We Found Love

Part 03

Episode 15 – We Found Love

Until here: Rohan talks Leila into agreeing for the new project. Leila accepts it in order to move on in life, but is terribly disturbed by her conscience. She attends the costume check for the video and gets a glimpse of Pranay and Nayanika’s peaceful love life. Later that night when Pranay and Nayanika are mobbed by paparazzi outside a hotel, Nayanika confirms the news that Leila is doing a MV for Pranay’s album.

Life has its curious ways to get back at things that we don’t really want to get back to. Sometimes we make decisions that could have been otherwise, we truly want the matter to be done once and for all but it takes turns that make us change our mind. You act like puppets of fate, your will has no power, you feel as though you are being controlled by a supernatural force, and then comes a point where you fight back, cause you don’t want to be taken over, you try hard to get over that temptation, but how many of us will succeed?

Nayanika wanted to escape from the reality that her visions depicted and she thought she found a way out, but was that genuine? we don’t know. Pranay did not want to confront either the past or the future. Leila could never move on from her past, she knew it could no longer be undone, she eventually tried to adapt herself to the present. She accepted something that her heart wasn’t sure about. Now when you are at battle with your conscience, it’s definitely difficult to say which one wins; your heart?or your mind? Will these three let their life into the hands of providence or will their volition prevail?

” It was always you Leila, always you, I never stopped loving you, how can I deny you. I love you…. rush into these arms and soak yourself in love baby…”

Leila woke up with a jerk, she had been dreaming. The sweet, pale morning light was slowly spreading in the room through the blinds. She was sitting on her king size bed with white silk sheets, her hair all messed up and face perturbed. The dream had seemed so real and delightful. She and Pranay were spending a wonderful time at ‘Skylark’ , they were kind of having a dinner date beside the pool and Pranay had romantically said those lines with his bewitching smile and melodious voice. “Good Lord what’s happening to me” she murmured. “Hmm…. what else can happen? I warned you, I told you, he was your weakness, I asked you to stop pretending, now look you have begun thinking about him, you are weaving dreams, huh? What are you gonna do, eh? You can’t have him back, he is not interested in you either….then you’ll have to find a new way to get to him… The mirage was sitting on the chair opposite her bed. For the past few weeks Leila had frequent encounters with the mirage, the difference was that now she freaked out less and rather talked to it normally. “Please don’t come preaching me early morning, I am not thinking about him or anything. You just shut your mouth. You make me sick.” Leila winced. “Ah huh, I make you sick? I am your conscience honey, I guard you” “Just get lost” Leila was angry now. The mirage laughed and evaporated.

‘I should finish this project as soon as possible’ she reached out to her phone and texted Shanaya, her manager, she wanted to know the dates and schedule for this month. It had been two weeks since that costume trial and she was occupied with campaign shoots and other fashion projects, Rohan had asked to take her time and free her dates. ‘Its gonna be two day shoot’ he had said. Shanaya texted her the schedule. It was Wednesday and she had no major engagements until Saturday. On Saturday she was to go for the fitting of a dress that she would be wearing for the fashion awards ceremony in Paris next week. She made quick calculations, she texted Shanaya to fix that visit to the boutique today and asked Rohan whether they could start shooting tomorrow.

She got up and went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, changed to her workout clothes, went to the kitchen, made her green juice, filled the bottle, took her backpack and headed to the basement. She drove to the ‘Hope City Hustlers’ gym which was less than a mile away. On the way, her phone beeped , it was Rohan’s message. He said they were good to start next day and if possible she should meet him at the studio today. She texted him back, parked her car and entered the gym.

