THE BROKEN STAR ✔

CH7. THE SUCCESS

THE LIVE INTERVIEW

Reporter4 : Mam, why didn't you take any action against your parents? You have power to do anything.

Annie : I would like to answer you after I tell you the reasons and people behind my success...

Annie's POV

21 feb, 2018
8.00 p.m.

I was on my flight. I was going to reach mumbai in few minutes. I was selected in top15, I should be happy. But I had no one to share this news with. I was alone. I couldn't go to Kaki as I didnt want to trouble her anymore.

The flight arrived, I came out of the airport searching for someone. The person who called in the morning had texted me that he will sent a driver. I looked everywhere then I saw a person in a driver's unifrom was holding a board which had my name.

When I told him my name, he looked at me from top to bottom. I just smiled in return. Why won't he? I hadn't changed since two days. I was on my same dirty tshirt and jeans. My hairs were tied in a ponytail. I looked a bit like a beggar.

He took me to a hotel where I was going to stay, may be. A man in his late 50s was standing beside the reception. The driver took me to him. When the man turned, I was shocked to see him. He was a popular music producer. Arvind Desai. And he was also the co-producer of Hustle. I was hell nervous to stand like this in front of him. He also looked at me from top to bottom. I looked down.

"I wanted to talk to you about something. But it's okay. We will talk about it tomorrow. You need some rest." He said with a smile. I looked at him and nodded.

"I have booked your room. Your dinner will be served on time. My driver will come to pick you tomorrow at 10 a.m. We will have our breakfast together." He said. I can't describe what I felt that moment. My mind was filled with questions. Was he the caller? What he wanted to tell me? Most worrying question was-will he kick me out of the hustle after seeing my appearance.

"Take her bags." He told one of the hotel staff. They took my bag. When they tried to take my guitar, I stopped them. Desai Sir was smiling at this. I smiled back. "See you soon." He said and left.

22 feb, 2018
10 a.m.
The Smile Cafe

I was sitting on a table in The Smile Cafe waiting for Desai sir. Suddenly I started hearing someone humming, "Uth jaa apni rakh se, ab jut jaa tu talaash mei, parwaaz dekh parwaane ki. Asmaan bhi sar jhukaayga." It was a rap song from Gully Boy but he was just speaking those lines like a shayari  intead rapping. I turned to looked at the source of voice. Desai sir was the one humming the song.

He sat in front of me. He said,"You know Anahita, my mom says I am good at analyzing people." I smiled at him.

Desai sir : Betrayed or Broken?

Me : Can I choose both?

Desai sir : You dont look the same cheerful girl.

Me (chuckled) : Well, she is dead.
(I told him remembering the words of my father.)

Desai sir : Congratulations.

Me : Thankyou. But why?

Desai sir : It feels like, the cheerful girl is killed. You are different which means you got a second chance. So congratulations. You can renovate yourself now.

Me : Thankyou sir.

Desai sir : You're a silent person now.
(I looked at him)