And it all started with a show...

Face to Face with Past

Before heading to the audition Ishqi thought of taking blessings from the temple. When she was little she always used to take blessing from her parents before any important task, let it be taking exams or participating in competitions. Taking blessings from the temple she always used visit with her family ever since she was little felt the same as taking blessings from her parents...

Just as she was done taking blessings she received a phone call from Ahaan and went aside to attend it...

Ahaan- Ishqi audition diya?

Ishqi- nahi main mandir aayi thi ab bas...

Before she could continue she saw a couple in their 50s who strongly looked familiar. Before Ishqi could realise or remember anything she saw a girl and guy approaching the couple. Earth slipped from her feet when she realised who they actually were. Her parents and her siblings, entering the temple...

Tears soon started emerging from her eyes when she saw them. Aisha and Raj, her siblings quarrelling and arguing about something stupid while her parents scolded them. Ishqi was used to their argument as they often argued during their video calls but seeing her parents after almost 2 years was really hard for her...

Though Ishqi was really hurt she couldn't help but smile a bit after her parents scolded both Raj and Aisha while they started laughing. Aisha and Raj often did this, fake fighting or knowing they are quarrelling about something stupid but still going on. All these memories made her feel overwhelmed...

Even though it looked like Ishqi not being with them wasn't affecting anyone Ishqi knew somewhere deep inside they did especially her father. She was just adoring them and missing the old days...

Just as they went forward Ishqi's father turned and said...

Vishal (Ishqi's Father)- Ishqi beta phool...

But then he stopped abruptly and changed his statement...

Vishal- Ishwari phool do...

Ishqi's heart broke in millions of pieces seeing that her father still missed her. Ishqi couldn't see this anymore, as soon as her father said those words expressions on everyone's face changed. Both her siblings looked hurt but stayed quiet knowing their words won't have any effect on him while her mother looked guilty...

Ishqi was in her trance with her eyes now red and full of tears. Her trance broke when she heard Ahaan's voice, for a second she thought he was actually here but soon realised it was him on the call, calling her name for past minute...

Ishqi quietly declined the call as she was not all in state of mind to talk to anyone...

Ishqi's father turned as if he felt her presence and looked her way but Ishqi quickly hid behind a pillar and closed her eyes tightly while tears escaped through her eyes. Never in a million years she thought that she would hid herself from her own father...

Ishqi quickly realised that she was getting late for her audition and left wiping her tears but not before taking a quick glance at her family...

Ahaan tried calling her a couple of times but she didn't attend any of his calls. In the taxi, she couldn't help but let her tears flow through her eyes...

* * * * *

As Ishqi reached the set, she composed herself, checked in a mirror once making sure her eyes weren't red or puffy anymore and went inside. She soon got her script and started memorising the lines...

It looked like the universe wanted Ishqi to have this role as the series she was auditioning for was an biography of Rani Lakshmi Bai, commonly known as Jhasi ki Rani...