chapter 16

The ShootBack to College – Year 2003: Semester 3A few days before the shoot, Ankit handed me a list of ‘things to get done’. I was stunned by the requirements. It included facial, facial threading, full-body wax, hair spa, and henna in both hands and feet.“Why do I need a full body wax?” I fanned the list in Pratham’s face.“It’s not my demand, it’s producer’s,” he muttered, snatching it to read for himself.“You have never waxed?” he asked uncomfortably.“I don’t need it,” I spoke, showing him my hand. “Hmm… your waist and back would be visible in the photographs. Hence, they requested,” he spoke softly.“I don’t need it. I am not getting one,” I remarked.“Most girls do, that’s why it is a prerequisite. If you think it is not needed, well, then don’t,” he was still not meeting my eyes. His uncomfortableness irked me.I dragged him to his cabin and pulled the neckline of my top slightly to expose my shoulder. “See, not needed!” He was shocked. “What?” I asked at his reaction. “You did see my shoulder when I wore that lehenga and blouse,” I muttered.“No, I didn’t,” he whispered and glanced down my bare shoulder. He wore the weirdest expressions. Rubbing his fingers together, he spoke, “Fine, don’t get one. But do get other things done especially henna. It is mandatory.” He muttered and left.“What?” I asked loudly, well to myself given I was all alone now.  I was all ready for the first shoot. I couldn’t wait for the day when my photograph would be plastered across NCR, and I would find Rakshit.A night before the shoot, I had gone and gotten bridal mehndi, i.e. henna, on hands and feet. Shiva and Sarv insisted on joining me to the shoot. They were equally excited.We all drove to Anandi Studios in Ankit’s car –the place where it was to happen. Pratham was to reach directly. It was a Saturday, and they called me at 10 am.“Here, get dressed in that room,” Pratham spoke as he handed me a big package. Shiva went in with me. “Oh my God, this is so beautiful. Seeing this makes me wish I was getting married,” she chimed excitedly as we unwrapped a stunning bridal lehenga.“To whom?” I asked, opening the jewelry box. It had the biggest necklace I had ever seen. “Oh, wow!” she exclaimed at the sight of the necklace. “Dodging the question?” “Do you want to do this now?” she asked indifferently. “Why not?” I asked, taking off my kurta and picking up the choli. “Wow, it’s so light. By the looks of it, it was looking so heavy.” Shiva lifted the bottom and confirmed that it too was very light. I quickly changed into the lehenga, and Shiva helped me in tying it properly. “Someone needs to mask the marks on your back and waist,” Shiva muttered, scanning my body. “You think they are visible?” I wondered as I looked at myself in the mirror, only faint scars were left now. “Should I call Pratham?” Shiva spoke with a crease of concern on her forehead. I nodded, and she called him.“What’s wrong?” he rushed inside, clearly worried. I had my back to him, and he gasped at the sight.“Think they would look prominent in the photographs?” Shiva asked, pointing at the darkest scar.“What the? Who did this to you?” Pratham was enraged. I didn’t have the strength to face him.“Her mother… and don’t ask for a reason. Nobody knows,” Shiva supplied wearily.Pratham clenched his fists to control his anger. “They are faded, but in the bright light, they would shine,” he informed.“Make-up would help?” I asked sadly, and Pratham nodded. Shiva quickly called in a make-up artist. Pratham didn’t stall around, he left as soon as the make-up artist started her work. She did her magic, and ten-minutes later no one could tell I had any marks anywhere.“Your face would be done outside; would that be okay?” the make-up artist asked politely. She had harassed expressions due to all the marks over my back.I nodded, and we all stepped out.“She is here,” someone shouted, and I was directed to a seat. My waist-length hair was loose open, and I had just wrapped the chunari around my neck.Three more make-up artists hurried towards me. They gave me a quick look and started working. One took charge of my hair, one of my face and another one of my hands. They did something to me for around thirty minutes, and when they were done, everybody held their breaths. A spotlight fell on me, and a murmur ran across the room. I felt conscious. I looked around to find a familiar face, and my eyes fell on Pratham. He was just looking at me. Unsure of what to do or say, I walked up to him. My chunari trailing in my hands.“So?” I asked, standing in front of him.“Remember that day when I had proposed to you?” he started as he took the chunari from my hand. “Yes?” I asked worriedly.