#4: Turning out Scriptwriter

Days were elapsing, Kunal never tried to talk to me after our last encounter. Nor was I ready to bond up with them, afresh. It was better, to maintain a distance, for everyone's wellbeing. One fine day, as I was attending a lecture, a student entered our class. I was occupied in reading a paragraph that the professor had asked us to.

“Shanaya Shikawath'' Professor took my name, and I stood getting startled. Drupa too was stunned, who was sitting beside me. “You are called to the dean's cabin.” That made me dumbfounded, why would dean call me?

I nodded, as I saw Professor halted his class, providing me time to move out. Drupa shared with me a flummoxed look, but she blinked her eyes assuring me everything would turn out fine. I moved out of the bench and soon made my way towards the dean cabin, which had been upstairs.

I walked through the corridor and finally stood outside the cabin. A staff member was sitting outside, “Dean called me up.” I informed him, he was wearing a sky blue color uniform, which was worn by other staff members in the university, excluding teaching staff.

He smiled, “you can get in. She had been waiting for you,” I smiled a nervous one, listening to it. Why was she waiting for me? Getting anxious, I gave a knock. And a voice was heard, who permitted me, so I entered in.

As I moved inside, I found a lady of near sixties as her grey hairs and the furrows of wrinkled face indicated it. She was sitting in a big armchair. Leaning her back on it, she removed the spectacles as she saw me moving in. “So you are Shanaya Shikhawath,” she stared at me suspiciously for which I nodded.

“As you’re cognizant of the play which is organized by us each year. As always, Kunal was going to write it up, but due to some complications, he had to depart. So he suggested your name on his behalf, as we are left with no other alternative. I am picking you as a scriptwriter, do you have any objection?” She inquired, staring at me with a stern gaze.

How could I deny it? Her stern face was clear evidence that she won’t take a no. I just gave a slight nod, why Kunal had to offer my name? That would mean bearing Rithvik once again, and allowing him to make my life a living hell! “The practice is going in the auditorium and here is half-written script of his, you can take the help of it. And if you want to modify, you can even do it.” She forwarded the page, I moved and took it from her.

I glanced at the paper, it was printed. “You can leave,” those words by dean made me look at her, she seemed, occupied with the files spread on her desk. I glimpsed at her and then moved out thanking her for her precious time.

I had the least knowledge about Kunal's disappearance. Not that it offended me, but why did he offer my name? I shook my head, again had to face that demon. Moved my way out, the guard passed me a smile. I faked a smile, as I didn't want to seem rude. After the meeting with the dean, and been informed about the script. I gazed at the paper in my hand, there was nothing ecstasy.

I plod my way back to the class, as the professor had left. On the entire way, thinking about the new task appointed to me. Drupa was gazing at me. Waiting that I would hand her some piece of information about my encounter with the dean, as I got on my place beside her.

“So?” She urged me to start, I gazed at her. Giving in, I opened my mouth.

“She handed me the half-written script of Kunal. He suggested my name to proceed with it, as he is on break.” I informed her for which she grinned.

“Wow! That would be so amazing, that means you will be our scriptwriter.” She was delighted on listening to it, as that meant accompanying her during rehearsals. Which she was asking me, from days.

“Nothing is exciting about it, as I never wrote a script. I had offered to help Kunal, not to write the entire script on my own. Why did he recommend my name?” I cried out, for which Drupa rolled her eyes.

“I have never seen a girl like you, here you are forwarded with an opportunity to show off your skill rather than excepting it up. You’re denying it just for your insecurities.” She narrowed her eyes on me, I was going to open my mouth but she didn't provide me with a chance. “I get you’re nervous but as a guide, you have Kunal script with you." Eyeing at the paper which was still clutched in my hand. "Even then you need help, I am there. So just go with it, without having a second thought.” She patted my shoulder trying to enliven me up.