Nayanika was drinking coffee at the breakfast table, each time she took a sip, she recoiled; she was unable to swallow, it tasted bitter than ever, she felt like throwing up. This had actually been going on for a couple of weeks now. ‘I must visit the doctor today’ she thought. She got up and the dining room seemed to spin around, she clutched the table and closed her eyes. “Nayka Nayka….” Pranay came calling her in a sing song voice. She opened her eyes quickly and turned around, the coffee cup rolled on the table cause of her sudden hand movement. “Oh!! You spilled coffee honey, what’s wrong you? Are you ok?” Pranay asked in a concerned tone, Nayanika did look confused and tired. He came near and wiped the sweat on her forehead, touched her cheeks and asked her again, “Is everything alright?” “What happened dear? Shall I boil some herbal concoction?”old man Ramu who had come to clean the table asked. “No I am perfectly fine, thanks uncle” Nayanika replied with a smile. Ramu too smiled , nodded his head and went back. “Why do you make a fuss every-time, I am totally alright” she acted as if annoyed. “Is that so , is that so?” Pranay began tickling her and she started to giggle. “So, what are your plans for today?” Nayanika asked freeing herself from Pranay. “Ah…nothing much I guess, Ro hasn’t called me yet, I may go to the CMR and then to the studio, what about you?” Just then his phone started ringing. It was Rohan’s call, Pranay talked for a few minutes, hung up , turned to Nayanika and said, “The shoot will start from tomorrow Nayka, Ro just asked me to come to the studio, I’ll get ready, ok , see you soon” he kissed her and left. Nayanika stood looking at his back, suddenly her heart filled with a strange sense of alarm.

It was 11:30 when Leila reached ‘The Blue Sapphire’ boutique on the first floor of Pluto Tower. Shanaya was already there speaking to Ms. Mithila, the chief designer and owner of the brand “Blue Sapphire” . Mithila was a woman in her mid sixties, and was one of the senior most designers in the industry, with a career spanning 30 years. She had inherited the fashion label from her father and continued his legacy. She had designed and dressed almost three generations of models, including Leila’s mother. Mithila greeted Leila with a warm hug and showed her the vintage royal blue halter neck gown which was restitched to her size. It was a gorgeous dress made purely from silk georgette and covered with a crystal bodice. Leila was awestruck by its beauty, it looked even more prettier when she came out wearing it. Her reflection in the mirror out shined her. She thanked Mithila heartily and asked Shanaya to pack it up. They came out and Leila said, “Shan, you leave for Paris on Sunday with the dress and Charith I’ll join you a day later along with Raj”. Shanaya nodded. Leila called Samson and drove to MRP Studios.

Pranay and Rohan were busy discussing with the director when Leila entered the studio. Rohan noticed her immediately and waved to her. Pranay too greeted her, then they all sat down with the director to discuss the concept of the shoot, the video was for the song ‘Desert Flower’ . Initially it was planned as an indoor shoot but after deliberating for a while they decided to shoot in real location. Rohan suggested they go to the ‘Red Sand Desert’ which was 30 miles away from Hope City. It was a tourist destination and people frequented this vast arid piece of land for trekking and other adventures. ” Leila, you can have a look at the final piece of costume once, and tell me about your hair and makeup, you’ll bring your team right?” “Yea, my team is fine” she replied. The costume designer showed her the pieces, she made a little changes that she felt were necessary. Rohan asked her to be at the location at 6:30 next morning. She agreed and took leave. As she stepped outside, her phone beeped, it was an unknown number.

It was 10:30 in the night when she came back to her apartment, she had been to a restaurant for dinner. She changed to her dressing gown, went to the bathroom and turned on the tap to fill the tub, while she tied her hair looking in the mirror, the mirage appeared behind her. “Tomorrow’s gonna be a busy day huh? You are going to shoot with Pranay…. Pranay….(the mirage stressed on his name coming close to her ears) You know what I say, you have got a second chance, if you are intelligent you know what I mean..” it disappeared with a laugh. Leila stared into the mirror. The mirage’s words rang in her ears…’a second chance, a second…’ The tub started to overflow, she closed it, undressed and got into the tub. She began scrubbing slowly and contemplating, ‘what if Pranay has married Nayanika simply out of necessity, what if he still loves me? He was so warm with me today, he even sat next to me, he was friendly the other day too. Will I be able to make him understand that I still care about him, think of him? Will I truly be happy to have him back? she sat for a while, until her feet turned numb. ‘Oh God! I hope I don’t go crazy’. She quickly finished scrubbing , washed and got out. She took her phone and texted Shanaya, Raj and Charith to remind them of next day’s schedule, then went to bed.

