- Maya's Point of View -

5 months had passed off. Within the last 3 months, I realized that I had fallen for my journalist completely. But I didn't want another heartbreak and things seemed much easier for me when Rudra didn't contact me after one of the incident which happened between these 5 months of shoot. Maybe, it was due to the embarrassment. If I was asked whether the one way love was over from my side, I would say a 'no' yet there was a conscious effort not to meet him.

It was like I was running away yet there were a  few WhatsApp message and casual conversations between us which made me restrict my feelings to that of a friend. But even that was broken off since 2 weeks and according to me, Rudra was too busy. I had two weeks of break before my next shooting would begin. Yoga and workouts made me feel more relaxed without indulging or depending on Rudra for mu everyday strength even though his words would keep on striking me. I felt a bit empty and missed him like a best friend. Maybe, a catch up party was required.

As the horn rang in my ears, I drove my car for the solo interview I had to give today. I felt bored and when this came off, I decided to take it.  Rubbing my fingers along the length of my forehead, I drove according to the directions given by the GPS madam. As I reached the spot, I opened my mirror and checked myself before I stepped out.

After one of the receptionist welcomed me with a  bouquet, she directed me to the hall where my interview had to be taken. My supposed interviewer looked nervous and when we shook  hands, I could feel some wet drops against mine. But I guess he gained some confidence through our small conversation before he started interviewing me.

The interview was filled with light-hearted conversations which eased both of us and our conversations proceeded forward as we talked more about my projects. Everything went fine until the host announced something which made me freeze in my spot.

-End of Maya's Point Of View -

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Her eyes and ears concentrated on the few words of the host more consciously than ever.

"Please welcome Rudra Malhotra to the stage too.."

As the host invited him, Maya couldn't help but stand up and shake her hands with him. For now, she knew that her feelings were inhibited and restricted consciously so that she might not drown. But the other thing she also knew was that within one push, she could never see Rudra as a best friend rather than a boyfriend.  'Her boyfriend'.

Many questions were thrown on each of them to which they enjoyed thoroughly and somewhere the lost camaraderie or the thought of meeting up was fulfilled now. The host too didn't miss the chemistry and the answers that came from each of them. Rudra had quite grown to the status of a celebrity journalist after taking 'Maya Jaisingh's' interview.

As they walked out after the interview, both of them were hesitant to speak even when they were moving side by side..

"So, how are things going?" Maya asked to which he looked a bit lost. After a few seconds, she heard his reply," It's going good. Exams have finished... and urm... it's just.. matter of a few months for my actual results to be out!"

They walked together until Maya had reached her car. Without a second thought, she asked impulsively," Coming home?"

"Don't you remember about the function?" Rudra asked knitting his eyebrows to which Maya closed her eyes indicating that she had indeed forgotten about it. Habits don't die hard!

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As the evening came, all the cameras and journalists were upon the entrance of the mighty hall where most of the celebrities would join for the Snap N Shots Anniversary program. After all it was their fifteenth anniversary and every anniversary had a specialty hidden. No one knew what each were up to but they knew that they wouldn't leave this place without a smile.

As soon as each car came, reporters crowded and asked them questions just like an award ceremony. It had been five months to Arjun and Mallika's marriage and they looked like a blissful couple. 

As they entered, Maya's car stopped and she just got out in a beautiful dress with a smile she wore for every parties she was dragged to. As she waved her hands, she gave a charming smile and waved before entering inside. She was welcomed by  a man who held out flowers to  her. She expected Rudra to receive her but amidst these, she felt the person touch her in a creepy way. Struggling these thoughts of, they walked forward and Maya kept the bouquet on the table before her eyes spotted Mallika and Arjun.

Walking forward, she gave a hug to Mallika who had waved her hand and gave a hand shake to Arjun.  She smiled looking at the decorations.

"Where is Rudra?" Arjun asked while Maya looked around and said, "He must be around. He is the host for today's program! "

"Speak of the devil. Here he is!" Mallika whispered in between which made Maya glare at her. Rudra gave Maya a quick side-hug which surprised her because he was behaving indifferent as if everything was normal without any phone calls or anything except the conversation she had in the morning. For now, she had decided to keep the ice frozen.

