Will I See You Again?

Equilibrium pt. 1

Everybody knows, to stay in this industry, one needs to keep hustling. This cruel world of so called ''entertainment,'' only believes in one mantra, that is,

if you're out of sight then, you're out of everyone's mind.

So what better way to keep yourself visible and grab more opportunities than attending the annual 'Actors & Producers Guild' party.

_____

The emailed invitation had been in Rubina's inbox for a while. She had put off really thinking about it. Because worrying about it so far, had only made her head ache and her eyes twitch, irritability.
There would a huge crowd, no doubt, along with the media outside, and Rubina knew that he was taking the the same car as her. Just for the sole purpose of ensuring she didn't sneak off early.

He didn't ask her. He just showed up at Rubina's door with her little sister, fashionably late, with a car waiting outside.

By the way of greeting, her sister simply said, "wear that Italian designer's evening gown you bought last month, not this awful mess."

"I'm fine, little sis. Thanks for asking," Rubina grinned in amusement.

"Gown. We're late. You look great," her sister said, pointedly.

"Hello to you too, by the way." Rubina told him and gestured for them to come inside.

"Hurry up! And please, don't blame me," he said and put up his hands in surrendering gesture. "My poor driver and I had to suffer through an almost 30 minutes long lecture about our 'reckless driving habits' on our way over here." He complained, pretending to be a little annoyed at the mistreatment. Then started  laughing and sat down on the sofa, in the living room.

Rubina also laughed and then went to her bedroom. Stepping into the walk-in closet, she began her search for the gown. Her sis was right; this dress didn't really look that good on her.

Quickly changing into her new attire, Rubina walked over to the huge floor length mirror and looked at herself. The shimmering evening gown did look great on her. Maybe she should thank her sister.

"What would I do without you?"

"Attend fewer events," her sister answered as she came to stand beside Rubina. "And make poor footwear choices much more often."

A half protest half laugh almost choked Rubina. Without saying another word, she bent down to change her shoes. "Anyone you're supposed to meet tonight?"

"Yes, my next short film's potential sponsor. Almost as tall as Jijaji but long hair. Can't miss him. He's producing the project you liked."

Nodding as she straightened up, Rubina raked her brain, through the memories of different scripts, she had read.

She recalled the story.  Rubina had really liked it but yet give her final nod.
OTT platforms has rapidly grown in the past few years and doing exceptional business these days. She would be a fool if she'd let go off such a brilliant opportunity out of her hands.

"I liked the story. Would absolutely love to do the role," Rubina told her, honestly and pulled the bedroom door open.

"Then let's go cast you right into that role," her sister said and followed Rubina out of the room.

_____________

To say the place was swarmed with media persons would be an understatement. Their driver had to circle the venue twice before finally getting the chance to stop the car at the entrance.

As Rubina unfolded her legs and climbed out of the car, her sister followed right after. He stepped out from the other side.

She heard the photographers call out their names. The flashes assaulted her eyes and she stood there, blinking, until she felt the cool press of his hand on her right arm. She was suddenly really glad that he was here.

They posed and answered a few light hearted questions. After that, all three headed up the stairs into the giant hall.

"Are there tables at these things?" Her little sister leaned sideways towards Rubina to ask softly.

"I reserved one for us. Thought you might want to eat at some point. Just so you know, that producer will also be sitting at our table." He told them and then glaced down at Rubina. He seemed to be searching for something on her face.

"What?" Rubina asked.

"You good?"

"Yeah, why?" Rubina frowned slightly and then with both hands, smoothed the front of her gown down. He was acting a bit strange. Rubina was beginning to wonder if he knew something.

He shook his head as if to say not to worry and stepped ahead to shake hands with the host of the event.

As he got into an intense discussion with the other guy, Rubina took the advantage of the distraction to glance around the hall. It was a sea of known and unknown faces, suits, sparkling jewellery and expensive cocktail gowns.

Being not that tall Rubina could only notice people who were taller than her or close to her height. For instance, like the man, who was smiling at her from the other side of the great hall.

Rahul Krishna Vaidya.

A weak smile curled up the corner Rubina's mouth and then she turned back to her sister. "You knew he was going to be here. Didn't you?"

The grimace on her little sister's face was barely there but Rubina recognised it immediately. "Sis, listen. I didn't know until the late afternoon. Your manager told me and I figured if she told you..."

"That I wouldn't come. You're right. I'm leaving." That sick feeling of worry, tension, fear, rejection got balled up again in her heart. Every time she saw that smile, those god damn eyes, it felt like everything came rushing back. Again.

"No, sis? This is really important." Her sister carefully wound her arms around hers and tugged Rubina off to the side of the snack table.
"Rahul isn't at our table so don't you worry about making small talks with him. That producer is at our table. Clearly Jijaji must have had to call in some favours to get us there."

"Oh, come on!" Rubina groaned. She squeezed her eyes shut and put her a hand on her forehead. Massaging it gently, she already felt drained and defeated.

Her little sister leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Sis, you gotta suck it up. You're not going to have to talk to Rahul. I'm sure he's here working his own angles for his own projects. We'll go to our table and chat, you can flirt with the producer, we wouldn't mind and..."

When Rubina instantly looked up and pinned her with a hard glare, her sister hurriedly added, "...and show off your charming personality and say yes to the project. And only after that, I'll talk about my short film. Okay?"

A few seconds passed.

Exhaling a deep sigh, Rubina slowly nodded her head. Suddenly her phone chimed in her hand, alerting her of a new text message.
Unlocking her phone, she opened the text, read it then rolled her eyes heavenward. She shook her head at her luck.

"What happened?" Her sister asked, curious.

"Your Jijaji had to leave. He's got an urgent call regarding the new apartment. Said to have fun." Rubina told her.

"Then let's go have some fun." Her sister declared, all exited and then tugged Rubina towards their table.

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Dividing the chapter in 2 parts. Keep reading because good things comes to those who wait.