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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 8 - The Plan

"A little to the right. Little bit to the left. Stop, stop! Excellent! Now stand still Shona." Nikhil adjusted the camera and clicked another picture of Swara.

He, Swara and Uttara were currently in Ragini's room in the hotel. They felt cramped in the caravans and retired to the hotel for some refreshment. "Just one more picture."

Uttara had gushed on and on about how the child magazine had loved and praised Swara's pictures. They wanted her to pose for one of their brands. Swara, too, was excited to the core. But Nikhil refused.

At first, Nikhil was against the idea, feeling Swara would feel overwhelmed in such an environment. However, when Uttara asked him to be the one behind the camera for the shots, his love for photography won.

Hence, the photo session they were having.

Nikhil checked the pictures he had taken. "B-e-a-u-tiful! At this rate, out little Swara will be a star in no time, right Uttara?" On getting no response, Nihkil looked to find Uttara lost in her thoughts.

Swara noticed it too. She came near and climbed onto Uttara's lap, breaking her from her thoughts. "Something wrong Di? You look worried."

Uttara smiled and ruffled her head. "It's nothing little princess. I was just thinking about something silly. Let it be."

"Are you sure it's nothing?" enquired Nikhil.

She looked down with a sad face. "Well, to say the truth... I was a bit worried about Ragini. She had been acting really strange since yesterday. She behaved coldly with Lucky bhai when he went to talk with her. She even refused to talk to me. Even if she does chat, it's mostly nods and 'hmm's. Did we do something wrong?"

"I'm sure you didn't. Maybe Ragini is just worried about her shots. She is pretty serious about the movie business."

"No. I'm sure there's more to it. I don't like her silence. She's an important friend to me."

Nikhil could see the sadness in her eyes. He didn't like that look on her. 'She looks better when smiling or being obnoxious with Swara. For some reason, I have the urge to go and give her a hug. But that weird, isn't it?' he shook himself of those thoughts. "Is that so? Let me go and talk to her then."

"You will do that for me?" Uttara asked with hope.

He smirked at her. "I'm always ready to play hero for a damsel I'm distress." he joked with a wink.

"Thank you." Uttara replied with a soft blush. However, Swara noticed it and giggled in her childish voice.

"See ya!" he put on his glasses. "Time to be the cool me. Don't worry. I'll find out the truth."

Once Nikhil got up and left the place. Swara poked Uttara's arm. "Di, is Ragini di really mad at you and that Lucky-bucky?"

"No Shona. It doesn't seem so because she hasn't completely isolated herself from us."

"But you seemed really worried."

"It was to convince Nikhil. You see, along with Ragini, I was also thinking about our plan." she answered with a wink.

"Our plan to make Ragini di and Lucky a couple?"

"You guessed it right. I needed Nikhil out of here to tell you that I'm changing our plan."

"Eh? What change are you talking about?"

"We planned to make Lucky bhai jealous by using that good-for-nothing Udip, didn't we?"

Swara puffed up her cheeks in anger and punched her fists together. "Oooo that bad, stinky guy!"

"Hahaha...! Yeah, that one. But the thing is... Lucky bhai has realised his feelings for your Ragini Di. Half of the work is already done."

"Then, why don't we go to di then? And ask her if she likes him back."

"But there's a complication. There's a misunderstanding in between."

"Oh, I see! So, what do I need to do?"

Uttara nodded. "It needs to be flushed away!"

"What can I do? Just say the words di!"

Uttara smiled at her enthusiasm. "Okay, so here's the plan." when Swara nodded, she began. "Remember the big Maple tree that I showed you that day in the forest?"

"Yes!"

"You will rush off towards the forest in your Di's presence. Ragini will no doubt follow you to make sure you don't get hurt or lost. But you shouldn't stop even if she shouts. Not until you get to that tree."

"Got it! Then what?" Swara was ready to do anything for her sister.

"Then, you relax. Because then comes my role." she spoke in a hushed tone. As if she was giving a world shattering statement. "Then, I'll tell bhai that Ragini went into the forest and got lost. He and I will go in search of her and I will somehow convince him to search in the direction of the Maple tree."

"Then?"

