The Untouchable - Part 11

Roop's mom stayed quiet while Roop spoke colourfully about her friendship with Varun. She had never seen her so happy. Roop's smile was radiant and glowing from inside. She knew it instantly. She had been through the same phase. She had the same radiant smile when she fell in love with Roop's father. Love had betrayed her. She had nothing to lose. She had nothing to look forward. Her life had gone standstill until Roop came into her life. She didn't want her to lead her life. Roop had everything at stake. She didn't want to Roop to lose everything for silly love. She had to make this stop.

It was one of the sleepless night for Varun. He was contemplating on whether he should let her know about his feelings. He felt stupid about what he did today. He couldn't control himself. He didn't see whether it was right time to share what he felt. He didn't even bother to see that her mother was present. He had an opportunity before her mom arrived to share his feelings. When he had finally decided, he couldn't speak. He was still. He had to shed the burden out. He couldn't keep the feelings hidden anymore. He took long breaths and decided to share the feeling next day.

Roop was getting ready for last day of shoot. She had finally decided to share her feelings. After last night debacle, she couldn't handle herself. She had one day left and she couldn't spoil this. She had practiced what she would say many times. Every time she said, it sounded funny. She prayed for things to go smoothly. Many times she thought that he would rebuke her advances and then a light of hope appear in heart that gave her courage.

She had five minutes for the shoot to begin. She looked at her reflection on the mirror. She seemed confident and ready.  She started towards Varun's office. Suddenly she felt the door of her make up room open. She was excited. "It maybe him. Thank god! You bought him here. Now I can tell him.", she thought. Her heart was beating faster. She was shivering and trembling due to fear. She was remembering the words she was going to use to say her feelings out.

To her dismay, it turned out to be her mom. She was disappointed but she did not lose hope. "Ma, How come you are here? The shoot hasn't yet started.",she said. "I know.", her mom replied , walking closer to her. She held Roop's face when she was closer. "When did you grow so big that you are hiding things from me?", her mom asked. "I didn't hide anything. You know everything that's happening in my life.", she lied. "Not everything! You didn't tell me that you like Varun!", her mom said. Roop was stunned. " I don't..", she was about to lie when her mom spoke, " Don't lie. Your face speaks the truth. I know you love him. I have seen your eyes sparkle and your face glow when you are with him."

"Yes, I do love him! I have never felt like this before. I feel complete with him. ", she spoke the truth at last. She couldn't hide any longer from her mother. She felt shameful for hiding the truth. "You have to forget him. He is not right for you.", her mom said. The words of her mom hit her sharply. The pain was unbearable. She fell on the floor with shock. She didn't say anything. She felt nothing except pain and anger. She wanted to burst out the anger. Instead tears rolled out from her eyes.

(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 10

She lay on the bed with one arm on her head. She was dreaming about what had happened with eyes open. Her eyes were dozing off . She didn't want to sleep. She didn't want to switch off her mind . She wanted to remember those moments. She wanted to keep them close to her heart.

After months of fighting with her feelings for him, she had finally lost the war.  She felt her heartbeat race faster and body shudder whenever she was close to him. She missed him like a wanderer in desert searching for an oasis. She needed him as well as not want him at same time. She felt strong connection toward him - an attraction she couldn't avoid. 

She wanted to share that feeling with him but the thought of rejection dampened her desires. "What if he never felt anything like what I felt! What if he would ridiculed me if I shared my feeling! No! I need to stop this. He is my friend. I don't want to lose a good friend.", she thought. 

Few miles away from her abode at the same time, he was thinking about her. Memories of her smile, her eyes and her chirpiness warmed his soul.  Happiness in her voice, the rhythm of her giggles and her beautiful soul lit his hidden feelings. He had admired her for her beauty when he first laid eyes on her. Now he adored , worshiped and loved her after getting to know her inside and out. 

