Chapter 15: Silence

Nanon's POV

After audition I waited for her. She came out after finishing her works.

"Puimek!" I called her as she was about get in a cab.

"Nanon? What are you still doing here? Its already 8 pm."

"I was waiting for you. I thought I should treat you for giving this chance" I said.

"Can we go to the bar? Black gift? My treat" I said hopefully.

"No I am tired. You go ahead. I am leaving" she said and walked away.

"Puimek please. I am happy today. Please accompany me" I said.

"If you are happy, go celebrate with your husband" she said.

"He is busy with office work. Ohm is also busy" I lied deliberately. I felt little guilty but soon turned to happiness as she agreed.

We went to black gift in a cab. We sat in our usual table. Its been a long time since I came to this bar. Everything is same except Puimek in our usual table and my new found feelings for her.

She was dressed in casual formals. Her medium length hair tied in a pony tail, few hairs sticking out but it added extra charm. Her eyes looks tired but still energtic. I was unconsciously staring at her. I was brought back to this world when she snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"What are you looking at? Any penny for your thoughts?"

"I just want to say...thank you" I said smiling.

"For what?" She asked sipping her drink.

"Because of you I got to hear applause after a long time. Thanks to you, I realised how much I hated working there. You inspire me to try. Hereafter I am going to try my level best to become an actor" I said and she was listening carefully.

"You have the talent Non. Keep trying, you will definitely reach there" she said patting my shoulder.

After few minutes silence I said another thing which I wanted to say from morning.

"Hey, the scene you gave me for practice was really good! Why don't you make the story as your movie?" And her face immediately fell. I think I pushed some wrong buttons.

"I can't Nanon" she said in low voice.

"But why? If its ok with you, can you say why?"

"I already tried to make that movie a year ago. But the shooting stopped after 10 days itself." I waited for her to continue."I met a producer who asked to cast his son as protagonist. I saw his son and immediately I knew he was not suited for that character. But still not to let go of the opportunity I agreed. One day his acting was really poor. Even after taking many shots and practice he couldn't get it right.

I got annoyed and scolded him infront of everyone. His ego got hurt so he dropped the production." She smiled bitterly.

"You can try reaching some other producer right?" I asked.

"Sometimes even in life you can get second chance Non. But in this industry..."she shook her head in 'no'.

Suddenly she got teary eyed. I could see her choking back her tears. She excused herself and quickly got away from the bar. I just followed her outside.

It was raining heavily. And without any care she walked in rain and stood near the bench in parking. I reached her and she was crying heavily now.

"Don't lose hope Puimek, you will definitely get a chance" I said and she started to cry heavily. She took a deep breath and looked straight in my eyes.

"Not only in cine field, even in my life I never got what I wanted" she said and broke down in tears.

I don't know what took over me, I quickly pulled her into a hug and she was sobbing uncontrolably now. I felt sorry for her. Behind her bold and smiling facade, there was a broken heart, a broken dream, a broken life. I can never feel how hurt was she. But I wanted to be there for her. I wanted to be there when she reaches her dream. I want to support her atleast as a friend.





After a minute or two, she pulled away. "Ok take care. I am leaving now. I need some alone time" after saying that she left. Eventhough I wanted to comfort her I respected her decision, so I let her go.

Pulling my hair back I turned to my side and was shocked. I never expected this to happen.

Chimon was standing there, outside his car. His face was mix of emotions. His eyes was teary and also filled with anger. He was breathing heavily. For how long he was standing there? I am sure he saw everything and misunderstood about it. He already has his theory of me fooling around with Puimek and this situation now is not going to do any good.

"Chi"calling his name I walked towards him. "Its not like what you..."before I could explain a big slap landed on my cheek making my cheek burn.

I was shocked. After slapping he got inside the car. He signaled me to get inside. Only his eyes speaking. He was silent and now his tears stopped.

His silence is making me feel chill in my spine. This silent Chimon is very scary.