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'The Talent Hunt - Indian Fandom 2021'

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I
t

had been a long and Exhausting day yet she wanted this abode to become homely. She wasn't ready to shift here but this was the house she always wanted. A small and compact, yet something that was close to the nature. She had to do so many works in her house before shifting here and she was aware of the same. After he had gone, saying a goodbye, she knew that this house was still theirs and she knew that she was the hostess. So why not take charge?

Getting out of the refreshing bath which calmed her muscles, she was thankful that she had carried a new bar of soap to wash the clothes which were coloured too. Spreading it on the table there, she left it before she came out of the bedroom with her wet hairs over her shoulder. As she was about to call Rudra, her eyes fell on the coloured sheets. The sheets had paints which were mixed and remained as a single colour too. The red, blue and grey made her remember of how hard he had marked her on her neck that it took her almost an hour to get rid of the paint on her body. It was getting itchy but since she took a pill without water, she could feel that it was getting better. With her eyes remaining on the sheets, she was soon trapped out of the trance by herself after which she clicked the pictures of the sheet. It was worth to be remembered.

As she took the pictures, she felt his hands snaking over her waist. Startled at once, she smiled as she heard," Did I mention that you mean the world to me?"

She just hummed as he dipped his nose into the crook of her neck making her feet wobbly.. Receiving a small peck on her neck, she asked him ina raspy voice," We need to clean it right?"

He just hummed as he kept on smelling the fresh scent of hers. Finally, keeping his chin on her shoulder, he spoke in a husky voice," It's good that we finished at least this much otherwise..." He trailed his sentence before confessing," You literally turned me on as you slept.. How could you sleep like that?"

She just chuckled and asked," Want some more?" He replied in a much huskier voice, arousing her," More than what a cold shower could get me off. So high and induced with you.."

"When the time is better perhaps?" He asked while she just nodded as they swayed in each others' arms for a few more minutes until he removed the hold on her waist and kept the phone on the table. Gesturing Rudra to wrap the sheets, she too helped in disposing the plastic sheets.

As they disposed it, she sighed in relief as she proceeded towards her phone. Closing the paint buckets, he opened the curtains allowing the moon light to seep in. As he turned back, he saw that Maya was looking at something worriedly.

"Any problem?" He asked as he saw the frown lines on her forehead to which her shoulders were let down before she muttered," Sorry."

When the reason was asked, she said," I took a whole day off but I have shoot after eleven. I thought I could be with you.."

She pouted at the end while Rudra was surprised hearing that she had got a leave to be with him. Nearing her, he cupped her face and said," I don't mind if you keep on giving me treats like those coloured sheets."

Her cheeks turned red and she was totally lost but she was snapped out when he assured her," Anyway, the furniture will be here tomorrow... There isn't much work in the morning. When will it end?"

"I don't know about that. So many works are left and the production controller is confused it seems. The head is not there to look after these. So many scenes had to be replanned and it's such a chaos. Even I was feeling so restless.. I can't even back out because of the storyline and the commitment. It takes so much time to complete the combination scenes.."

"Why?" He asked with a frown since he thought she was comfortable and things were quite in pace.

She said with a sigh attatching the phone to the charger," It has been a long time since I have played the role and such scenes so... I have to get used to him first. So, a lot of re-takes and rehearses are required.."

"Woah! I thought he was your friend!" He remarked leaning against the wall while she said, " He is one of my friends but for our chemistry and intimate scenes to be perfect, a lot of retakes are needed. I had warned the director that I would take time to get perfect but she was like, it was okay until everything becomes perfect.."

As she yawned slightly, he switched the lights off but soon the bell had rung making Maya knit her eyebrows. Opening the door, Rudra paid the bill while he showed her the food. It was a small packet.

"Thought to buy a few sandwhiches." Rudra spoke clearing her confusion while she just nodded. When Rudra decided to switch the light on, Maya said," Let it be.. This is enough.."

The white light from the moon was shining perfectly partially illuminating the room for them to see. Settling on the black layover, they started munching through their sandwhiches while spekaing occassionaly. Once they finished having it, Rudra disposed the wrappers while Maya pulled her bag and took a bottle which had water. Having enough of water, she gave it to him too. As he settled down slowly after he kept the bottle away, he sat next to Maya. With Maya's knees folded against her chest, their eyes were darted outside to the city which stood mighty due to the moonlight which spread across. With his arm around her, she looked into his eyes lovingly before keeping her palm against his back. He stiffened at the move while she just pushed him slowly so that he lay perfectly on the layover.

As she settled down, he spoke in a raspy voice," I thought you were in a mood.."

"I am Rudra.. Whatever happened before was just a trailer, the picture is still left to fix us at certain places.." She spoke in a raspy voice looking into his eyes. Kissing his nose, she settled on the layover. As they adjusted themselves comfortably, Maya asked," How is work? I know that I haven't been able to ask you since so many days.."

