Chapter 18: Nisha's Proposal

The question hung in the air, heavier than Aman had anticipated. What do you want? Nisha's words echoed in his mind as he stared at the untouched cup of coffee in front of him. He had never really stopped to consider it—he had always been chasing something: fame, recognition, success. But now that he had them all, the nagging emptiness remained.

Aman looked up, meeting Nisha's concerned gaze. Her expression softened, as though she understood the weight of the question she'd just asked.

"I don't know," Aman finally admitted, his voice quiet but sincere. "I've been running so fast for so long that I'm not even sure what I'm running toward anymore."

Nisha nodded thoughtfully, sipping her coffee. "That's the thing, Aman. You've already made it. You're at the top of your game, but somewhere along the way, it feels like you've lost touch with yourself."

Aman frowned, her words cutting deep. She wasn't wrong. The last few months had been a whirlwind of appearances, shoots, and events—non-stop work with no room to breathe. Every moment of his life was meticulously planned by others, leaving him with no control over his own destiny. The very thing he had fought so hard to achieve had become a prison.

"I just feel… stuck," he continued, trying to put his frustration into words. "Like no matter what I do, it's never enough. Rajeev keeps piling on more work, the media wants more headlines, the fans want more of me… It's exhausting."

Nisha leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Then maybe it's time to take a step back. You've earned the right to slow down, to focus on the things that actually matter to you."

Aman's jaw tightened. "Rajeev doesn't think so. He keeps pushing this idea that if I don't keep the momentum going, I'll lose everything."

Nisha scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Rajeev's all about numbers. He doesn't care about what's best for you—only what's best for the business. But you have to ask yourself, is this pace sustainable? Can you keep doing this for years, or are you going to burn out?"

Aman didn't have an answer. The thought of walking away, of slowing down, terrified him. But so did the idea of losing himself completely in the process. He had spent years fighting for his place in the industry, sacrificing friendships, relationships, and even parts of his own identity. Was it worth risking everything now?

As though reading his thoughts, Nisha smiled gently and reached across the table, placing her hand over his. "You don't have to do this alone, Aman. I've been thinking about this for a while, and I have an idea."

Aman raised an eyebrow. "What kind of idea?"

Nisha leaned back, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You know how much I've always loved storytelling, right? Well, what if we created something together—something outside of the typical mold of the industry?"

Aman frowned, unsure of where she was going with this. "What do you mean?"

"Something more personal," Nisha explained. "We could start a production company—just the two of us. It would give us the freedom to create the kinds of projects we believe in, without the constant pressure from big studios and corporate interests. We could set our own pace, make our own decisions, and focus on meaningful content."

Aman stared at her in disbelief. "You want to start a production company with me?"

Nisha nodded eagerly. "Yes. Think about it—there's so much untapped potential out there, and you already have the name, the connections, and the talent. I've got the business experience, and together, we could actually make something that matters. We wouldn't have to chase every headline or be at the mercy of people like Rajeev."

For the first time in a long while, Aman felt a flicker of excitement in his chest. The idea was intriguing, almost liberating. It was a chance to reclaim his autonomy and escape the suffocating demands of the entertainment industry. But as appealing as it sounded, it wasn't without risks.

"I don't know, Nisha…" Aman hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "That's a huge gamble. What if it doesn't work? What if I end up losing everything?"

Nisha's gaze was steady. "You've been playing it safe for a while now, Aman. Isn't it time you took a risk for something that's actually worth it?"

Her words struck a chord deep within him. For so long, Aman had been operating on autopilot, doing what was expected of him and following the path others had laid out. But now, the idea of creating something for himself—something that aligned with his values—was tempting. For the first time in years, he imagined a future where he wasn't just surviving, but thriving.

He glanced back at Nisha, who was watching him with hopeful eyes. "You really think we could pull this off?"

Nisha grinned, her confidence infectious. "I know we can. But it's up to you, Aman. You have to decide what you really want."

Aman leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. The production company idea was bold, ambitious, and filled with uncertainty. But it was also the first time in a long while that he felt a glimmer of control over his future.

He took a deep breath and looked Nisha in the eye. "Okay," he said, his voice steady. "Let's do it."

---

That night, Aman lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the future and the new venture he had just agreed to. It was terrifying, yes, but there was also a strange sense of calm that accompanied the decision.

As the city hummed outside his window, he realized that for the first time in a long time, he had taken a step toward something that wasn't dictated by others. It was his choice, his risk, and maybe—just maybe—his chance to find the meaning he had been searching for all along.