"Romantic night for RK and his girlfriend."

The news made Manasa weak. Her eyes welled up.

RK looked at her. He wanted to comfort her but something else came out from his mouth. "It's not a big deal Manasa. Cool.  Guys, let's get back to work."

"Not a big deal..?" , She asked shifting her vision towards him. She was boiling in anger.
"Not a big deal ha..?"

The next moment , she grabbed his collars. "Mr.Rishab Kumar, Maybe it's not a big deal for you. But for me, it is a big deal."

He looked at her hands, and then to the whole crew who were watching them keenly. RK gritted his teeth out of anger.

"Listen, I am not a super star like you. I am normal middle class girl. There is something known as self respect, that I have, don't know about you.
  For a woman, self respect is more than anything. And this news has hurted my self respect. "

She left him from her hold.

"I know, all these are parts of your master plan. You tricked and bought me here, locked from outside and claimed the door is jammed ,all these drama. It's all your bloody plan. Is it."

"Mind your words Manasa."

"Don't shout Mr.Rishab. Don't. Because it won't change anything. Yesterday I thought, you are not that bad . But you proved me wrong. You , you are the most cruelest man I have ever met Mr.RK. "

Her words broke his ego more than heart. Being humiliated by a normal girl, infront of the whole crew, that too when he did nothing; that's not something he could ever forget or forgive.

"Shut up Manasa. Don't blame me for everything bad happens to you. I am not responsible for this news. And I -"

Manasa gestured him to stop showing her palm.
"Stop. Just stop it RK. Enough. You are a good actor. I know that. Thank you for all this gift. "

RK tightened his fist, crushing the anger growing inside. He looked at the people around. Some were worried, some were emotionless. But some were enjoying the drama, with teasing smile on face.

Throwing the newspaper on his face, Manasa exited the studio.

RK took a chair near him and threw down breaking it.
"PACK UP!!"

He screamed and rushed out , followed by Salem.
.
.
.

Manasa stepped into her home like a lost soul. Tears failed to come out, yet she was crying inside. She gently gazed up, finding her father in deep thoughts. He had the morning newspaper in his hand, showing the front page news.

"Paapa." , A feeble sound escaped from her lips.

Arnab sensed her presence. He stood up, giving her a glance and retired to his room.

"Paapa , I.."

He stopped in midway.
"I still believe in my daughter. She can't be wrong. But whatever happening now is wrong. Somewhat you are responsible for this. Our esteem, our dignity, and your future; everything just wiped out overnight. "

He went inside his room, breaking Manasa completely. The tears she was fighting back, flow over her cheeks. She fell on her knees , gradually on the floor, crying .
Madhu rushed towards her daughter, giving the support she needed, holding her close to heart .

"Mamma.. I , I don't know.. all this.. please believe me, I am innocent. I , I haven't done anything wrong Mamma.. please.. belive me.."

Madhu: "We know you Manu.. and we believe you. You Papa is just worried for you. Look Manu, you and Misha are young girls of a middle class family and we belong to such a community where things go big and never fade. This news..., It can affect your future very badly. "

Manu: "I know Mamma. But.. but I am helpless. I can't do anything to reduce your pain. I can't."

She broke down completely in her mother's arms; so weak, helpless.

.
.

RK rushed inside his house , straight to the bar counter.
The women in house were busy with there chatting section in the visiting area. Seeing RK in anger, Anjali asked Salem , who followed , about the matter.

Grabbing a bottle from the rack, he gulped it in a go and banged on the floor breaking it into pieces.
Anjali , Seetha and Radha came to him hearing the noise.

Radha: "Rishu, what happened.. why are you so angry. "

RK: "How dare she... How dare she insult me infront of the whole crew.!!!"

Seetha: "Who..whom are you talking about..?"

RK: " That girl, a normal middle class girl, working under my film and grabbed my own collars... Who the hell does she think she is..
    Some idiot published any gossip and that girl shouted on me. How could she forget , that I am the Super Star and she is just an intern designer."

Anjali :"Rishu, calm down and listen. As you said you are a super star and she is a normal middle class girl. The effect of this news on both of you is different. Nobody is going to point fingers on you , because you are a super star and tomorrow or day after tomorrow they will get some other gossips on other stars.
    But what about her. Have you ever thought. How will this community treat her and her family."

RK: "So what Akka.. I admit whatever happened was wrong. But who gave her the right to insult me."

Anj: "What else do you expect from her. Give you hug and thanks. Rishu, come back to senses."

RK: "What do you mean akka.. I am the one who is behind all this . Do you think I can do something like this.  "

Anj: "Never Rishu. I know you won't ever do something like this. But, think once from her side too. What about her reputation, her self respect, her family. People won't forget this Rishu. Try to understand. So please cool down. "

Anjali left followed by Seetha and Radhama. RK felt dejected. He banged hard over the table.

