Hotel Noor

Chapter 4

A knock at the door caught Roohi's attention as she was getting dressed for their first day of shooting. She reached out for the knob and Ayan busted inside along with Shivya and Ruhan. Chirpy chatter filled the room as everyone dreamt about their first-ever day of shooting. Then they all headed down for the breakfast.

The corridors of this hotel were festooned with brightly colored paintings on the walls and old furniture. The whole place was so big that Roohi, for a second, thought that they got lost. But then she heard a burst of laughter coming from her left and they all headed there. Ayan being Ayan leaped at the food while everyone else mingled with the group, chatting.

Aditya, the head director, on spotting Roohi, called her to a corner and asked her," we will be shooting a couple of scenes in this hotel as well. So, I want you to go around this hotel and look for places where we can shoot. Today, we will be heading out, but you could stay back with some fellow cameramen and look around the place".

"Yes sir, of course. Can I take Ayan with me?" Roohi asked.

Aditya nodded his head and walked away. He was extremely charming for a 32-year-old. This was his first project as well or so was Roohi told. But she wondered if he was as scared as her.

Ayan was constantly chatting while walking around the hotel. The corridors were awfully silent which scared Roohi a little. They were on the third floor and Roohi was certain that they have lost their way.

Roohi looked around the hall as angst ran within her. Then in front of a dark room, she spotted a yellow-colored smiley ball. It was covered in dust and one eye of the ball was faded. Roohi showed it to Ayan who instantly started playing with it. Suddenly, Hareem appeared, yet again, out of the blue.

"What are you two up to? Why aren't you at the shooting?" he asked.

"We are just looking around. Trying to find a place where we can shoot one of our major scenes. Could you suggest any sir?" Ayan answered.

"This place is huge. You can go anywhere. But don't go around the minaret. It's not safe there. The lake in front of it as well." Saying this, he assisted them both downstairs.

"Sir, did princess Shah Noor have any children?" Roohi asked as they all entered the deserted big hall.

"No, the princess could not bear children. That was one of the deepest sorrows of the prince's mother, Wahida Begum. She was also a beauty of her time. Admired by all. The prince however had a lover".

"Really! Who?" Ayan asked.

"Tahira. I think that was the name. She was exceptionally alluring. The daughter of the chief of the army, who was also a dear friend was the prince. Or so I have heard. She was with the prince's child. Poor girl. She was just seventeen then. She didn't know of worldly affairs. My grandmother told me this so many times. She is quite a storyteller. "

Just as Roohi was about to question him further, Aftar, a helper at the hotel came in to call Hareem for some urgent matter.

But the flare of curiosity was already birthed within Roohi. She wanted to know more.

Then Ayan dragged her out because they were not yet done with their scene hunting.