"Getting hectic.. But loving it. These days were relief yet I ruined it.." Rudra said in a guilty tone while Maya said nothing since he was wrong.. She couldn't console him or give him false promises since it would destroy their relationship in the long run.

" I will be busy for the next few days.. I might not come home. My schedules are going to get hectic within the next week." Rudra spoke after a pause while she asked raising her head from his chest," Why?"

"Some crime reports are getting thrilling about drug peddlers and in between a case where a woman is put in jail for her killing her husband but so many things are suspicious in that.. Phew..."

"Don't worry! You will be able to ace it!" She said as she kissed his cheeks. Remembering something, she informed him," Rudra, Nisha is getting married next month!"

She informed while he asked," Which Nisha?" He asked in a confused voice looking at her turning his head to her.

"One of my Photoshoot's photographer cum my childhood friend. You don't remember her?"

"Yes, I guess.. By the way, when is it?" He asked to which she replied," Next Sunday.."

"You remember about Ritwik's engagement right? It's tomorrow!" Rudra said while Maya realised that the engagement was tomorrow counting with her fingers and confirming the same..

"I forgot about it completely..." Maya hissed while Rudra said," I guessed it otherwise you would have been behind asking me about colour- coordination and stuff.."

He teased her in between to which she whined and she pushed him slightly before getting up.. She had a habit of making them colour coordinated at times. She pouted while Rudra got up and looked at her intently. With her looking at him from the corner of her eyes, she too watched him trying to make her smile and after a long minute of coaxing, Maya pushed him slightly, chuckling after which he hugged her..

"I just teased you yaar. By the way, I too love it when we are colour-coordinated.." She just pouted as she got out of his arms and laid down. He too laid down next to her and informed her," I will be leaving for Ritwik's house in the morning. The function is at 5 in the evening."

" I haven't even bought anything for them!" She complajned while thinking about what she could buy within this short frame only to be retorted by her," I have bought them a small gift, a small sculpture. You can gift them at their wedding.."

"Sure?" She asked to which he said," Completely."

She just sighed in relief and commented, thinking about something popped up during the thoughts of this wedding season within their friends itself," How good it would be to live like a husband and wife where you don't have to be scared of any paparazzi for staying illegally! And even the functions that lead to a wedding!"

She explained in a dreamy voice while he smiled and stated," Expenses and everything follows."

"Isn't it an eternal bond where two people with two different backgrounds come together to form an institution given by God?" She asked while he hummed.

"It is as divine as a bond between a mother and her child! A bond which cannot be broken if the two souls are so understanding.." He expressed his opinion while she smiled at that.

"Why a mother and child? Why not a father and son or daughter?" She asked because he said," We men do not realise how much you, women undergo. Even when the small sacrifices take place, we don't understand how the baby develops inside your body and how women are adjusting their needs for a baby unless it is mentioned in a 12th standard biology text. I didn't mean to demean the fathers but mom.. they are physically and emotionally stronger than men.."

She smiled at that and she realised something as she asked him," You miss mom right?"

But instead of getting an answer, he informed her," By the way, I got an extra sum of money through an investigation.."

She looked at him curiously to which he explained," I had prepared reports and my theories on angles in which this case could be solved. When one of the police came across my article, they investigated it that way to find that my theory lead to the conclusion of their case!"

"Love you Rudra!" She said pecking his neck side while his breath had got hitched at her peck. As he sighed thinking about his family, his thoughts went to Maya and what she had indicated.. Their marriage!

.....

Entering the engagement hall, she made sure that her phone was switched to 'silent' mode since she didn't want any disturbance during this function. As soon as she was about to approach Rudra, she stopped in her tracks as the lights went off. There were wolves around which only lasted for a few more seconds until the white spotlight fell on the beautiful couple

"Natasha and Ritwik"

She smiled opening the camera on her phone and clicking their pictures. She clicked two photos and before she could click it vertically, she heard his voice,

"Ritwik, it's been a long time to this love story and I have been anxious about where this will reach. Finally, April marks a beautiful day in your life which is your first step towards a life with your soul mate. And Natasha, it's not been a long time since we've known but through the chats and messages Ritwik shared, I knew you were the best partner for him. Just a small warning Natasha! You'll die by partying hard and carrying him on your shoulders all day long.."

Before Rudra could continue, she heard Natasha's voice,

"I have given my shoulders for him to lean on from the day he proposed me and gave me a South Indian dinner. (There were hoots and applause) And about Partying hard, I will try to make him a family man. After all, a woman has her own ways!"

She winked at Ritwik to which he pecked her cheeks which were followed by hoots and claps..

Rudra continued," As A friend, Ritwik has known me and I have known him. So, there was one fantasy he had shared with me. There are many but for the time being, this was it. He wanted to match his steps with his woman before any formalities or functions in front of everyone.

Since it's your engagement today, no one is gonna question that and here it is.."

