Chapter 24: Chapter 24
*Anitha Pov*
“Do you remember what I said yesterday?” Keerthi asked after I finished the scenes for the morning shoot and they are shooting for other characters now.
“Yes! I shouldn’t think much about their attitude.” I replied while taking the water bottle from her hand.
As we expected, there are a few people on the set who is giving me the looks that show their stand on the recent scandal. We never expected everyone to believe me and it is better if I keep that I mind and don’t take their words or actions to heart.
“Good! It looks like you felt nervous while shooting.” She commented because of the retakes I had to take.
“Yeah! I need a few days to get adjusted and also to feel comfortable with the other actors.” I mumbled and she slowly nodded.
“I can understand and it’s just the first day. We have to stay here until night because of the busy schedule.” She mumbled and I nodded already hearing that earlier before closing my eyes as it will take sometime before I have to shoot another scene.
However, I had to open my eyes frowning hearing a commotion, and that too my name in that.
Is there already trouble on the first day? I thought opening my eyes and found one of the staff walking towards me with a bouquet in her hands.
“Who is that? Kanika?” Keerthi asked and I shook my head.
“If she sends something then it will be a flower pot instead of a bouquet.” I replied sitting straight while hoping this will not bring any bad news for me.
The first thing I did after seeing his name on the card along with the words ‘All the best!’ is to sign in relief.
I thanked the staff before taking it into my hands and my eyes continued to linger on the flowers before glancing at Keerthi who is smiling.
“Looks like I can worry a bit less about your feelings.” She mumbled before leaving me alone to get food for both of us as everyone is taking a break.
She felt it is better to have food alone until I get used to the atmosphere and it was not a big deal as I found others having lunch on their own instead of as a group and it’s not like we are in college or something.
I sighed keeping the bouquet on the table before messaging him, ‘Thank you! But whose idea is this?’
He immediately replied asking, ‘Why do you think this is not my idea?’
‘I may not know you for long but somehow I can understand how your mind works.’ I replied before taking the packed box from Keerthi and opened it to find nothing but a salad.
I glanced at her but she calmly sat down to have her food which is a bowl of delicious fried rice. I generally don’t like fried rice but now it looks delicious.
“I had juice and nothing else for breakfast.” I pointed out and she turned to glance at me.
She does this only when I have too much food earlier or when there is a need but right now I don’t see any reason for her to subject me to this salad.
“I don’t know what you had last two days. It is better to be careful.” She explained and I sighed turning to stare at the salad.
“He prepared food with low carbs for me. I just had dessert two times because I couldn’t control myself but everything was low.” I mumbled while pouting and got startled hearing a camera click.
I glanced up finding the person who is taking the pictures around as a behind the scenes event. I turned to stare at Keerthi who shrugged and gestured me to eat.
‘Had lunch?’ he messaged after taking a five minutes break for sure.
Without thinking much I took a picture of the salad and sent him saying, ‘Keerthi is bullying me.’
I smiled doing that but then I remember the fact that I have to be like a normal acquaintance and not like before. I groaned shaking my head and continued to eat my lunch.
‘I will cook something better for dinner. Will you come here?’ he asked and I stared at the message in silence for a few minutes before replying, ‘No!’ and later I ignored my phone to check the script I will be using now to make sure there will be no mistakes.
“I just heard some of the crew talking about the bouquet and saying your fiancé is very romantic.” Keerthi commented and I glanced at her.
“They don’t know anything.” I mumbled but she shook her head.
“It doesn’t matter what they know but that somehow made it look good for you. So, thank him for that gesture.” She stated and I nodded as I already thanked him.
“Tomorrow there is no shooting but you have to go for a handbag shooting.” She said checking her phone.
“It is supposed to be after two days, right?” I asked frowning as I thought taking a rest for tomorrow and practice better.
“The other modal schedule changed and everyone is fine with it and even you are free. Let’s just do it then you will be free for a complete weekend.” She pointed out and I nodded feeling that her point is better.
