Good night all. Sweet dreams. 😴

Moving on...💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 2 - The Heroine

"Two lakh in advance?!"

"Yes dear. I'm not joking."

"You...you will really pay me that much if I act in this film?"

"Yes Ragini. You are a great actress and extremely beautiful."

Ragini couldn't believe she was finally getting a chance on the big screen. "Thank you Mr. Bhalla. I can't tell you how grateful I am for this offer."

He smiled a sickly sweet smile at her. "No need to be so formal. We will be coworkers soon. Call me by my name."

Ragini smiled. "Okay Mr. Bh- I mean Udip."

"That's more like it. Now let's talk about the dates of our shoot and your clothing. Rachel will be in charge of your costumes. Th-"

"Ra-Rachel?" Ragini stuttered out. Everyone in the industry knew what Rachel's speciality was. She was appointed whenever the film required sultry and indecent clothes. "Um I...I'm sorry Udip. But I'm not comfortable wearing the type of dresses she chooses."

Udip rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Ragini! Don't be such a prude. We're in the 21st century!"

"I still have my morals." Ragini defended.

"But you gotta get the attention of the audience. If you've got the beautiful body for a sexy dress, you should then wear it. Why hesitate?"

"Good acting skills are what matters most. Not how much of skin you show!" Ragini retorted.

"Well, I want you to wear those dresses if you want to work for the film." he huffed out.

"I don't wear skimpy dresses."

"Then you won't get the offer."

She got up to leave. "Thank you for the offer. But I'm afraid I won't be able to do this film with you."

Udip cursed in his mind. He couldn't let her quit.

First thing was that she was an innocent girl whom he found attractive. He was thinking of getting her to become his girlfriend. He knew he would tire of her soon. But it would be fun for him.

Moreover, there were no other such beautiful girls willing to work with him on the film. Because they knew two lakhs wasn't that much for this role. Even if he got one to agree, they would demand more. He needed a way to make Ragini agree.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"What about the orphanage?" Ragini paused her steps on his words. "You're forgetting that it needs money. This film would get you a good amount once it becomes a success. I thought you wanted to save it at any cost, don't you?" Udip taunted, trying to emotionally blackmail her. 'The innocent ones always fall for it.'

"I do, but th-"

"But what? You can't even sacrifice a little for the place you call home? For your sister and all those kids there? It's just a few dresses!"

Ragini looked down in thought. She didn't want to go against her morals. But he wasn't wrong. The orphanage needed money. 'I won't even be able to face myself in the mirror if I agree to him. But...but the orphanage. I need money to save it. Am I being selfish by thinking about myself? Should I agree to him for everyone in the orphanage?'

Udip could see the conflict going on in Ragini's mind from her expressions. 'All she needs is just a little push.' He smirked. "Come on Ragini dear. Don't be so selfish. Think for the greater cause."

Ragini felt like crying at the situation she was in. "I...I don't..."

Udip smirked, thinking he was winning. "Like I said, it's only a few dresses. Its not a big deal."

At once, he felt someone grab his collar and pull him up from the chair. "I will break each and every teeth you got!"

Ragini's eyes widened on seeing the person. "Nikhil! Nikhil, let him go."

"Why? It's only thirty-two teeth. Its not a big deal." Nikhil spoke, mimicking Udip.

Ragini tried to pull his hands away from Udip's collar. "Nikhil, let go! You're choking him! Nikhil!" Ragini finally managed to pull him away with all her strength.

At once, Udip stepped back and tried to suck in deep gulps of air. The guy was turning blue from the lack of air.

"You! *cough* You'll pay for that!" Udip wheezed out. "Let's see who gives you work now Ragini! I wo-!"

"Cha!" At once, Udip felt himself going down as someone came and tackled him on to the ground. "You dare try to trap my Di?! Take this! And that!"

Udip tried his best to block his face from being hit by the tiny fists of the eight year old.

"Swara!" Ragini managed to pulled her away from Udip. "That's enough Swara! I told you not to fight! Bad girl!"

