"I will fight with every storm that comes in her way" Manik paused and sucked in a sharp breath. "And god forbid, if one day I become the storm in her way, then I won't think twice before finishing myself for her sake"
...
"Sir your black coffee" Nikhil kept the coffee on Manik's bedside table.
" Sir" before he could continue, Manik blasted on him, " Nikhil my head is already aching a lot so please, for God's sake, stop with this Sir rant of yours, just say everything in one go"
" Yes, Si..no I mean Nandini Murthy" as soon as the name left his lips, Manik stopped all the work that he was doing earlier and it was the first time in the history of these five years since Nikhil was working with Manik, that he had Manik's undivided attention. Nikhil's thoughts came to an end when Manik snapped his fingers in front of his face. Nikhil immediately cleared his throat and continued from where he left, " Nandini Murthy has already reached the shooting location. She was notified yesterday about her acceptance and her fee has also been negotiated. But she was suspicious of and kind of irritated by the fact that she was being alloted such a fancy and luxurious vanity directly in her debut film. At first, she denied accepting such special treatment but later had to give in because of the requests made by the director and other members of the crew." Finishing Nikhil took a deep breath as he had said these words in a go.
" Get the chauffer ready. I will be leaving in 10" ordered Manik.
A frown etched Nikhil's forehead and he dared to put out his thoughts in a meek voice, " But sir your shot is in an hour, what's the hurry?"
" I don't think I owe you an explanation" saying this Manik gulped his coffee and went to freshen up.
♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧
Location: Hasratein, Shooting Set
Nandini sat in her vanity before her dressing table. She was surrounded by two girls, one was the makeup artist who was engaged in doing the final touches. She dipped the tip of her beauty blender in the highlighter palette and then tapped it lightly on the upper cheeks of Nandini. The other one was the hair stylist, who was busy curling every strand of Nandini's hair. Nandini observed the two and was impressed to see them doing their work with so much concentration and patience.
" You both seem quite experienced. Since when have you been working with the actors?" Asked a curious Nandini.
" Ma'am we have been here since the last fifteen years, you might have heard about Gita Hasnandani, we are her students" answered the girl doing her makeup.
Nandini was dumbfounded on finding this new piece of information. At the time of the audition, the participants were told that the role being offered didn't really have too many lines or a crucial part to offer but since the film was being made with the star of the industry, Manik Malhotra, it was ought to be a big break for anyone. They were already told that they would hardly been given any crew to help them get ready, and here she was sitting in this huge vanity with these two professionals, who were the students of one of the biggest and most talented artist in the industry, Gita Hasnandani, making her ready. The only question that was there in her mind was that why was she being treated this way, afterall, she wasn't even someone known, let alone being special or important.
" She is important to me. She is special, very special. One problem to her and this film will be stopped. MARK MY WORDS" echoed the words of Manik.
" No sir, the announcement has been made. The film shouldn't stop. Don't worry Ms. Murthy won't face any problem" Uttered Mr. Naman Sharma, the producer of the film.
" Good, I would prefer that" saying this Manik walked out of the room and headed towards the front side of the set, where the shooting was going to begin.
He walked forward and took his seat beside the director. He greeted him and they got engaged in usual chit chat. It was after five minutes, that he noticed his beautiful girl walking towards him with a smile etched on her face, ever so elegantly. The light green coloured saree was perfectly complementing her and that dazzling smile brought a different kind of glow on her face.
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She stopped right before the monitor that was set up in front of the director. She greeted him and then turned towards Manik. Manik immediately got up from his seat and extended his palm towards her.
" Hello sir" Before she could complete, she was interrupted by Manik himself.
" Manik, you can call me Manik" His statement brought frown lines on Nandini's forehead and she argued, " But Sir".
" I insist Nandini" came his reply and she instantly nodded her head.
" So Ma..Manik, Its very nice to meet you. I really am a very big fan of your art. You are truly one of the best actors that the cinema has ever seen. I hope I will get to learn a lot from you." Her honey like sweet voice widened the grin on Manik's face, without him even realizing it. She finally extended her palm and shook hands with him. The touch made both of them feel a spark and their eyes got locked. The expression floating in their eyes was enough to let each of them know that both of them were going through the same feeling. A different kind of feeling, a happy one, but not simply a happy one was blooming within their hearts. The feeling seemed fresh and much more complexed, maybe attraction, sudden infatuation or just simple liking or attachment. They didn't know what it was but it was definitely something different, different in a good way.
They came out of their trance when the director announced the commencement of Nandini's scene. She withdrew her hand from Manik's hold and he immediately felt hollow.
" Good Luck" he uttered these words with a subtle smile resting on his lips. Nandini nodded her head in acknowledgement and went to shoot her scene.
Manik proudly saw her giving her best shot. She was indeed very talented and he had no regrets of making the decision of choosing her to be casted in the film.
The members of the crew and even the director congratulated her for the tremendous effort she had put in and for the way the scene had turned out, but her eyes were still looking around to spot that one person who's opinion she actually cared about, why, this was still unanswered.
"Well done Nandini" came the voice that her ears wanted to listen to and she immediately turned back only to bump into him. She took a step back being startled by the proximity they were sharing.
●●●●●●●●
Hey!
So here is the second part. How was it?
How were the Manan moments?
Something big coming up in the next part, excited?
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