Chapter 6:- Friends?

One of my favorite chapters....

(Flashback)

Dark black curly hair and light brown eyes. A yellow and green bandanna teamed with a faded white tee and track pants. He approached us as he smiled, “Hey Aashu di!” He probably didn’t see me or maybe he felt it was too awkward to introduce himself.

“Faisal, I want to introduce you to someone. Meet her, Roshni Walia, your would-be wife”

My eyes grew wide in surprise as I saw the same reaction on his face too. What was Aashu di saying! I could sense the uneasiness around us as I looked away.

“Don’t be so surprised Faisal! Aashu di was just joking. She meant that Roshni is portraying the role of Ajabde, Maharana Pratap’s first wife..” Rajshree di elaborated.

I heaved a sigh and noticed Faisal relax as well. Before I could say anything or rather start a conversation with him, Aashka di jumped in by saying, “Why don’t you take her and introduce her to all your friends Faisal?” No offence, but sometimes I felt that the elders got too excited over some matters. I mean, why would he want to introduce me to HIS friends, after all, I didn’t even know HIM!

“Sure di!” Faisal agreed. I was shocked to see his reaction. Maybe he was saying this in front of everyone just for the sake of Aashu di.

     He gestured me to follow as soon as I stood up. My heart was racing so fast, I was afraid someone would hear it. Faisal’s friends were at the other side of the gathering hall, which was at a distance.

“ So… Roshni Walia” Faisal started. “My name is-“

“Faisal Khan” I interrupted. The next second, I squeezed my eyes shut as I regretted my decision. Why did I have to interrupt him?

Faisal’s frown turned into a small smile as he commented “So, you know me already?”

“Umm… yeah, sort of. I have heard a lot about you from not only the directors and the set crew, but also from all the actors that I have met till now.” I smiled.

“Oh…” he said sheepishly.

“You dance brilliantly!” I complimented. “ No wonder you won the DID trophy, you deserved it!” I beamed.

“All thanks to God! So you have watched my dance videos as well?” he narrowed his eyes.

“Mum showed it to me, before I came here.” I defended myself.

He laughed a little as I gave a small frown. “What?”

“Nothing, nothing...” he said between his laughs. Now I was getting conscious as well as suspicious. I blocked his path and spread my arms “What are you laughing at?”

“You are such a ‘bacchi’ at times” he smirked. “You know, you could have admitted that YOU wanted to watch my dance videos!” he said, lowering his voice.

I was astonished… no… more than that, surprised! This was the person I was admiring and respecting all this while. Well, I also knew how to answer back.

“You know what, you are so ANNOYING! And, “I” was never interested in YOUR dancing! I am sure, there are dancers who are way better than you.” I snapped. I knew I was lying, but I couldn’t show it, not to HIM! I stomped past him as I made up my mind. No way, will I talk to him, at least not politely at all.  

“Hey listen, Roshni” he ran up to me. “Okay sorry!” I did not stop. Suddenly he blocked my way as I had done a few moments ago.

“What?” I said, annoyed.

“Look, I am sorry! I did not mean to… I did not even expect that our conversation would go this way. Truthfully, I am not like this, not at all.”

I burst into laughter seeing his expression.

“What are you laughing at?” he frowned.

“Nothing, nothing!” I laughed.

“Then why are you laughing Roshni?” he questioned.

“ Revenge taken Faisal!” I gleamed with joy.

“What! So this was all your plan?” he said in shock.

“The thing is, you don’t know me yet. I don’t leave matters incomplete, not till I even things out!”

“Well, you don’t know me either Roshni, and I can guarantee that I am not the humble and cute boy in front of my friends that I am in front of my elders.” With that, he started chasing me.

“Faisal stop!” I screamed. I wasn’t a fast runner.

“You bet!” he beamed at me.

“Hey Faisal!” someone shouted. I stopped midway to see where that voice came from.

“What, Yash! I was about to catch her!” Faisal complained, pointing at me.

“Oh, sorry.. we were just wondering where you disappeared.

I took deep breaths and cringed my stomach.

“Roshni, this is Yash. Yash, this is Roshni” Faisal introduced.

“Hi” I said shaking my hands with him. After his questioning look, I explained “I portray the role of Ajabde, Maharana Pratap’s wife” I glanced at Faisal.

“Nice to meet you, I play the role of Chakrapani; Pratap’s friend” he replied.

     It’s funny how you get to know people so well. Anyone would assume us to be friends for years. Along with Faisal and Yash, now I know Vishal, who plays the role of Akbar, and Neeharika, who will be portraying the role of Saubhagyawati, Chakrapani’s wife.

“The directors were also talking about another girl entering the show… something like ‘fool’.” Vishal continued.

“Vishal, her name is Phool not ‘fool’. If Jannat heard that, she would’ve definitely gotten extremely, guaranteed.” I warned.

“Oh, so her name is Jannat” Faisal said.

“Yeah, she is my best friend. I know her since as long as I can remember.” I began.

“She was very tired after the shoot today, so she said she would rest. You all can meet her tomorrow”

“Funny, how she is tired and you are not, Roshni.” Faisal wondered aloud.

“Faisal!” I smacked him on the arm, stopping him from pondering any further.

“Roshni Walia!” someone shouted my name. It seemed as if it was someone from the set crew. “Your mother is waiting outside” he informed.

“Coming…” I shouted back.

“Bye guys.” I turned to my ‘new’ friends. It felt different to actually call them my ‘friends’.

“Hey, let’s meet your mom!” suggested Faisal. “I am sure she isn’t as short-tempered as YOU are” he teased.

“Yeah, right” I rolled my eyes at him.

We got up to leave when someone called both of us “Faisal, Roshni!”

I turned to see a teenager; maybe a 20-year old girl calling out to us.

“Hi, Sharon di!” Faisal said with a delight.

I gave a confused look at him.

“She is Sharon di!” Faisal explained. “She manages our social media accounts.”

“Oh…Hi” I greeted.

“Hi, I just wanted to take a picture of you both. Our viewers are very exhilarated to see you both together…. so posting an off screen picture would excite them even more.” She paused “Only if that is okay…” she hesitated.

I was amazed. In just one episode, people wanted to watch Faisal and me together! This was all so new to me.

“Sure” I said happily. “Only if Faisal agrees…”

Faisal made a suspenseful expression before turning back to a small grin.

“Why would I have any problems” he smiled.

“Okay then, ready?” Sharon di took her phone out.

Faisal and I stood together; shoulders touching slightly.

“3,2,1, click! Thank you so much! Roshni, don’t forget to like our page, BKVPMP, or Bharat ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap” she grinned.

“That’s a long name to remember” I joked. “Sure, I will like the page!” I assured her.

“Faisal! Come here, quick!” Yash called out.

“I should go… mom is waiting outside!” I reminded.

“Hey, I’ll come as well…wait a second.”

“It’s okay… as it is it is getting very late! You can meet here tomorrow.” I suggested.

“Okay… see you tomorrow then!” Faisal gleamed.

“Bye” I waved.

In one day, we all had become such good friends. The one thing I wished for was my best friend’s presence. It would’ve been lovely if she could get a chance to know everyone. My lips curved into a satisfied smile...this was the beginning of yet another anticipated journey!