Episode #1
Jaise They Met

Why are you two so adamant to take me to this party?” Roshi asked, looking towards Juhi and Ruksar.
Β  Β “Asking me?” Ruksar, the caretaker of Roshi’s house who was also a motherly figure to her, made a goofy face. “My agenda is clear. I am going to eat something good after ages. I mean, not as if I am not getting anything at our place. It’s just that since the day your mother was in town… Anyway, you know the rest of the story. Isn’t it, beti jaan?” Ruksar looked at Roshi who sat to her left, then towards Juhi to her right and giggled. Her mouth watered thinking about her favourite thing on the planet- food.
Β  Β Roshi’s bodyguard, Shiva and driver Kishan sitting at the front smiled secretly too. Both of them were like family to her. She also tied Rakhi to them. They had been with Roshi since her initial days before she became famous.
Β  Β Ruksar, by the way, was happy for two reasons that day. One- this was one of the few parties where Roshi was taking her. And two- she was given time before leaving, to complete her fifth namaz of the day, which she wouldn’t miss for the world. Post namaz, Ruksar was always happy for no reason at all.
Β  Β “Baby! See this,” Ruksar exclaimed gazing out from the windscreen of the car, pointing at a huge hoarding. It had a poster of Roshi’s latest blockbuster movie- Instagram Wala Love, which had crossed a hundred crore mark within just seven days of its release. Juhi was the supporting actress in the movie. Roshi’s eyes caught hold of the view of the other hoardings passing by. Their fast-paced sedan had crossed the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.
Β  Β Juhi opened her mouth to speak. “Babe! We are going there as you need to get out of your non-socializing self and start making more friends. And, by the way, Abeer is a wonderful guy. And, he especially asked me to bring you. Thank God, Ruksar aunty convinced an otherwise boring you,” she said in her honey-dipped girly voice, bending her head to the front to look at Roshi’s face while she spoke. “And, by the way, Ruksar aunty, Abeer’s the most desired bachelor in the country,” she added in an excited tone, eyeing at Ruksar.
Β  Β “See, I am smart that ways, Juhi baby.” Ruksar and Juhi hi-fived.
Β  Β Juhi was one of the few beings Roshi knew, who was always excited – may it be a few extra likes on social media or bagging a good role in a movie or even if it’s the marriage of her friend’s pet, she was always happy and excited. Roshi hadn’t seen Juhi having a dull moment ever. And, that was the thing Roshi wanted in her life, especially after the bad breakup she had a year back. Finally, an emotional mess that her life was in in her one year of relationship with her co-star, Keith, was now becoming sorted. While she was with Keith, she knew it was just a temporary affair and not even close to love, still she gave a lot to the relationship. And, when it’s something like that, you take time to recover. Throughout the last one year Juhi was one of the few people holding Roshi’s hand like a true friend.
Β  Β Roshi gazed out of the decently moving car thinking about how she lovedΒ the Mumbai climate after shooting in the skin-peeling heat of the Rajasthan deserts. Like any other actor, Roshi too was used to both, extreme cold as well as extremely hot weather conditions. She always used to say, “people think that film stars are very vulnerable to things around them and are very mushie-mushie types. But in fact, we, especially female stars are used to shoot in each and every condition. Even while standing in minus 20 degree Celsius, we are asked to pose and smile while we have just a chiffon saree on our shivering bodies.”
Β  Β Ruksar’s voice again fell on Roshi’s ears, “You know, Juhi baby, Roshi’s favourite work since childhood has been to look at the hoardings. When she was a kid, I used to take her to school in a tonga in Jaipur. Those times she kept on mumbling names of the shops by reading them from the boards. She used to read them aloud sometimes and tell me too. That’s how I came to know about any recent shop that had opened then.”
Β  Β “What an amazing time that was. Little eyes, big happiness,” Roshi murmured to herself, pondering on the clear, opposing difference between her life then and now.
Β  Β The evening sky had now started drizzling. It was a clear sky, still, it was raining at a patch in between.
Β  Β “Mumbai rains!” Roshi thought, her eyes at the car’s window on which were dancing droplets of water, making the red and white lights from outside, adding beauty to them.
Β  Β Roshi, from the inside, was still like that schoolgirl who used to draw a line at the center of the page with a pencil. If it was today, she would have written on the clear page – then, now.