After a few seconds, the atmosphere started filling with music that soothed souls and made people remember about their marriages.. The beautiful couple of the day started dancing according to the tunes. She admired the new couple. Before she could click a picture of them in a different pose, she was pulled by her arms which made her scream slightly. People who were stabding near asked what it was to which some people shrugged their shoulders. Her eyes slipped into darkness but the next thing that came into her eyes were his orbs which shined, making her sigh in relief as she tried to steady her breath.

Letting out a smile, he kept his hand on her waist and they danced according to the tune which was playing. As Rudra circled Maya, she smiled and twirled around with her skirt spreading. As he pulled her into a position where her back was against his chest, he pecked their entwined hands and danced. They just assumed the space as they danced their hearts out, showering all the love they had. As the lights were put on, Maya was about to move away from Rudra to which Rudra held her possessively by her waist. There were hoots and claps surrounding the new to be couple. As Rudra gestured, Maya walked to Natasha and as she reached Natasha, she hugged Natasha and muttered a 'Congratulations' to both of them as they parted. Shaking her hand with Ritwik, she said," God Bless you.."

As she departed from the couple's side, she searched for her to-be and spotted him stealing glances at his mother who was talking to someone in the pretence of sipping an orange juice. She could see what was happening in reality and she knew that he too knew it.

As she went next to him, she spoke," Rudra, aunty is there and you are staying here? Go and speak to her Rudra.."

She said gesturing while he shook his head in negative while she nodded in positive. Pecking her forehead making sure none had seen, she caressed his palm with her fingers. Walking the opposite way, she grabbed a glass of red wine and winked at Rudra before she heard some familiar voice...

Rudra saw that she had cross paths with Iyer Mashti. As she turned her face to him, she just winked and mouthed a 'Go'..

As he reached his mother, he noticed that his father wasn't around. As he called her 'mom', she looked up to him as her fingers trembled for a while before she steadied it with her pride. As a moment of silence continued, he took the lead and wrapped an arm around her shoulder mouthing a 'How are you?' ..

He got the same question in turn and he replied," I am fine Mom... How is.."

He couldn't finish as his mom asked the unexpected question," How is Maya?"

He was lost as he didn't expect her to ask about Maya. Especially his parents since they hadn't talked about her except for accusing her. It wasn't her fault but it was his that this long seperation was continuing on..

His mother repated the question while his eyes went to Maya who was talking with his boss. "She is doing good.." He replied making her smile as she knew that he was lost in her.

"Look at your Mom, Manh.. You don't want me or what?" Jhanvi whined while he just hugged her and she soothed him by rubbing his back. 

"Dad?" He asked to which she replied," He is on a trip. He will return only tomorrow night."

"By the way, come home with Maya tomorrow. I will be expecting both of you tomorrow.."

That shocked him while she just smiled and nodded her head in assurance before taking her juice glass from his hand.

"In fact, we both will be expecting you and Maya.. We have something for you.."

Rudra knitted his eyebrows at that while she just mouthed, 'Surprise'. It took few more minutes until they reached the normal conversation as they used to have before. As Maya tilted her head to look at Rudra, she saw that he was happy and they were mingling perfectly.

She heard Iyer Mashti asking a question," How is your personal life going with Rudra?"

She nodded and said," In between the heavy schedules and hectic timings, our life is going good. A bit busy I guess." 

"By the way, when will I get an invitation like Ritwik gave me?" The old man asked taking a sip from his glass to which she blushed and replied," Let's hope it happens when the time is best.."

As they exchanged a few more sentences about professions and 'Rudra', he went after giving her a fatherly pat on her shoulders. As she picked her phone from the pocket the skirt had hidden well, she saw a missed call which widened her eyes.

On the other hand, Dev held Rudra's shoulders making him looked at Dev who remarked," Beautiful couple right?" He asked gesturing to Ritwik and Natasha who were posing for the photos.

"Yes! Made for each other!" Rudra replied sipping his wine.

"Didn't you talk to your mother because of Maya? I saw her talking to you!" Dev sneered while Rudra sipped his wine before he replied in a sweet voice layered with anger," Yes! She just encouraged me and I went to speak to my mom! What is your problem now?"

He sneered with a smirk and said," Woah! Can't you see you are being a puppet for Maya? She is completely dominating you... She is making you her toy Rudra! Open your eyes and see the truth!"

"You are really wasting your time by being with her!" Dev smirked as he said the last sentence. Before Rudra could say anything, Maya interrupted," Do you mind if I take him for some time?"

She took Dev's silence as a 'yes' and forcefully looped her arms around his. Maya turned back to Rudra and gestured 'one minute'.

He narrowed his eyes at her and she assured him with a smile," Don't worry I just need to ask him something that won't affect your identity or independence.."

"I know that you won't hurt me.." He confirmed while she started walking with Dev in her arms. 

Maya asked in a husky voice," Why are you wasting your time by being behind us? Do you want me?"

-To Be Continued -