Nayanika had left the house soon after Pranay in the morning, she had been to the clinic. The doctor had examined, wrote the prescription and assured her it was ‘nothing serious’ to worry about. Nayanika was relieved, she had spent the other half of the day quite happily at her office and Rohan’s house. She was now a favourite auntie to Sitara’s baby. She was back home by evening and waiting for Pranay to return. It was almost 11:00 in the night when Pranay came home, Nayanika was lying on the couch and almost drowsing, the TV was on. He felt sorry looking at her, he had left the studio, went to CMR and then to restaurant with Rohan and his friends, he had not even called her once in between. He sat down beside her and slowly caressed her face, she looked up with sleepy eyes, “Oh! When did you come?” she asked huskily. “I am so sorry Nayka, I should have atleast called you, I am sorry I made you wait for me.” he said in a sympathetic voice. “It’s ok dear husband, it’s totally fine” she smiled. “By the way, you know I have to leave early morning tomorrow, we are shooting for the video in ‘Red Sands’ ” Pranay said cheerfully. “Oh! That’s really nice” Nayanika said, she was still feeling sleepy. Pranay kissed her and went to change.

The sun was scorching the life out of every creature on that dry piece of earth, the director was stubbornly retaking a particular shot, Leila was tanned, tired and her throat parched. Pranay who usually enjoys his shoot, seemed to have given up. The scene was one where Pranay was to sing the lyrics standing under the tree and Leila was to walk behind him at a distance. Everytime the shot was taken the director felt it lacked the desired feeling. They were preparing for the tenth shot. Everyone on the set had come early that morning, and had begun excitedly, but the unbearable heat had them all exhausted within hours. Shanaya, Raj, Charith all tried their best to keep up Leila and each other’s spirits, they were beside the caravan few steps away from the scene. Shanaya along with Raj went to Leila, Raj started doing her touch up and Shanaya spoke, “What does that jumbo director want ? he is not even letting us to eat” “I don’t know Shan he says there is no feeling in the scene it seems, I am starving…too” Just in Pranay came from his caravan, “Hey, Leila this one shot okay? I’ll ask the director to give a break after this, you are doing good as usual but put in some extra involvement okay?” he tapped her shoulders and said lovingly looking into her eyes. Until then, they had spoken to each other several times since morning, but it was all formal, while this one was different? strange? The director called for the shot, Shanaya and Raj dispersed, Pranay and Leila took their spot, “Rolling….camera….action” the lyrics played, “You were a desert flower, I was a mad traveler…” Minutes later the director called “cut” and the take was made “ok’, everyone clapped, they took a break and the shoot continued for the rest of the day without much disruptions, quite joyfully actually.

It was 6:00 in the evening and dark, Leila and her team were in the car going back to Hope City, Samson was driving and the other three were mimicking the director and giggling, Shanaya was holding a sun glass in one hand, a cap in the other, pursing her lips and imitating his peculiar speaking style. Leila was smiling, she rolled down the windshield of the car; cool air floated in, she bent a little forward and breathed some fresh air. Her phone buzzed, it was a text message from unknown number, she stared at it for a few seconds and then smiled.

The second and final day of the shoot started out early too, it included a night shift beside a small pond in the middle of the sands. Since it was a kind of a desert land, the temperature was well below 30° degree celsius. It was exactly midnight and everyone was prepping for the last scene. Leila was sitting in a chair, all wrapped up, yet shivering, Pranay came to her, a mug in his hand filled with hot chocolate, he gave it to her and sat next to her. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed affectionately, “Thank you so much, Leila for being a part of this project, if not for you I don’t think this MV would have been as wonderful as it is going to be now.” Leila smiled and her eyes glowed. Pranay’s phone started ringing, it was an incoming video call from Nayanika, he received the call, “Hey, how is it going?” “Its good Nayka…., look who is with me” he showed Leila and she too waved, “Hi…. Leila.. you look gorgeous, hope you are enjoying” Nayanika tried to sound exciting. “Well…you can see that” Leila replied with laugh half sarcastically. Pranay and Nayanika then spoke for two minutes and hung up. Nayanika was not too happy after the call, she sensed an untold danger. ‘Anyways Pranay told it was the last scene and he would coming back within hours, why am i worrying unnecessarily?’ she comforted herself. The director called for the shot, Leila unwrapped herself and took position. The scene was shot for an hour and then a final take was made. Everyone rejoiced, it was 1:30 am , they were content of finishing this project in two tightly packed dates. Leila went to her caravan, changed and removed her makeup. She called Samson to pick them up, but her car had broke down and Samson was at a garage 20 miles away getting the mechanic to fix it, Shanaya, Charith and Raj were already sick and tired of that shoot, so they excused themselves and managed to get into the crew’s car, leaving her alone to wait for Samson. “You can still take a lift from Pranay, Leila” Shanaya had said casually.

