Part 10

After coming from Khushi's room, Aman got busy in positioning the camera angle and checking the lights. He sat on the chair to have tea. He saw his associate director Ram standing beside him with hesitation. Aman knew he is a talented and interested guy. He shows attentiveness in everything and does everything perfectly. So, Aman responds to Ram's questions and explains WHY and HOW patiently.

"Anything do you want to ask me?"

"Yes, sir..."

"Take your seat," Aman asked Ram to sit.

Ram sat beside him.

"Tell me"

"Sir, this is a romantic love story... it has many romantic scenes and the emotional scenes between the couple. But we are shooting only misunderstanding scenes, argument scenes, and fighting scenes of ASR and Khushi ma'am. Is there any reason to it, sir?"

Aman smiled.

"Yes... there is a reason. I want LIFE in romantic scenes. It should not be like a normal romantic movie. I want it to live in the viewer's heart if not for years then at least for a few days. Viewers should not come out of the effect of WHAT SHALL I NAME THIS LOVE? easily. The movie should be effective. Anyone can act in romantic scenes but we can get life only if the actors show involvement in the scene. I'm waiting for that only. ASR and Khushi were not talking to each other when we started the movie. Now, they do. From tomorrow onwards, we will start emotional scenes and then romantic scenes...ok?"

"But, ASR is a romantic hero. He usually gives his best on the screen."

Aman smiled.

"I'm expecting something from him this time."

Ram cocked his brows as he didn't understand what the meaning of SOMETHING. Aman left the place, finishing the coffee. Raj became curious to see, Arnav's performance in the upcoming days.

Arnav was in the spot, getting ready for the scene. A touch-up man was giving a final touch to his make-up. Arnav lowered the mirror, frowning, seeing Akanksha entering into the set. Arnav knew she wanted to be his heroine in this movie because their pair had been liked by most of the people. She openly tried to get "WHAT SHALL I NAME THIS LOVE?" movie chance by calling Aman and Arnav, continuously. In fact, Arnav also wanted her to be a part of this movie and he told that to Aman also. But Aman was not ready to get compromised, we knew that already.

So she openly hit Khushi through tweeter naming her as EGOISTIC in out of jealous. No doubt she always deals with Khushi as her competitor. But...why she is coming here now?

At the same time, Khushi also reached the spot.

Ram nudged Aman,

"Sir.... Akanksha madam is here, sir"

Aman sighed, seeing her. It was not hard for him to guess why she is here. It's because of the gossip effect. She wants to know what really happening between ASR and Khushi.

"Ram..."

"Yes, sir?"

"Did you explain the next scene to ASR and Khushi?"

"Not yet, sir. I just am going to explain..."

Aman took the script papers from Ram's hand.

"What happened, Sir?"

"We will shoot this scene tomorrow. We will go in another scene now."

Aman removed another scrip bunch and gave it to Ram. Ram's eyes widened, in surprise.

"Sir.... I think you are giving the wrong script."

Taking the script papers, Aman checked it.

"This is the right script only."

"But sir, you said we will shoot the romantic scene only after the emotional scenes shot?"

"I want to check their chemistry. This is a chemistry-check scene. We will shoot this scene again if needed."

Ram nodded ok. Don't know what made Aman change his decision all of a sudden. Aman's next stance confused him more.

"This time, I will explain the scene to them."

"Are you sure sir?"

"Yup..."

In the meanwhile

Akanksha smiled at Arnav greasily.

"Hi ASR...."

"Hi" Arnav reciprocated.

Akanksha gave him a gentle hug, looking at Khushi, observing her face reaction who had been chatting with Lavanya about her hometown visit, without looking at them. Somewhat, it made Akanksha relief. She thought Khushi's face will change with a furious expression. But nope. Arnav noticed her noticing Khushi.

"You here?" Arnav asked her.

"Just to meet you"

"To meet me? Why suddenly? You never had done that...?"

"Yeah... I thought you will invite me to your birthday. I had been waiting for your call..."

"I didn't celebrate my birthday..."

"But, could have wished me through phone if you wanted..." he smirked sarcastically.

She changed the topic...

"Will you invite only your current heroin?"

Arnav understood that what she is trying to know. He really didn't know whether he should say yes I called her or she came to my home to meet my mother.

At the same time, something dragged Akanksha's attention.

"Khushi, ASR's mother is on the line. She wants to talk to you." Lavanya advanced Khushi, extending her phone, telling that.

No need to say, it was a thunderbolt to Akanksha. ASR's mother and Khushi? Her eyes rooted in Khushi who was talking to Ratna on phone, smiling and laughing. She heard that Ratna doesn't like to be connected with actors. She looked at Arnav who was looking at Khushi smilingly.