He wanted to spill out his feeling for her. He had tried many occasions. Sometimes luck was not favorable and sometimes his fear took the lead. With the final day of shoot coming closer, his heart panicked. He didn't want to stay apart from her. He wanted to spend more time. He tried to find some free time between the shoots to spend with her. Sometimes his heart broke when work came in between them. However when he found some time with her, he would wish time to stand still. 

They were finally alone. The shoot ended smoothly. Everyone had left except for few. Roop and Varun were joking around at his makeshift office. They were giggling and teasing each other while sharing dinner together. The time flew fast. They were deeply engrossed in their talk that they didn't bother to wash their hands after dinner. Suddenly, Roop's mom arrived without knocking. They were startled by her arrival. "Ma! How come you are here?", Roop asked. Roop's mom smiled nervously and replied,"I was worried about you. You didn't respond any of my calls." "Sorry Ma!", she said and bid Varun goodbye. As she was about to leave, he grabbed her hand suddenly. She turned back and held his gaze for long time before they realized her mom was waiting for her. He wanted to say something but he couldn't speak out. He mumbled, "Sorry" and let her go. Her mom understood what was going on. Her greatest fear was turning true.

(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 9

He dragged her towards his car and pushed her to the passenger seat. She was anxious. She tried to ask him where he was taking her during the journey. He didn't seem to mind her inquisitive questioning. Later she got tired of asking him and stayed quiet. He stopped at a ground.

The ground was beautifully decorated with candle lights. He led her on rose covered path to the center of the ground  where bouquet of roses and birthday cake lay on the table. She was surprised. No one knew about her birthday except her mom and the manager.

He offered her the bouquet and hugged her. "Happy Birthday!", he whispered to her ears. She gently pushed her self out from the embrace and asked," How do you know?" " I know you are private person. But you are famous too. There are some sneaky paparazzi who have followed you closely and  publish private information like your birthday to crazy fans like me.", he said. She was struck when she heard the word 'fan'. Her face blushed and heart raced faster every second. Tiny goosebumps appeared on her soft skin.

"You are my fan?". she asked timidly. "Who is not your fan. You are most beautiful actress of our era. Everyone loves you.", he said , almost spilling out his feelings. "Now can you cut the cake?", he asked. She smiled and cut the cake. She offered him a piece and wished him too.  She had just turned her face to other side for a minute. Suddenly, he quickly took a small piece of cake and smudged on her face gently. It was too late for her to realize what was happening.

Instead of getting annoyed, she took another piece and smudged it back. They laughed and giggled like two teenagers while applying the cake cream on each other's face playfully. After all those fun,
they had candle lit dinner. The atmosphere was filled with hidden romance and nervousness of hiding their feeling from each other. They chatted until they realized it was time to go home.

When he reached her place, they didn't want to part. There was silence though both of them wanted to share their feelings. They looked at each other's eyes, wishing that time didn't pass until she forced herself to get out of the car. She waited until his car was out of her sight. His party continued til late in night. His friends asked him about his sudden disappearance. He lied to them, saying he needed fresh air and rushed towards his room. He replayed today's special events as soon as he was alone.

(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 8

His surprised reaction turned into smile. "Has anyone ever called you mischievous?", he asked jokingly. He gently squeezed her cheeks. She wasn't annoyed. Moreover she was surprised why she didn't react. She hated when anyone squeezed her cheeks. But today she liked it. It bought in tingling feeling to her heart. She smiled and replied," Nope. Except mom, you are the only one who has called me mischievous."

 During her ride to home, her manager noticed her smiling and asked, "I have never seen you so cheerful and happy. Are you enjoying the work?" " What do you mean? I have always enjoyed work,", she said. "I didn't mean anything. You were always tired and aloof. You would do your work and come back home. You wouldn't even speak to your co- stars. But now it seems like you have changed for better. Everyone is noticing that. This is good opportunity to get more work by networking.", her manager said. She didn't say anything. She pretended to be busy with her thoughts.

