Behind the Camera (Complete✅)

Chapter 28 - "Retake of romance..."

"Arnan! Well, if a bro and sis duo can be abbreviated by this. I don't mind."

Manik's answer creates an instant buzz among the paparazzi. One of the over smart reporters stands and retorts,

"Bro and sis? Well, Manik I think it is a very old method to hide a relationship in the film fraternity. We are just friends; we are good friends or he is like my brother. Come on we are fed up with this kind of answer. Why can't the actors be honest and open?"

"Because the people like you always seek scandal in every honest statement. Once journalism used to be one of the most respected professions but nowadays it is considered as one of the most faked, irritating, manipulated and immoral occupations. Thanks to all the reporters like you who are paid for asking and publishing such stupid questions. Mr! film industry is not a place of only illicit relationships and filthy secrets. Like other professions, we also give our hundred per cent to be successful. But unfortunately, you are only interested in our personal life. Let me ask you, don't you fight with your girlfriend or wife? Don't you lose your temper in your workplace or you never do mistakes in life. Then why do you all expect us perfect in our life? We are humans too. We also have human emotions. Whatever happened in the set of 'Pyaar ya Kalank' was just an outburst of our emotions. That's it. But the media gave it a dirty angle. I want to ask you all...why? Why do you all spread so much negativity and that is at the cost of our reputation and life? Arnav Singh Raizada is my best friend and I consider him as my brother too. I don't care if you believe me or not. Because his wife Mrs Khushi Singh Raizada believes me and that is enough for me."

Nandini counters ruefully. Manik Arnav and Komolika all are staring at her with surprised faces. They have never seen this delicate doll being so fierce.

"And what about Manan? Do you want to say Manik Malhotra is also your friend cum brother?"

Another journalist vents out his frustration. Manik glares at him and murmurs with clenched jaws,

"I can kill you for this imagination, Man."

Komolika claws his bicep to control his anger. However, before Nandini can open her mouth, Manik chides,

"No, I am her lover cum husband. Any objection?"

Even if a bomb had exploded in the hall, no one would have been so shocked. For a brief moment, the entire room has been engulfed by pin-drop silence. And then a roaring buzz fills the surroundings along with the flood of flashlights.

"Husband! When did you both get married?" "Why did you hide this relationship so far?" "Mr Manik, previously you stated that Nandini Murthy is only your costar. Does that mean you lied that time?" "Ms Murthy...I mean Mrs Nandini Malhotra...will you leave your acting career now? "Ms Komolika and Mr Arnav; you both are very close to Manan. Did you know about this secret marriage?"

The room gets flooded with continuous questions. Manik raises his hand to stop the disorganized question-answer session.

"Easy...easy...One by one. We are here to clear all these doubts only. I know it's shocking and sensational news but be patient. Let us answer one by one. First, I want to tell you that we are married for the last one year. My previous statement..."

Manik's words get halted when Nandini clutches his hand kept on the table. She murmurs in his ear,

"No, Manik...you can't reveal that you lied that time. It may affect your reputation among your fans. Let me handle this."

Manik looks at her eyes and replies in a grave voice,

"No, Nandini. Our fans should know that we are humans and we do mistakes. They should know how our love won over our hatred. Manan is forever but our hamesha also had to go through an acid test. That is the beauty of true love. They idolize us as their fairy tale couple. So, they should know every fairy tale has a happily ever after but not so easily. Trust me they will love us more."

He blinks and squeezes her hand in assurance. Komolika utters in a low voice,

"Think again, Bro. Nandini has a valid point."

"I have thought so many times, Komi and decided that if we want to start a new life then we have to leave our past behind and for that, we have to face it. Let me admit my mistakes. It's necessary."

Manik mouths every word with lots of determination. Only then, a reporter again questions,

"Tell us, Manik. Your fans want to know the story behind the camera. How did you both fall in love and how did your love story reach its Hamesha?"

Manik takes a deep breath and starts,

"I saw Nandini for the first time on the set of 'GolMal'. It was our first film together. The film is a rom-com and I fell for her in the shooting when she first did the makeup as Sardarji 'Gattu Singh'...ha..ha...she was looking cute and I lost my heart."

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"So, here ends our love story. Or you can say restarts. In this journey, I have realized one thing. It is impossible to fall out of love. Love is such a powerful emotion that once it envelops you it does not depart. True love is eternal. If you think that you were once in love but fell out of it, then it wasn't love you were in. There are no 'exit' signs in love, there is only an 'on' ramp."

Manik pauses for a moment. Nandini looks at him with love-drenched eyes and picks up from there,

"And in this journey, I have realized that love is nothing without trust. A real relationship has fights, has tears, hurt, sweet smiles and genuine laughter. It has weird, stupid, unnecessary arguments. It has trust, faith, patience, communication, secrets and jealousy. But most importantly, it has love. A fairy tale love story may not be perfect but should be pure. That is the essence of love."

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The next morning Manik is forcefully closing his eyes, lying on the bed just to ignore Nandini's morning disturbance to make him awake. Getting no response from his stubborn husband, Nandini uses the most powerful weapon.

"Oh my God. Have you seen today's newspaper? Our press conference news has taken the front page. Just see..."

She faces the front page to Manik. It finally works. Manik blinks his eyes to open it. A big image of Manan is adorning the front page of the renowned newspaper. The headline is, "Behind the camera....GolMal to Hamesha..." Manik roams his eyes on it and chuckles out,

"And hamesha to romance forever. Come..."

He yanks Nandini and tightly embraces her in his hard chest.

Author's note: Next will be the last chapter or epilogue of this story. Hope you enjoyed the journey.    😊❤