"What are you saying Nisha? Is this a joke? If it is, then let me tell you, it's a very bad joke." Vikram finally found his voice.

"Vicky, you have to understand. It won't work out." Nisha tried to speak without hurting him.

"Why do you think so? Dad directed one-third of the film. I just have to copy his style and finish the remaining."

"That's my point. Do you think you are capable of directing this? You are a beginner. Had it been a love story or family drama you could have managed it. Sadly our film requires an experienced director. It pains me to say this. But you are not yet ready to direct a film like this." She explained.

He was counting on her. He never thought she would refuse to help him. "It seems you know what I am capable of, better than me."

"Could you please leave us alone for a moment?" Nisha asked Shubha.

Shubha nodded. Vikram stopped her. "She stays."

"But Vicky--"

"She is my friend. She stays." Vikram made Shubha sit beside him. 'How do I get myself into these situations?' She felt uncomfortable witnessing their argument.

"Fine. Vicky, think practically. You are ruining your career. This is madness. We are friends. I can't see you do this to yourself. I have come to convince you to stop this. I have a new script. It's an action thriller. If you agree, let's meet the director tomorrow for narration. It's a safe bet" said Nisha. 

Vikram looked at her with anger written on his face. He took a deep breath to calm down. "Is this your final decision? I am asking you for the last time."

"Try to understand--"

"Say yes or no."

"Yes." 

"Okay. Thank you. I respect your decision." He called his maid and asked her to serve refreshments to Nisha.

"No. I'll leave." She stood up and walked towards the door. She turned around. "Think about what I told you."

"No need to think about it. I assumed the mantle from the director. This is my film. I am the Captain of the ship. If the ship sinks I choose to go down with it. Unlike you, I will never abandon it." He spoke emotionally.

Nisha lowered her head and left. 

---***---

"Shubha, my manager says that area is not safe for women. Don't pay the advance." Latha advised Shubha. 

"Aunty, it's a temporary arrangement. I will stay there only for few months."

"I don't understand why you are determined to leave. Is this house not comfortable?" Latha asked in a grave tone.

"No. Nothing like that. I don't want to be a burden--"

"Did I say so? You are not a burden. I will ask my manager to find you a comfortable place. Don't take any decision in haste." 

Shubha nodded and left for her room. Vikram was sitting in a corner. Latha went and sat next to him.

"Mom, let her go. Why do you worry about her? She is not a kid."

"She is our responsibility. We need to make sure that she is safe. Her father helped your dad several times in the past." Latha caressed his face. "I know what's bothering you. Nisha is not the only actress in the industry. Let's search for a replacement. How about that girl who acted in Chris's previous film?"

"No mom. I don't want an established actress. I want a fresh face. I will ask the casting director to prepare for auditions. They will look for someone who can perform stunts and act well at the same time."

"Are you sure? New comers may not understand the technical details." Latha was apprehensive.

"I mean no disrespect to the star actresses. But none of them have the screen presence that can match up to me. Don't forget. The actress will be paired with me. She needs to be equally graceful. "

"Self-praise?" asked Latha.

"Maybe." He chuckled. 

Latha smiled. "You are right. My handsome son needs someone elegant. Let's take a new comer."

They started discussing how to proceed.

"Ma'am dinner time." The maid reminded her. They stopped their discussion and had dinner.

"Latha aunty. Nisha garu is not working with you. Right? When are you going to announce it?" asked Shubha.

"Why should we do that? Let her announce it." Vikram was still furious.

"But Vicky, if we leave it to her, she might make it look like you asked her to quit. People need to know that it's she, who refused to work with us. We didn't sack her" said Latha.

"Mom, I don't care what people say about this." Vikram didn't want to think about her. He felt betrayed.

"You don't. But I do. We can't afford to have negativity at this stage." Latha didn't want people to think of her son as a villain.

"Fine. You may announce it. Make sure that you don't use harsh words. Nisha might have left. But she is my friend. I don't want to ruin her reputation." Vikram gave permission.

Shubha started typing. We regret to inform that Ms. Nisha is no longer a part of our movie.

"Is this okay?" She showed it to them.

"Yes" said Vikram.

"No" said Latha. "It has got nothing which suggests that she left on her own will."

"Mom. I already told you. No harsh words about her" said Vikram.

"I have an idea. How about we add another line?" Shubha typed something else. It now read-

We regret to inform that Ms. Nisha is no longer a part of our movie. We respect your decision. All the best for your future endeavours.

"Wow! This looks good." Latha remarked.

"Let's also attach a stunningly pretty picture of Nisha. For additional effect." Shubha suggested.

"Yes. Let everyone know how much we respect Nisha even after what she did" said Latha.

Vikram gaped at the women. "What are you looking at?" His mother asked him. He shook his head and muttered something which sounded like 'cunning women'.

After a few minutes, Latha left. 

"Vikram sir. May I ask something?"

"Yes."

"Does Chris come and visit you here?"

"Yes. He does. Mom and dad sort of love him like their own kid." Vikram answered.

"How sweet! He is so lovable. My friend met him once. He was so nice to her."

A smile crept across Vikram's face. "Shall I call him now? I'll ask him to come and meet his biggest fan."

"No"

"Why not? I will sprinkle water on your face if you faint. No issues." He teased her.

"No sir. Please."

He laughed. "Okay." He forgot all his worries for a while, looking at her. "Don't panic.It's alright Subbu." He added.

"Don't call me that." She said.

"Too late. You are Subbu now. By the way, you are an intelligent girl. You really know how to handle things in a diplomatic way."

"Yes." She said proudly. "I may look naive. But I know many things." He looked at her disbelievingly.

"You don't believe me? Let me prove it to you. Your favourite Hollywood film is Titanic." She looked at him as if asking him to contradict her.

"Yes. It is my fav-- Wait. How do you know this? I'm sure I never mentioned this in any of my interviews. I only mentioned my favourite Indian films." He was surprised.

She smirked. "This is the Science of Deduction sir."

"Don't be silly. You are not Sherlock Holmes." He still couldn't understood how she knew. "Did someone tell you? Mom did?"

"Of course not. I deduced it myself." She looked at the time. "It's 10 pm. Time to sleep. Good night sir." She left.

Vikram went to his room. He tried to recollect all the interviews in which he spoke about his favourites. He lay awake until midnight trying to understand how she made that deduction.

---***---

Poor Vicky boy. He still didn't understand how she knew.

By the way, how is it going so far? Is it on the track? 

Don't forget to comment. Thank you