This morning Mumbai lost its smile. The sky turned cloudy and the wind start to blew coldly. Kajol walked hand in hand with Shahrukh to the front door of their house where Shahrukh's favorite white car and his driver were waiting.
"Are you sure you wanna leaving this early ?" Kajol asked Shahrukh for the hundred times as she steps down through the stairs.
Shahrukh nodded then put on his leather jacket. "I promised Farhan to finish the filming schedule as soon as possible. Yesterday I took a day off so today I will leave early to finish the delayed shooting."
Gani and Ravi were busy loading Shahrukh's bags into the car, while he was busy in calls with Pooja.
"Yes, I came today. Just wait at the set. Yes, I'm leaving soon. This time I won't be late." Kajol just chuckled hearing those last sentence. Everyone from the industry knew about Shahrukh's bad habits that never arrived on time for filming. Of course it's difficult for them to believe Shahrukh, but that must be done. Then Shahrukh put his phone back in his pocket and turned to his wife.
"Maa and Tanisha will come to visit this afternoon. I hope you can go home early and join us for dinner." said Kajol.
"I'm not sure about that but I'll try." replied Shahrukh. He grabbed his sunglasses and wore it.
"I'm leaving." he said as he kissed Kajol's forehead and cheeks and lips. Then he bent down and said goodbye to his little angel who's still in his wife's womb. "Be a good kid in there, okay. Be a health and strong baby. We can't wait to welcome you to the world." he whispered while stroking it gently. Kajol just smiled at the sight before her.
Shahrukh returned to his feet. Both of them smiled at each other. "Be careful on your way, Shah." said Kajol.
"Get enough rest. If anything happens, call me immediately." Shahrukh ordered. Kajol just nodded. He waved his hand before getting into the car and leaving his house slowly.
After Shahrukh's car disappeared from the gate of their house, Kajol stepped out of her front yard and walked into the backyard to do her morning walk. She was forced to just walk around Mannat because Shahrukh wouldn't allow her to go outside without his company. He worries too much about her. He was afraid that strangers would do as they pleased and endanger her safety.
She greeted all of her household assistants who were working that morning. Even though she was alone with Shahrukh in such a big house, she never felt lonely. Everyone in Mannat really likes her. Her warm and friendly attitude towards everyone made her quickly accepted in her new environment. In the backyard she met Fazad, one of her house guards who was seen lifting a large box and was about to throw it away. Kajol frowned then decided to approach him.
"Good morning." She said while smiling.
Fazad turned and was slightly surprised by the arrival of his employer. He smiled nervously and put the large box beside his feet. "Good morning ma'am."
"What will you do with the box ?"
Fazad glanced at the box under his feet. "Ah, this one.. Shahrukh sir asked me to throw it away."
Kajol frowned and looked intently at the box. "What is it that makes Shahrukh want to throw it away ?"
Fazad didn't answer right away. He had promised Shahrukh not to tell anyone especially Kajol about the box. He turned away and tried to find the right words to answer her questions.
"Fazad ?" Kajol looked at him suspiciously. His attitude that was so strange made her conclude something.
"That's ... That's just ... things that are already unused. Sir asked me to pick them up in the warehouse then throw them away... Ya, throw them away." said Fazad in a slightly hoarse voice.
Kajol paused for a moment. Shahrukh has never had a habit like this. He never told his house guards to take or throw something away from the warehouse. Kunal will do it in every end of the month. "Are you sure ? You're not trying to fool me, are you ?"
Fazad only nodded. He hurriedly lifted up the box and said goodbye to avoid another question. "Excuse me, madam. There is a lot of work that I have to do."
Fazad bowed his head then walked away. Kajol still feels odd about the box. She felt Fazad had lied to her. "Fazad, wait."
Fazad stopped in his tracks. His heart was beating fast. Again he turned and tried to make his smile not look stiff.
Kajol stepped and stopped right in front of him. "Put it down. I want to see it."
Fazad was silent for a few moments. He knew he couldn't avoid it anymore. But on the other hand, he didn't want to break his promise.
"Put it down, Fazad." Kajol urged once more.
Fazad surrendered. He placed the box on the ground and took a few steps back. He allowed Kajol to see it for herself.
Kajol unwrapped the wrapping paper and glances at the contents of the box. She was surprised when she saw it wasn't the unused things from warehouse like what Fazad said before, but a large bouquet of white roses and some things for pregnant women. She turned her gaze to Fazad who was looking at her nervously.
"Who sent all this ?" She asked.
"Ajay Devgan." answered Fazad. Kajol was shocked when she heard that name. She didn't think Ajay would do this.
"When I told Shahrukh sir about this box, he immediately ordered me to throw it away and asked me not to tell anyone especially to you, ma'am. That's why I lied to you. I'm sorry." Fazad continued by clasped his hand and lowering his head.
Kajol wasn't surprised why Shahrukh immediately ordered Fazad to do this. She knew how much her husband hated Ajay. Apart from that, she didn't notice any strange in the 'gift' that Ajay sent to them.
"Please bring this box inside." Ordered Kajol while stepping away from Fazad.
Fazad only nodded and obeyed Kajol's orders. He walked following her until they reached the living room. Kajol asks him to put the box there. After completing his task, Fazad excused himself and left her alone.
