The Ruined Rainbow

CHAPTER 75

Sahil

I took a subtle breath, facing the obligatory white beams of paparazzi, having one arm curled across Rhea's shoulder, a mandatory smile formed on my quivering edges. My eyes oscillated from one end to another, as cries of 'Sahil, Sahil, here, please look here' brimmed the air.

I instantaneously dropped my hand once the time allotted for paparazzi was done, and heard Rhea murmur something unworthy and saw her giving me a beseeching stare. Kumar was trying to catch my eye, and when I did, he murmured something inaudible and gestured, 'All okay?'

I nodded and gave a thumbs-up. It was one of my signature poses, to the paparazzi, whenever they caught me stepping out in public or anywhere else. I felt a whitish glare strike me, capturing my action, and I gave a compelled smile to one of the timid looking photographers.

And then, I parted aside so that the paps could take individual pics of Rhea, who had taken special effort to successfully flaunt her attitude and style, by wearing a thin-strapped navy blue glimmering ankle-length gown with appropriate makeup.

I waved at the paparazzi one final time, before entering the cinema hall, for where the screening of the film was scheduled.

I dropped down to one of the central seats reserved and waited for the rest of the crew and the guests invited for the screening of my film, 'The Apocalypse'.

My hand automatically and unknowingly reached to the seat to my right, which was reserved for Ayesha for a long time in my head.

I recall me telling her in a stern voice that her presence in the trailer and movie screening was mandatory and I remember her eyebrows furrowing together, the lightest of light red blush on her face, she locking her black eyes with mine as a challenge and finally giving up. I remember the way she sighed and nodded. I remember how her curly hairs fell all over her chiselled features in a zig-zag manner as she leaned on the wall and watched me take out the shoes.

"Is this seat reserved for someone?"

I shake out of my reverie and look at Rajesh, one of the well-known producers of the cinema fraternity. I shake my head and recoil my hand, smiling at him. Returning a smile, he occupied the seat to my right.

Kumar and Rhea after greeting others followed me in quick succession. Before Rhea could come to sit next to me, Kumar had alarmingly taken drastic steps to reach the seat beside my left. Rhea gave a clipped smile to the pair of us and occupied a seat next to Rajesh and another side-actress.

I saw other actresses and actors of the film fraternity taking seats at the front. The lights dimmed, and the whistles multiplied. And a few seconds later, the unmistakable background tune played and Rhea, now Martina, dressed in a faded gown, having matted hairs, and wrinkled face, came into the view.

I leaned back on my seat and stared blankly. It was going to be a long watch.

*****

As the final scene of Sam and Martina reuniting in Martina's memory played, ultimately pausing at Martina's pristine and unmistakable, nostalgic smile, everyone in the hall stayed silent for minutes, staring at the screen.

Kumar nervously took a hand to his mouth and scanned the audience. He had done this thrice during the last three and a half hours. I had pretended to be absorbed in the movie to avoid responding to his nervous mumblings and murmurs.

And then deafening applause bloomed.

Everyone occupied in the front seat, the entire film fraternity present, stood up and applauded so hard that the noise of applause was indeed deafening. Kumar gave a relieved sigh and collapsed on his seat in happiness, holding his heart, and Rhea smiled supremely.