"No... I'm not upset at all. Don't you know me; I won't give damn to such gossips even though it is true." Khushi laughed.

"I really want to meet you Khushi."

"I'm alright and we can meet anytime."

"Really? What do you want me to bring?"

"Yeah...ladies' fingers fry which you made on Arnav's birthday. It was so amazing." Khushi asked her rightfully which surely burnt Akanksha's stomach.

"Sure... is Chotte there?"

"Yeah... he is here only...do you want me to pass the phone?"

"Yeah..."

"Chotte...Ratnama wants to talk to you." she extended the phone controlling her smile, calling him as Ratna does.

Arnav chuckled at her as this teasing became usual between them. He spoke to Ratna.

"Yes, Mom..."

"I'm coming to meet Khushi."

"Ohh ok"

"Is Khushi really alright?"

"Seemingly she is fine, I'm not sure."

"Ok... I will come."

She disconnected the call. Arnav gave the phone back to Khushi.

"Mom is coming..." he said looking at Khushi.

"...with ladies finger fry." Khushi smiled.

"Don't you like anything other than ladies' finger fry?"

"I like everything"

"Then, why only ladies finger?"

"What's so urgent? I will ask her one by one everyday..." she said with attitude.

Arnav almost has forgotten that there is a creature standing beside him, fuming.

At the same time, Aman came, hearing their talks.

"Namaste, Aman sir." Akanksha greeted him grinning.

Aman nodded his head and concentrated on Arnav and Khushi.

"It seems, today also Ratna Ma is coming?" Aman poured more oil into Akansha's burning stomach.

She shocked... What does that mean TODAY ALSO? Does ASR's mother meet Khushi often?

"Yeah... she brings ladies finger for Khushi." Arnav smiled.

"What's so special in that? She is the one who sends Khushi's food every day." Aman said coolly, shrugging his shoulders which made Akansha shocked to the core.

"But, Khushi ate it relishing when she came to my home on my birthday."

"Ohh... ok, before Ratnama comes, we have to finish the scene." Aman chuckled.

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other not getting him. Aman started explaining the scene.

"ASR...Khushi... this is a scene without dialogue. But your expression should speak volumes. Your eyes should communicate... your touch should provide warmth to the viewer's heart... is that clear?"

Arnav and Khushi spared a glance and nodded yes. They were told some other scene the previous day. But, they couldn't ask Aman anything now. He is the director, after all.

"Aman, sir," Akanksha called.

"Yes...?"

"This scene seems heavy. I think they need a rehearsal." she said as if she has no jealous.

"They naturally have chemistry. They don't need rehearsal...especially for the romantic scenes."

Aman said looking at Arnav and Khushi. Akansha sat on the chair to watch the scene. She knew this scene is going to take many TAKES. Doesn't she know Arnav? Every time he needs rehearsal for all the scenes.

The shot was ready. Khushi took a position. She was doing YOGA on the poolside. Arnav came there and saw her, holding a lot of emotions in his eyes. Khushi loses the balance and she was supposed to fall, Arnav held her hands and helped her to continue the yoga in a ROMANTIC way.

As Aman said, Arnav's eyes spoke volumes. His feathery touch gave warmth to not only Khushi but each and everyone who was present in the set. The scene finished with a cute eye-lock.

Arnav and Khushi were looking at each other's eyes for long. Ram called Aman who forgot to say SHOT OK. Aman almost lost in their acting. Composing himself, Aman said, "shot ok". Still, Arnav was looking into Khushi's eyes and Khushi came out of his hold.

Arnav composed himself and looked at Aman who was smiling at him. He raised his thumb and cheered him. Arnav nodded his head and looked at Khushi who is doing touch-up. Doesn't she feel anything in her heart like he did? Arnav questioned to himself.

In this everything, the only person who was not happy is Akanksha. Nothing seems good. She had paired with Arnav in two movies, of course, romantic movies but she never had seen such a blazing gaze of Arnav. His face reflected something...it does not seem ACTING at all. Are that gossips true? Are they in love? The biggest question hit Akankasha's mind the girl who is expecting heroin chance in Arnav's next project.

To be continued...

Next part is available on Inkitt

Personal Feel...

The unit guys started arranging for the next shot. Akanksha neatened herself when she saw Ratna coming with a hot box. She stood, smiling at Ratna.

"Namaste aunty..." she greeted Ratna.

Plastering a synthetic smile, Ratna crossed her, making Akansha's face shrunk. She couldn't understand why she is close to Khushi and why not with her. What does she see in Khushi that Ratna likes her very much?