"Let go of me! I won't leave him! Let go di! Let. Go!" Swara struggled in Ragini's grip. However, being an eight year old, she couldn't overpower her sister. She gave a huff and crossed her hands over her chest with a pout.

"That little thing is a monster! How dare she attack me!? You little brat!" Udip raised his hand to hit Swara, only for it to be caught by her.

Swara grabbed it with both hands and bit as hard as she could, making him scream.

"Swara! Let go! Swara! Let go or I won't ever talk to you."

Hearing those words, Swara abruptly let go. Udip jumped back, hopping in pain while holding his hand. "Barbaric midget! You almost bit off my hand! What the heck is wrong with you!?"

"I know many things that will be wrong with you if you don't leave right this instant." Nikhil warned. Udip gulped and went away, cursing them under his breath.

Ragini put Swara down and glared at her. "What was that? Is it the way girls behave? Is it what I taught you?"

"But di! He was not being nice to you! He was black...black...ugh! Niki bhai, what was it?!"

Nikhil smiled and crouched down to her level. "Blackmail, Shona. The word is 'blackmail'."

"Yeah! What he said Di. How could I just keep watching? I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. But I'm not sorry for hitting that pig!"

Ragini kept looking at her in anger. However, slowly her lips broke out into a smile and she shook her head. She wished she could remain angry at her little sister for long. But it was impossible when all she was doing was defending her Di.

"Hey, why are you apologizing Swara? You did the right thing. You punched like a pro, just like I taught you." Nikhil spoke, giving Swara a high-five. However, his smile disappeared on seeing Ragini glaring at him.

"I can understand her childish actions since she is a child. But you're an adult. You should act responsible damn it!"

"Oi! The little girl is still here and you're cussing in front of her?" Swara spoke, referring to herself in third-person.

"Hahaha...here. Take this and buy yourself a treat. I'm sure you're tired from all the wrestling you did." Nikhil handed her the money.

Swara excitedly took the money from Nikhil and ran off. Once she left, he turned serious. "You were about to agree to him, weren't you Ragu?"

"I need to save the orphanage. I can't be selfish." Ragini looked down, refusing to meet his eyes.

"The orphanage needs saving. That's true. But none of the kids or the caretakers there would want the money at your expense. You are more important to them than the orphanage."

"And they are more important to me than anything!"

"We will find a way. You're not alone. I'm with you in this struggle."

"I don't want to burden you Nikhil. You've already helped me so much and I ca-"

"Ever since long, I've always considered you as a sister I never had. But I see that you don't think of me as a brother."

Her eyes widened on his words. "That's not true!"

"Yes, it is. If you thought of me a your brother, you would take my help. But here you're acting as if I'm a stranger."

"That's not it. I just do-"

"I don't want to hear anything. Only thing I know is that if you think of me as your brother, then you won't hesitate in taking my help to save the orphanage. That's it!"

She glared at him and he glared back without blinking.

Soon, they both broke out into a smile, which turned into a full blown laughter.

"Hey! Why are you both laughing? I want to hear the joke as well." spoke a tiny voice. They looked down to find Swara standing there, with chocolate sticking all over her mouth. This only made them laugh harder.

"Niki bhai, Di! Have you gone mad?! Why are you laughing?! Tell me already!"

They were interrupted by Ragini's phone ringing. Ragini cleared her throat and composed herself. She open her cell and received the call. "Hello?"

(Hey Ragini! How's you?)

"I'm fine Uttara. How is aunty?"

Swara looked at Nikhil in question, as if asking who Uttara was. Nikhil shrugged. He didn't know her either.

(She's alright. But that's not why I called you. I have something else to tell you.)

"Oh? What might that be?" Ragini questioned.

(Well...)

Ragini listened carefully as Uttara explained everything. As she kept listening, her eyes widening with each word.

#Maheshwari Mansion#

"Sunshine Orphanage, eh? Doesn't look like it could hold many residents."

