Chapter - 18 The Press conference

The afternoon passes in a blur after I land in Mumbai. Without going to my apartment there, I head straight at the studio where almost everybody is running left and right in upheaval. I go to the editing room and check upon the trailer again. " Cool " I say to my editing team and high five them. " Lunch is on me" I inform them and head out to my office where the main leads of my film are waiting.

Prisha Suri and Rohit Kapur. Dressed in rocker damask dress in black, she looks a ' don't mess with me devil ' while Rohit his carrying his famous smile with dimples dressed in floral Gucci shirt I am sure, he loves Gucci, and ofcourse denims and circle glasses. The instant I open my office door they both stand up. " Hey Bro!" Rohit whistles at me, " you'll work yourself out to a derilict" he announces.

" Hii Shanvi " Prisha walks up to me and gives me a big hug. Unlike her looks, she is extremely sweet and full of nefarious behaviour. That's why I chose them they both are perfect for each other. People are mad about their chemistry. They are returning to my film a second time as leads.

I hug her back and smile at Rohit. " Oh there was a lot much to do. I just have to check up with our PR team once. "

" No." Prisha decries. " Look yourself in the mirror, you look your eyes will be gauged out any second. You are straight going towards the changing room and getting dressed with my designer. "

" I don't need any designer. I have work to do. You are the actress, I am not! " I say with contorted face. Please save me from this!

" Babe do you even know how much famous you are. " She smirks. " Specially with your childhood boyfriend that came to America, oh my god he is so damn sexy. I would die in his presence even if he would breath on my face woof! Don't you remember the paparazzi clicking pictures like maniacs? "

I blush and pray, pray to not stutter, " He is not my childhood boyfriend, he is my childhood bestfriend, " and fiance. The thought instantly dangles me on my feet, as if to make sure it's all real my hand goes to the pendant he gave me in the morning.

"what is this! Oh my gosh where did you get this! " Prisha points at my pendant and like a sniffing dog Rohit comes running, yeah running towards me.

They both point at my pendant, " where did you get this! "

" I... I got it, got it from my...mother. "

" You are lying look at your face" They both say at the say time.

I clutch the pendant " I have to get changed, the conference is in thirty minutes you idiots. " I complete and wad off outside the room leaving their accusing eyes.

I go to the changing room and the designer gives me a pink slit pants and a pink blouse. I argue for the black colour but she says, she knows better. Probably.

Thankfully the makeup team doesn't bother me anything more than a quick eyeliner and nude lip gloss.

We get to the conference hall in time. It's jam packed with paparazzi. I don't like paparazzi but I don't let it show on my face.

I smile the most ready- made smile at them. We three take our chairs in the middle of stage and the trailer is released. The questions started to shoot one by one, the derrière of the reporters flying high in competition.

At first the questions are only about films and I am glad but I know better when they go into the personal zone. A young reported dressed in green t-shirt asks Prisha, " Does the chemistry you and Rohit have in real life, makes the chemistry in the film so ebullient? " Indirectly he is asking if they are in relationship? And if that is the reason they played the character in my film.

The question irked me and I wanted to give that repoter a piece of his cake but I knew Prisha had the proficiency to do that. With that ever lightning smile she answered, " Oh thanks for the compliment, if our acting can make you believe that we have that chemistry in real life, then what's better than that" she winks in a cheerful jest and the reporter backs down immediately.

Gah! You thought you were smart, i thought about the reporter, internally I felt so good that thank god I wasn't an actor, otherwise they would have plunged my life with questions and their prying eyes.

I guess I shouldn't have been celebrating so soon.

" Hello Mam, I am Aisha. " A brunette women in brown suit looked at me.

" Hello back" I say in the mic .

" You were seen in the semi finale of India versus Australia cricket match with your well known friend, Kiyansh Singhania who is a well known conglomerate. " A disconcerting feeling overtakes me. " And within the frame there also was Ayan Kapoor. Are you three friends? "

Her evading question makes me bilious but I wave off a smile when I say, " Yes. "

What more I could say? That they didn't like each other that they threw each other adversary glances? Or Kiyansh spitefully even hated his presence. But the answer was somewhat true, I hoped , i mean we watched the match together, and Kiyansh even allowed him to meet Vikrant, so...

But I wasn't ready for the next question. " Over the years you have been seen making acqauintance with Kiyansh Singhania almost in most of the events but he has also been seen with our one of the famous star Sahana, but she was not seen in the IPL match or even in his party with him I am informed, so is there any trouble in Paradise or Mr. Kiyansh has decided to only make your acquaintance nowadays. " The ostentious question throws me off the rock. A pain contorted in my gut Prisha and Rohit looked at me pitifully.

Even though my gut was twisting from inside, I hoped I looked at the reporter's eyes brusquely and in a very calm and coherent tone, I answered her, " Whatever acquaintance I or him or Sahana makes is our business. " I gave her an iron smile and told her on her face, " None of your business honestly, let's go back on the film for which we are here. "

The reporter looks at me as if she is startled and takes a step back almost instantly. Good.

No other reporter dared to ask me any other weasel question. My eyes seared through them with a lanced smile and I was left alone with my morose gut which kept going back to that question.

Finally the doom was over and I was back in the car with Rohit and Prisha.

" The reporters are Bogus you know, don't mind them " Prisha says looking at me cautiously.

" It's okay " I give her an evading smile.

The instant my phone rings on my hands. I see the caller ID and look uncomfortably around me. But I can casually talk right who will know it is.

I pick up the call. " Hey " I say in a low hush.

" Where are you ? " Kiyansh asks me in a soft tone. " And why are you sounding so off? "

What! No I am not sounding off. " No I am okay " I clear my throat.

" Are you going to tell me or I will have to find it out. You always clear your throat when you lie, now you must be touching your nose" He announces and I retract back my left hand from my nose. How does he know?

Alertness rings me, " It's nothing, you are worrying without a reason. I will call you up when I am at apartment. Bye. " I say and cut the call. I could see Prisha's ear standing trying to listen to the conversation.

" Hmmm now was it Mr. childhood boyfriend? " She asked like a lioness prying for information.

" No " I give her an incredulous look. Why can't I accept that it was him?

" She is downright lying Rohit. " Prisha laughs and taps on his seat.

He turns and gives his dimple smile, he asks me imploringly , " tell me your story with him. "

" He is a friend since childhood " I say succinctly.

They stare at me for a minute thinking I am going to answer more. How wrong they are!