Happy Diwali...
A month passed by, with their usual routine of shoot and office and chats and calls whenever possible. His shoot wrapped and post production work was supposed to be completed in other 15 days and the production house has already locked the release date.
Audio songs were released one by one and the response gave much confidence to the entire team. The next few days were high on updates about the movie like first look posters, teasers, glimpses and all.
While she enjoyed every bit of his updates, he was happy seeing her response to his movie.
The promotions are planned heavily with number of interviews of the cast and their appearances to popular TV reality shows.
He offered her premier tickets but she denied politely saying that she wants to watch his first movie as a fan like always and not with any luxuries. He could see her excitement in her Instagram stories and WhatsApp status.
Her excited Instagram stories about the songs, trailers, her booked tickets, everything increased his excitement as well.
Three days before the movie release, the producer called Manik to meet him.
"Nervous...??" The producer asked tapping Manik's shoulder while he took a deep breath and sighed nodding a yes.
"Relax Manik...Actually I have called you to tell you something important..." He said.
"Yes sir...Please..." Manik asked to go ahead.
"Manik...I have got another script for you...This time it's not debut director...He has 4 – 5 films experience...Would you like to go through the script...??" The producer asked but Manik remained silent.
He continued "Manik...I'm not doing any favour...I have seen your work and I would be really happy if you do this project under our banner..."
"No sir...It's not about that...I don't know what to say...Even before seeing my first movie's response, you are trusting me with another project..." Manik said clearly bowled with the trust the producer has kept on him.
"Ohh Manik...I know you will not fail me...But just go through the script...or I will ask the director to narrate you the story line...If you like it, we will go ahead once this first movie settles down..." Producer said.
"Sure sir...I will read the script..." He said and opened the file in front of him and his eyes bulged in surprise.
"What happened Manik...??" Producer asked.
"Umm...nothing sir...Can I take this home...?? I will let you know by tomorrow..." He asked and the producer agreed.
He came out taking the file and made his way home and read the script. He was confused and was unable to decide after reading the script.
"Dinner tonight...??" He texted Nandini and she replied "Work will be done by 7"
"Will pick you at 9" He replied and called the same restaurant for another private dinner as he doesn't want her to stress out cooking some extra dishes for him.
She came home and got ready to go. He called her when he reached her place and she hopped in the car. As always she was simple yet elegant.
He smiled seeing her but was lost in his thoughts till they reached the place. She got down and went inside like last time and the manager took her to the same place for dinner.
Manik joined her after few minutes and none spoke till he placed the order.
She waited for him to talk and he did.
"I know...I know you will not ask me anything...So I'll tell it by myself...Actually, my producer has offered another movie..." He said sipping the glass of water.
"Ohhh...Super..." She said being excited.
"Let me complete..." He said in a stern tone and she fell silent while he continued "The problem here is...the genre of the story...It's kind of horror...I mean mystery thriller...and I'm not sure whether people can accept me in such story...So you tell me...what do you think...??"
"If you find the script flawless...If you really liked the script...Then please go for it...Audience will love the movie if the story is good...and not about the character you played...Of course, your role is important but it's not the only thing that audience love...Your performance in any role is your strength...So...I feel...you can go for it...But the story for any mystery, thriller, horror should be flawless...None should raise a question in the story...Remaining aspects like director, music and all, I know you will choose the best..." She finished expressing her point of view looking at her hands all the time while his eyes were fixed on her without blinking.
Seeing him silent, she said "I...I'm sorry if I over spoke..."
"Hey...stop saying sorry all the time Nandu..." He said with a smile that melts her.
The waiter served them the food and they continued talking about the shoots, promotions and about her work.
"Thanks for clearing my confusion..." He said once they were done with dinner and he ordered a dessert that they can share.
"My pleasure...I gave my opinion as one among the audience sir..." She said with a smile.
"Now just stop calling me sir...I already said that you can call me Manik..." Manik said placing his elbows on the table.
She nodded in a no with a smile. He twisted his lips at his failed attempt and checked his phone till the waiter arrived with the dessert.
She waited for him to look at the dessert and continue eating but no. He purposely didn't look so that she will call him by his name since he knew that she sensed his irritation when she addressed him as sir.
"Umm..." She tried to speak and cleared her throat and he waited.
"Suniye..." She called and he looked at her in surprise and then chuckled.
She clearly knows how to surprise him with unexpected words. He heard that way of calling when his mother called his father.
He just chuckled and shared the dessert while she sat clueless of his reaction.
After few seconds, he realized something and said "Wait a second...Then what's my contact name in your mobile...??"
She smiled sheepishly concentrating on her share of dessert to which he frowned. He simply grabbed her mobile which was placed at her side and she smiled for the playful act. He dialled her number and saw his number displaying 'HERO calling...'
He looked at her being amused and she maintained the same smile.
"Really...?? Hero...?? Did you save my name as hero at first itself...?? Even before I told you about my movie offer...??" He asked in disbelief and she answered "Umm...Actually I saved as Mr. Magnetic eyes and then changed immediately..."
He let out a laugh and said "Magnetic eyes...?? Uhumm..."
He teased her and blushed with the compliment and placed her mobile back at her side. She thought for a second and dialed his number and peeped in to see her number displaying 'Miss Autograph calling...'
He smiled at her and she blushed. They finished the dessert and Manik settled the bill while Nandini walked behind him.
Before he could say anything, she said "It's already 11...Restaurant is closed...We can leave I think..."
He thought for a second and nodded with a smile. They walked out of the restaurant and his car was on the other side of the road. It was a small road and he walked to get the car and turned back to see a car coming towards her. In the next second, he pulled her towards him while she closed her eyes being scared.
"It's okay...Relax..." He said parting away from her.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him and he smiled giving her senses back in action. He went to the driver's side and looked at her again before getting in and she smiled at him.
They got into the car and the ride was silent for some time.
"So...Got tickets for the movie...??" He asked when they are 15 minutes away from her place.
"Yup...Excited..." She said clasping her hands making him smile to his fullest.
"Give me a call once you watched the movie...I want your review..." He said and she bit her lower lip hiding her happiness.
He dropped her home and got back to his and texted her that he has reached. He got freshen up and was ready to hit the bed. He scrolled through the social media and found his name was trending in twitter.
For a second, he chucked it since it was trending every now and then from the day of his movie updates. But then, he opened to go through the tweets and was shocked seeing the tweets and pictures.
Ignore mistakes...