Β  Β Now whenever she’s asked about her stardom, she adds, “whenever we are in public, firstly, we cannot go there without any security, secondly, if someone asks for an autograph or a selfie, we need to smile- no matter whether we are feeling happy at that point in time or not. And the funny thing here is, sometimes, fans – male or female, put their hands on our shoulders while posing like we are long lost buddies meeting again. That’s insane. Isn’t it? We are expected to behave composed all the time. Then they feel film stars are arrogant. Anyway, these titbits, funny things are like little grains in a mountain of amazing perks which we as actors are blessed with. Should I mention them? I think you already know.”
Β  Β While film promotions or otherwise, she had repeated those lines several times. But now, whenever someone asks her about how does it feel to be the biggest female superstar in a country like India, she just says two words, “Humbled! Blessed!”
Β  Β Soon, the car took a turn in the lane where Abeer’s mansion was. The huge gate was opened by the guards. Since Abeer was the son of one of the richest businessmen of India, Rudra Bajaj, any party at his place was the talk of the B-town.
Β  Β Roshi’s eyes fell on the marble at the wall attached to the gate, written on it was ‘Kumud’ in Hindi, with a lotus carved on it. Before arrows from the photographer’s quiver – their cameras, could hit Roshi, she rolled up down the black window roller curtain.
Β  Β Soon they were inside the eight-storied mansion. As the lift was taking them to the terrace, Juhi told Roshi about which floor of the King Midas rich, Bajajs’ residence had what. Two out of the eight floors were for parking, one floor for the dozens of servants that were at the Bajajs’ service all the time, one floor for each of the two siblings- Abeer and his brother, Abhyuday. Abeer’s was the top floor, while his brother lived on the third. The fourth floor was of his father, which Juhi iterated was one of the grandest parts of the whole manor. Juhi, with her overbearing enthusiasm, wanted the trio to make a pitstop to the fourth floor so that the made-do hostess could show off its grandeur. But Roshi asked the other two to head directly to where they were supposed to. She was met with a combined sigh from both of them.
Juhi further elaborated the fifth was a private theatre, sixth and seventh were for recreation with a gaming zone, health spa, salon, multiple swimming pools and so on. Party was on the rooftop which had an attached infinity swimming pool – the biggest of all the swimming pools in the mansion.
Β  Β According to Juhi, all the floors and rooms were immensely heightened and were royally built to perfection by a Chicago based architecture firm. A conventional building would have had twenty floors in the same area, she explained.
Β  Β “What’s the party for by the way?” Roshi asked.
Β  Β “Do they need any reason for that?” Juhi replied. “Would be any sort of success party. How does it matter, babe?”
Β  Β Dressed in a silver-coloured one piece that ended on her recently waxed thighs, Juhi’s lean figure looked even leaner. She moved her hands inside the elevator, opening and closing her Van Heusen clutch with bird-like movements, while her hair done in pigtails swung here and there. She retouched her makeup and sighed as the lift reached its pinnacle.
Β  Β Roshi smiled looking at this party animal named Juhi. She, on the other hand, was interested only in spending a little time there and to leave as quickly as she could to flop on her bed like a lazy cat. The next day was anyway a holiday and she had planned to spend the whole day at home, chilling.
Β  Β As soon as their feet touched the party area, Abeer came dashing seeing his best friend from school, Juhi. His eyes got brighter looking at the girl beside her, whom he had always wanted to meet.
Β  Β “Oh my, my! Here you are,” Abeer said, side-hugging Juhi. He then offered his hand to Roshi looking straight into her eyes adoring the beauty that stood in front of him with style and panache.
Β  Β A five-five tall, flawless, brown-skinned girl who had applied make-up as if she knew how and what amount of anything should be used when. She looked simply ravishing in a sleeveless, green-coloured party wear pant-style suit with some golden work on it.
“Hum yahin soch kar sharmate rahe ki hamare iss garibkhane mein unhe kaise bulae, humein kya pata tha ki unke pair padte hi yeh roshan-e-yaar ho jaega,” Abeer chirped in a poetic way.
Β  Β Roshi didn’t expect this in her first encounter with Abeer. She had a very different image of him from whatever she had heard from the media and whatever little she had paid attention to Juhi’s blabbering about him.
Β  Β What she saw now in Abeer was a five-and-a-half feet tall, brown-skinned boy with hazel green, honest-looking eyes. Clad in a casual white cotton trouser, an orange full-sleeved shirt that hugged his masculine chest and slippers in his feet, he was not party-ready, still, he looked like he was. Roshi, at least could sense that he was a complete fun-loving guy, very unlike the other two males of the family who were utmost formal and were real businessmen.
