Celebrity Aryaman pondered for a while over the breakfast cereals arranged in neat piles across the racks and finally moved forward to pick up a packet of poha (flattened rice). A bunch of teenage girls stopped him from reaching the cash counter with anxious smiles holding notebooks, torn pages, even paper napkins. All they fancied were autographs; Aryaman obliged taking time to greet each of them individually. He was zealously received by the young woman at the cash counter too; Aryaman provided the cash along with a most endearing smile. Aryaman Singhania, the ‘Vishnu’ of famous daily soap ‘Hamara Rishta’ gazed around at the curious faces before leaving the departmental store, a faint smile of contentment illumined his handsome features. He crossed the road in hurried steps to reach ‘Golden Crest’, a prominent housing society in the posh locality of Khar west, Mumbai. His one bedroom studio apartment at the top floor opened at a cosy private terrace; the prime reason for him to take this flat at a premium monthly rent of eighty thousands. Aryaman stayed alone in his flat ever since, his live-in girlfriend Neha moved out in a fit of rage six months back. Aryaman entered the kitchen with his purchase and put the kettle on for boiling water. Neha, lovely, vivacious, smiled at him from the fridge top in a silver frame as he turned to reach out to the tea box at the cabinet. The frame that he gifted on her last birthday, she rejected at same ease as she rejected her boyfriend of five years. Ambitious, already successful, she fell for his striking look on the sets of ‘Hamara Rishta’ on the very first day of the shoot. Aryaman, a nervous debutant considered it to be as big a prize as his first break in showbiz. Neha played his love interest in the soap for next four and half years. It hardly took a month for Neha to move in with him, but then she had always been impulsive; Aryaman reflected while sipping his favourite jasmine tea lounging at a garden chair at the terrace. They were one of the most talked about couples within and outside the industry; media had exploited their story for a long time, not that they didn’t profit enough from it! A weary smile appeared at the corner of his lips. The loud ringing of the mobile phone tore his train of thoughts; he cut the call with a frown glancing at the number. The same number, the same girl hounding him for last one month; did he need to change his SIM, he meditated, but then the hazards of informing all the producers, casting directors, the thought of it made him quit the idea. ******* The muscles of his sculpted body inflated in contraction as he worked out on the cross trainer. These two hours of early morning were his time for dedications, the splash gymnasium of celebrity trainer Tony being his shrine. ‘Good to see you Arya! Never miss a session ha?’ Film star Atif appraised with admiration while gearing up next to him. Aryaman acknowledged with a content smile; praise from fitness freak Atif was a rarity for any member of the Gym. Tony was taking his usual round overviewing the progress of his esteemed clients while Aryaman wrapped up his session for the day. He threw a welcoming glance towards his long-standing friend; Tony was his school mate, both hailing from a small-town of Haryana. Tony went past busy in serious conversation with Atif; did he purposely avoid his gaze? Aryaman wondered. He brushed aside the thought, an appointment with a leading production house for the lead role of their next venture made him rush. At ten minutes to eleven Aryaman entered the reception of Sunshine production house; the receptionist welcomed him with a warm smile, his charm was unfailing towards most of the fairer genders. ‘Mr. Shah would call you any moment’, she affirmed. Ultimately, that moment came after gulping of three glasses of water, two cups of black coffee and a time lapse of well above two hours. He was ushered to the conference room where the other parties of the meeting were already present. The conference room smartly designed with warm colour schemes, tasteful showpieces and thick carpet lifted his soggy mood to optimism. The man sitting at the head of the table was Mr. Jignesh Shah, the unmistakable owner; his overweight form, chubby face was contrasted with a pair of razor sharp eyes bright with intelligence. The other two members sitting at his both sides were Director of the film Dev Sharma and veteran star Inderjit. Aryaman’s agent Lokesh was also present sitting at the far end, timid at the overpowering presence of big men. ‘Come Aryabhai, we were talking about you only’, Jignesh welcomed him with a grin. Dev stood up and extended his hand with a reassuring smile, Inderjit merely nodded from his post. Aryaman took the seat opposite to Jignesh after responding to the cordialities. ‘As I was saying, Arya is my first choice for the role of the honest cop; he has the right physique and a good personality to go with it’, Dev addressed Jignesh. ‘Oh yes, this time I really want a fresh face for my film, a face well known yet new for film industry; Aryabhai suits the bill,’ Jignesh agreed. Lokesh stole a congratulatory glance at Aryaman on this. ‘Moreover, Inderjit ji as his rich devious father will be really impactful against his freshness.’ Inderjit grimaced on the last remark of Dev. ‘Brother, elder brother; not father’, Jignesh quickly amended clearing the star’s expression. ‘So, can I take it as final?’ Aryaman enquired. ‘Of course, you just go and relax; but remember as I advised earlier, don’t take any other offer, neither TV nor any kind of show. I don’t want over exposure of my Hero.’ Jignesh declared. ‘Then what about the contract and other formalities?’ Lokesh cut in for the first time. ‘That will happen Lokesh, my word carries more weight than a contract. Let us finish the pre-production formalities; we will contact you after that. Shooting must start within two months, Devbhai you ensure that,’ with that he gave indication that the meeting was over for the two. ******* Aryaman winced taking first sip of his morning tea, it looked paler than usual; he was flipping through the newspaper dispassionately, the ruckus on politics always dampened his mood. His eyes struck at the film section, he froze; star kid Vikram debuting in Dev Sharma’s new film made the headline. Beaming Jignesh posed with Vikram and Inderjit in the cover page. The disturbing ring of mobile shook him out of the trance; it was her, the girl hounding him for paying his credit card bill for more than a month. He switched off the phone, felt no need to stay connected with the world anymore. His car had been seized by bank on non-payment of loan; house rent was getting adjusted against the deposit money for last three months. Tony barred him from entering the Gym till his dues were all cleared. Yet he felt a sense of tranquillity for the first time in many months; found logic in persisting arguments of Neha on his quitting the daily soap and refusing any further commitment. He even felt compassionate towards her in many months; probably she didn’t have any choice but to leave him. First time in his life he regretted for not pursuing the MBA degree for which he came to Mumbai. His family at Kunjpura, the robust house, golden fields wealthy of ripened wheat; all looked so distant. He had taken a one way route in trailing his dream of showbiz. The subtle warmth of the morning sun provided a much needed comfort to the bereaved soul; he closed eyes in surreal pleasure. ******* Lokesh along with the building watchmen charged on the stubborn door with ferocity; the door gave in after a short pursuance. Lokesh sprang in with great anxiety to look for Aryaman; the bed room, toilet, kitchen divulged no clue of his existence. Confused and frustrated Lokesh walked on the terrace; Aryaman slouched on his favourite garden chair, his face serene though thinner. The ashen complexion failed to take away the flamboyance of his countenance. ‘Call for the ambulance’ was all Lokesh could mutter. ‘He passed out due to acute starvation’ the doctor pronounced at a private hospital. ***** *****
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 03:40:01 +0000
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