Aashna
'You look sexy in red, I mean sexiest cause everything looks hot on you.' I smile at Meera's usual "Hype Aashu" campaign. It almost feels like she gets paid each time she hypes me.
'I'd remember this for the next time I go on a date but for tomorrow I need something formal and classy.' I say, while dumping my pile of clothes on my bed.
'It's not like you are going to a corporate office like me, it's a film set.' she tries justifing her choice of outfit.
'Yeah but I don't want those creepy looks from men and also most importantly, I want people to remember me for my work and not anything else. So I'm settling for this.' I say finalizing a formal shirt and trousers.
'Won't there be any Pooja tomorrow?' she asks me and that's when it strikes me that there indeed will be a Pooja.
'Well then I'll be wearing this kurti. Now let's sleep, I'm so slee-' the rest gets lost in the wide yawn that escapes my mouth.
'Are you gonna sleep on your clothes? Let's sleep together in my room for tonight.' she says and we leave to her room.
I wake up four minutes before the alarm begins ringing. I turn it off and rush to my room to get ready and see Meera making us breakfast by the time I go to the living hall.
'I'll take care of the dosas, you go and get freshened up.' I take the kitchen duty from her.
'You look amazing.' she gives me a quick hug before running into her room.
While flipping the dosas I recall what all I am supposed to carry with me for the day.
My phone pops with a notification from Google and it reads, ' Rajesh Sharma's oldest son is all set to star in his first romantic film. Will he live up to the expectations of his dad's legacy? Here's what netizens have to say.'
I read the entire article hoping to find my name in it but all that's written about me was, '... written by some female screen writer. Is handing such a huge responsibility to a budding Female artist the right choice? '
It makes me want to laugh more than it frustrates me. It looks as it they have a problem with me being a female rather than this being my first film.
Prove them wrong with your work.
Prove them wrong with your work.
Prove them wrong with your work.
'I'll drop you on the way and attend my meeting. It's just a 20 minute drive from your set. Also when will your car be back from the service centre? Have you packed everything? By what time should you be there?' Meera breaks my chain of thoughts with her chain of questions.
'10:00 am' I tell her.
'Cool, I'll be ready to go in just ten minutes. Had breakfast?' she asks.
'Yes.' I answered, masking my nervousness. She's the best roommate ever and my best-est friend and I respect her care towards me but right now I'm in no mood for a motivational speech.
'Get into the passenger seat.' I tell her and get into the driving seat to divert myself with driving from getting nervous.
'I thinks it's time that a Wikipedia page is created on you. Can we do that ourselves?' she asks.
'Ofcourse but I don't think I want one.'
'I'm gonna create a page for you by tonight.' she mutters.
'I still can't believe you'll be meeting Ruhan in a while. Let's do one thing. You leave your phone in the car and walk inside. I'm gonna come inside on the excuse of handing your phone to you.' she says excitedly.
'No meera, you won't be allowed inside. The security guards will take it from you.' I say, to her utter disappointment.
'Fine.' she sits silent for the rest of our journey and I doubt if she's thinking of possible ways to get into the film set.
She lets out a deep sigh and turns on the radio. After switching almost all the channels, she settles to the one reviewing the films that have released on the previous day.
'All the best Aashu. Rock it.' she embraces me tightly as we get down the car at the film set.
'Don't get super excited and ruin your meeting. Focus on that. You've worked so hard for the promotion so don't ruin it today.' I instruct her.
'It's all sorted out. I'll give my best, I promise. I'll leave now.' she walks towards the driver's seat before turning back suddenly to face me.
'Not everyone in the industry is a good person. Don't let anyone fool you.' she says and rushes inside the car without waiting for my reply.
I send a message in my family group telling them that I've reached after my calls go unattended.
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Ruhan
'Where are you going?' Ishan asks me as I get out of the bed in the middle on the night.
'You cling to me too much while he's talking in his sleep with his "girlfriend". How do you expect me to sleep peacefully?' I question him.
He sticks his tongue out like he does since he's a child, each time he's at loss of words in an argument or doesn't have a comeback.
I walk into the guest bedroom and lock the door behind me to ensure that those two won't follow me even here.
Maybe I shouldn't have been the sweetest and kindest elder brother to them when they were kids. Atleast that way I would have still had my privacy.
I decide to scroll through my Instagram for a while before sleeping, which I know must be avoided.
I've been tagged in several news accounts and all they have to do is already start comparing me with my dad and running debates if I am atleast half as talented as he is.
'If he wasn't Rajesh Sharma's son, he wouldn't have got even a single opportunity. Nepotism sucks, he got to work in such a big project in his debut film. Handsome face ( which again is because of genes) with zero hardwork.'
'Boy couldn't handle those tiny wounds while filming action films. That's why he switched to Romance now. Is he gonna use a dupe for romantic scenes or do it himself? Of course, he's gonna do them himself. Aren't these scenes the only scenes these actors do by themselves. So disgusting.'
Before I read further comments and spoil my mood, my dad calls me.
'Why are you Instagram this late at night? I can see the 'Active' symbol.' he says.
'May I ask what you're doing on Instagram so late at night?' I ask him in return.
'Stop questioning me and go to sleep now. And don't take the trolls seriously.' he says before wishing me good night and ending the call.
I toss the phone aside and decide to get back to sleep.
'Open the door. Are you attempting to commit suicide?' Aryan yells from the other side of the door in the morning waking me from my sleep.
'Or is there a girl with you in the room?' adds Ishan.
I check my phone to see if I have any missed calls from them before they began screaming at the top of their voices but find none.
'Why can't you just call him instead of yelling?' I hear mom's voice and instantly walk to the door, open it and hug her.
'Good morning Ruhan. Did you sleep well?' she asks.
'We were screaming but it didn't bother you at all, right?' Aryan asks me.
'Stop irritating him in the morning. He has so much work today.' mom pats my back before disengaging from the hug.
Ignoring their mindless talks I got back to my room to freshen up.
'Are you ready for your big day?' dad asks me as we sat down for breakfast.
'Yes dad. You are coming right?' I ask him.
'I'll join after some time. I have an ad shoot in the morning.' he informs.
I and Ishan have began acting while Aryan is slowly figuring out his interests. So dad can quit acting now and spend some leisure time. But he's never gonna do that.
'I'm gonna lose my life before losing my passion for acting.' he says dramatically each time either of us tries to convince him.
That makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to live up to his legacy.
I drift into my thoughts pushing their chatters into the background of my mind for the rest of the breakfast.
After finishing my breakfast I get into the car and start driving to the set.
I notice the paparazzi swarming around my car with cameras in hands. I put on my glasses to blind those flash lights as I get down and walk into the set.
'Ruhan has arrived to the set and he had put his glasses on while getting down the car. What is he hiding?'
I think of what kind of headlines they are going to add and that makes me laugh already.
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So here's the first chapter and I'm excited to hear your reviews✨
Stay safe and happy 🤍