Part 02
Episode 04 – Homecoming
Until here: Pranay and Nayanika are working hard together. Pranay has different plans for this album and Nayanika is equally interested in them. She meets Rohan; to collect some of Pranay’s financial details. Rohan purposely irks her to know more about her nature and is relieved to find that she is as strong headed as his friend. Leila has not yet returned and the rumour of a new manager for Pranay has reached her.
Time really flies when you are with the right people at the right place. Pranay and Nayanika were in a three month work relationship, and had almost completed recording for the album. His first single from the album, ‘My Dear Jasmine’ was a monstrous hit topping all the playlists on major streaming platforms and radio. The CMR, appeased with its success was eager to release the video of the song shortly. Everything was going smooth, Nayanika was gaining a new kind of experience, she had become a sort of professional manager by now. Pranay had slowly begun to make public appearances and Nayanika was carefully planning his each and every outing. She modulated the press encounters such that questions about Pranay’s personal life were avoided. His outfits were also designed in sync with the theme of the album. The limited edition merch which he had issued were all sold out and there was quite a profit from that. It was successful in creating an exciting momentum among his fans. Nayanika was even overseeing the production of second edition which she thought should coincide with the concert tours that Pranay would be giving country wide. This idea of concert tour was initially not in the plan and was added at the insistence of Nayanika, it was one of a kind trial that was being carried out for the first time by CMR. They had reluctantly agreed to it. The album would be released on the final day of the concert tour in front of a huge crowd in Hope City. The Chief of CMR Mr.Natesh was struck by Nayanika’s creative ideas and enthusiasm, ‘she has a great potential, could be an asset to our company someday’ he thought.
All these months; a close knit bond had grown between Pranay and Nayanika, it felt like they had known one another their whole lives, but had the chance to be together only now. They had spent countless nights and days at the studio, mansion and different locations of the country recording, shooting, discussing. Pranay always felt she was just the person who understood what he wanted to tell and what he wanted to do. Nayanika too knew that he accepted her suggestions and received her work execution. They vibed so well that, there was no need of explaining themselves, they would recognize each other’s intention without a word being spoken.
” Pranay, the tour dates are finalized, and tickets have begun to sell out, I am receiving calls from the organisers already. I hope you have picked out the songs to perform…” Nayanika came into his room chattering cheerfully but was surprised to see him slack on the couch and stare into the widow aimlessly. “Pranay, Pranay…are you ok?” Her distinct voice woke him up from his abstraction. “Huh? What?” ” Nothing I was just asking your performance list for the concert, you haven’t done it yet, have you?” He nodded. “It’s been three months I started working with you Pranay, never have I once talked about your personal life, but today I really want to ask you something, how long have you been away from your mother?” Nayanika’s words sent a sudden shock through his mind. She is right, when was the last time I went to Rose City. That was two years ago with Leila for mom’s birthday, she had asked me to marry Leila that day; she liked her, we had spent a wonderful weekend, oh! how dreamy it all seems now. “Pranay, tell me” Nayanika asked him, her hands slowly sliding from his face to his chin. She cared for him like a bestfriend. She looked concerned, she knew that he was distracted, this was the kind of mental block that comes when everything is fine and good. She also knew that in such circumstances spending time with loved ones would definitely change the condition. That is why she wanted him to meet his mother. After all, who else can comfort you better if not for your mother.
“Pack your bag and go to your mom’s house. Stay there a week. Don’t worry about the things here. I’ll handle it. Ok?” she said with a compassionate smile and bringing her face close to his. He looked it into her eyes, ‘how did she know that this is what I need’ he wondered. She hugged him and left the room. The thought of his mother had stirred Pranay’s mind. A sudden urge to go to Rose City kicked him from the inside. He packed his stuff and decided to start off right away. He didn’t call his mother. He wanted to surprise her. Pranay loved his mother very much, it was just that he never took time to tell her. He called his old housekeeper Ramu and told him that he would be away for a week and asked him to let Nayanika to the mansion whenever she comes. He didn’t realise that she was still in his office. She saw him take out the car from the garage and drive down. She smiled as she saw through the window. He looked like a little boy going home to tell his mother what happened that day in school.
