Junoon - Chapter Seven

RK soon arrived to the gym and parked his car. He made his way inside, scanned his member ID, and made his way over to the weights, already dressed and ready for his workout. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his earbuds and put them on, putting on his music. As he stretched and prepared for his workout, his mind was quickly taken over by the thought of that woman.

This is strange, he thought to himself as he picked up some weights. Why am I thinking about her all of a sudden? I saw her by coincidence, it's no big deal. I see people every day, different people all of the time! Some I never see again, so what? ...then again, what is up with her name? Madhubala - really? People call me filmy and dramatic, yet look at what her parents named her. Unbelievable-!

Suddenly, someone's snapping fingers appeared before his face, taking him out of his thoughts. Coming back to reality, RK saw that it was none other than Varun Dhawan.

"Oh hey, what's up," RK said as he put one of the weights down and took one of his earbuds out.

"Forget me, what's up with you," he asked. "I was calling out to you from across the room."

"Sorry bro, didn't hear you," he shrugged lightly.

"No kidding," Varun chuckled. "Who's taken over your mind," he teased.

RK arched his brow. "Meaning?"

"Oh, don't you give me that look," Varun chuckled as he nudged his arm. "Tell me, what's her name?"

"There's no name to tell," and RK rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on! You were so distracted and lost in your thoughts - what else could it be," he teased.

"Trust me, it's nothing like that," he smirked. "Besides, that love nonsense is just stuff we use and show in films, it's nothing other than that, nor do I care for it."

"Okay, if you say so," Varun shrugged. "That's your opinion, but I'm definitely looking forward to the day you fall in love."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"RK the Superstar will finally be distracted and give us folks finally a chance to shine," he said dramatically.

RK nudged him, the two of them chuckling.

"Anyways, I've got to get going," Varun said. "Are you going to Sid's party next week?"

"Mm, probably not."

"Oh come on Rishabh! When was the last time you chilled out? Just hang out with friends?"

RK only shrugged in return.

"Well let me know if you go, kay? I'll see ya later," and he headed off to leave.

RK turned his attention back to his workout, replacing his earbud in his ear.

Varun did have a point. To be quite honest, RK had no idea when was the last time he got together with friends and simply just hung out. With back to back films, as well as launches, interviews, and photoshoots, he just hadn't really had the time to do anything. With his action film, Hero, coming out, he was too busy with that. Not only was he busy with that movie, but he had just wrapped up his comedy film, Wednesday, and it was only an amount of time before promotions among other things, started for that film. Then of course there was the romance film he had lined up as well, and even though Dil Mein Hai Tu was still in its very early stage, it was only a matter of time before that would take up most of his time as well.

Hmm... I'll have to get an update from Bittuji about that film.

*~*

Two weeks had gone by, and Trishna had yet to hear anything about her audition. When Madhubala had gone in to pick up her paycheck at the studio, Mr. Mishra had let her know that unfortunately, they still hadn't come to a decision on who their heroine was going to be, therefore not having dates nor a contract to give to Madhu yet. However, true to Rukmini's words, she had spoken to her husband and Mr. Mishra had decided and let Madhu know that she would be doing the heroine's makeup - whoever that would be, at least.

When Madhu had let her sister know that they still hadn't reached a decision yet, Trishna's worries and anxiety continued on. Madhu didn't like the fact that her sister was feeling this way, but there was only so much she, or her family, could do. 

One night, Madhu was helping her mom out in the kitchen while Roma and Trishna were in the living room, Roma trying her best to calm her heroine down.

"Oh my sweet Heroine, relax," Roma said. "You said it yourself that there were so many girls there. It's obvious that it's going to take time for them to decide who will be starring opposite RK."

"I know Roma, but still! I mean it's been weeks!"

"Heroine, this is a RK film we're talking about, okay? They're not going to cast just anyone. But don't you worry about a thing!"

Trishna only frowned and picked up the TV remote, turning it on to see what was playing. 

Madhu glanced over at her sister. "Deedu?"

"Yeah Glycerin."

"You do remember that stress makes you break out, right?"

Tirshna frowned at her.

"Just chill out," Madhu grinned. "Next thing you know you get the role but you've got a whole bunch of zits on your face."

Trishna gasped, her hand slapping over her cheeks. "Oh no!"

"Oh yes! And then what will we do," Madhu said dramatically. "Even with my skills we won't be able to cover it all up," she pouted.

Roma couldn't help her grin. "She's right you know!"

"She absolutely is," Trishna exclaimed. "I need to relax," and she took in a few deep breaths.

Madhu, Padmini, and Roma glanced amongst each other, smiling. They knew that Madhu's trick would work and help Trishna to calm down. Of course, they understood her reasons to her worries, but they also knew that worrying about the audition really wouldn't do much to help her, hence Madhu devising this little trick.

Trishna continued to take deep breaths, calming herself. Roma couldn't help but to chuckle, nudging her lightly before taking the remote for herself.

"Alright, let's see what's playing," she grinned, and she scrolled through the channels.

