Destiny Tales

Chapter 13 : Action

"Destiny Tales, Scene 1, Take 1," the director shouted. Khushi, perched atop a hill about to jump is stopped by Kabir. As Kabir pulls her close she hugs him and starts crying.

As the day proceeds, the shoot moves on beautifully. Khushi is not nervous at all. Infact, Kabir is all nerves. Why he thinks. Is it because of Khushi? Or is it because it's his first web series. Whatever may be the reason, he is happy at the end of it all. Khushi is so effortless in whatever she does, Kabir smiles thinking about the bright future Khushi has in front of her.

Khushi is happy. She wanted to let it all go because of her stupidity. It was the best feeling, working with Kabir. She felt at ease. All the scenes were so easy to shoot, especially because she had him by her side.

The shoot had to end with an intense scene. Khushi and Kabir were to have a verbal spat and they would end up kissing each other. Khushi was a little apprehensive but she shoved her fears aside. She has to be professional. All this is a part and parcel of the career she has chosen, she reckons.

As they are called to shoot the scene, they exchange a smile. One that is reassuring for the other. As the scene begins, Khushi can almost feel the words that come out of her mouth. "You don't realise something Kabir. I am not like others. And you are not like others for me. We are not supposed to be together, are we? We belong to different worlds. I wanted to end my life today as I knew we won't be together in this lifetime. I wanted my lifetime to end so that I can meet you in my next lifetime. I cannot go on living without you. No, I cannot. You can keep this facade going. I cannot. You are strong perhaps. But I don't want such strength. One that teaches me to live without you. I cannot..." and that was the cue for Kabir to grab her tightly.

As Kabir goes on to do as per the script, he feels like he is living a truth and not enacting what he has been told to. He holds her tight and both of them feel the rush of emotions. As she stands still, Kabir pulls her closer slightly. Khushi's limp body does as directed and she waits for a moment before taking the cue. While Kabir was to make the move as per the scene, Khushi doesn't wait. She leans in and kisses him once again. Nobody notices it but they understand what just happened. Overwhelmed with emotions, the kiss ends a few seconds after they hear "cut"!

They are almost too swamped with emotions to react when the director congratulates them on a great first day. As the shoot is about to wind up, Khushi notices Rheesa in the sets. She smiles at her and ends up going to her vanity van. She remembers what Kabir had told her. She isn't going to talk to her. As she is about to call it a day, there is a knock on the door. She opens the door to see Rheesa standing with a smile playing on her face.

Rheesa welcomes herself inside, without Khushi saying anything. As Rheesa makes herself comfortable, she says, "Congratulations! Great first day, right? I am sure you must be very happy!" Khushi smiles. She is a little confused on why Kabir would not want her to talk to Rheesa. She seemed nice and concerned about Khushi.

As Rheesa was about to leave, she turned around to look at Khushi. After giving it some thought, she says, "You know Khushi, you shouldn't have taken up this project. I was signed for this. I didn't have dates before so they reached out to you. Then when you refused, I accomodated. But you see, Kabir convinced them to give you a chance. Because we thought you should get a chance. But now as I see it, your first project shouldn't have been this complicated. I mean, the director didn't even want you after you said no. They wanted me all the while. But, you know how Kabir is right? Like, playing godfather is what he does best. So he convinced the director to give you a chance. You know right, the director doesn't quite think you can do justice to the role. But, I don't think so. I think you'll be okay!"

Khushi is too shocked to react and she sits silently. Ten minutes and a decision later, she starts getting calls from Kabir. After disconnecting all the fifteen calls, she hears a loud knock on her door. Anticipating it is Kabir, she says, "Go away Kabir!" Not one to listen, Kabir shouts, "Will you shut up and open the door?" Khushi gives in. She doesn't want to create a scene.

As Kabir and Khushi are all alone in the vanity van, a strange tension grips them. The silence is eerie and one is waiting for the other to speak up. Kabir finally speaks up. "Are you out of your mind Khushi? After finishing a day's shoot you are saying you don't want to do Destiny Tales anymore? Do you know how unprofessional this is? What is it? You don't want to work with me, is it?"

"Wow! Everything is about you, isn't it? Because you are the Kabir Sikand! Wow, Kabir! I am amazed. How self absorbed can one get? But, who am I kidding! You are the godfather of dainty damsels in the industry. But know this Kabir Sikand, I don't need you to build my career. I can take care of myself. I have the strength to face the consequences of my decisions. You thought you will just do me a favour and leverage that later? No Kabir, that's not how it works. Khushi doesn't need anyone to survive. She can live on her own! Please get away from me..." Khushi's eyes well up in anger.

"Fine. Prove me wrong then Khushi. Continue doing the shoot. You took a decision. Of quitting it. Now, make it alright. I challenge you. Coz I am sure you can't do it without my help!" Kabir looks straight into her eyes and says it without flinching. Khushi is shattered. That means it was true, all that Rheesa said. It was.

Kabir is about to leave but asks her one last question, "Who told you all this Khushi? Actually, don't tell me. But, how could you believe all this? Anyways, all the best Khushi...it's your life...you are right...I am no one..." Kabir leaves and Khushi's eyes are blurred with water.

His words are ringing in her ears. What did he just say? What is the truth after all? Khushi needs to sort this, she decides. "Kabir, stop!" Khushi says but Kabir doesn't. Is it too late, Khushi thinks? Perhaps it is.