It was so easier said than done, I too used to motivate people but when it came about me, I lost all the hope. I was not able to concentrate on any lectures as my mind was occupied with only thoughts of the script. Somehow the day got over, and I had been sitting in my hostel room. Trying to figure out, how to start? I had read enough of Kunal’s written paper. Still, not a single concept popped in my mind, I was scratching my head with the pencil in my hand.

He had written down on an inter-caste love story, portraying Rithvik having the typical prince charming trait that each girl desires. I could never depict Rithvik in such a character, I kept Kunal script aside. Opened a book and started jotting down, a character that would suit a person like Rithvik. My roommate had been watching some series on her cell, with the volume big enough for the entire university to hear it. Aware that requesting her up was a waste of time, I pulled on earphones and started writing down. No more distraction on way, I beamed with that thought.

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I rubbed my eyes, as the sunbeams peeping from the window awoken me up. I was least aware when I fell asleep while writing down the points, I gazed at the book beside me. Fortunately, I was able to finish off the basic plot of the drama. I walked to my washroom, glancing at the bed beside mine. It was vacant, which meant that again Kiran, who was my roommate was hanging with her boyfriend. She used to be engaged with her boyfriend at night. Most of the girls of the university were, I was least drawn to that stuff. I kept myself centered on studies, as I had set my standard highs about the person I desired as my life partner. Had the least interest, in dating some random guys.

The subject to blame for was my nature and second was the novel I used to read. As Kunal had mentioned in his script, that was the exact guy any girl would wish but that didn’t suit Rithvik. I laughed at the thought, I won’t ever fall with a person like Rithvik traits. Enjoying my warm bath, I got into a blue kurta and black jeans. Walking in front of the dressing table, I combed my hair and put on a ponytail. Though I liked keeping my hair off, I was well aware that my curly hair didn’t look presentable when left free as they turned frizzy. The reason, I always tied it up.

I took my bag, kept the books inside it along with the Kunal script, and moved out simpering. As I had accomplished writing the plot of the script down. Drupa was eagerly waiting for me standing outside the hostel. She grinned on seeing me smiling, “seems like you finished your script?” She predicated and I nodded answering her up. “Really! I want to read it then, so how is the story ending?” She inquired, getting curious.

I looked at her confused, as she had mistaken that I continued Kunal script. Though that was my earlier thought, “I am not continuing the script but wrote an entirely new one.” I giggled, a hint of enthusiasm lying in it.

It got her confounded, “are you even serious! Just yesterday, you were grumbling that you had never written a script. Getting all anxious, I got so concerned regarding you. And now all you do is, come and tell me that you wrote the entire script on your own.” Drupa was petrified, by the news, that made me chuckle. “Show me the script,” she urged, glaring at me.

“I will, once we get into the university.” I winked making her grimaced, but she followed me without further argument.

As we ended inside the gate and was making our way towards the canteen. A girl moved towards us, “are you Shanaya Shikawath?” She asked for which I nodded, getting perplexed. Why she was inquiring about me?

“Professor Fernades is calling you up. And you’re Drupa, right? You both are called for the recitation of the play.” Informing us, she moved with her gang.

I and Drupa eyed at each other. “The practice started so early?” Drupa was amazed by it. I shrugged my shoulders and both made their way towards the auditorium as the practice was taking place over there.

We slide open the door and found everyone already amassed over there, along with a professor. He looked at us as if he had been waiting for us. He passed a smile, and we gifted him with a timid one. “So as I had updated you earlier, Shanaya will replace Kunal and will write the script for us.” He introduced me to the crowd present over there. The people who were going to enact my script, I gaze at them all. There stood Reema and Ayaan, who passed a smile. They didn't seem depressed finding my presence, nor was the others except Preethi and Rithvik. The latter one rather seemed mad on me, reason well known to only him.

“Shanaya, I welcome you on behalf of all. As you know that we required a scriptwriter as Kunal had to go for some personal reason.” Professor spoke, which gained my attention. He sounded displeased, maybe because Kunal backed off from the charge without prior notice.