Sujata looked at Ram in question. He was murmuring to himself while looking at a photo. "Any reason you're taking interest in the place?"

"Its the orphanage where Ragini lives." At once, he felt her snatch away the picture. "You're welcome."

"This orphanage is so small. My future daughter-in-law lives here? Oh, this is unbelievable!"

"Relax Sujata. Once we finish the film, I will tell Laksh about it. He will no doubt save it and even rejuvenate it."

"But for now, she's living in such harsh conditions, isn't she? Just let her become my bahu once. I'll pamper her and give her the love her mother would have given her."

"Again you started! I told you to stop making castles in the air. Although we plan to unite Laksh and Ragini, it may not work out! What if Laksh doesn't like her? What if she doesn't like him? Don't be so sure that she and Laksh will end up together."

"If Ragini disagrees, I'll convince her. As for Lucky, I'm sure you will convince him. You know the consequences if you can't do it, don't you?" She spoke with a sickly sweet smile. "I'll go make lunch. Hope you keep your promise husband dearest."

Ram watched her go with a glare. "Bossy, blackmailing woman. Always ordering me around. 'Hope you keep your promise, husband dearest.' What does she think of herself?" He spoke to himself, mimicking Sujata's voice.

"Shall I tell Maa that you're mocking her?" Uttara piped in.

Ram's eyebrow twitched in irritation. "Why? Just why are you always out to get me in trouble? What wrong did I do to you in your past life Uttara?"

"Hehe, sorry."

"No you're not."

Uttara chuckled. "You know me too well, old man!"

"Whatever! Did you call Ragini?"

"Yep!"

"What did you tell her?"

"Just the truth. I told her that my father wants to start a movie and he thinks she would be best for the female lead as the hero is a prude. I even called her here to meet you and Lucky bhai personally. She should be here by now."

The doorbell rang at the exact moment. "Wow! May she live long! I'll go greet her!" Uttara rushed towards the front door and opened it with a big smile. However, her face turned into one of confusion on seeing the little girl with Ragini.

"Hello Uttara."

"Hi Ragini. And who is this?"

"This is my little sister, Swara."

"Hi!" Swara greeted in a chirpy voice.

Uttara got down to her eye level and pinched her cheeks. "Awwww...so cute! You're probably the prettiest little girl I've ever seen!"

"Really? Thanks!" Swara exclaimed. 'She said I'm the prettiest. I like this woman! She is the best!'

"My friend Nikhil is with me as well. He just went to park his bike."

Uttara froze on her statement. 'Shit! What if he is her boyfriend? Noooo! Only one way to find out!' she smiled at Ragini. "Oho! Friend or boyfriend?"

Ragini shook her head vigorously. "No, no! Not boyfriend. I couldn't imagine us like that. He is like my own brother."

"Awesome!"

"Eh?"

"Hehe... nothing. By th-" Uttara corrected her slip.

"Hey ladies." spoke Nikhil as he came towards them.

Uttara could only stare at him with wide eyes as he came near. It was like she forgot how to breathe.

"Nikhil, this is Uttara. Uttara, this is Nikhil."

He turned to Uttara with a smirk. "Hello Uttara."

"He-hello." she stuttered out, trying not to show her nervousness.

"By the way Uttara, do you believe in love at first sight? Because if you don't, I can come back again."

Ragini rolled her eyes and twisted Nikhil's ear. "Don't go by his words Uttara. He is a shameless flirt. He flirts with any and every girl!"

"Ow, ow! Leave my ear. You're embarrassing me!"

"Hahaha...Niki bhai is getting punished!"

"Ragini!?" exclaimed Sujata as she came towards the door. She couldn't wait to see her once the servant, Robin, told her of their arrival.

"Hello aunty."

"I see you're here." spoke Laksh's father as he sat down with a serious face. "Come on inside! We've got a lot to discuss."

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

To be continued...

If you liked this chapter, please consider giving a vote. Thanks!
~ 🌹 Mona 🌹