"All the Best!" Maya said as his hands withdrew from her body. She couldn't help but accept the fact that she loved the warmth of his body. She loved to be his comforter and motivator as much as he is to her. As they exchanged a few sentences, Arjun was called by someone after which he and Mallika walked to them.

Maya hesitantly opened her clutch thinking whether to give it or not but she bundled up the courage and handed him a small letter. He looked confused and he was about to open it but she held his hand and said," Open it when you enter the stage for your speech."

He looked confused while she blinked in assurance and they spoke for some time until Rudra excused himself. As he walked away, she smiled as she clicked a picture of Rudra without him noticing. Clicking a selfie,  she posted it on Instagram with a catchy caption.

Shoving her phone back into her purse, she felt parched. Going to the table which was filled with drinks, she took a glass of red wine. Sipping it, she noticed that the event started with Rudra and Ritwik gathering their attention in their fully fledged voices.  As Iyer Mashti was called to the stage, he thanked all the celebrities who had taken their valuable time to be a part of their magazine.

The speech continued for one or two minutes until he announced in a serious tone yet with a pride on his face," So, we have a few prizes to give away. This year, we had an amazing batch of interns and they worked hard to earn a placement here. But only 5 are selected. But don't be disheartened because the doors of Snap 'N' Shots are always opened for them if they have improved themselves. "
He eyed someone and a person wheeled a table towards them.

He said, "The First Award is for the person who had written the most loved articles during his period!"

"And the person is none other than Mr. Rudra Malhotra and I request the person whom he had last interviewed, Ms. Maya Jaisingh to please come to the stage to give away his award."

Maya was so proud at his achievement. He was worthy of it too. She didn't expect herself to be called onto the stage but she didn't complain either as she was happy. Getting up, there were a thunder of claps around her. Reaching the stage, she shook her hand with Iyer before taking statue which was designed in a way that an interviewer sat from his hand. Initiating a side hug with Rudra, she wrapped her hand around his waist momentarily before giving him the award.

As she gave her award, she congratulated him before she mouthed a small 'Open it' and he was confused as he looked at the paper given by her.  They received a few hoots at the movement of their eyeballs towards each other. As Rudra was opening it, the mic was passed to her and she spoke," Well, I would like to thank Iyer sir for having me here. I hadn't read the articles of Rudra until he had finished my interview. I was initially shocked at his choice because when he was given another actress, he chose me. The other stunts by which he had tried to get my interview had become viral. So much passion (showing animatedly with an enthusiasm) for a person and more than that for a job? It excited me to know him more than he wanted to. Hands down, I purely know that he is not only one of the best journalist but also a great human being. (Turning towards Rudra) All the Best for your future Rudy!"

She finished her speech and handed the mic to Rudra. He took a look at the letter once again before starting," I would like to thank Iyer Sir, my parents and my colleagues who supported me throughout this journey. Starting with small poems and thoughts, I thought it was easy for me to write my way but it wasn't really true....."

It continued and she smiled on whatever he had said. Small vestiges made her remember and the small smiles from either of them gave the photographers different captions for their newspapers. As he finished his speech, they got down from the stage with claps thundering around them. He asked her eyeing everyone else in the hall, "It was good right?"

"Rudra!" She heard someone calling him before she could say something. They turned to look at some interns calling them. She gestured him to continue with a smile and he went. As he reached there, she saw him hugging a few people and enjoying their drinks.

As she took her wine glass, she saw that it was such a good hall with subtle and sweet decorations. As soon as she sat on the stool, she took her phone and checked for her posts while eyeing on the other awards too. There were so many promising journalists out there and she felt happy attending something like this other than an award night. 

As soon as she received a notification bell which was on the higher side, she was about to silence it but that is when she saw a few photos sent by Mallika. It was the moments where Maya had wrapped her hand around his waist, when she had given him the award and their speech photos. Avoiding the first. third and fourth picture, she posted the award giving moment on her Instagram handle titling,

' A ocean of passion and a will to achieve what he wants! Award to the Best Journalist. Congratulations Rudra!"

Thinking to click a selfie, she adjusted her hair and posed for an angle but soon, she saw another person in the frame.  It was

MRITYUNJAY ROY

The lips which smiled just quivered momentarily as she could see his smirk on the camera screen. She just smiled before closing her lens. Taking a glass of red wine which was half drunk, she asked in a confidence voice,

"How are you MJ?"

