Behind the Camera (Complete✅)

Chapter 2- "Roll, camera...action..."

Nandin is sitting in her vanity. Waiting for the news to pack up as she is very much sure that Manik won't be shooting today. Obviously, she has stirred the male ego in him today. So, it's not tough to guess that Superstar Manik Malhotra will vent his frustration on the unit. Nandini is about to pull out the hair extension from her head, a knock on the door halts her.

"Come in..."

She surges her voice. The door latch twists and her manager enters with a content smile. Nandini turns to the mirror and removes the extension.

"You must be very happy Sejal. Our Hero called it a pack up...right? Your smile is telling so."

Nandini dips the cotton into the makeup remover and reaches her face. But before she can start rubbing, Sejal rushes to her with an open mouth.

"Di....what are you doing? I have come here to tell you that the director is going to take the first shot within 15 minutes. In fact, we all have to work a double shift for today. Manik Sir instructed that he won't be able to shoot next week. So the director adjusted the date with today's shift."

The cotton ball stops in between the way. Nandini turns vehemently. Her brows are crunched.

"What! Double shift! And that without asking me?"

She leaps up from the chair and nears Sejal. Her jaws are hard.

"What does your Hero think of himself? The entire unit will follow his order only? And how can the Director take this decision on the basis of his convenience? Don't we have any commitment? Lemme talk to him. I can't work today for so long."

Nandini is about to twist the vanity van's lock.

"Di...there is no use. The entire crew is okay with this. And if now you raise your objection they will have an issue to say that you are unprofessional. You know how people are. They already know that you and Manik Sir don't like each other. More of this some reporters are outside of the studio. If they whiff anything you will be unnecessarily dragged in the wrong news."

Sejal's practical words impel Nandini to halt and think otherwise. She pulls her hand back from the door latch.

"Hmmmm...other casts are also agreed?"

She squints her eyes to be sanguine. With a hesitance, Sejal meeks out.

"All the other casts have gone, Di. Today there only you and Manik Sir's scenes will be shot."

"What the hell!"

Nandini grinds out and stomps on her place. Sejal glances at her watch. The Director asked her to inform Nandini 15 minutes back. Until now Nandini should have been on the floor. She feebly speaks out,

"Di.. Do I send Malini to retouch your makeup and hair?"

She indicates the hair extension which Nandini has removed a few moments back. With flared nostrils, Nandini nears the previous chair and sits with a thud. Taking a deep breath, she nods at Sejal. With a sigh of relief, Sejal leaves the vanity. Nandini reclines on the chair with closed eyes. Her temples are throbbing. All of a sudden a thought peeps in her mind and a satisfactory smile comes on her lips.

"Why didn't I think in this way?"

She mumbles.

"Today's entire shoot will be our scenes. That means most of the couple scenes of the movie will be shot today. Sooooo...I don't have to shoot with that arrogant brat in the upcoming week or month. Great...what a relief. If I hadn't had to pay the hospital bills of Appa I would never have signed this movie with this control freak. Super Star Manik Malhotra."

She utters the name in a distorted voice.

.............................................

"Roll, camera and action...."

The Director orders. In a blink of an eye, Manik grabs Nandini's elbow and yanks her mercilessly to face him. Nandini genuinely flinches as the grip is iron tight. Though the scene demands the hero's intensity it could have been a bit sombre.

"So you don't love me. Whatever I felt, whatever you said was merely a lie. You never felt the same way I feel...right?"

Manik aka Rajveer, the male protagonist of the movie utters ruefully. Nandini aka Namrata, the female protagonist of the movie tries to free herself from his grip.

"Yes, all were lies. I never felt anything for you. I was only interested in your money and fame. I never loved you."

Nandini yells with the same acerbity. Manik's nose flares. His fair skin is gleaming with blood rush. He pulls her closer. Now his nails are dug into her soft skin. Nandini gapes in pain but she doesn't lose the continuity of the scene.

"But your eyes are saying something else Namrata. You are not only in love with me...you can't even stay away from me for a single moment. You are just pretending to be cold. But deep inside, you are still melting by my touch. Can you deny that right now you only want to surrender yourself to me?"

Manik gets his face so close to Nandini that their nose tips touch. Nandini closes her eyes and mumbles,

"I don't..."

"Can you deny that your body only reacts by my touch? Right now, you are feeling a thousand butterflies in your stomach. Your quivering lips only want to mingle with mine because that is their destiny. Can you deny the beautiful memories which we created? If this is not 'love' then what it is?... Tell me..."

Manik joins his forehead to Nandini. Now his eyes are closed too.

"I want to erase all those memories. Because I hate you...I hate you, Manik..."

Nandini utters. Some teardrops roll down her cheeks.

"Cut, cut, cut....What is this Nandini? Why are you calling Rajveer as Manik? The character is Rajveer....Rajveer Rathore. Not Manik Malhotra. You spoilt the entire scene. Now we have to retake it. Touch up!"

The Director interrupts with exasperation. Nandini gains her sense. She frees herself from Manik's grip. Shit, how can she be carried away like this? With embarrassment, she mutters a sorry to the Director and looks at Manik who is smirking.

"Give me a second..."

Saying this she tries to waltz pass when a scoff pours in her ear,

"Control, Ms Murthy. If you mix up your personal life with your profession then very soon you will lose the tag of the tragedy queen. Be professional."

She glares at Manik but gets rewarded with a salacious smile and wink.

Author's note: Hope you like the chapter. Feel free to comment.❤