Β  Β Juhi once had confided to Roshi that she trusted Abeer with her life – her trust in this twenty-seven-year-old gentleman was that unshakeable. And, here Roshi was standing in front of him for the first time, listening to his shayari.Β 
Β  “Hi! I am Roshi,” she said, as her hand slid smoothly into Abeer’s. Her unconventional husky voice, just like it was for her millions of fans, felt like music to Abeer’s ears.
Β  Β “Tell us something this world doesn’t know, lady.”
Β  Β “Everyone’s going to die one day,” Roshi quipped instantly.
Β  Β “Umm?” Abeer looked at her with a quizzical expression.
Β  Β “Isn’t that something this world doesn’t know? Everyone’s so busy running as if they will live forever,” Roshi replied with a glint of mischief in her eyes. Everyone laughed. She was now in her alternate avatar, the avatar in which she always shifted to whenever she was in the public eye.
Β  “Must say, I am already impressed. By the way, who is this young lady here?” Abeer turned his soft gaze towards Ruksar.
Β  Β “She is the reason why Roshi had agreed to come. Roshi’s khala jaan– Ruksar aunty, who convinced this otherwise stubborn ass. Oops! Sorry aunty,” Juhi chirped.
Β  Β “Ahan! Ruksar khala. Thank you for making this poor Aladdin’s wish of meeting the princess of India come true,” Abeer took her hand in his and kissed. Juhi looked at him with large angry eyes. She had already told him that Roshi hated flattery.
Β  Β Abeer stopped the waiter, raised two champagne glasses and offered them to the ladies. Roshi and Ruksar denied, Juhi took one. He then raised a bowl of veg kothe from another waiter’s tray and handed it over to Ruksar. Her lips broadened before she denied. Abeer insisted and she, after looking at Roshi from the side of her eyes took the bowl from him. Abeer offered the same to Roshi.
Β  Β “Don’t bother, please. We will help ourselves. Seems as if you have called the whole of our Hindi film fraternity here.” Roshi had a pinch of sarcasm in her voice as her head almost took a full circle at the venue.
Β  Β Abeer smiled before he spoke. “Sure, ladies. I would take your leave for now. Juhi! It’s your duty to take care of my special invitees. And, khala, you cannot leave from here without tasting each and every cuisine out here.”
Β  Β “Don’t worry about me. Roshi’s mummy has already tortured me enough by keeping track of what I had been eating, how much I had been eating. Finally, she went yesterday. I will not leave from here without tasting every single dish now.”
Β  Β Abeer laughed, greeted them all and left as someone called his name. Before leaving, his eyes met Roshi’s and they threw a formal smile at each other.
Β  Β Juhi looked here and there and as usual, and got excited about the party. She side-hugged, squeezing Ruksar. “Sexy! I love you.”
Β  Β Ruksar’s eyes got bigger than what her mouth was with a bunch of veg kothes in them.
Β  Β A raised-eyebrow greeting here, a hand-wave there, Roshi walked into the party. It didn’t take time for her to get stormed by her friends from the film fraternity.
Β  Β Amidst meeting and greeting them and others that included Abeer’s father and brother who were utmost busy socializing and taking care of their business-related friends, Roshi almost had no dinner. She gulped only a peg of champagne along with Greek salad, that too for courtesy, and now she was ready to leave with Ruksar. Juhi, who had just one more peg (as she said after every peg) forced Roshi to stay for the dance.
Β  Β Roshi didn’t like to leave her like that either. She asked her driver to go and drop Ruksar who was feeling sleepy after she had spent a couple of hours with her beloved- food. She had biryani in her mind that was kept at home if she got up hungry at night.
Β  Β “Drop aunty and come back soon, Kishan,” Roshi instructed before Juhi pulled her to the dance floor. The party that had close to two hundred guests was reduced to twenty in those few hours. Most of them except for Roshi and Abeer, were drinking and dancing like they had no plans to leave any liquor for the world to savour.
Β  Β Abeer’s eyes met Roshi’s as she was moving her body here and there only for formality. Abeer passed another smile at her. She reciprocated. He tried to say something to her, but all to vain as the music was quite loud. It was the last song before the DJ would quit playing. Roshi’s fingers moved and formed the what-are-you-saying posture. Right then, Juhi took her lips to Roshi’s ears and whispered something.
Β  Β Holding Juhi by her elbow while Juhi’s hands were on her mouth, Roshi straight away took her to the loo.
Β  Β After getting rid of his drunk-dancer friends within minutes, Abeer went running towards the loo.
Β  Β He stood outside the loo, the door of which was ajar. He heard Juhi puking.
Β  Β  Resting his back against the wall, he shouted, “she will not want to go home now. Am sure, aunty will not take this tweaked-out hobo inside her house like this.”