The car zoomed past her leaving behind a cloud of dust. She stood there wondering what to do, the weather was getting colder, the night sky was clear with twinkling stars. “Should I ask him for a lift?’ Leila was in a confusion, “Idiot , what are you waiting for? This is a golden opportunity” it was the mirage whispering in her ears, just when she was about to open her mouth Pranay’s car came to the spot where she stood. “Hey, where are you friends, where is your car?” Pranay rolled down the wind glass and asked , Leila told him , he opened the door and said, “Hop in”. They drove for a while, and engaged in a friendly talk about random work things. Leila looked at Pranay admiringly, ‘he is that same charming man’, she thought. The car then slowed down and the driver halted with a brake, The driver got out, “Sir I think, the wheels are punctured” he said looking at the two back wheels that were flat. Pranay and Leila got out too. They were near a three star hotel that accommodated tourists visiting ‘Red Sands’ , the driver asked them to wait there while he would call for a mechanic. They entered the hotel lobby and woke up the night receptionist who was drowsing at the desk. “The rooms are all full, what do you guys want?” he didn’t realise in his sleepy eyes that he was speaking to superstar Mr. Lovestruck and supermodel Leila. Pranay asked for two chilled beer. They went and sat down on a couch beside a wall that had huge glass panes through which one could see the camping tents of tourists across the sands.

The receptionist handed them the bottles and went back to his desk. Pranay opened them and gave one to Leila, they began sipping silently. ” What do you love about Nayanika?” Leila asked deeply, Pranay’s eyes twinkled, “Oh! I can’t say one particular thing, I just love everything about her, the way she puts her heart into the work she does, her warm and loving nature, her sense of humor, her strength, her resilience, the way she steers things, the comfort she brings, you know what?! let me tell you how we met” He started narrating, Leila lost herself looking at him. “Ah…how mesmerizing he is even now, look at his lips, don’t you think you should stop them with yours,” ” Yes, I feel so” “Then go ahead” ” You know one day….. Nayanika came to my house” Pranay’s chirping voice made her realise that he was talking so passionately about another woman. “But…but…he is talking about Her” ” Yes dear, about her because he loves her and belongs to her, you never were meant for each other, recall the lines of the song that you’ve been shooting for two days, you were a desert flower… ” The song played line by line in her mind, it subtly described their beautiful yet toxic relationship. Her heart stinged, a small tear drop fell from her eye, she wiped it quickly. ” You are right!” she said aloud. “Isn’t it?! ” he chimed. His phone buzzed, it was Nayanika’s call, he picked it up, “Hello….hello… Pranay.. Pranay I am scared, Pranay our house, house hello Pranay” “Nayanika, Nayanika hello… I am coming” “It’s Nayanika, something is wrong, I have to go” Pranay’s face had transitioned from peace to utter chaos. He rushed out, and snatched the keys from his driver who was at the door, about to come in. Leila sat there still pondering, “what are you thinking dear?” ” May be all we had was little more than friendship between us and a good time, I don’t think I will be able to get back to him the same way again and neither will he. I better leave this place now” “That’s right dear, go live your life” the mirage smiled and melted. Leila took her phone and texted a message, then called Samson.

Pranay had raced up his car to the house. Nayanika was standing in the garden and all the house keeping staff were trying their best to douse the fire that blazed from the first floor of the mansion. Nayanika rushed into Pranay’s arms as soon as she saw him. She sobbingly told how the short circuit in the living room upstairs had caused fire while she was asleep and how she had managed to escape in the nick of time. Pranay touched her forehead with his and whispered “You’ll be alright” She took his hand and placed on her belly and said “We’ll be alright” His face gleamed, he cupped her face and slowly kissed her lips. The piercing siren of the fire engine was heard at a distance.

Leila was on the outskirts of Hope City, driving her own car. She stopped at the crossroad to the airport, a man was standing with a bag pack on the sidewalk, she smiled at him. He jumped in the seat next to her. Leila started the engine and turned on the music, the sky was slowly turning crimson on the east horizon. It was dawn.

The End.

Thanks for patient reading!!

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