Chaar Kadam- Between the O'Bros

Chapter-1

"Oh! Please give me time to prepare myself na, I'm super nervous," Renil took in a deep breath, glancing towards the camera with a nervous smile.

"Well, what to do, today, we've two very special guests, who're fiercely protective about their personal life and I don't know how to cut through them," he gave an gullible smile, while another voice insisted, "Oh! You've too, Renil! We need our gupshup gossips"

"I think I've a plan" Renil winked at the camera, as the screen went blank for few seconds.

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Anika didn't know what the set director was thinking while making the floor look like a zebra's skin or the room like an antique shop. There wasn't any window, the lights were too bright and the brown of background was contrasting badly against the seagreen of the sofa set. The lights reflecting against the striped floor were making her feel super dizzy.

If the main aim of the set director was to make the guests feel absolutely uncomfortable, uneasy, out of place and intimidated, Anika, was certain they had achieved it with distinction, as she smoothened the imaginary creases on her ivory statin ruffle strapless bodycon short dress.

Beside her, Rudra seemed more at ease, leaning back on the couch with one leg over other. He looked so nonchalant like that and Anika really wished she had his nonchalance.

Even after being in the industry for so long. She couldn't adopt that nonchalance, that unapproachable intimidating aura. Even sitting there casually fiddling with his fingers, he screamed old money.

"We are rolling" the man beside the camera shouted.

And their interviewer, one of the most influential people in the industry straightened up. His warm brown eyes sparkling as he gave the camera his patented sly look.

"Lovely! Ladies and gentleman, guess, who we've today with us? Yes, yes, we've been reading our million mails and sending them an equally ridiculous amount of mails, our requests have finally succeeded and here, we've your favorites,  Anika Rai Oberoi and Rudra Singh Oberoi" the glaring spotlight was on them with the jolly words.

And Anika tried to hold onto her smile and not let out a grimace. She was really feeling very awkward there. Yes, even after being in front of the camera since she came in this world. She was uncomfortable in the spotlight, specially, in such talkie shows.

"So, Anika, how does it feels to be back in business and then here??" There was more than a little vanity in the host's tone as he give her one of those smirks.

"Well, how does it feels to have the Anika Rai grace your sets, Renil" she responded with an airy laugh, igniting chuckle from the seat next to her and a gaping look from their dearest anchor.

"Touché"

She just smiled as an response, not bringing on her resting face for she had been told more than once that she looks quite bitchy with that on, she smiled, and chirped in, when allowed during the conversation, well, more like banter between the two greats of the industry. They could get away with anything, thanks to their silver tongues.

"So, how have you been, dearest? For the impeccable prisitine celeb, you've been quite in the eye of storm for the past few years" their was a sly grin thrown towards her, followed by an airy giggle, being on the receiving end of her, "I don't know what you're talking about" look.

"Okay, let's see, from the rumors of something brewing between Rudra and you to being married to his eldest brother, the Shivaaye, to a break from the silver screen, the past few years, were sure very happening for you,"

"Well, something is brewing between Rudra and me," she drawled out, letting them take the bait before bursting the bubble with the follow up, "our dream project, the superverse, and well, Renil, you know, I've been in the industry for what twenty years or so? I thought I deserved a break and nothing else"

"And Rudra what was your reaction to all of it?"

"Well, Shivaaye made my dream come true," Rudra answered with a lazy chuckle, sending a wink towards Anika and receiving a swat in reply.

"Rudra, Behave"

"As you order, your highness, " Rudra rolled his eyes, while Anika let out an insufferable  sigh.

"Okay, okay, we can see you guys have quite a cute bond,"

"Yeah, yeah, such a cute bond. She reverts back to my text in 3-4 working days," Rudra taunted, sending a teasing look towards her.

"Oh shut up, Rudra" Anika rolled her eyes, "there's nothing like that Renil" she defended herself.

As the segment neared its end, Renil asked the question, she was dreading the most.

"So, what's going on? The buzz these days surrounding the Obros. Why all of you went to separate nests?"

"We're all married now," Rudra deadpanned, while Anika controlled her expressions with great difficulty.  He couldn't be blaming the whole separation on the girls, could he? Did he even have any idea how the world will take his words? The kind of things that'll be returned about them.

Even Renil's expression said so, as Rudra cracked a smile, "kidding...we've some work in different places, it's just that"

"Rudra! Here, I thought I was getting some juicy inside peek"

"You got na! We love each other very much"

And their couldn't have been any greater lie uttered in front of the television.

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Hello, everyone! So, what do you think of the first part? I hope you like it and  are you excited for the coming chapters.