Β  Β It took a second for Roshi to understand whose voice that was.
Β  Β “But, I have to leave. Should I take her to my place?” Roshi asked.
Β  Β “Try it! This is her every time thing since childhood. Then, it was some or the other reason, now she just likes to get sloshed. She loves being at my place and troubling me all the time. I know her well,” Abeer replied.
Β  Β There was silence for a while.
Β  Β “By the way, why didn’t you drink? You don’t drink?” Roshi asked, her hand on Juhi’s almost naked back, facing towards Abeer as if she could see him. His side face and the half-moon were visible to her.
Β  Β “I drink only on days on which God makes every child in this country safe and happy.”
Β  Β “What do you mean?”
Β  Β Right that moment, someone called Abeer’s name from outside.
Β  Β “Abeer, mere bhai. Play the songs na yaar. We want to dance more,” Abeer’s friend, Nirav squeaked pointing towards the lawn near the swimming pool where four girls and two boys were dancing something like a mix of garba and waltz. Most of Abeer’s friends were gone. Those who were left were either doing something they deemed dancing, or had made themselves comfortable sitting at the side of the pool with their legs dangling in the water.
Β  Β “Look at those innocent faces there. Look at them, Abeer.” As soon as Nirav said that, they all made puppy faces looking at Abeer.
Β  “Dude, am I a DJ?” Abeer asked.
Β  Β “Nope. You are AB. Hehe… By the way, what are you doing? Haww! You came here to puke.”
Β  Β “It’s Juhi!”
Β  Β “Haww! You made Juhi pregnant. Girls, listen to me,” Nirav shouted before being stopped by Abeer.
Β  Β “Nirav, my brother! Why don’t you do one thing. Play your favorite songs on your cell phone. Be the change you want to see in this world. Right? You be the DJ.”
Β  Β “Haan! Amazing. I love you, bro. Hey, girls, I am your DJ for tonight,” Nirav kissed Abeer’s cheek before leaving from there. Meanwhile, Juhi stood up and washed her mouth.
Β  Β Both the girls came out. Abeer circled Juhi’s one hand around his shoulder and started walking. Roshi accompanied. Abeer then took her to the guest room which was above the terrace.
Β  Β He made Juhi lie down on the bed, Roshi took her heels off and spread the comforter on her as they both came out of the room.
Β  Β “Whose room is that, by the way? Yours?” Roshi asked looking at the huge room made of glass adjacent to the guest room. Soft night lamps were lit everywhere on the terrace outside where they were standing.
Β  Β “Yupp! Though mine is the…”
Β  Β “Eighth floor. I know!” Roshi said.
Β  Β “Juhi? Right?”
Β  Β Roshi smiled.
Β  Β “This is the room I call as a roost of dreams. I sometimes sleep here.”
Β  Β “Roost of dreams? Why?”
Β  Β “Let me tell you. But, how about coffee first?”
Β  Β “Coffee? Now?”
Β  Β “Why not? Neither of us is disgustingly full. I didn’t have any drink, and I assume so didn’t you. Except for a couple of pegs a couple of hours back with a couple of friends you were least interested to spend even a couple of minutes with. Am I right?”
Β  Β “Must say, this time I am impressed,” Roshi replied.
Β  Β “So, that’s a yes?”
Β  Β “Hope you don’t belong to that list of idiots who consider- ladki ki toh na mein bhi haan hoti hai?
Β  Β “Woah! Woah! I understand that perfectly well. A no means no!” Abeer raised his right hand in surrender.
Β  Β “Good! But I would like to have one cup. Only if you are going to make it.”
Β  Β “Of course, I am. But, if you promise to not make me terrified of you again,” Abeer joked. Roshi laughed and punched Abeer on his left shoulder as a spontaneous impulse.
Β  Β Right that moment something happened that made Roshi shocked. With Roshi’s soft punch, Abeer got unstable on his legs and something fell down on the floor.
Β  Β “Shit!” Roshi screamed, clueless of what it was. Soon Roshi’s eyes understood that it was Abeer’s hand from his elbow that was lying on the ground. Her hands automatically covered her mouth. It took her some time, but eventually, she noticed that it was not a real hand.
Β  Β She still stood shocked, while Abeer laughed, walked and picked it up attaching it to his left elbow. He then went to Roshi and held her hand by his right hand. Roshi’s hands were shivering.
Β  Β “Don’t worry. It’s like that only,” Abeer said looking at Roshi.
Β  Β “When did that happen?” Roshi asked, her voice quivering. She took the support of the wall behind her. “I mean, was it always like this? How did I not notice it? And, Juhi too didn’t mention this any time.”
