Behind the Camera (Complete✅)

Chapter 24 - "On-screen drama..."

One more day passed. From today, the shooting of 'Pyaar ya kalank' has been restarted. Manik is absolutely fine now. He has moved to his bungalow, however, at night he comes to Nandini's place... every day. He can't sleep alone. When Nandini laughed and asked him the reason, he genuinely answered,

"After a long time, I have my peaceful sleep in your arms. I don't want to go back to my dangerous loneliness."

His words have the truth. Loneliness doesn't come from having no one around us but instead being unable to communicate the things that matter the most. Manik and Nandini have so much to say to each other that they usually stay up all night. Still, the talks don't seem to end. Manik is sitting on the chair and roaming his eyes for the last time on the scene script. It's an emotional scene where the main lead Rajveer will slap Namrata aka Nandini and blame her for leaving him and choosing money over love. Although it is a misunderstanding. Namrata is intentionally accepting all blame as she doesn't want Rajveer to get disowned by his family for marrying her. When Manik was reading the scene, director Tanay Chopra nears and occupies the stool nearby him.

"Ahem...I know it will be like a dime a dozen for you to execute an emotional scene but it is very important to show your anger, hatred and love towards the heroine at a time. It's like you can't live with her and at the same time, you can't live without her. I hope I have made you understand."

He tries to clear his points while showing his teeth in servility. Manik lifts his eyes from the pages and fixes them on Tanay's sheepish expression.

"It's really a dime a dozen situation for me...at least was...but anyway, I am not concerned about the emotional part. I know I can pull it off but is it really needed to slap Namrata I mean Ms Nandini in the scene? I mean, won't it seem a bit male chauvinistic?"

Director Chopra parts his lips to counter and put his point when a voice is heard,

"It had been if Namrata would have been clear to Rajveer. She gave reason to him to hate her so she has to bear the hatred. Male chauvinism doesn't mean to manhandle a woman by a man because he is stronger sex but to show his superiority out of male ego. A man is a human being first. A woman also doesn't have the right to hurt that human emotion."

Both Manik and director Chopra turn their head to the person. Nandini arches her brow to Manik. A mischievous smile creeps on his lips. Director Tanay Chopra gets up and gestures Nandini to sit. With an overwhelming tone, he states,

"You have lessened my tension, Ms Murthy. Manik Sir was a bit sceptical about the slapping shot. But you cleared all our doubts. Thank you. You both discuss the lines...I will meet you both on the floor within half an hour..he..he...thank you."

He disperses. Manik looks at Nandini and imitates him,

"He..he..thank you."

Nandini furrows her brows and quizzically asks,

"For what?"

Manik winks at her and retorts,

"For clearing my dilemma too. I was really against this slap scene."

"Really? As if you never slapped me."

She retorts back. She wanted to embarrass him but on the contrary, Manik replies with a poker face,

"Thank me that I only slapped you. Otherwise, I wanted to kill you, Mrs Malhotra...You know my aggression."

Nandini rolls her eyes at him and whispers,

"Yes, every night I can feel it but will you shut up now? What Mrs Malhotra? You still have not publicly accepted me as your wife Manik Malhotra. What will people say if they hear it? Do you want another headline? Now, get up and go to the floor. I am coming."

She gets up and walks away after passing a smile. Manik keeps staring at her dispersing frame. His eyes are beaming with brash emotion. He mumbles under his breath,

"It would be a headline for sure...very soon, Mrs Nandini Malhotra. You need to know more about me."

Meanwhile, a spot boy rushes to him to inform him that the shot is ready.

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

"Roll camera....ACTION..."

The director cries. Namrata turns at Rajveer and mouths in an arrogant tone,

"What are you Raj without your family support? Nothing. Your identity is from your royal surname...Rathore. As an individual, you have no power, no recognition and no money. But I can't marry a person who is so common. I loved you because you carry the Rathore surname. You carry its royalty and money. Without these, how will you fulfil my wishes? Namrata Mittal can't lead a boring and lower-middle-class life with you. I have my dreams that can't be fulfilled with your stubborn mindset. Sorry...we can't be together."

A proud yet greedy smile lingers on her lips. Rajveer saunters at her and looks into her eyes.

"Your life is boring with me, right? Then let me spice it up..."

Saying this Rajveer slaps her with full force. Namrata aka Nandini didn't expect this much. She stumbles back and was about to fall to the ground. Manik tries to hold her but before that, two strong hands wrap her from the shoulders and chides,

"Cut....stop the damn camera. The shooting is over."

Nandini looks at the person who is holding her in his protecting arms and mutters,

"Arnav....I...am...fine...it was a..."

Arnav doesn't let her finish and concludes,

"It was a clear revenge."

He eyes Manik with a hostile look and grits out,

"Shame on you, Man. Why don't you show your power to a physically stronger person? You spineless."

Manik's eyes squint in vehemence. He hisses back,

"Meet me alone, Dude...I will show you who is spineless. At least I don't empoison my so-called best friend against her love, you backstabber."

Arnav makes Nandini stand steadily and walks near Manik at a hostile pace.

"Shut up, you fucker. You ruined her life, now you are trying to ruin her career."

He yanks Manik with his collar and Manik does the same. Only then, Nandini screams in fear,

"STOP IT...you both..."

From a distance, a person whispers on his mobile,

"Got sensational footage...Must be the page three headline. Yes, love triangle in Bollywood."

Author's note: How will Manik and Arnav sort their misunderstanding and rivalry? What will Nandini do about it? Will this false news create more complications in Manan's life? Stay tuned to know. ❤👍