Samarth's chic Mercedes Maybach 6 pulls out of the concert venue, wheeled by the man himself. That's the usual, much to his mother's chagrin. Ramu Kaka, the one who's supposed to do this job, might think a no-good rockstar has put him out of his work, but there are other income opportunities, and other cars. The same applies to the newly recruited group of the security officers.

Concerts sure are big events, but they don't call for over-the-top security measures or making use of bodyguards. It's not unusual among celebrities. Some don't prefer full-time protection; some even drive their car, but Madhulika Saxena doesn't understand these basics.

Samarth chuckles, imagining his mother's funny expression upon familiarising herself with her son's latest deeds, her eyebrows drawn together, her already small, dark eyes darkening further, her pale and supple, surprisingly still wrinkle-free face all wrinkled up. He'd love to be next to her and watch her blow her lid... but he can't. He has places to go! Madhulika Saxena can get as mad as she wants, but she can only be verbal about it, and there's little she can do as her son isn't a little boy anymore.

Samarth arrives at a VIP pub, La Amore, that is strictly meant for rich spoiled kids and celebrities like himself. Mahima, a rather pale, skinny girl, dressed in a voguish jumpsuit, greets him as he grabs himself onto a high stool next to the bar. The lights illuminate the pub interiors in a riot of colours. The dazzling lights aren't what he needs to feel at ease, but it's all he got. Pubs are rockstars' haven when he can't go out. One of these days, he and Nakul ought to find a quiet spot where they can lie low.

Samarth's thoughts come to a halt as Mahima offers him her hand. He drops a chaste kiss on her knuckles, as a courtesy. Heck, none understands courtesy. His gesture in other worldly meaning might be an invitation, which is probably why she kisses him on the cheek and settles on his lap.

He smiles, imploringly pushing her away, as gently as he can, making her get off of him.

"We may fall off... So please move away, Mahima. That's better, yeah."

His dry humour doesn't make an impact. The pouting young lady takes a seat next to him, clearly displeased. Taking her manicured nails through sleek strands of shiny bronzed hair. However, before either of them can speak, her phone rings, giving her an excuse to step away.

Samarth heaves a sigh. Mentally, he prepares himself for another round of shameless flirting. Or course it doesn't mean he's seedha-sadha nek banda. What guy wouldn't want to indulge a woman? And he's a guy who never comes across the right one. Will he ever cross paths with a certain girl who's made for him? Such concepts seem myths.

Ah, his shameless flirting has certain boundaries though, some of which women themselves aren't mindful of these days. Now another familiar face plops down into the seat next to him. This time, it's the real pain of his life — Rhea, a hardcore flirt who never knows when to give up. The obligation lies in them once attending school together. It's why he can't come down hard on her.

"Samarth!" The way she coos, batting her long eyelashes; it's clear she's taking advantage of their bond for her own illicit benefit. She slides into his lap.

"Rhea." Samarth returns her pretty smile with a dazzling grin of his own, and points her to the seat next to him. She obeys him with a huff.

Samarth sighs into his drink, momentarily looking away from his companion. Yep, he's as chaste as they come, although the world knows the vivid anecdotes of his nonexistent flings. The reason he kept quiet was at his Chachu's insistence. If only he never revered Chachu as he did, and the old guy was such a sly marketing strategist with nasty ideas. One of these days, the old guy ought to make these paparazzi write something positive about rockstar Samarth's character. Else the young star's image might be doused in negativity, turning him into some kind of womaniser obsessed with his status as a rockstar.

"Why so distant, Sam? Aren't we supposed to marry?"

Rhea's sudden words jolt Samarth to his core. This isn't his first time he heard her say it and yet... He sighs again.

"Why do you want to marry? We're friends. I agree, there were marriage talks between our parents, but..."

Rhea pouts more, as if that's enough to convince him.

"Truly, Rhea. Tell me why? Do you..."

Love me? Samrath laughs at what he was about to ask. It's good that he cut his question short. Even Rhea would laugh at him. Love doesn't exist. Love can't exist in his world. When a mother can't love a son, who can? Everyone loves money! Fame! Well exceptions are Chachu and Nakul...

"Tell me, Rhea..."

Despite knowing he's shed his rockstar persona and is being his occasional broody self, he can't stop asking, "tell me. If I were to leave everything... If I were to stop being a rockstar, give up all my assets and restart my life in the Himalayas, would you join me? Would you still marry me?"

He doesn't know he's not prepared to act if Rhea said yes. If she said yes, it meant she truly loved him and valued him as a childhood friend, and more. Which would be a hassle, as his feelings are purely platonic.

Rhea lapses into stunned silence. Then she laughs. "Haha, oh, Sam! You've had too much to drink, no? Who'd want to leave all this behind?"

She gestures to the extravagant pub, vaguely pointing to his stardom with an arm sweep. "Oh, Nakul is here. He will drive you home. Don't drive when you're drunk, baby. I will worry. Now we'll have our marriage conversation when you're more sober. See you."

With pomp and attitude, she leaves the way she's come, blowing a kiss as she goes. Samarth chuckles into his non-alcoholic mocktail, finally alone and in peace.

"As if I'd drink when I'm driving. I don't like to drink. Though sometimes I have to, in moderation. And you've evaded answering me, Rhea. That's an answer in itself. It relieves me you don't love me. I don't think I can love you back and it'd have made me feel guilty. Love? Everybody is after looks and money! Honestly, I don't think a girl exists who could rekindle my belief in love..."

"What are you blabbering into your drink?" Nakul asks, though he's heard his best friend muttering to himself. "I handled your mothers client for you. So it's a wrap. Shall we go home, Sam?" he asks, adding under his breath,  "surely there will be one such girl for you..."

"Thanks, Nakul." Samarth smiles at his friend. "Yep, a long drive, and then! Let's take your car. Have Ramu Kaka drive mine please. Else he'd feel I've stolen his naukri."

Nakul laughs and makes a phone call, arranging for Ramu Kaka to pick Samarth's car from the pub's parking lot. The two friends then go on a long drive just as per the rockstar's wishes.

***

❤TBC❤

💫WC: 1166

💫💛Up next: Samarth meets his chachu! And then meets his new manager! "Yeh toh wahi ladki hai!!" What happens next? How will Priyanka and Samarth's lives unfold? Will love blossom? What are the chances of their love-life finding fulfilment?💕

💫Stay tuned!!💫