“If you had said yes,” he continued as he placed the chunari on my head, “I would have married you right now.” And he gazed deep into my eyes. I couldn’t help but blush.Someone clapped their hands and announced, “Okay peeps, showtime,” and the shoot began.I sat on a couch placed in the shooting area, and Pratham started clicking. Two unknown people were sitting in front of a screen waiting for Pratham to hand over the memory card.He clicked a dozen and swapped the memory card with those two guys. They quickly checked and liked what they saw.“Boss was right, this one will be a sensation,” one of them muttered. Pratham snickered, and when our eyes met, he winked, making me blush. The moment I looked down blushing, he clicked more. “Hold still,” he ordered and clicked endlessly. “Now just lift your eyes,” he ordered again. I obeyed, and he clicked some more. And like this, he made me do endless poses, and I laughed and smiled doing all of them. Some poses were to focus on the maang teeka, some were for the necklace. However, the weirdest poses were when the focus was on the earrings and the clip that was attached to my hair-bun. The guys behind the screen explained to Pratham the pose they wanted. He nodded a little stiffly and walked to me.“Okay,” he spoke as he adjusted my chunari.“What?” I asked, confused. “Nothing, just making you stand in the right pose,” he whispered as his fingers brushed against my ears. A shiver ran down my spine. “I see that you too are affected by me,” he whispered, making me turn slowly. “Your fingers are cold,” I replied softly. It was a partial truth.“So they are…” he spoke, adjusting the strings of my choli to suit the camera. “Still cold?” he muttered as they brushed against the bare skin of my back. I closed my eyes and nodded. “Hmm…” he muttered, placing his fingers under my chin and lifting it gently. “Now stay still in this pose and keep your eyes closed. When I say, open your eyes, and when I say next, smile.” I nodded, and he went back to the camera.He clicked endlessly, and when the set was to change, I heard one of the guys behind the screen speak to Pratham, “You both should get together. Seeing you both up there was like freaking kama-sutra.” Pratham glared at him but maintained a smiling façade. “Strictly business,” Pratham hissed, looking at the photos.“So, is she available? She is gorgeous,” the second guy asked excitedly.“NO!” Pratham barked. They were talking in whispers, and only I, who was much closer to them, was able to listen. “Well, if you are not doing her, then why don’t you give her my number. I am sure she won’t mind,” the first man grinned as he pointed towards me. “She is committed,” Pratham spoke through gritted teeth and stepped aside. He had murderous expressions, but he knew how to reign his temper when it came to work.“So what? She is a freaking model, they all are alike,” the man spoke loudly, but Pratham was already walking away. I knew he was trying to calm himself. I just pretended I didn’t hear anything.Shiva and Sarv were having the time of their lives. They were roaming here and there, trying to indulge in as many conversations as possible.The shoot went on for four hours. It was not that hot, but the heat from all the spotlights made it very difficult for me. I still followed all orders.I was extremely dizzy and hungry now. I was offered food many times, but I didn’t dare stuff my face in front of Pratham’s camera. I knew he would click those moments too.Finally, after endless photographs, I got a thumbs-up, and the spotlights were turned off.Pratham walked towards me. “You were brilliant. A natural if I may say,” he whispered, with a bright smile.“We don’t want another episode of ‘freaking kama-sutra’ up here.” I snickered as I spoke. “Oh, you heard that. Don’t worry about them. They are just weirder than others,” Pratham pointed towards the two men who were eyeing us slyly.“Who are they?” I asked, following his gaze.But I don’t know what Pratham’s answer was. Because what I saw literally took my breath away. Dressed in a grey suit, there was a man standing at the door. He had the most curious expressions on his face. As our eyes met, he smiled and waved at me. It felt as if someone had punched me in my guts. The Earth was shaking, and everything was moving. I grabbed Pratham’s arm. He was saying something but stopped abruptly. His eyes moved from my clasped fingers to my face. What he saw there must have concerned him. “What happened?” he asked, holding me tight. But I was speechless. My eyes were fixated at the spot where the man had just vanished.It cannot be! I don’t know what it was, maybe it was the heat, hunger or just pure fear, but suddenly, everything started to turn and twist around me. I tried to keep my eyes open, but it was in vain because the next moment everything darkened, and I was at peace.