"Then comes the real action Swara!" she gave a sniniter laugh bordering on comical. "I've hired some good actors to act like thugs. By the time me and bhai get there, the thugs will be troubling Ragini. And once bhai sees it, he will no doubt play hero!"

"Wow! It will be just like in those romantic movies! You are so cool Di!" Swara exclaimed as she hugged Uttara tightly. However, a question struck her. "But what about us Uttara Di? What will we do then? Will the actors pretend to harm us too?"

"Nope. Those actors are only going to be after Ragini and bhai only as I've strictly told their manager that his actors shouldn't divert their attention anywhere else! They are A class actors Swara. No matter what happens, they won't leave their roles."

"Awesome! I can't wait!"

"Me neither."

"Lets conclude our plan with our laughter of doom Di. Huhuhu...!"

"Agreed. Mwhahaha...*cough*" Uttara hacked. "I definitely need to work on my evil laughter."

"That you do, Di. That you do."

"Okay, what are you both up to?" Nikhil asked as he entered the room. He went to talk with Ragini. However, she seemed okay to him. Either Ragini was a great actor and lying to him. Or Uttara lied.

Nikhil looked at them with his eyes narrowed into slits and hands on his hips. "I know you're up to something notorious. Now spill."

However, Uttara didn't look fazed by his glare. Neither did the little eight year old.

"We'll tell you everything in another time Nikhil. All in good time." Uttara replied as she got up. She gave him a salute and went past him, with Swara merrily skipping away behind her waving back at him.

Nikhil still felt suspicious, but knew they won't reveal a thing. He sighed in helplessness. "These two are gonna be the end of me. If this was a cartoon, I would probably be hearing background music indicating doom."

As he watched them go, Nikhil could feel his stomach becoming uneasy. "Uttara won't ever tell me the truth. But I think I will be able to make Swara spill the truth somehow. I must!" with this in mind, he rushed after them.

#Outside#

Udip stepped out of his car and looked around for Ragini at the set. 'One week. I've been trying to seduce her for a week. And yet...yet, she doesn't even spare me a second glance!'

'And yesterday, she even outright called me a stinking pig! How dare she!?'

*flashback*

Udip got out of his car and started walking towards where Ragini sat. She seemed to be practicing her act. 'Day seven of my attempt to seduce her. She seems gloomy today. I can cheer her up and make her like me I bet!'

"Hey there beautiful."

Ragini looked up at him with an irritated face. "Please leave me alone for today. I'm not in the mood."

Udip looked taken back by her tone. 'She isn't so outspoken usually. Something seems to be troubling her mind. I wonder what it could be.' he tried to smile. "It's okay. I like people who prefer a little quality time for themselves. But you look troubled. Is it because of my pride cousin?" he joked.

Ragini got up at once. "Don't. Speak. About. That. Guy."

"Wow! He seems to have pissed you off somehow." Udip concluded.'Good for me.'

Ragini didn't answer but moved pst him.

He stopped her by holding her hand. This seemed to be the wrong choice, as the next second he found himself being shoved back by her with force.

"Listen here! I always tolerate your nonsense everyday! But not today. Leave me alone and stop bothering me you pig!"

"P-pig!?"

"Yes!"

"I dare you to say it again!"

"A stinking pig!" she shouted.

With that she stormed off, leaving him gawping open-mouthed after her.

*flashback end*

He gritted his teeth remembering it. 'I swear I'll take my revenge on you Ragini! But you'll never see it coming. I'll break you not with hate, but fake love!' From the corner of his eyes, he saw her sitting at a chair.

Alone.

Udip smirked. 'You dare insult me, didn't you? Oh, you'll be sorry that you ever dared to talk to me that way.'

Udip was about to step forward, when he saw Laksh coming towards her. 'This trash! He keeps on interrupting my plans. Well...I guess I need to take care of him as well.'

Udip took out his phone and dialed a number. "Hello Kuwar? I want you and your gang to come to the location I'm going to text you. You need to help me kidnap someone. And don't worry. It won't be boring. You'll get to beat up someone as well." he assured with a nasty smirk.

(Heh. Good good. We're on our way. Keep the money ready.)

"Will do." Udip cut the call and looked on towards Ragini and Laksh with a sinister smirk. "Soon..."

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