She was engrossed in thoughts, events and remarks her manager made today. She hadn't noticed these changes. It was true that she was cold person and never mixed with people. Working with Varun had slowly changed her. She was diligent at work. She was mingling with people. She was becoming warm and friendly person. The cold snob mask she wore had come out. It was good change. But she was getting close to Varun. She had never shown too much concern for anyone. She had never played a prank on anyone. She had never advised anyone. Moreover, she had never allowed anyone to be extremely close to her.

Today's gentle squeeze on her cheek raised her heartbeat. "Why am I overreacting? He squeezed my cheek like a friend does.", she wondered and dismissed any such feelings. She made mental note to be careful with her feelings. She didn't want any such feelings to rise and take charge of her. She had more important things to concentrate.

                        ********  Few months later  *******

It was Varun's birthday as well as her birthday.  He had invited whole crew for his birthday party.  His birthdays were known for wild parties while her birthday was something that only her mom and manager knew. Her mom celebrated her birthday usual way. She bought a cake and gift before Roop could leave for the promotional event. She cut the cake and opened her present excitedly. It was glittering Swaroski bracelet. She loved Swaroski accessories and the bracelet was her favorite. Roop hugged her mom and rushed towards the party when she realized that she was getting late.

The party was huge affair, All the big stars were present in his party. The paparazzi waited at the front of his bungalow like hungry dogs for glimpse of the stars while the music blared out inside his bungalow. Roop felt like a misfit in the party. She wasn't used to loud blaring noise or half drunk crowd getting close to her. She decided to head back home when she felt someone drag her outside. It was Varun. They reached the backyard of his bungalow. She was stunned to find herself alone with him. "Finally! Come with me. I have something for you.", he dragged her hand.


(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 7

 He closed the drawer with the bang when he came back to his senses. "What was I thinking? She is a star and it isn't ethical. I am no longer a fan. I am her director.", he scolded himself. He tried to push those thoughts away. But they came back whenever he tried harder. He lay on the bed and tried to close his eyes. He wasn't able to sleep.

The night wasn't too long. When the drowsiness led him to close his eyes, the alarm rang. It was already morning. He hadn't slept the whole night. He reached the film studio with red eyes and drowsy face. He had taken cold water bath and drank hot coffee. But drowsiness didn't shy off. Every few minutes when he found time alone, he would close his eyes.

Everyone asked him to sleep. He was stubborn. He didn't listen and continue to work. When everyone were done with advising him, Roop spoke, "Why don't you take rest?" "I am fine.", he said. "Have you seen yourself? You were not feeling well yesterday. Today you are not even in good shape to work.", she said. "Are you a doctor? I am fine.", he snapped. "Fine! Whatever!", she said and walked away.

During lunch, Roop was chatting with her co-stars, "He is stubborn! I only advised him for his good and he snapped at me just like that.""He is not listening to anyone. Everyone tried to persuade him. Anyone leave him.", one of them said.

It was drama scene. Varun was watching the screen to check if the characters were on positions. He was having his sixteenth coffee and rubbed his eyes infinite times. He cursed love. It had taken his sleep and peace of mind. He couldn't concentrate on work and felt bad for snapping at Roop. He wanted to apologize.

It was Roop's turn to say the dialogues. She started with the first line. Before she could complete her lines, she fainted. "Cut it!", he yelled and rushed towards her. He sprinkled few drops of water on the face. She regained her consciousness and slowly opened her eyes. "How are you feeling?", he asked. "I am fine.", she replied. "I will call your driver. You can go home and take rest.", he said. "I don't need rest. You need. So you go home and take rest.", she said. "Are you joking?", he asked. She smiled and replied,"I was joking. I am fit and fine."

(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 6

The music ended. She finished her dance with a signature move. She and the background dancers waited for his instruction. He was spellbound. He had never found her so beautiful until today. He could imagine the feel of her soft delicate skin, her almond gaze and luscious red lips. Every time he imagined, his heart missed a beat. 

Suddenly he came back to senses and said, "Cut! Let's pack up!" The crew was startled. They had a midnight shoot to complete. They weren't able to comprehend why Varun called off the shoot. "Maybe I did something wrong?", Roop doubted.

