.

“I hope you are coming here on weekend”

“Weekend?” Khushi snapped. “Why?”

“Why?” Payal sighed. “Khushi I understand your work is important but family also means something right? You should be here to support your husband”

“Husband?” she snapped. “What.. what happened to Arnav? Is he not well?”

“He is fine. I thought so you wouldn’t know. This weekend is Aman’s death anniversary. Daadi and Arnavji has arranged a Havan for him. You should be here with us”

Khushi was stunned. Havan? Aman’s death anniversary? But .. he is alive.. Plus, on weekend she had to give auditions for that same Web series which Aman was the assistant director of.

“Khushi… are you listening?”

“Yes. I .. I will call you tomorrow Payal. Got a bad headache. Hope you don’t mind”

“Headache? Take medicines.. And don’t stress too much”

Khushi couldn’t talk more. She disconnected the call. Would she let that Havan happen when she knows he is alive? But what if this man is not Aman? But how can he have the same name and face? Her phone rang again. She checked the screen. It was her husband Arnav Singh Raizada.

“Hello”

“You got a headache?” his worry reflected in his tone.

“Damn!! Did Payal tell you that?”

“I over heard her talking to you. But that’s not the point. Do you have headache? Are you taking stress?”

She didn’t reply. She had lied to Payal about her headache to wind up with the call.

“Stress is not good for you Khushi. Are you taking the medicines prescribed for such conditions? Have you even carried them with you?? If not, I am sending someone with the medicines”

“Wait.. wait..” she scowled. “I am fine. My headache is not worse.. Its mild. And I have taken medicine. You don’t need to worry so much”

“Leave that on me, how much to worry for you” he snapped. “Did you eat or I am ordering now”

“I ate” she argued. “And please, I am not a baby. I can order for myself”

“Baby?” he smirked. “Even babies throw less tantrums than you”

“Excuse me? Did you say I throw tantrums?”

“Always”

She wanted to argue but she couldn’t. Aman and his mystery was all over her mind.

“Payal told me its havan on the weekend” she shared.

“Hmm” he replied. “I know you cannot make it because of your auditions. I understand”

Khushi was quiet for a minute. He understands?

“Its my mistake. I should have told you when your presence is needed here. I will make sure to let you know prior so that you can schedule your shoots appropriately” he added.

For a second, she couldn’t believe it was Arnav Singh Raizada she was talking to. He was so considerate for her now unlike before when he dominated.

“Will you be okay that day?” she urged to know.


Arnav went quiet for some seconds but she could hear his heartbeats. Yes, she could, despite being miles away from him.

“Would it alter your decision to come back for me that day?” he queried.

Khushi had no reply to that.

“I will be fine” he lied. “All the best for your auditions”

“Arnav..” she interrupted before he could disconnect. “I am not selfish”

Arnav didn’t respond.

“I don’t know how to … how to adapt to this change in my life. Marriage.. family.. husband…plus my work which none of you heartily approves of… I am just confused how to handle this all together. I need time” she added.

Arnav was glad she wasn’t running away from this marriage anymore. She wanted time and he would give her that.

“Good night” she mumbled and disconnected the call. She took a sigh of relief. She didn’t know what made her ask time from Arnav. Was she really going to give this marriage another chance? Why? Had Arnav Singh Raizada’s little efforts and concern for her mellowed her heart? She didn’t wish to analyze it yet. Right now she had to focus on Aman and the mystery revolving him. If Aman is alive, the havan in Shantivan shouldn’t happen!! She promised to herself to open up this mystery before the weekend.

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

Mumbai – Sets
“Hi” Khushi greeted Aman who was talking to the Cinematographer, detailing him about the Camera angles they would need for their next shot.

“Hey… I didn’t know you were coming here again. But Mahesh Sir is not present. You will have to meet him at his home or office”

“I am not here to meet Mahesh. I came here to see you”

“Me?” Aman chuckled. “I didn’t understand”

“Aman.. whats this scar about?” she asked pointing out a small scar on his forehead.

“This?” he touched his scar. “I met an accident few years ago”

“2 years ago? Approx?” Khushi queried.

Aman was skeptical to answer that.

“yea. Why? I am sure you aren’t here to talk about my scar. What is this about?”

“Khushi…?” Mahesh Sinha was here. “What a surprise. Seems like you are already loving our sets”

Khushi didn’t like his interruption but Aman took it as a sign to escape.

“Sir, I will check the cameras inside and we have the stunt guys coming in today”

“Oh yes. You please interview them until I come inside”

“Sure. Excuse me” he smiled at the two and slipped away.

“So, Khushi? What brought you here?”

“Mahesh.. I needed some information”

“Information? About the script? Don’t worry I will..”

“Not the script. About your assistant director.. Aman”

Mahesh was confused.

“Aman? What about him?”

“everything about him. I need to know what he is doing in this field and since when?”

“But why are you suddenly so interested in this man?”

“because I think I know him. If he happens to be the one I know, then he shouldn’t be here. He should be somewhere else”

Mahesh was confused. But he decided to share the part he knew.

“I met Aman last year. He was directing with Abhas for his web series. I liked his work so I offered him to co-direct with Tiwari for our web series”

“Abhas?”

“yes, he started his career with Abhas. I am sure he must know more about Aman”

“I need his number”

“Sure”

Khushi took the number of Abhas and decided to meet him personally. She didn’t had much time to resolve this mystery.



To be Continued.


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