Sapno Ka Shaher

60. The Cost of Dreams

As if it was their connection in another realm, both Naina and Sameer's hearts were beating at top gear. They had held their breaths, their eyes fixed on the lady sitting in front of them, who was just Papa's age; their ears still questioning each word that had come out of her mouth.

The glance they shared for a moment brought questions of tomorrow in their eyes. By this time, Sameer was used to the rejections but he knew his Naina was still learning to deal with it. She really had high hopes from Aruna Irani. And he cursed himself for being the one to give her those hopes.

He wanted to hold her hand, to comfort her and tell her it's okay. But keeping the awareness of the place they were in, he refrained himself and passed her the glass of water she had kept on the table before the narration.

The gesture didn't go unnoticed from Aruna, leading to the upward turn of her lips.

'Both the partners making an equal contribution to the relationship.'

Naina's statement made an appearance in her mind, and she had an example of this right in the front.

Did the present society really have such relationships?

If not, then does this society need to watch some on television?

"Sameer, tum toh jaante ho mai hamesha sidhi baat karti hun..." Aruna continued, keeping her poise, "aur iss kahani mein risk isliye hai kyunki iss tarah ke shows dekhne ke liye shayad hamari audience tayyar nahi hai..."

Sameer and Naina were taking deep breaths, calming their nerves, because Aruna Irani's face was still so unreadable. She was indeed a damn good actress!!

"Lekin mai yeh risk lene ke liye tayyar hun..."

The smile that was persistent on Mr. Vinay's face dwindled. He was confident Aruna wouldn't accept this story. On the other side, on the couch, the Maheshwari couple gasped, a big grin appearing on their dull faces.

"Sach ma'am??" Sameer asked.

"Haan... sach..." Aruna chuckled, "hum 21vi sadi ke aur badh rahe hai... mujhe lagta hai yahi sahi mauka hoga aisi pathbreaking kahani darshakon ke liye lekar aane ka..."

The duo's eyes sparkled, their breath quickened and this time they indeed held one another's hand, but left it as quickly.

"Tumhari iss kahani mein tarah tarah ke emotions hai Naina... jo logon ko khinch kar layenge... aur hamein aise hi kahani ki zaroorat hai jo har kisi ko apni kahani lage... phir chahe woh koi mahila ho ya koi mard... Hum ispe ek bahot achchha daily soap banayenge..."

"Thank you so much ma'am!!" Naina voiced, exhilarated, "Mai aapko bilkul niraash nahi karungi... promise!!"

"Well, mujhe iss nayi peedhi se yahi ummeed hai..." Aruna said, picking the cordless next to her on a side table. She dialed a digit and put it on her ear. "Seema? Vishal se signing amount ka cheque lekar aana meeting room mein..."

Naina and Sameer looked at one another, their mouths agape. "Ma'am, aaj hi cheque?" Sameer asked.

"Haannn..." Aruna asserted, keeping the cordless back to its holder, "agar hum producers kisi idea ko saamne se reject karne mein der nahi karte... toh ek baar haan bolne ke baad signing amount dene mein deri kyon karein?"

Naina's eyes lowered as she finally got herself back from the euphoria. She wasn't going to accept the deal just like that.

"Ma'am..." She cleared her throat, preparing herself, "koi bhi signing amount lene se pehle ya iss kahani ke liye aage badhne se pehle, meri ek shart hai..."