It was 4:30 in the noon. Though the sunbeams were bright golden, the sun was beginning to descend on the west side. Heavy grey clouds floated from north to east, the weather was humid and it seemed like it would start raining soon. Pranay’s mind was in a pleasant state, he was enjoying the scenic view along the drive.
Rose City was a four hour drive from Dawn City. It was a small suburban town in the midst of lush green hills, on the banks of pristine river Angel. Pranay had spent 15 years of his life here. He was the only child to his parents. His father Prem had abandoned him and his mother when he was just three years old. He had migrated abroad and married a foreigner. Pranay was solely brought up by his mother with the help of his grandparents in a small house. Pranay vaguely remembered his father visiting him when he was ten or eleven years old. His mother Nethravathi never married and neither did she talk about his father Prem. She worked hard to raise him well and provide him a decent life. As a young boy Pranay faced humiliation from his fellow mates at school for not knowing why his father never lived with him. One day he got into an ugly fight and beat a boy almost to death. He ran away and came home after six months. His mother and grandparents had been worried. From that day getting into fights and running away became common to him. He was slowly introduced to drug abuse as well. He was eighteen when he and Rohan had decided to take up singing and song writing as profession. As a child, Pranay was interested in singing. His mother gifted him a toy keyboard for his fifth birthday. She said he tapped rythms on the floor and made noises when he was barely three years old. His mother and grandparents had been the first audience to be entertained by him. He played film tunes and sang them.
After he was signed by the CMR, Pranay had bought his mother a big house and a car, he had hired servants for housekeeping. Nethravathi now lived comfortably; even luxuriously except for the fact that her son lived away from her.
It rained heavily all the way. Pranay was just minutes away from Rose City. It was 8:30 in the night and the weather was soothing. He entered the town gate then drove on the left turn for a few metres and stopped in front of a bungalow that said “Honeycomb” The watchman happily opened the gate. He drove inside. Nethravathi came out to see who was this visitor at this time of the night. She instantly recognised her son and rushed to the door to open it. Pranay came to the door just as she opened it, he hugged her tight as soon as he saw her. Nethravathi was in tears too, she had not heard from him in six months and there was so much to talk. She held him in her arms, petted him and kissed his face as though he were an infant. They both walked inside without saying a word to each other. Pranay changed his clothes and came to dinner. Nethravathi was waiting to serve hot meal to him. He sat down and she laid out the plate. She filled his plate with hot rice and curry. He began eating and she pulled out the chair next to him and sat watching him. Her eyes were pouring out love, she looked like a woman who is satisfied to see her child happily gobble his food.
They came out to the balcony. The sky was clear and stars had begun to twinkle here and there. Mother and son sat on the couch. Pranay put his head on her lap. Nethravathi gently stroked his head and they slowly began to talk. Pranay narrated everything from his birthday party, and the breakup that followed to his drug abuse for a while to meeting Nayanika and asking her to work with him. When he was done, Nethravathi’s brows were knit in vexation. She had read about all this in newspapers and magazines but longed to know the truth from himself. She had tried her best to bring Pranay out of this addiction. She was also sorry for Leila, she was a sweet girl minus her drug habbits she thought. But wait a second, he said he had stopped them after meeting Nayanika at the coffee shop. Who was this new girl then?
“How long will you stay here?” Nethravathi asked in a serious tone. “A week mom” “Well, go to sleep then, it’s midnight already, we have got a whole week to talk” she left him alone and went to her room. She made up her mind to learn more about this new girl in her son’s life. Pranay noticed this strange change in her behaviour but ignored it anyways. He would talk to her in the morning he thought. Just then he received a text message from Nayanika. His face lit up the way his phone screen lit up as soon as he saw the notification. He picked up to reply….
To be continued…
Follow on Instagram for episode updates!
Words from within... 