Chapter 11: Chapter 11

*Anitha Pov*

“Hello?” I lifted the call frowning at the called ID as it’s from Prathap whose name I changed from darling already.

“The video they showed at the end of your interview. What was that?” he asked and I nearly slipped down from the bed hearing that question.

“You watched the interview?” I asked feeling shocked.

That was like not even from local media and I know he doesn’t watch television much and was feeling assured that there is no way he would have seen it but if by chance he does then I can give out so many excuses.

“Yes! And when did I do a commercial with you? And then why were you looking at… that too three years back?” He asked in a confused tone.

“They just twisted it that way. It was a simple commercial and I don’t know why you don’t remember but even I don’t remember it much. I guess they used it for our issue and you need to just get along with it.” I rushed the words while hoping he doesn’t think all that is true.

“But you were looking at me…” I cut him off saying, “I am waiting for a call from my director. Let’s talk later.”

With those words, I cut the call before rolling on my bed to press my face into the pillow and screamed at my stupidity.

I should have informed him earlier that there would be something like this instead of thinking he will not watch the interview in the first place.

He doesn’t know how shocked I was when they suddenly played that video at the end of the interview as they didn’t inform me ahead.

“Ugh! Why did he have to do something he doesn’t do generally?” I asked no one as I am right now alone in my room before closing my eyes tightly wishing he is not that smart to ignore my excuse and think something else.

#Past Three Years Back#

“Don’t think too much about the camera. You need to prepare a dish with the ingredients that are already here and taste it by yourself.” The crew member explained while placing the mic properly on my dress.

“Prepare? I was asked to just taste it, right?” I asked him frowning.

“The other person who has to prepare didn’t come saying he has another commercial offer at the same time. Let’s just shoot this one and see if it goes well. We already requested to use this studio for today and it is difficult to get another person so soon.” He explained before stepping back.

“Don’t worry! My team will do some tough editing but we need to do something as this is for GH homewares and the focus will be more on the utensils that will be used.” He added and I slowly nodded taking a deep breath.

As expected I couldn’t even cut the vegetables properly and they were shocked to see that. Just because I am struggling model right now doesn’t mean I know how to cook and mainly when I have a friend who does for me including the cooking part.

“Let’s take a break!” The producer said sighing and I sighed stepping away from the table where I created a mess continuously.

“Why are you here if you can’t cook at all?” Someone else reached to touch up my make up and asked in an irritated tone.

Because I am here to taste and not cook. I so wish I can voice that out but I controlled myself while waiting for them to finish the break so that I can make another mess.

“Oh no! There are important people from GH to check the progress.” Someone passed us by having a mini panic attack.

The break ended way before than informed and this time I tried my best to show that I know how to cut the vegetables and it passed before the scene changed to me stirring the ingredients in the utensil that is more in focus now.

“What are you doing?” I heard a loud shout startling me but I continued to do my work as there was no cut from the director.

I had to stop when there was a cut but also someone reached the spot where I am standing while rolling up his sleeves.

“You guys don’t know how to respect these ingredients and the utensils that belong to GH?” he asked frowning at them before glancing at me.

“See how it should be done.” He added and suddenly the mess is cleared while he tied an apron on his body and gestured me to tie it properly for him and I moved to do it as everyone was busy to make everything new on the table before us.

He didn’t allow anyone to put any mic on him as I don’t think he is expecting to get shot by the camera but someone stood near the director before nodding at him as I remember him to be someone from GH and they were scared seeing him but I found the person standing beside me right now was actually with that important person.

“Now, concentrate on what I am doing and learn.” Saying that he started cutting the vegetables and I stared at that action in amazement before glancing at his face only to get stuck right at that moment after seeing his expression.

His expression right now was… was something I wish I can look at for my whole life. The joy on his face mixed with some achievement and there is also concentration on what he is doing.

I just couldn’t look away even though I remember this is getting shot by the camera but somehow I tried before glancing at the dish he is preparing right now.

“See? Wasn’t that easy?” he asked and why did his voice change so much from the time he was angry at everyone.

It became a husky voice and I couldn’t help but turn to stare at him before slowly nodding at his question and he smiled at that and I know that I am gone right now.

“Taste it!” he whispered turning to stare at me while passing the bowl he filled the dish with and feeling embarrassed for getting caught with my stare like that, I rushed to take a mouthful in a hurry but he immediately stopped me.

“Food should always be enjoyed slowly and not rush with it.” He said reducing the quantity a bit before passing the spoon and I took it while staring at him before taking a bite but didn’t look away from his face.

“It’s delicious!” I whispered and he smiled with joy shining in his eyes and I am lost for the second time that day.

“And cut! Wow! I think we need to have a small discussion about this with my team.” Director’s voice reached us and if not for that man to frown at those words and leave the place after removing his apron I would have just stood there to stare at him.

“You can put it down.” Someone said and I turned to find someone trying to remove the mic from my dress and gestured the spoon I am still holding.

“You gave out good expressions. None of us could move away from the scene.” She complimented as she is the one to show her frustration earlier.

“I think they are changing the whole script and will use the one they just shot.” She added smiling at me before walking away while I stared at the person who is leaving the studio with the one who was talking to the director earlier.

I don’t know who is he and I don’t know what just happened. But the result was that they paid me more than I was informed earlier and my first commercial became the one where I am just staring at someone with lost look who is cooking and the script changed to some couples using the kitchenware.

Adding to all these things is the fact that I just fell for someone without knowing his name or anything and without even having any words exchanged but just feel for him within a few seconds.

