Planned Or Fated ?

Chapter 8 : The Ones That Matter

“I just don't understand, what are you upto Pinu ?”

A week later saw Pranali seated in the dressing room, waiting for the makeup artist who would style her up as the showstopper for Ashutosh.

“Mummy...” - she sighed and put the phone down to catch a breath.

Honestly, she had expected her mother's call a lot earlier regarding the headlines she was making nowadays. But to her mother's credit, she waited for a week before finally deciding to inquire.

And Pranali didn't blame her.

In the past week, she had went on coffee dates with Harshad. Fancy dinners, cozy lunches — all on popular and noticeable public places. So obviously, they were captured by paparazzi as well and daily made headlines. The media seemed to be doing nothing else these days except for following them everywhere and digging about their relation. Harshad was having a field day by keeping them in suspence.

“Mummy I'm currently... occupied. But I'm leaving for Indore tomorrow and will explain to you everything on reaching home I promise!”

She didn't want to lie to her family. Neither Harshad had asked her to. Infact, they both had decided that they'll tell their families the truth if asked. But she didn't want to say all that on call — as they say even walls have ears. Harshad was putting his all in the plan and she didn't want to risk it by any means. And apart from that, they had become really good friends as well. Spending so much time together had made her known that they shared a lot of mutual interests. His sense of humour, lively nature, his optimism, all matched hers. She felt like they knew each other for a very long time and she accredited that to his kind and down-to-earth personality.

“Fine.” - her mother said in a resigned tone. “But take care of yourself Pinu. You know I'm worried about you...”

Pranali's lips curved into a smile. “I know but I'm fine mummy. Trust me.” - she said, her tone indicating that she was asking her mother to trust her on everything.

“I do.” - came her mother's soft reply before the call ended.

She sighed and placed the phone on the dresser. Just then, the door to the room opened and in stepped...

“Henry!” - she cried out happily as the jovial artist grinned at her through the mirror. She jumped to her feet and turned around to hug him. “What a pleasant surprise!”

His grin widened. “I am equally surprised to find out that YOU are the showstopper whose styling I have been assigned to.” - he said holding her by the shoulders. “Surprised, but pleasantly.” - he added with a wink making her laugh. “Then again, I should have guessed when I bumped into Harshad outside who was making his way towards the gentry.”

Her cheeks heated up at his teasing tone. Like everyone else, Henry was under the impression that Harshad and her were a ‘thing’ but what surprised her that he was adamant on it since the makeover itself.

‘You two look magical together.’

He had said when he was doing her balayage. She had naturally blushed but had not said anything in response because one, they were not to disclose anyone they were faking besides their families and two, she actually had been speechless.

“You started again.” - she rolled her eyes to hide her blush.

He gave a chortle and made her sit back on the chair by her shoulders. “Fine then, let's set to work. Girls!”

~

“Henry would it be alright if you'll supervise other models out there ?”

An hour later, when he just finished making Pranali ready, Ashutosh entered the room asking that.