-----------
“It’s okay! I can go alone.” I assured Keerthi when she got down from the car to accompany me inside the hotel until I reach my room.
“Okay! Make sure to not remove your hat and goggles.” She mumbled and I gave her a nod before walking towards the entrance and stepped in only to be stopped by the receptionist present.
“Ms. Anny! Your fiancé asked me to give you this.” She said smiling at me while holding a bag in her hands.
“Thank you!” I mumbled taking it before taking fast steps towards the elevator when I found a few people hearing her call my name.
If it was my place then I need not be this conscious for sure. I frowned in surprise when I got that thought.
Looks like I moved on from the damage to my car and ready to buy a house. But it is better if I don’t say those words to Keerthi until I am completely sure otherwise she will again pressure me.
After entering the room, I took out my phone but found no message from him after rejecting his offer to go to his place for dinner.
I frowned before checking the bag and found two containers in it with a note attached. I took it out and couldn’t help but smile seeing those words.
‘If you had come then I would have served this hot and even with wonderful plating.’ I shook my head and rushed to the coffee table before opening the boxes and found still the food with low carbs but it looks so good and damn better than a salad.
I smiled finishing it immediately before messaging him to thank him and couldn’t add anything else other than those words while feeling lost.
If it was before then I would have teased him for his words but now I am stopping myself. However, I took a breath and messaging him saying, ‘This is definitely your idea. I wish you just do what you want to instead of following other people’s ideas.’
‘Sure! Shrishti was so sure that you will like it saying all girls like it and I ended up doing that. From now on, I will do what I want to.’ His immediate message made me sigh for sure.
Here I was eagerly waiting for his message but somehow those words just made me feel down and I immediately ignored my phone to freshen up.
I know she is his friend and they were friends for two decades according to his words but still hearing him mention her is not something I am looking forward to.
She didn’t do anything to me and is not a vamp who is right now trying to steal him as if he is mine in the first place but still she is not trying to be a competition but still I am being petty and showing jealousy like this.
I can’t think if she was interested in him just like him then I would have lost it completely for sure. I need to be open-minded if I really accept his words and I am leaning towards that for sure.
No! No! Remember the hurt? Just concentrate on that! I gave a pep talk but my mind shifted to the part where I know it will hurt me more if I concentrate on that part instead of moving on from that incident.
“Ahh!” I screamed to stop all the thoughts in my mind and just concentrate on the folder I am holding.
----------------
“Hello!” I greeted the modal I will be working with today and he nodded smiling.
“I am sorry that you had to change your schedule because of me.” He apologized but I shook my head.
“It’s fine! I was free today.” I assured him and he smiled hearing that.
“I am looking forward to working with you.” He suddenly said and I nodded thinking he is talking about the shoot we will be doing now.
“I think I will join the crew after a month for our scenes. I got the schedule two days back for that and had to pre-pone a few things because of which today’s change occurred.” He added and I finally realized he is talking about the movie.
“Oh!” I mumbled while feeling dumb as I didn’t check the other characters instead of the main actor and just glanced at that list but didn’t check the pictures or details properly.
“I watched your series to know your working style as I will shoot more scenes with you compared to other actors and I think I will be comfortable with you.” He continued and I tried to not show my dumb expression.
“I am sorry! But what is the role you will be playing?” I asked while giving him an apologetic look and he stared at me with a shocked look.
“Anny!” Keerthi whispered with a shocked tone as she just reached my side to call me over for makeup.
“I am Laksh and I am known to be Lucky. I will be your best friend in the movie.” He explained after recovering from the shock.
“Really? That’s my favorite character from the script. But I checked the actor playing for it and it was not…” Keerthi cleared her throat knowing well the direction I am going for while he laughed.
“Yeah! I am the replacement as he backed out from the movie because of some Hollywood opportunity.” He explained and I slowly nodded while looking at him in a new light.
“You will be perfect for the role and I am excited too.” I said smiling brightly and he smiled back.
“You need to get ready.” Keerthi whispered and I gave her a nod before excusing myself from that place.
