‘I don’t know,’ she said, offering her final word on the matter. She could never tell him or anyone the real reason behind it so feigning ignorance was her best shot.
‘Hey,’ Swayam said, catching her wrist gently in his grip. ‘I know this is a lot to take in, but you’re not alone in this, Kash. Whatever happens, you’ve got me, always.’
She looked down at his hand on hers, stunned into silence. When he looked at her like that, like he wanted to protect and cherish her, it made her forget the world around her.
Like her guardian angels, Meera and Raghav came up to them, saving her from confessing her secrets. ‘Kashu, do you want to come with us? We’re going upstairs to see Siya.’
She eagerly nodded and hopped off the table. She made sure not to look back at Swayam, but felt his dark gaze on her until she walked out of the room. Once out of his sight, she sighed and silently followed Meera and Raghav up the stairs.
***
Siya sat before the mirror in her room, her hands tangled tightly in her lap, trying to stop herself from punching the man hovering behind her.
‘So, once we get the signal from downstairs, you’ll walk to the corridor where the photographers will take your entry shot. Don’t rush, don’t smile, don’t look directly at the camera,’ Chintamani said, repeating it for the tenth time.
‘How about I don’t breathe?’ she asked, irritation evident in her tone.
Chintamani didn’t hear the sarcasm, or chose not to. He went on, ‘Keep your chin angled for candid shots. When you reach the stairs, pause for a beat. Move with grace and elegance. You do understand what I mean by elegance, right?’
‘I got it,’ Siya said, more firmly this time. ‘You’ve already walked me through it. Ten times!’
‘It’s just protocol, and the timeline is tight, so we don’t need you to run your head and improvise.’
Oh, she was so going to punch him.
The photographer who was here to snap her pictures while getting ready kept circling her like he was capturing a rare animal in the zoo. She kept her face neutral though, refusing to give him anything real.
‘I know how to walk in a straight line,’ she retorted.
‘As your PR head, I just think it helps to run through everything over and over again in case—’
‘It doesn’t,’ she responded with a bite in her tone.
‘Why is it that every time I see you now, someone’s telling you what to do?’ Meera said, as she walked into the room, followed by Raghav and Kashvi.
‘Because I’m so obedient, duh,’ Siya answered her.
Chintamani scoffed. ‘Oh, please. Talking to you is like pulling on my teeth.’
‘That is better than listening to you recite the checklist over and over again,’ Siya grumbled.
‘Is that why you look like you’re seconds away from strangling someone with your dupatta?’ Kashvi asked with a gleeful smile.
‘Who’s to say I’m not?’ Siya questioned back, glaring at the man dictating her special day.
Chintamani didn’t take the bait, just said, ‘I’m sorry but all of you should leave until we finish the final briefing.’
‘No,’ Siya said, finally rising to her feet. She turned around and told him, ‘I said I’ve got it and I’d like a moment alone.’
‘You heard her. You can go now,’ Kashvi repeated, hammering the point home.
The photographer looked between them, unsure whether to shoot or flee.
Chintamani left in a huff, clearly not used to being dismissed. The photographer followed him in a rush, closing the door behind him. For the first time since that morning, Siya let out a relieved exhale.
‘Better?’ Kashvi asked, rubbing her arm.
Siya nodded. ‘Infinitely.’