.
.

The same day evening , a black range rover stopped in the compound of Manasa's home. RK stepped out , taking off his shades.
Hearing the doorbell, Madhu opened the door finding RK at the doorstep.

"May I ?" , He asked.
She nodded and he got in. Arnab came  to meet the visitor. Both the Sharma's were not so happy with his visit.

"Good evening Sir. I know you won't be so good to see me here. But I need to come. Afterall whatever happened, knowingly or unknowingly I am a part of it. 
    Sorry is a very small word. And neither it won't change anything."

He stopped hearing a clap from the other side.
Manasa stood on stairs , clapping hands with a smirk.
"Wow... Super star RK... Came to say sorry? .. "
She stepped down and came near him, face to face.
"Stop this drama RK. And before I say get out, please.leave."

"Manu.. ", Arnab spoke. "Be in your limits. Let him speak."

RK: "Thank you sir. But it's okay. Her anger is justified. "

RK's sudden change in behavior evoked doubts in Manasa.

"These gossips are not new for me.  I always just brush it off. But today for the first time, someone else is being affected due to this. I know this news can affect your reputation and the future of Manasa and Misha.
I can't change what all things happened, but , I can do something else to save you all."

Arnab: "What you mean RK.. what can you do now..?"

RK: " I am ready to marry Manasa. "

That was a shock for whole family. Manasa looked him astonished. She never in her dreams expected RK to do something like this. Misha stood with wide open mouth, while Arnab and madhu shared a look.

"Yes, you heard it right. I am ready to make her my wife; if you permit, the wedding can happen tomorrow itself."

Manasa: "Mr.Rishab Kumar, we are not your slaves to obey you. And , and how could you even think that I will be ready to marry an arrogant human like you. Never. Never ever. Now please... leave."

He looked at her. His face was calm, yet his eyes spoke alot. He turned towards Arnab , "Sir, this is all I can do. Think wisely before coming to a conclusion. I too have a family, a sister. And I can understand your situation.
       This news won't affect me in any means. But for you, it does. Neither Manasa nor Misha wont get a good future due to this. "

"It's our problem RK. Not yours." , Manasa said.

He ignored her and stood next to Arnab. "Yes it's not my problem. But I don't want to blame myself for ruining a family. It's your decision sir. I will be waiting for your reply."

RK turned back to leave. After giving a last glance to Manasa, he stepped forward.

"I agree." , RK stopped and turned back.
Madhu came forward. "I agree, for this marriage."

"Mumma.."

Madhu gestured her to Stop.
"My daughter's future is more important for me. The wedding will happen. As you said, tomorrow itself."

Arnab : "Madhu, what are you saying."

Madhu: "We don't have another choice Arnab. What all things happened today, do you think our daughter will get a good life , a good proposal. No . And , look at him, he is a nice guy. It's evident from his concern for this unknown family. Our daughter will be happy with him. I am sure. "

Arnab looked at his daughter, who was waiting for his decision. She believed him , atleast her father won't let her down.

Arnab nodded."Okay. As you wish."

"Paapa.."
She had her welled up. It flow down through her cheeks.

RK gently smiled." Thank you Sir, ah sorry , thank you Papa. Thanks for giving me a chance. Tomorrow morning itself I will send my family here. You don't want to know anything, I will look after each and every arrangements. Bye, take care.  "

RK turned back and left. He got inside his car with a wide smile.

.
.

Manasa stood on the terrace all alone.

Manasa's PoV.
What is happening to my life. I am going to get married, that too with the same guy I hate so much. I know, he is doing this deliberately. He wants to ruin my life. And I can't do anything.
      I have always dreamt of a wedding with someone who can understand me, who respects me, who loves me. RK won't even treat me as a human. I know.

Madhu came to her daughter. She held her shoulders , but Manasa didn't responded.
"I know you are angry. But Manu, just think for once. About our family, about your father. How will he face this society. Do you know, today when he went to office, all his colleagues, were mocking at him. People pointed at our upbringing. For the first time, I saw him with his head down. He couldn't handle and came back home. How long he can do that..."

Manasa closed her eyes, letting down tears. So much of humiliation for her father because of her.

"Think about Misha. She is also growing up. How will this society treat her.
      Manu , I know you don't like him much, but he is not that bad dear. Atleast you can give him a chance. Think about it ."

Taking a deep breath, she said.
"I am ready Mumma. I ready for this, only for our family. I am ready."

😬😬😬
Boring right.. I know. Sorry. Can't help. One more update will go on like this. After that I assure you, everything will be interesting 👻👻

Take care. Keep smiling
Annujam😍