Gaurup - Beginning of Love

5. We are one and the same

It was 8.00 AM in the morning the next day. The crew were bustling with the preparation for shoot. It was a continuation of shah house scene. The whole cast stood in their positions including rupali. A body double was arranged for gaurav as they gave an off for him for his surprise engagement. Muskan while being in her position said excitedly " Aaj Gaurav sir ki sagaai hai. I just can't wait to see his engagement pictures." 

To which Ashish replied " But he is not very active in social media na. I don't think he would post any pictures."

Sudanshu agreed and said " Plus his family is conducting it as an intimate affair, so obviously it would take time for the news and pictures to come out." 

Rupali was listening to all this. Tears threatened to appear in her eyes. She shaked her head and exhaled trying to gulp back the tears. 

She imagined Gaurav putting a ring on some other woman's finger. Ketki's words echoed in her mind " Give a chance for your love. You will definitely not fail ". 

Just then Romi sir shouted " Rolling" breaking her chain of thoughts. She shook her head and channeled Anupamaa, ready to act. When romi sir was about to say Action, a voice shouted " Sir, stop !!" . Gaurav hurriedly entered the set and stood infront of all.  

Everyone were a bit shocked by his sudden appearance. Rupali's breath hitched and she stood still seeing Gaurav infront of her. 

Romi sir enquired " Gaurav, tum... Aaj tumhari sagaai hai na? What are you doing here then? ". Before Gaurav could answer, he continued " We know the schedule is tight and we cannot afford to give you any offs but still you deserve an off for your engagement Gaurav."  Everyone were looking at GK waiting for an answer.

His eyes were fixed on Rupali. He teared them off from hers unwillingly and answered Romi sir, " Sir, no such thing happened. I am not engaged. It took time for me to sort things, which is why I am late for the shoot. Sorry sir" he said casually. 

Everyone got confused with his reply but before they could question further, ketki jumped in " Guys, we cannot afford to waste shoot time. We must shoot today. We are running out of banks." and then she looked straight at rupali and said " As Gaurav said, he is NOT ENGAGED." then turned her head facing others and spoke "Thus this news of him getting engaged gets buried with us. Understood ? We should not aid spreading of any fake rumours , troubling him. Alright ?" . Everyone nodded their heads in understanding. 

Gaurav thanked ketki and fixed his eyes back on rupali, trying to read her reaction. She stood expressionless waiting for the shoot to resume. It was Gaurav's turn to get confused at Rupali's behaviour. But before he could step towards her, Romi sir spoke " Okay Gaurav. Get ready within 10 minutes bhai and read the script as well. We don't have time." 

Gaurav nodded his head and said in a low voice " Yes Sir. Sure" and turned back to get to his dressing room. While he walked down the stairs of shah house set, he kept looking backwards at rupali with a question and hurt in his eyes. She immediately turned and looked elsewhere trying to avoid him and his pain filled eyes. 

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Somehow the morning shift got over and the scenes were done. But GK was still shooting his close up shots. Post lunch they were having a schedule to be done with in the evening. Again the shahs tamasha scenes. 

Rupali tried her best to avoid gaurav during the morning shoot. She did not come outside her room even for lunch and remained there the whole afternoon. Her fears came back pouncing on her. The previous day sagaai news, her conflicting emotions, today's gaurav's sudden appearance and the revelation of him not being engaged. It was too much for her to take. Her head swirled a bit. She sat on her couch and held her head.