Pranay sat in the car, igniting the engine to its full. His spot boy and assistant ran to his side, bombarding him with questions about where he was going!!! Whether he needed any company, did he carry his mobile phone!!! Blah blah bla!!!!! Pranay was fed up of all this.
He just rolled his window up, showing his mobile. He didn't want to speak a word with anyone... didn't want to meet anyone, he just wanted to be away... alone.
He sped his car towards the highway and he could go full throttle on those beautiful roads. Not a soul in sight, the open road lifted his spirits. Finally he was having some solace, a respite from his life in the spotlight. He drove around singing now... listening to whatever music the car system was playing. He felt at ease slowly as the music, the empty roads soothed his soul. He took a detour towards a narrow bend. This road was a small country road unlike the highway and was meandering.
Georgia being a hilly country had many roads passing through the curves and bends in the mountains. Once away from the main road, Pranay just rode along aimlessly, enjoying every moment of this short lived freedom. As he went further down the road he could see a row of houses alongside. They went quaint cottages with neatly made up front porches and subtle lawns. He rode through them and suddenly his phone started ringing. Cursing under his breath, Pranay silenced it seeing it was his assistant calling him. But the phone rang incessantly. Finally on the tenth call he answered it saying "See I will come back in some time, now don't bother me at all for the next 6hours ok!!!!!" And he slammed the phone shut.
He was fuming now, the last six years of his life passed through his eyes. The time spent in building his body for the period film, then the sleek body for the modern flick, he was feeling like a machine. He just wanted to stop, take a break of like a year and then continue, but this was nowhere in the future.
He turned his car further upwards, it had started drizzling making the sky darker. He loved the rain, he felt a wave of excitement as he rolled down the window to feel the raindrops. Ahhh!!! Such simple joys of life!!!!
He slid his wet hand on the steering wheel when he suddenly lost control. Before he could get the wheel aligned, he had hit a tree. The airbag burst open protecting him, but the car was damaged badly. He came out to the smoked yo engine, upset over the damage. Angrily he kicked the tyre. This was not good sign. The producers would not be pleased with this. Moreover how would he return back!!!!
He looked around to see if he could get any help, when it started raining heavily. Drenched to the tee, he walked around trying to find a home or any habitation so that he could find help, but there was none in sight. He walked further, albeit his car had met with an accident, he was feeling elated. He was walking all alone in the rain and only the chill breeze for his company. What more could he ask for!!!
As he turned left on a curve, he could see few row houses. He walked towards them.
He knocked at the first door , an elderly lady came out, looking at him with suspicious eyes. She was not able to understand English and she was speaking a Georgian language which Pranay could not make out!!! Slamm!!! She banged the door shut.
Pranay rolled his eyes as he moved to wards the next house. The house was a dainty one, with neatly mowed lawn and lined with small flowering plants. He knocked at the door, once, twice... there was no answer. The rain was getting chilly now and he was feeling really cold. He knocked again, this time there was a slight sound and the door opened.
Pranay was rooted to his place as he saw two most beautiful, yet saddest eyes peering at him. Her hair was black, and she didn't look an ounce like a native.
"Yes, Who are you?? What are you doing in this rain?" The girl asked in English.
Feeling relieved, Pranay, " Ah.. I .. am Pranay.. my car broke down the road and it's raining so couldn't find help!! Er.... are you Indian?? "
The girl gave him a puzzled look, " Yes... but how can I help?? I don't have any car accessories here"
Pranay smiles a bit, " No, no, I just want to stay for a while till the rain subsides... may I ? "
The girl was still not convinced, " You can sit here in the shed, so u don't get wet further, but I can't allow you in my house"
Pranay nodded " very well mam🙏
And he waited.
Heavy downpours quickly became more fierce with thunder and lightening . Pranay's phone rang yet again!!! He took it out to see the battery drained to the minimum. He spoke very slowly, " See I m all right, shall come back when rain subsides, my battery is very low so don't call me again". Annoyed he looked around if he could rest his legs a bit. He sat on a bench covered by a canopy in the lawn.
The girl peered from a window, sceptical about his intentions. At the same time, he looked at the window. Their eyes met and suddenly the lightening struck hard.
It was darker now, and Pranay was feeling really cold now. He thought of asking for a warm cup of coffee, but brushed aside the idea as he thought it may sound as trespassing.
He sat silently watching the rain, thinking about the girl he just met. There was a strange melancholy in her eyes, he had never seen so beautifully expressive eyes. He had stared in so many of them 😊... his heroines, the extras, the dancers, but not one had captivated his heart this way.
He closer his eyes when he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder. He looked upon to see the girl standing with a cup of coffee.
"Here take this, she said. It was now obvious that she hadn't recognised him as the great "Pranay Raju" and how glad he was for that.
"Thank you!! Ms.." he answered
"Hi, I am Anushka... and you are????" She asked
" hi I am Pranay"
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