#Present#

“Why are you not lifting your call?” Keerthi asked sitting beside me as I just dropped my phone bag into my bag after looking at the caller ID.

“Because I don’t want to get distracted before meeting the director.” I replied looking outside.

“Don’t lie to me!” she mumbled and I sighed glancing at her husband who is right now driving the car.

“She never lies to you?” I asked leaning forward.

“No!” he replied without hesitating for a bit.

“Wow! What a protective husband you have there? Manoj! You need not feel scared because of her. I will protect you.” I promised him.

“But she doesn’t lie near me.” He mumbled and I glared at his back before turning to stare at her who is showing a proud expression.

“Fine! He saw the interview that got telecasted yesterday and started asking about that last video.” I mumbled and she stared at me with a shocked look.

“The interview? You were so worried after finishing the interview and I had to assure you continuously to not worry. I remember now and why did he watch it?” she asked frowning and I sighed because I was asking myself the same question from yesterday night.

“I told him to ignore it as the people interviewing me are the one who twisted it in another way. Do you know that he doesn’t even remember he ever appeared for a commercial?” I asked still not believing that fact.

“Okay! Don’t think about anything related to that now. We are meeting the director for the first time today properly and stay calm.” She mumbled and I took a deep breath nodding at her words.

Even though I already met the producer and the scriptwriter, the director is the main person as he will be the one I will be working more with. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

*Prathap Pov*

I frowned when she didn’t lift the call again like earlier and slammed down the phone on the table.

I am really curious about the issue relating to that video but I can’t ask anyone except her but here she is not even lifting the call.

“What happened?” Deepak asked with a startled look after I slammed my phone like that while I frowned at him.

“Wait! You didn’t know that she liked you from the past three years?” He asked after I explained about the video I don’t remember.

I opened my mouth and closed it as he too thought the same I felt yesterday while watching that video but then brushed it off and even she told me the interviewer twisted the scene like that.

I remember that commercial after thinking about it last night. It was the time I joined the advertising department three years back and he took me to the studio so that I can get a basic idea.

Later, I found my co-workers talking about the commercial and I asked Vikranth how could he just use me like that without saying a word.

He replied simply that everyone liked the content and he gave them the signal to use it as the losses would have been created if they had not used anything from that day’s shooting.

I ignored that but then forgot about it completely until yesterday when I thought about it seriously.

But that’s not the issue here as I am still feeling confused about her look towards me. I thought maybe I was seeing things but now even Deepak thinks the same and I shouldn’t ignore it anymore.

“I need to go somewhere. Just manage everything and I will try to return by lunchtime.” Saying that I stood up before rushing out of the restaurant.

I paused before starting the engine with a question entering my mind. Why am I so obsessed to know this matter whether she really liked me or something even though that just seems absurd?

Because… because of the look, she gave me. That look! Damn! I can’t think properly but that look is definitely something I want to know more about and if possible see it again by rewatching that video.

****

I smiled looking at the pen drive I am holding right now which contains the whole footage and not just the edited one. This will show whether she is saying the truth or I just thought too much about a simple thing.

It was a bit difficult but when I nearly pressured them by even using Vikranth they finally gave this.

I couldn’t go to my cabin after reaching the restaurant as the customers were more than we expected and Deepak seems lost.

So, I ended up helping him and even had to pass through the kitchen for additional help and finally left them alone after two hours of continuous work.

After reaching my cabin, I attached the pen drive to the computer but before I can open it my phone started ringing.

“Hello?” I asked frowning as I didn’t expect them to inform Vikranth about it or maybe he is calling because of another reason.

“What did you do, Prathap? Why did you go to the advertising department and got that video?” he asked in a serious tone.

“I just wanted to see it.” I replied frowning at that staff who used to work under me but now complaining against me near Vikranth.

“Do you know what kind of rumors is passing in that department? They even reached your father. They are saying what kind of person that doesn’t know that his fiancé liked him from when. What did you tell them?” he asked and I stood up hearing those words.

“I just told them I was shocked to see that video yesterday night as I don’t remember it and just want to see it again.” I replied and I frowned how can those words get twisted into like that.

“Why did they twist it so much? Now, Uncle is saying you lost one of the chances from those three.” He mumbled.

“What? How can that be? Those are just rumors and I didn’t do anything.” I said frowning after hearing that.

“Well, he said it will come under the part where you don’t accept the statement that is passed by anyone of us including Anitha and my PR team along with me. So, he asked me to pass that.” He explained.

“This is really absurd!” I said frowning at my Dad’s words.

“He is just taking advantage of the situation.” I added and he sighed hearing that.

“And you found that out just now? You should have realized when you read the contract. He aims to get you back to work for GH. He is confident that you will lose the three chances and you did lose one for a silly reason. Don’t forget that you have to come back to work here if you make a fourth mistake by going against the contract you signed.” He pointed out and I groaned rubbing my forehead.

“You could have just asked me, Prathap. Why did you involve the department like that? No one should doubt you guys this soon as the previous issue slowed down just a day back. And I just hope our staff doesn’t let those words out from the company otherwise there will be more speculations.” He mumbled.

“Why is it so complicated? Why is everything related to her is getting so much attention?” I asked him frowning.

“Because we are actually competing with the other entertainment with whom she used to work with before coming to ours and as she is now our top star who is promoting our entertainment even internationally and that’s why she is important for us. So, they are trying to attack us by using an even small matter they can get about her and the previous scandal was also from their side.” He explained before asking me to not do anything related to this issue without asking him and cut the call.

I sighed sitting down while scowling at the pen drive which just made me lose the first chance so unfairly but my hand moved to play the video as I already got it in my hands right.