Heir Of Darkness

The Comeback

The place which showered love and respect to me once was now showering pity and condolences to me and those condolences felt more heart-wrenching than the reality itself. They were cruel remainders of the past, the triggers to the souvenirs which refused to allow the light to sear through the darkness embracing me to its bosom.

It took resolve harder than I thought I could muster to curtly nod at them and not live those memories once again to break down eventually as the trail of consolations never seemed to end.

CINTAA had paid my hospital fees and had given me monthly allowances for awhile but I knew that I was not going to live just by those allowances; it was against the self-respect I always craved for, though I had forgotten about it for sometime in Malhotra's company.

Being an actress was no more an option as I was hardly in a condition to be casted with pregnancy and the mood swings which continue to haunt me when I am alone, without my family or friends, so I chose to be a dialogue writer. It was a fairly good job and I was offered a good amount but I never knew it would be so difficult to be a dialogue writer for a production house in which you have worked as an actress, which meant that majority of the team knew you personally.

I was hired as the writer for one of the new shows from Satya stables and today we were conducting the screen tests for the shortlisted candidates. I was required to help the candidates learn their lines so that they can perform for their test but it seemed like it was my test more than theirs. The actors whom I have met once or twice threw pitiful glances to me and I had maintain the professional attitude, ignoring those looks.

Explaining the scene to every single person to avoid someone getting more time than the other was truly hectic and I had realized it only today. Maybe being a dialogue writer was not as easy as I had fathomed.

I could feel stress taking a toll on me. My head felt heavier while my vision grew hazier. I couldn't afford to faint or I would be receiving more sympathetic looks or worse, I would be sacked. I held onto to my resolve and I successfully explained the scene to 12 actors and had called the 13th one when I felt the giddiness growing to an intolerable extent.

I gave up on myself, unable to even grab the bottle of water, a familiar silhouette greeted my dazed eyes.

" Khushi??!!"

It was Arnav Singh Raizada and there could have been no mistake in identifying his voice. I could faintly feel him rushing towards me and pouring water through my shivering lips, resurrecting me from the unconscious daze with his gesture.

Arnav was trying to restore the normalcy by trying all the first aid techniques he would have possible known. But my breathing had not improved.I was advised against taking any severe stress, physical or mental, as my heart were affected during my suicide attempt and they were unable to handle stress till I completely recuperate, which would be only after my pregnancy ends.

I was afraid that the moment would never arrive as my breathing turned more violent and before I could understand what was happening, Arnav's lips had descended on my trembling ones and his tongue had entered the warm realms of my mouth.

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