Β  Β “What is it? Why are you guys shouting and not sleeping?” Juhi screamed at them from inside the guest room.
Β  Β “Go to sleep! All’s well.” Abeer smiled and closed her door.
Β  Β He looked at Roshi. “It just happened recently. Yesterday, I was going to…”
Β  Β “Stop it, Abeer! You have already scared the devil out of me.” Roshi again slapped at his shoulder. Abeer motioned as if he will throw his hand again as he smiled notoriously. Roshi widened her eyes. She now knew that it was his trick.
Β  Β Abeer walked inside his dream room, pinched his fingers two times that make all the lights and AC turned on. He then asked Roshi to come in. The room was nothing less than a lavish hall with a small room inside it which had some kitchen equipments. Roshi sat on the comfy bed, while Abeer made his way to the coffee machine.
Β  Β “Don’t worry! It’s since my birth. Initially, I used to wear a simple one. My father always wanted me to go for a prosthetic, hi-tech limb. Some years back, I agreed, but, on my own conditions. I made it modified as per my needs.” Abeer elaborated from inside the kitchen.
Β  Β Roshi hmm-ed. Her heartbeat had now become normal and she started noticing the room where she was sitting. The room was like a big inverted, rectangular bowl made completely of glass with wooden boundaries. Beautiful paintings on the sidewall, flowers and plant creepers at the side facing the beach from outside, it was a room beautifully lit with small LEDs strung along the walls.
Β  Β Her eyes fell on a small library with a sling made of net that swung via ropes, a rocking chair kept near it and a fancy lamp on the table.
Β  Β Her hand dropped on the remote control that was lying next to where she was seated on the bed. She heard a buzzing sound. The roof and the walls started getting covered up withΒ light brown polyester blinds. She pressed another button, the blinds flipped to cream colour. Roshi understood they were curtains.
Β  Β She pressed another button. They stopped and started going back from where they had come out. She was amazed at the creative idea. She put down the remote.
Β  Β Roshi pinched her fingers two times softly, trying what Abeer had done. It didn’t work. She repeated it, this time even louder. Instantly, lights of the whole room turned to something the felt like hibernation mode- very LED lights were now dimly lit and the painting which was made of radium was shining. Roshi took a 360 view of the hall, soon to understand that it was based on the theme of Rome.
Β  Β “I change it every year!” Abeer’s voice fell on Roshi’s ears. She instantly pinched her fingers again, and again the room was brightly lit.
Β  Β “Hmm?” Roshi looked at Abeer who was peeking through the kitchen.
Β  Β “Last year it was Sikkim, and the year before the last was Malibu.” Abeer smiled and left even before waiting forΒ  Roshi’s response.
Β  Β “Do you shock everyone like this?” Roshi asked in a moderately loud voice.
Β  Β From inside the kitchen, Abeer answered, “You are special!”
Β  Β There was silence for a while before his voice again fell on Roshi’s ears, “Given a choice, I would not wear it even. I mean, it’s since my birth and I am used to it. I am now programmed to do everything as if naturally everyone were born with one hand. You understand what I mean. Right?” Abeer’s hands played inside the kitchen with the coffee mugs, coffee beans, and the machine while his complete attention was on the lady sitting outside in his room.
Β  Β “Okay! But, I was literally..”
Β  Β “Shocked! I know. I’m not facing it for the first time. Obviously!” Abeer peeked out of the kitchen. “Want to know some funny incidents regarding this?”
Β  Β Roshi turned and looked at him. “Oh, yes! Please share.”

Β  Β Abeer asked her to wait for a minute. She lied down on the bed with her legs still on the ground as she watched the stars and the half-moon which looked magnificent from inside the room. She just realized she had heard the sound of the beach when they were outside. Juhu beach was visible from where she was lying down. Glittering stars above her head, she had begun to enjoy the site which she had missed since she had moved to Mumbai. Her eyes closed.

Author’s Note:

Hi!
Hope you liked the first chapter of this brand new love story. Kindly share your feedback in the Comments section down below. Also, share it with your friends who love reading.
Now, about the most asked question to me in the past one year- when is my next novel ‘No Matter What’ releasing? So, my publisher – Fingerprint publishing company has given me May’20 as the tentative date of the book’s release. Rishi, Mishi too are equally impatient and excited to meet you all. Trust me, the wait’s going to be worth it.

P.S: Second chapter of ‘Abeer & Roshi’ will be out this Valentine’s (14.02.2020). Keep reading.

Love
Rohit Dawesar