"That question wasn't necessary but how is your and Rudra's relationship?" He asked sipping the golden liquid in his hands.

"It's going good. We're good friends." She said. He just gave a small chuckle to her answer and drank the whole glass of liquid he had.

"What a lie Maya! I know you are concealing your feelings in front of me! Are you still scared that your past can destroy you?" He asked with a smirk

"My past cannot destroy me MJ! It has only made me stronger in every decision and way I had chose!" She spoke confidently and ended with a smile.

"I can see the same feeling in your eyes as I had seen for Arjun 3 years back! But this time, I guess it's more vigorous because of your infectious eye locks, smiles and admiration. It's more than what I had seen for Arjun!"

"You are a very keen observant. Keep it up." She patted his shoulder and when she tried to take her hand away, he held her hand which made her remember of her past but she kept a stern face.

"You are in love with him but does he love you like you love him?" MJ dropped a bomb. It was a question to be asked. They always referred to each other as best friend but she had developed feelings. Her feelings were strong but hidden. She didn't want to expose her feelings when he had none. But did he have any?

"He just considers you as his best friend! There is nothing more or nothing less!" He said and she thought about it. She was getting bored with the conversation. She didn't want to talk about it. 

"Anyway, who will marry a drug addict? " MJ asked while Maya smirked at that.

"You probably didn't know while you were in London that I had stopped using drugs! It has been 3 months to it. Cheers to that!" She clicked her glass with his refilled glass and grinned like a Cheshire cat. She smirked as she saw his face loosing the colours.

"Rudra relieved me from drugs and now I am free from guilt and rape!" She stretched each and every word of her voice!

He asked," He has relieved you, he has done everything but does he love you like a life partner? Does he even like you or was it all a pretense for the interview? Had he ever contacted in the same frequency after than the frequency before? Every man in your life is using you, no matter how strong you are.

She got hooked at that question. She was shattered. "Was it all a pretense?" She had ample evidence and detachment to believe his statement. The calls and messages weren't more frequent but I wanted it like that so that my heart won't be broken. So, what's the big deal? But the words like pretense, using her and frequency weren't leaving her. 

"Even he will leave you into the myry depths and you will drown once again! This time your heart will break harder than ever!" He said as he whistled slowly into her ears and left.

She fisted her dress tightly and looked around. She found Rudra standing there. She didn't want to leave him. Even those days in Manali was so bad because she was missing him presence but it was a good distraction. There were two sides to her feelings and emotions. His touch and his small kisses were more than what she could describe when she used to cry like a baby.

She loved him and she was trying to conceal it because of her 'beautiful' past she had but did he love her even as a friend? She couldn't keep her feelings anymore and she needed an answer . Walking upto him, she just patted him and he turned back.

"Free now?" She asked and he said, " Any problem?"

"No. I just wanted to talk to you if it is possible." She said and he nodded. Excusing himself from the group, Maya led him to an empty corridor.

"Is there any problem? " Rudra asked while she nodded.

"Rudra, I don't want to extend things further and it is making me difficult to suppress it inside me." She expressed and he closed the space between them and asked her cupping her right cheek with his hand. She entwined the other hand with his as he asked being scared,

"Did MJ tell anything to you?"

"No. I don't know how to express my feelings for you. It's been three months since I realized it. You remember the day I had told you what love meant to me and what I would see in a life partner? I see all of those in you. I can't live without you and even during those Manali days, I missed those touch and small kisses which used to assure me and help me. You turned me from an arrogant person to a person who is much more humane. Rudra, I just want to be with your forever. I love you Rudra as a best friend and as a life partner."

Rudra was shocked and he expected something more to come. Looking at his wide eyes, Maya continued," But I am not asking something you think I am going to. Do you even love me as a friend? Do you love me?"

She felt disappointed as it was taking more than a minute but her legs weren't holding her. She felt weak and her knees gave up. Realizing what had happened, he knelt down and held her close. 

"Rudra, Will you marry me?" She asked in her trance which surprised him, adding to the shock as she had fallen. Soon enough, there were large hoots and claps from the surrounding. Rudra noticed that most of them were watching and even the television camera was showing them.

-To be Continued-