Kajol opened the big box again and took out the contents. She was surprised. Ajay gave so many things for her. Then she took out a greeting card and read it.
To : Mr & Mrs Khan
"May you always be happy and your child can be born healthy and safe."
- Ajay Devgan -
Kajol smiled reading it. Her heart is telling the truth. Ajay has truly admitted his mistake. His apologies yesterday were sincere and not fake. Unfortunately, Shahrukh didn't realize that. She sighed in relief. She stroked her stomach while smiling.
"You will be born with so much happiness."
**
Shahrukh placed his script on the table in front of him and reached for the can drink Pooja had bought for him. He grabbed a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and blew out the smoke. Then he glanced at his watch, seven o'clock at night. He asked Pooja for his phone, who was sitting next to him. He sent a message to his wife, Kajol, that he couldn't go home earlier. He also said sorry for Tanuja and Tanisha for not being able to join them for dinner. The filming of this film takes a lot of his time. He hopes his schedule can be finished on time so he can have more free time to spend with his family.
"Shahrukh," Pooja called out to him.
Shahrukh averted his eyes from his phone while giving her a questioning look.
"What made you absent yesterday ?" asked Pooja.
Shahrukh frowned. "I think I've explained it to you."
"But it feels strange... I mean, what's wrong with Ajay Devgan coming to your house ? Isn't that actually good for your career ?"
Shahrukh puffed out his smoke while keeping his phone in his pocket. "You know what that bastard did to my life."
"Then ?"
"How can I leave Kajol alone with that guy ? You think I believe him ?" Shahrukh replied while smoking his cigarette deeply.
"You don't believe him ?" asked Pooja, reassuring herself. Shahrukh only nodded.
"Then what's the point of him coming to your house and apologizing ? Do you hate him that much ?"
Shahrukh chuckled and justified his sitting position. "He knelt down to me, begging for forgiveness right under my feet, but still my heart didn't change."
Pooja rounded her eyes. She didn't expect Ajay to do something that low.
"Are you kidding me ?"
"I'm telling the truth. Why am I making up stories ?" Shahrukh said with a smirk on his lips.
'Wow ...' That was the only response Pooja could give to Shahrukh's shocking story. Now she understood why Shahrukh had insisted on taking a day off yesterday.
"Then what about your wife ? What is her response ? She doesn't know about the arrival of her ex-husband, does she ?" asked Pooja, again.
Shahrukh paused for a moment. He just realized one thing. Kajol said nothing during their brief meeting with Ajay. She do nothing. He is more dominating talks with Ajay rather than her. Even after the meeting was over, Kajol didn't discuss anything. At that time he just realized that he himself didn't know how his wife reacted to the meeting.
Shahrukh puffed his cigarette smoke deeply. He leaned back in his actor's chair then brushed his hair back. "I don't know."
Pooja frowned, surprised. "How could you not know ? She was there with you, right ? Didn't She say a word ?"
Shahrukh shook his head. He wasn't sure by his own heart. He wasn't sure that his wife had the same views as him.
In the midst of their conversation, Priyanka came over to them. Behind her back, her assistants seems busy carrying her bags. She threw a smile at Shahrukh. While that man just turned his head and smiled back at her.
"You're stay ?" Priyanka asked.
Shahrukh nodded. "There are some scenes that I haven't finished yet."
Priyanka nodded several times.
"You seem to be ready to go home." said Shahrukh.
"Uh, yeah.. My scenes is over." Priyanka answered.
Shahrukh raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Nice."
Pooja only noticed the two people in front of her. She looked at Priyanka with a gaze.
After a long period of silence, Priyanka finally broke it with her voice. "I say goodbye. Night is getting late."
Shahrukh rose from his seat and hugged Priyanka briefly. "Be careful on your way, Pri. Have a nice night." he said.
Priyanka just smiled. She kissed Shahrukh's right cheek, waved her hand at Shahrukh and then left.
Shahrukh was stunned for a few seconds. He sat down in his chair while holding his cheek. It was the first kiss he had ever received from his female co-star. Except Kajol, of course. Previously, no one of his female co-star to behave that brave to him behind the camera. His heart beats fast when remembering the incident.
Pooja looked annoyed at Shahrukh who she said was overreacting. She nudged his arm and spoke a little loudly so that he would come to his senses. "Shahrukh, come to your sense ! Your pregnant wife is waiting at home ! Don't do anything weird."
Shahrukh turned to Pooja and smiled. He smoked his cigarette and exhaled it. "I like it."
Pooja widened her eyes and slapped Shahrukh's cheek several times. "What do you mean by liking it ? Don't you dare to have a thing with Pri."
Shahrukh just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders indifferently. He turned off the cigarette coals and threw it away. His gaze shifted to the script lying on the table. He reached for it while gulping down his drink. "Don't worry. I won't do anything..."
Pooja took her eyes off Shahrukh and sighed while shaking her head. She was very annoyed if Shahrukh had showed his player side.
"If she doesn't do anything to me." continued Shahrukh while raising his eyebrows.
Pooja rolled her eyes in disgust and glanced at Shahrukh irritably. Shahrukh just laughs at her response.
~ TO BE CONTINUED ~