Convincing You ~

Annika gazed at the coffee cup keenly. Shivaay took the seat opposite her and asked, "What happened ? You seemed to be engrossed in the cup ?"

"Lasting. A well-known merchandise for its most antique goods. They had turned down their business three years back. You can't easily buy them. They were limited, once in a year with peculiar design. And, this cup is followed the engravings"

"That's impressive!" She looked up from the cup and he continued, "No doubt you have a fine talent in writing as well"

"I'm sorry for talking off the point. Let's talk about the actual reason behind this meeting" She placed the cup on the mirror table. She didn't took a savour of the coffee even a little and he did noticed that.

"What made you turned down this project with me ?" Annika exhaled and answered, "I don't have answer for that. I don't want to take a grand cast and stumble upon in vain"

"I'm really impressed with your writing. Detailed and creative. I would have pushed it away even if I'd a single doubt on myself about the character. Surprisingly, for the first time or precisely for the first and last time, I'm approaching a writer to take me in the role"

Annika looked down from him. "I wish this script to be my last and memorable. The ball is in your court, Miss Annika"

She licked the corners of her lips and closed her eyes for a moment. Her solitude and silence are simple. She prays and trusts God. Moreover, it's a lie if she denied the fact that he would be perfect for the role. She wrote the character, keeping him in her mind though.

Shivaay's pupils drew around in ease as he noticed her. The restless pupils behind her closed eyes. A woman who drew his attention without doing anything spectacle. Offline seemed to be luxury on her. Intelligence will never stop being beautiful - he felt that, at the moment.

She slowly opened her eyes to meet his eyes. "Okay" she said and a smile helplessly lingered on his lips. Her eyes darted towards his smile and his eyes for a moment before she stood up.

"We'll conduct the look test once we finalise the director. I hope the risk you're afraid to take will change your life"

She stared at him briefly. Without his conscious, his eyelashes fluttered rapidly at her stare.

"Shall I walk you out ?"

"No. Thank you"

He turned around and whispered to himself, "At least she could have waved me a bye. Mm!"

He jerked back in horror when someone tapped on his shoulder. "Om ?! Can't you just call me out ? Stupid!"

"Tch! So, she's the writer ? I saw her walking out just now" Shivaay nodded to him.

"She agreed ?"

"Hmm-mm! But truth to be told, I thought she would be easy to talk. But, she's quite a something"

Omkara raised his brows in surprise, "Oh! Shivaay Singh Oberoi is complimenting a woman! Once in a blue moon"

"Shut up. It's okay to keep the compliments limited. If—-

"They were limited, once in a year with peculiar design"

"Once in a blue moon"

"Compliments limited..."

"Once ? Limited ?" Omkara looked puzzled at Shivaay's offline words.

"What—-Shivaay where are you running ? Hey! What happened to him suddenly ?"

Shivaay ran inside his bedroom and closed the door behind. He hurriedly pulled out the drawer and took the mini camera in his hands. He sat on his bed and keenly observed, tossing it in every possible angles.

"What is this ?" He narrowed his eyes as he noticed something engraved in tiny words below the camera.

EDITION
2010/SNAP STORE.CANADA

"2010. The year...the incident happened. God, how on earth did I missed this ?!

"Wohoa! I knew it!" Rudra exclaimed happily over the line. "You made me so happy. I love you, didi!" Annika hummed, walking down the lane.

"Didn't he recognise you ? Like—-" Annika cut in, "Rudy, go to class. Bye"

"Di! Di—-di! She hung up on me! Not new though. But, god seriously you did this to me ? He couldn't recognise her and I can't blame him either. Take the blame god! Ugh!"

She was determined to deny but everything changed now. Everything about him is a soft and honest joy which captivates her. She always preferred to stay low-key in her life. But her nature seems so hard on herself knowing how increasingly her feelings blooming for him. Like five years back, the same old spark.

~

WONDER MANAGEMENT

"She's Annika Mehta" Kureshi introduced her to Wonder Management's head, Kaushik Thapar. He smiled at her warmly and she reciprocated with a nod.

"Meet Mister Ved. Our director"

"Well, Miss Annika... I've read the script. Admit it. Since Shivaay has liked, it would be definitely noteworthy" Annika passed a look at Kureshi and he reciprocated with a it's alright beti smile. Shivaay chuckled to himself at the exchange.

Ved spoke, "Who's going to be the female lead ? Sh—-" Annika raised her hand halting his words. He nodded for her to speak up.

"This script does not require a female lead. The story revolves around Sh—-the male lead and a boy. I hope you read the script well"

The director asked, "Ten episodes without a female lead ?" Annika rebuked, "Ten episodes with a strong story" The director gaped when Shivaay agreed to her.

"I don't think this would work" The Director definitely sounded irked with neither anyone opposing her.

"I'm leaving. If you guys are not considering my words seriously. I'm not ready to work either. All the best" The Director walked out, slamming the door harshly.

"We should've agreed with him" Kureshi said meekly to get a black look from Annika.

"No, Mister Kureshi. Miss Annika is new here but I know Shivaay for a long time. If he's sure, it will be sure. Ved happens to be one of our management's close acquaintance. Don't worry"

"I know a director" Three of them looked at Annika. "He's my friend. You can trust me"

"Uhm...Let's meet him then" Kaushik said spontaneously.

"Give me a day. I won't disappoint you all. Now, I'll take your leave. Good day" Annika stood up and left the room.

"I love such confidence. Sh—-" Shivaay cut in Kaushik, "Sir, excuse me for five minutes. I'll be back!"

"Bu—-this guy!" Kaushik looked at Kureshi, and they both nodded cluelessly.

"No. You s—-" Annika stopped talking in her phone when she heard Shivaay's voice from behind. "Wait for me there, Adi. Bye" Annika rested the call and turned towards him.

"One second" Shivaay requested and panted keeping a hand on his chest.

"You came running to see me ?" She asked while taking out her water bottle. He smiled taking the bottle from her.

"It's a lemon water..." Shivaay spit the water down. Annika knitted her brows at him. He gave an apologetic smile while wiping his mouth.

"I don't really like sour things" She snapped, "You drink espresso. And, bitter is nowhere any better than sour"

She exhaled and looked away when a smile spread across his lips like an accent with a mischief tune.

"I thought you left. That's why I came running" He said and she nodded.

"What's the matter ?" She asked taking her bottle back from him.

"Hereafter, we would happen to meet more often. So—-" Annika shook her head and interrupted, "Once the director is finalised, you and me won't happen to meet more often. A screen writer shouldn't necessarily live on set"

"Okay, okay. But don't you think we should share contacts ? I can't always go around and find someone to talk with you. Don't you think so ?"

"I don't think so"

"But... I think so"

"That's not my problem"

"Ouch! That hurts"

Annika stared at him without a word ahead. Shivaay Singh Oberoi is a very jovial person - she does remember those Twitter articles.

"You can get my number from Mister Kureshi. Have a nice day"

"Ha—-bye. Ah! That's rude again" He sighed looking at her walking away.

"I should get some water. This sour!" He chided clicking his tongue out. Nevertheless, he did smile remembering the reason. A kindness behind a rudeness - he can't help but think of her as.

To be continued ~

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Gratitude, Love Comrade