She left the studio with mind full of thoughts and concern. "What did I do wrong, again?", she questioned herself. She recalled all the things that happened over the day. She had practiced the steps diligently. She was on time for the shoot. She had also rehearsed her lines for the midnight shoot. The song sequence turned out perfect.Everyone had praised her. Then what had gone wrong? Why did he call of the shoot. "I don't understand this guy.", she thought angrily when she didn't find any mistakes in her. Later she again condemned herself for assuming that everything went perfectly. "Maybe he didn't find it perfect.", she thought.

Varun lay quietly on the couch in his room. He had declined to have dinner with his dad. He wanted to be in recluse. He tried to clear his mind. While he was still thinking about his day, his cellphone rang.  It was her call. He didn't want to talk. He picked it up immediately without seeing the caller name. "How many times do I need to remind you that I don't want to talk to anyone?", he yelled. 

It was Roop. "I am sorry.. I..will .. call you back later.", she stammered. He felt guilt as soon as he realized it was Roop. "Wait! I am sorry. I didn't realize it was you. I thought it was one of my assistant.", he said apologetically. "Are you fine? You seemed disturbed and call off the shoot suddenly. I was wondering whether we could re-shoot the song again if you want. I know you didn't like it.", she asked. "No, it was perfect. I wasn't feeling well. These shoots and planning over last few weeks were hectic. So I was feeling tired.", he lied. "Oh! I understand. You work so hard. Why don't you take off tomorrow. I mean if you want to. Health is important.", she said. "I will see.", he smiled. "Ok!Take rest. I will see you tomorrow.", she said and hung up.

As soon as the call ended, he smiled like teenager who has fallen in love for the first time. He walked towards his work desk and opened one of drawers. There were magazines with pictures of Roop. He looked at them. The hidden feeling called crush resurfaced again. That feeling was strong when he had first seen her dance in one of teenage movies. He had become one of her crazy devoted fan. He would collect all the magazines that contained her pictures or interviews. He would save the videos of award shows where she danced. He would watch her movies numerous times until he had memorized all the lines of the heroes. However as soon as he assisted his father with his work and worked towards his dream, he locked all those feeling deep inside where he would never find. However today's event had brought back that feeling again. This time it was stronger than the last time.

(To be continued)

The Untouchable - Part 5

The next morning she received unexpected surprise. She received bouquet of roses and box of her favorite chocolate muffins. She smiled as she read the name of sender and the message . It read - ' I am sorry. - Varun'. She was surprised at this gesture. She never expected him to be warm. 

She was punctual for the shoot this time. Before she started with the shoot, she proceeded towards his office. He was busy discussing with one of his assistant. "Hi! I need to talk to you.", she said. He nodded and asked the assistant to leave them alone. When they were alone, she spoke, "Thanks. But you didn't have to do that." "I thought you were still angry with me. Are you angry with me?", he said softly. "No, I am not. By the way, how did you know chocolate muffins are my favorite.", she asked.

"You are public figure. Your likes and dislikes are always the selling material of the movie magazines.", he replied. 

She smiled. "How come you are on time?", he asked. "I promised you yesterday that I would cooperate with you. Let's start shooting. I don't want us to delay the schedule.", she said while heading back to the studio. He smiled while patting her back. 

The shooting was getting more easier day by day. As promised by her, she was on time for all the shoots, took few retakes and hardly threw any tantrums. Everyone was amazed. She was learning to smile. She was learning to respect. She was slowly opening up. The rude obnoxious star was turning into new leaf due to company of new friendship. 

It was dance sequence which would be used for the promotion of movie. She wore golden mini dress that displayed her curves. Her eyes were made smoky. The make up wasn't too much or too less. It didn't overshadow her real beauty. She looked like goddess. 

When the music started, everything stood still. She danced like nymphs - delicate and elegant. The song was soft love song depicting the one sided love of the woman.The dance was contemporary and her moves expressed the lyrics of song perfectly.  Everyone was awe of her beauty and dance including Varun.

(To be continued)