-------------------
‘The supplies you asked for are delivered today. Do you want me to bring them to your hotel tonight?’ I read the message next day evening while lying lazily on the bed.
I thought of saying yes but then remembered today is Saturday and he must be busy in the kitchen. I stared at his message for sometime before replying to him, ‘I will come there and get those.’
I could have called Keerthi but this weekend, I already told them to rest as tomorrow is their marriage anniversary and they can spend it alone or with their family as per their wish.
He replied saying, ‘I am busy right now. Come here for two hours.’
Now is the preparation time and the customers will be there soon and I can understand his message before deciding to finish watching the movie of Laksh.
After hearing his words, I decided to watch his working style and started checking out the movies he acted and also any series along with modal shoots.
He is good like really good and I feel like I will learn so much from him as he is kind of a senior even in age and is nearly Vikranth’s age but he can pull off to play a similar age to me.
After getting ready, I walked out of the room while not forgetting all the needed items to cover my face and reached the entrance to catch a cab.
Truth to be told I could have kept my style simple but somehow ended up wearing makeup and even dressing style is changed.
I want to go back and wear simple clothes but a cab already stopped near me and it looks like I have to wait longer if I miss this and calmly got inside.
When I messaged him after reaching his flat, he messaged back asking me to wait and just go inside.
I entered the flat after hesitating a bit and sat on his couch but continued to stare at his bedroom. I missed that bed so much for two days.
I sighed and just filled my eyes and got startled hearing the door opening after ten minutes.
“Finished?” I asked staring at him in surprise.
“We restricted the timings today and I asked others to clean up the place.” He replied and smiled at me.
“I will just freshen up first.” He added and I nodded after seeing his sweaty appearance.
I have seen him working before but he was not this sweaty at that time and the customers were also more than today if I check the time.
“I brought dinner for us.” He said placing the bag he is holding and placed it on the table before me.
I opened my mouth to say I had dinner already even though a tasteless one following Keerthi’s instruction but closed it with the way the aroma from the food entered my nostrils.
“Okay!” I agreed readily while forgetting the fact that I decided to just take the things and leave.
He chuckled when I continued to gaze at the bag and walked away but I couldn’t look away. Keerthi started a strict diet from yesterday after the shoot realizing I gained a bit of weight.
After he returned, we had a silent dinner and I don’t mind as I am enjoying this more than anything.
“You could have got normal food instead of the same one as me.” I said glancing at his box.
“It’s fine! I had a heavy lunch.” He replied and I nodded before closing the lid as I finished it faster than normal.
“Let me clean this and I will bring the supplies.” He replied when I asked him where are they and glanced at his study room.
I stood up after he walked out of the flat to go near the garbage can outside and walked towards his study to get them myself as he is taking longer than I expected.
After switching on the light, I found the box at the near table and reached to hold it but paused finding a few papers beside it.
What is this? I thought after seeing my name on them and found the recipes below my name on those papers as my name in bold at the top.
Then I realized these are the ones he was cooking for me from the time he found I need to have low carbs instead of normal food.
I turned my gaze and found a few more under them and shifted the top ones to see more. All I could do was to stand there with my eyes blinking and while trying to understand what is going on here.
“Sorry! Deepak was there to discuss tomorrow’s menu as I changed it a bit.” I heard his voice but I couldn’t move.
“Anitha?” He called and his footsteps reached the study room and then they stopped.
I turned around to stare at him and he stared back with an embarrassed look before clearing his throat.
“The box is a bit heavy and it is better to remove the items from the box and use a bag to take them with you.” He said while looking at the box when I just stared at him in silence.
“If she wants more and liked them then I can order more.” He added and I finally took a step towards him.
The second step took some seconds for me to take but then there was no pause after that and I hooked my hands around his neck before kissing him while causing him to struggle a bit to not fall back because of the force I used.
Somehow that effort from him just to cook for me was more than enough and was even better than any kind of words he could say. He kissed back recovering from the shock and shifted his hands to hold me tightly while I didn’t remove my hands and didn’t wish to stop at all.