Confusion

The call

"Cut."

"CUT."

"CUTT. Ho gaya shot." The director had to holler to make his voice heard.

Ashi jerked back to her present surroundings, realising that she was still swinging the sword in hand.

"Aap talwaar wapas rakh sakti ho." Props assistant extended his hand to take back the sword from her.

After giving it to him, she gave a conscious smile to everyone around, and went back to her room.

Her co actor, Smita ji knocked and entered a little later.

"Ashi, kya hua tumhe? Tabiyat toh theek hai na? Aaj bohot khoyi khoyi lag rahi ho." She was always warm and affectionate.

Ashi shook her head, "Nahi ma'am, bas woh naya naya start kiya hai na... thoda hectic lagta hai toh thak jaati hu kabhi kabhi."

Smita ji pressed her shoulder, "Agar zyada thakaan lage toh bata dena... ek din ka rest le lo. Hum nahi chahte hamari doosri heroine bhi bimaar pad jaaye."

"Don't worry. Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Maine workout bhi start kar diya hai, stamina ke liye. Main na bimar padne wali hun, na show chod ke kahin jaa rahi hun." Ashi gave her a charming smile.

Smita ji smiled back, "Bas aise hi raha karo... khush khush. Agar tum unn logon ki baaton se upset ho jo hate mails bhejte hain aur insulting comments post karte hain toh..."

Giving her a half hug, Ashi blinked, "Nahi hun. Jo mujhe napasand karte hain usse kahin zyada log dher saara pyar bhejte hain mujhe. Isliye main aisi hate mails se effect nahi hoti. Aap tension mat lo."

"Good." Patting her cheek, Smita ji left the room.

The pensive mood was back the moment Ashi was alone. She even forgot to click the pack up selfie before leaving. On the way back, sitting in her car, she scanned her phone. A tweet made her sit up suddenly. It seemed to be the perfect solution to the dilemma in her mind since previous day.

She dialled the number, and spoke in a light, casual voice, "Hello Rj Anmol, woh VC ke liye aapne call kiya tha. I'm okay with it. Aane wale days mein mere jo bhi free slots hain main aapko abhi message kar rahi hun. Agar fix hota hai toh aap bata dena. I'll be happy to do it for our fans."

She could feel the disappointment in RJ Anmol's voice, "Thank you, Ashi. But problem yeh hai ki Randeep se contact nahi hua hai. He's not taking my calls nor replying to messages. Main joint chat karna chahta tha, lekin agar Randeep se baat hi nahi hui toh... well, let's see, fans ko bataya hai maine. But thanks anyway, for taking out time. If not now, we'll do something together soon."

"Sure. No problem." Ashi let out a relieved sigh.

She was already aware of his inability to get in touch with Randeep... and that was the tweet that had solved her quandary. Her acceptance was of no use if Randeep wasn't there for the joint VC. The decision was easier to make... and she had made the call without fear, ending the turmoil that was boiling in her for more than twenty four hours.

RJ Anmol, a well known name, had called up yesterday, and told her about the colossal amount of requests he had received for a joint video chat of her and Randeep.

His voice was gentle and encouraging, "Ashi, aap soch bhi nahi sakti kitne request aaye hain mujhe. Mera insta aur twitter dm se aisa jam packed hai ki main khud darr gaya dekh ke. Aap dono ke pair ko fans itna pyar karte hain ki trend tak kar diya. Ab itne pyare fans ko main sach mein dukhi nahi dekh sakta. Aap apna convenient time bata do... a few slots. Phir main Randeep ko contact karke uske available time ke saath match karke day fix karta hun."