“There must have been some reason or he would have never done it.” Reema tried to convince the professor, though they had a cold war still she stood up for Kunal. That stunned me, she was not that irate at him as she conveyed.

“And he even helped us up, suggesting Shanaya’s name.” Ayaan pointed it out, I glanced at Rithvik who was glowering at the professor. He was quivering in anger, if it was in his hand then the professor might have been resting in peace. His burning amend eyes indicated it, the professor soon glimpsed at it and decided to shut his mouth.

“Leave it, let’s focus back on our play.” Professor gulped his saliva and glanced at me. “Did you write anything down?” He asked me but before I could refuse, as I was nervous. I wanted to take Drupa’s opinion first before handing it off to the professor but Drupa added her words and mess it up as always.

“Sir, she had completed the entire script.” As she spoke it out getting excited, all the gaze was fixed on me. To my astonishment even Rithvik was stunned, it was the first time he showed some other emotion other than anger.

“Did I get it right! Did she say she finished the script?” Ayaan affirmed it from Reema, who gave him a node and diverted her whole attention back to me.

Professor mistrust Drupa's words, “can I have a look at it?” Only those words came out of his mouth. I nodded and removed my bag from my shoulder, taking the book out. I riffle through the pages and resting on the page written, I delivered him the book.

Taking the step towards them, I felt people watching me. Rithvik intense eyes set on me, I ignored it when I saw Preethi too was scowling at me, I had to tolerate her too! I signed so that meant she was cast opposite Rithvik. I went and stood beside Drupa.

My gaze was fixed on the professor, I was clenching my salwar suit tightly, getting afraid. Drupa was biting her nails, she too was feeling the same. I was feeling a persistent gaze but was avoiding it up, Rithvik was looking at me continuously. Maybe he was angry with me for substituting his friend Kunal, who even yearned to do so? It was Kunal who proposed my name, and the dean who left me with no possibility but only accept the obligation. He should be irate at them rather than torturing me with that deathful gaze.

“Wonderful! Astounding! Such an amazing concept,” Professor reverenced me up as he was done examining the script. “You altered the entire concept, it seems so right now. Instead of Rithvik wandering around Preeti, it would be vise-versa. I loved it! Earlier I felt that something was missing but now everything seems accurate.” I smiled listening that he relished the concept. “Now I am not at all sad that Kunal forsook us because we got a better scriptwriter than him.” I just bent my head hearing to it as I knew that his friends were present and that they wouldn't appreciate such a remark.

“Now that you’re finished with the script, I think you should retire. The rest will be managed by us,” Rithvik directly strived him to leave.

“Don’t you know how to act before your professor? How can you speak in such a manner?” Professor turned exasperated.

“Sir, you take him wrong. He just said that you might be occupied so we don’t want to bother you. So you are free to take the leave.” Reema put in an excellent manner, this was the first time I saw Reema defending Rithvik. Though they shared their difference, still had each other back to lean on.

“Don’t need to cover it up for your brother, I am well aware of what he intended.” Professor was snarling at Reema, "only if your mom was not the dean." He grumbled, but I was flabbergasted after overhearing it. Wait! What? Did he just utter? Did he call the dean, her mother? Does that mean, she was... I was interrupted in my thought process by Rithvik.

“Don’t you dare to call me her brother as I am not like the mother-daughter duo, they are nothing to me.” Rithvik roared back, I gazed at him. Why was he so harsh with his sister?

Professor didn’t bicker back on that matter and departed from there, I glanced at Reema who seemed vexed seeing Rithvik had such cold behavior towards her. Ayaan was trying to provide succor, rubbing her shoulder.

I gazed at Drupa for an answer, she blinked her eyes. And whispered in my ear, “you heard it correct.

I narrowed my eyes at her, “don’t you think you’re very much early to speak it up?” I muttered sarcastically, for which she rolled her eyes.

