Chapter 4

Mohit’s POV

After talking with Robin, I decided that even if I could not tell my family that I loved Robin, I would not give in… I would resist meeting that girl.

So I took a deep breath and then I called my mom back.

“Hello!” She picked up the phone and said sweetly.

“Hello, mum!”

“So, you got time to call me?” She said in a taunting way. She loves me a lot but gets annoyed that I rarely go home.

“Mum, I was very busy. You know that I have an exhibition this week. I am buried in my work up to my nose.”

“Oh please Mohit, you are always busy. I would not take it. You are going to meet the girl. I booked a table for both of you at The Leela Palace. Be there at the time...” She gave me an order.

“Mum, I can’t go today. I am working very late.” I retorted.

“No excuses Mohit! You are always busy… Always working late. Enough is enough! I would not take no for an answer. Be there at 8:30 sharp. Be nice to the girl.” She gave me the ultimatum.

“Mum, if you want me to talk to the girl then it has to be next week only. I am even sleeping in my studio apartment. I am too busy to go anywhere. What is the point in meeting someone if I take it as an order from you?”

“Ok, if you can’t come out then I will send the girl to your office.” She kind of threatened me. She was quite capable of doing that.

“What? No mum… Not here. I told you I can meet her next week at the earliest. Take it or leave it. You can’t force it on me. For God’s sake, I am almost 27...”

“Yes, that is what I am saying… You are almost 27. When would you get married? When would you have kids? All my friends have got their kids married. They have grandchildren.”

“Even you have grandchildren. Maya has such cute kids.” I reminded her of my elder sister’s kids.

“I meant to say I want to be a Daadi now (paternal grandmother). Go and meet her.”

“I can go next week at the earliest. It is your decision now as I would not go today.”

“Ok fine… Next week it is then. And just no excuses this time.”

“Ok mum… Bye, I have lots of things to see. Don’t forget to come to the exhibition.”

“Oh, I will be there… Won’t miss it at any cost. Bye… Take care.” She said and disconnected the call.

Thank God… But as far as I knew, she would not let me go off the hook that easily. I shook my head, I have to find a way out of this.

***

We worked like maniacs for the week and Everything was impeccable. I checked and rechecked many times.

Robin was in Mumbai as one of the movies he was giving music for, was starting the recording of the songs that week. So he was needed there and was also very busy.

I wanted him to be here with me but I understand that he was also busy.

It was the day of the exhibition and finally, the time had come to put my plan into action.

It was 5 in the evening, everything was settled and under control. Only one thing was to be taken care of. Just the supermodel who was supposed to be the showstopper had not arrived yet.

I acted as if I had started to panic and I kept trying her phone but it was not reachable. Harry tried calling her manager. She informed me that she would not be able to make it as she got some viral infection all of a sudden and she was admitted to the hospital.

I was tense as even if I tried, I could not arrange a famous female model at such short notice. I looked as if I was about to get a heart attack.

But in reality, I planned to give recognition to Manu for her incredible work.

She was also feeling very bad for me and tried to contact a few famous models whose pictures she had clicked earlier to persuade them to come but it was extremely short notice and nobody could commit to making it.

They all refused and I acted as if I was literally on the verge of losing it. All of a sudden I started staring at her and before she could say anything, I caught her hand and took her to one of the rooms which was reserved for that supermodel.

“What happened Mohit? Why have you brought me here?”

“Get ready Manu, you are going to wear the dresses she was supposed to wear.”

“What? Are you out of your mind? Listen, Mohit please calm down. Take a deep breath.”

“You take a deep breath and get ready. You are going to be my showstopper today.” I said.

“Mohit, have you already lost it? I can’t. I am not even a model.”

“Yes, you are not, but you are a celebrity, it is high time, people should recognize you by face. This beautiful face and awesome body are supposed to be in front of the camera. You are the best fashion photographer, you have been behind my success and always been behind the camera. But I want the world to know that you are much more than just a talented photographer behind the camera.” I said.

“Don’t be absurd Mohit… Let me go.” She tried to get out of the room.

“No, I can’t afford to let you go. As it is, I have no other option. None of the models, which are here, would be able to change so fast. Please Manu, you need to do this for me. Please… We can’t allow all the efforts we all made and money to go to the drain.”

“But Mohit...”

“There are so many people here, what about the reporters? Do you want us to get bad reviews? What would they report? We can’t afford to do that. We have no choice. You gotta do this. Please, I request you.”

“But Mohit, I won’t be able to pull it off. I am not even a model. I don’t look like them. I can’t even walk like a model… Those dresses won’t even fit me. This is a bad idea.”

“You look more beautiful than most of the models. You have a great body. You can flaunt any of those dresses without any alterations with those perfect curves of yours. Trust me you look fabulous, stop hiding under those fully covered clothes.”

“But Mohit...”

“Oh please… stop saying- but Mohit… Get ready fast. No further discussion on this. You need to do this for us. Too many things and above all our reputation is at stake.” I said and left her alone.

There were two dresses, which she had to wear for different categories. I left her no choice but to get ready.

I had already sent an invitation to Sahil.

He asked me to book a room for them at the hotel but I told him that a room was already booked for manu to rest there as she was there since morning.

Guests had started coming, just then I saw Sahil coming towards me and asked about Manu.

“Sorry Sahil, you can’t meet her right now because she is getting ready for the show.” I explained to him everything.

“What? She is going as a show stopper?”

“Yes… And no one deserves to be a showstopper more than her. She is awesome and the most important thing is she is one of the reasons I am doing so well in my business. Because of her excellent pictures. Now is the time to come in front of the camera.” I said and he smiled and nodded.

“Well that is amazing… what I am a bit concerned about is that she is just too shy.” Sahil said.

“Well, that adds to the beauty, as she is going to wear bridal dresses. She would look like a bride and a bride needs to look beautiful and shy just the way she would look today. The beauty with real innocence, which cannot be feigned. Trust me she would be perfect for this.”

“Thanks, Mohit, I needed a favor from you...” He asked for a favor and I grinned and said that it would be done.

I made a phone call right at that moment to make arrangements. He thanked me and went to take his seat and just then I saw my mom. She was coming towards me.