"Sometimes we feel life is ending now, or perhaps it should.
But not every ending is a happy ending, stay alive to make it one."
Without losing any more time Kruthi rushed to Tara's place. She had met Tara once, back when Tara was a star, and as an intern Kruthi was asked to observe the interview which her senior would be taking.
Back then it was glamorous, opulent. Now? no idea how Tara was living.
She went to the same place again.
31B, Flower Street
The small opulent house was still there surrounded by the lush greenery. Grasses were growing wildly, maybe no one was taking care of the garden.
And there it was, the two floored, white luxurious house, a swimming pool in front of it, and a pavement covered by the fallen leaves of trees.
She went inside, knocked the door.
No response.
Slowly she creaked the door open.
It was all dark. All lights turned off.
She stepped inside, turned on the flashlight of her phone. Suddenly something dugged in her shoes. She didn't make any noise, but her eyes widened.
It was broken glass. She trailed her flashlight forward and there she saw, a chandelier, broken.
Near it, was Tara. Sitting near the wall.
Trembling. Helpless.
Her hand was holding a piece of glass, her hair was all messed up.
"T-Tara" A whisper left Kruthi's mouth. "Please don't do that."
And surprisingly the glass fell off Tara's hand. Her grip on the glass loosened as if she herself was afraid to do something like that. Kruthi, sensing the change turned on the lights of the house.
Everything was messed up. The pillows scattered around, the sheets undone, the kitchen all messy and Tara? wasted, dressed in a normal tee and trousers which were not even ironed properly. It was rare for an actress who demanded perfection from her shooting scenes to the sugar in her tea.
"W...what happened now? After two years suddenly?" Kruthi handed her a glass of water. With trembling hands Tara accepted it and had it in one go.
"I...(sobs) I am not able to be...bear this anymore" She finally broke down. "Every damn day, I question my life. Ever since that incident I am being contacted for vulgar scenes a...as if my work in the movie is lost somewhere. I failed in my life, everything ended" She cried, hiding her face in her knees.
Kruthi gently caressed her head and spoke after a pause.
"Life is not sometimes which you want it to be. But it is not a waste either. We live, we die. But the journey between the birth and death, they decide whether your life was worth it or not. I won't stop you from suicide but yes, I will speak my opinions if they help you. Out there everyone either doesn't give a damn about you or mocks you. No one remembers the star actress of "Love at a shot". So, what if things have turned upside down? We can recreate, no?
It is your life, your movie. Just because one part of movie is bad, doesn't mean the entire movie is flop. Try, rise and maybe your life, your own movie will be a hit, inspiring other people. You are not the only one facing bad at the moment. Everyone is. I am not normalising your pain, just reminding you that this pain is of no worth compared to your life."
Tara looked up at her, wide eyed. Her lips were still trembling, but it felt as if a burden eased off her shoulders. "I...guess I needed that. You are right, I should work on myself. I cannot die in my own movie, or it will be flop." She nodded and wiped her tears. She looked around, truly looked around and whispered to Kruthi. "Sorry you had to witness this all mess."
Kruthi smiled softly and responded.
"Don't be sorry for being yourself. Though I must say, your 'yourself' is almost next to destruction" she said trying to lighten up the scenario. "Let me help cleaning this up?"
After an hour, after everything was cleaned up including Tara, both of them sat in the hall sipping hot chocolate mugs.
"So, why suddenly after two years...? Don't get me wrong but I rarely get visitors these days" Tara said with a small tentative smile.
Kruthi's smile faltered slightly. She braced herself up and told the entire dating to breakup story of her and Rushaan.
"I want to know about that scandal." Kruthi stated calmly.
Tara thought for a moment.
"During the shoot of "Love at a shot", me and Rushaan became really close. Till the extent that we started dating. It was beautiful (she smiled to herself remembering the moments). We would date anywhere he wished. Cafe's, malls, outlets, beaches...sometimes between shoots (chuckled softly). We would converse for almost every day. And just like any lovesick women, I would tease him, love him, just be myself because I trusted him. But then...(Her smile faltered) he repaid the love in the worst manner possible. After the movie became a hit, he said I overshadowed his character, that people were praising me more. I explained him that it was the effect of storyline, that he still owns the heart of the people. But no. Everyday, the romantic dates, romantic texts started to be replaced by ignorance or arguments. I soon noticed his change in his behaviour. He had multiple relationships in past. Typical playboy thing. But I was too blind in love, unable to comprehend his betrayal. How he would always text someone between our dates. Infact to an extent I also found an intimate picture of him with another actress. But he said it was photoshopped by the fans, just rumours. I trusted him."
"Before the celebration event, he again argued. But I forgave him, because I thought he was stressed. It was a big thing for someone like him to be overshadowed by his co-star. I thought he loved me still. But then, the news came out. I used to send him pictures of mine between the shoots. In short dresses to tease him. Those were meant solely for him, a..and he made it public. I yelled at him in front of media, I shouted but it didn't affect him even a single time. And finally, I realised he never loved me. He used me. Dating a new face? news headline. I could have proved that he ruined me, but all the chats from my phone were already deleted...and he made a statement that I wanted to defame him, I was jealous of him and what not." Tara wiped her tears.
"I...guess..." Kruthi paused suddenly and took out her phone. The pictures of a folder she clicked in past during her job out of confusion that why all these females documents and details were with Raj Amogh. She showed the pictures to Tara.
"A...all are either his exes or his co-stars. Even his one-night stands are there." Tara said flipping the pages eagerly, her eyes filling with warm tears. "But he'll never let you prove it." Tara whispered.
"Leave it on me my Tara sitaara." Kruthi wiped her tears gently. "God gave me an idea just now. His marriage is after five days. And five days are way more than enough for me. You just start living your life again, maybe not as an actress but as an influencer or anything. Life is too short to be worried about, so just live."
Tara nodded with a soft smile, after feeling understood for the first time after the scandal.
When Kruthi stepped out of the house, she was well determined of what to do. Now all wait was of five days.
The next day she woke up early. Instead of being meek or avoiding work, she dressed herself just fine in the white bell bottom pants and light blue shirt. She allowed her hair to remain open and after a neat makeup and complete makeover headed to office.
She went to manager, wished her good day warmly. It was surprising for Raj who was watching her from the glass window of his cabin, that for the first time after joining company, Kruthi was this happy, this vibrant, especially after their breakup. That was unlike any breakup he had.
She entered the cabin.
Calmly.
Professionally.
"You weren't supposed to be here, where's my new secretary?" He questioned her.
"Arre, sweetu ji (She said with mock sweetness. Her each step towards him was a warning he failed to comprehend) Abhi toh maine apna kaam theek se shuru kiya hai. (I have started my work right now itself) Why should I leave this soon?"
She looked in his eyes straight.
No love
No regret
just an emotion, he couldn't understand.
"Five days until I do the checkmate Rushaan Amogh. You'll wish you never had me as your manager." she thought to herself, a silent promise.