“I had not told you because of the loud reaction Rithvik gave whenever it was mentioned. No one knows why he does that,” Drupa shrugged her shoulder with that.

Strange! What was he even? Didn't acted with Reema as a sibling nor preferred mentioning his mom. What does he want in his life? I huffed, why was he so complex human?

“So shall we start?” He almost barked, making me jump due to his sudden voice.

No one dared to open their mouth due to the horror as anger was emitting from Rithvik eyes, which usually were brown but it seemed red at that moment.

“Let us first read the script?” Ayaan tried, shivering in fear. Rithvik just gave a node, and he signed in relief.

Rithvik took the book in his hand and started scanning the pages, turning one after another. I doubted whether he was reading or glancing at it? As he was done he delivered it to Ayaan who was standing near him, with that the book was handed from one to another.

“You had written it beautifully,” Ayaan complimented Reema just gave a smile. She was not her usual self after the rudeness she underwent from her brother among the group. I could sense her sadness and that made me glower at Rithvik but accidentally, he glanced at me at the exact moment. I had to look away, I was just pleading that he didn’t spot me glaring at him.

As everyone was done with viewing the script, they all peeped at Rithvik. I was confused when Drupa murmured in my ears. “He is not only the lead actor but also the director, who will judge whether the script is selected or not?

If he was the one, then what was the professor doing? “Why did the professor came then? And why did he ask about the script?” I was annoyed, Rithvik would never like my script. Not that I was fond of becoming a scriptwriter but I was not at all fond of getting humiliated in the crowd once again.

“Professor was doing his work, but Rithvik prefers to do things according to him. At times he even expelled Kunal’s idea and everyone had to accept it, there was no escape.” Drupa was terrifying me more, I frowned at her. Though she was adoring him while describing his traits.

“And when were you planning to tell me this? Why the hell! You didn’t inform me about it yesterday?” I was gnarring at her, if I knew it before I would have never chosen to write as I would never work under that nasty person, moreover he was a psycho.

“I don’t like interference if the topic is more pleasant, then you two are free to leave.” He spoke bluntly, making me glanced at him. Preethi giggled, on seeing us receiving his scolding.

“So let me speak about the script, there are some points I didn’t relish. You’re done with the plot, basically how the story is going to turn out. But the dialogue is not accepted by the character to speak. I will go with it as the scene and rehearsals occur.” His eyes were staring straight into mine. I couldn’t match with his intense gaze so I had to look away.

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I was sitting in the canteen, after our assemblage in the auditorium. Initially, I was mad at Rithvik for spotting out my error, but when I had a glance. I felt he was not solely wrong, some dialogues didn’t match with the character and as I wrote it down in the rush, I had missed to notice it. And basically, it was a mere idea, the thing troubled me was him asking me to complete it by tomorrow. I was involved with it and the canteen was filled; only one table was vacant other than mine. When I heard Reema and Ayaan entering in, as everyone turned silent on seeing them entering. That fear they hold on students, I shook my head engrossing back on the script.

“Hey, Shanaya!” Reema called me, waving her hand. I smiled at her, glancing at them once again. Whole eyes fixed on me, at that moment.

“Scared kitten turned out to be a professional script-writer.” Ayaan kidded for which Reema punched him up. “Owch!” he gasped in pain.

“Stop! Calling her that,” she glared at him.

“Then what should I call her with? You don’t allow me to call her by her name nor with her nickname. So what should I do?” He asked innocently but cursed his faith, on seeing her turning fierce.

“That means, you retain her name?” She had taken the glass in her hand all set to wet Ayaan.

“When I told her, I knew her name? It was a slip of the tongue and nothing else.” Ayaan gave the best excuse which rolled out of his tongue and I laughed out loud listening to it.

"Gorgeous," as I heard someone muttered it. I glimpsed at the person, and he turned out to be Rithvik.

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