She came across a few news channels, none of which she was interested in, so she went past them. She continued to scroll trough the channels, when she came across some of the entertainment ones. 

"Yaar, what is with these channels," she muttered. "None of them have anything interesting! Like at least play some good songs," she huffed as she continued to go through them. "Or at least play a good- oh my gosh it's RK!"

Trishna's attention immediately snapped to the TV, her breathing exercise totally forgotten - not to mention her worries. On screen, they were showing a live view of the premiere event of Hero. Madhu and her mother turned their attention to the TV as well, given the amount of loud screaming that was coming from it.

"OH MY GOSH," Trishna squealed.

Both her and Roma started squealing like teenagers, Madhu and Padmini quickly covering their ears before they went deaf.

"Unbelievable," Madhu muttered.

"Oh my gosh Roma, he looks so hot in his tuxedo," Trishna exclaimed.

"Well he is RK the Superstar, what else can you expect!"

Both gawked at the TV screen, watching as RK waved at his fans, all of whom were shrieking, shrilling, and calling out his name.

Trishna put her hands together as she closed her eyes. "Hai Ganpati Bappa, please let me get the heroine role of his next film, please, please, please," she pleaded.

"Arre Heroine, you're missing him," Roma exclaimed.

Trishna quickly brought her attention back to the screen, watching as RK went over to a reporter.

"Yaar, look at him in his blue velvet jacket," Roma exclaimed. "His suit looks absolutely amazing! What a lovely electric blue!"

For whatever reason, Madhu glanced down at herself - oddly enough, she was wearing blue as well.

What does that even matter, she scoffed to herself.

"He is totally looking fire," Roma grinned.

"Sure, and he's full of it too," Madhu scoffed. 

"Glycerin, you're not still moping about that day, are you," Trishna frowned.

"Deedu, he was absolutely rude! What gives him the right to tell me to get out! To anyone! And with that attitude too?"

"I guess celebrities really can be like that," Padmini shrugged.

"Ma, you don't understand. The whole set was dim and there was no one else around. Even if I did accidentally go to the wrong set, there is a nice way to say things."

Trishna and Roma glanced at each other, shaking their heads. 

"Besides," Madhu continued, "there 's more than enough space for two people to be in there, like what does he think it is? Who does he think he is."

"RK the Superstar..."

All four ladies turned their heads to the screen, bringing their attention to the reporter.

"...how are you feeling tonight," the woman grinned.

"Like an arrogant jerk," Madhu muttered.

While Padmini and Roma frowned at her, Trishna remained glued to the screen, grinning like a lovesick teenager.

Oh yeah, she had it bad!

"I'm feeling absolutely amazing," RK responded. "I've got my film releasing tonight and all of my wonderful fans are out here to support me," and he blew a kiss to them.

All of them immediately started to freak out - some of them even reaching out to catch his kiss! Even Trishna reached out and quickly placed her hand over her heart.

Madhu couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Deedu-"

But Trishna quickly shushed her, keeping her eyes on the TV.

Madhu was absolutely humored, looking at her mom, and Padmini could only shake her head at her elder daughter's antics.

"Wow, your fans are just so in love with you," the reporter grinned.

"Well, can't say that I blame them," RK smirked. "I am that amazing after all."

Madhu's jaw dropped. "You have got to be kidding me!"

"Let it go, Glycerin," Trishna scowled at her. "Look, I agree that how he behaved with you was rude, but let's face it, this is RK's flare!"

"Flare? Seriously Deedu? None of the other actors are like that! Salman Khan is definitely not like that."

"He's already got a big name for himself, Glycerin, and he's been in the industry longer," Roma explained. "Besides, Salman Khan is already known for certain things. Take his muscles for example - when people think of him, people automatically hold their arms out and pretend to be all muscular like him. Just like he's known for one thing, RK is known as the bad boy of the industry. Hence, that's his flare like Heroine said."

"But Roma-"

"Glycerin, I know that you have no interest in our industry and have always stayed out of it; basically you're only now dipping your feet in because of your job offer. However, this is just how it is," Roma shrugged. "Everyone has their way of getting themselves known - of getting their way to become big and achieve stardom. And in RK's case," she said, pointing the remote at the screen, "being a bad boy works. His first film was a flop; no one cared cause no one knew him. Once everyone learned who he was due to his bad boy image, everyone fell in love with him, and ever since his second film, he's been nothing but a success for the past five years."

Madhu looked from Roma to the TV screen. She didn't care to pay any attention to what the reporter was saying to RK, her focus only being on the arrogant man who was smirking away. She simply watched him, watching his each action and gesture, whether it was a smirk or a shrug, or whatever. But then she caught something - a look in his eyes. Whatever it was, she didn't exactly understand it, wondering if she even was seeing something to begin with and not just a glare from the lights or the camera recording him. 

No... no I don't think it's a glare or something but... what is it? This look in his eyes, what-?

"Madhu?"

Madhu snapped out of her thoughts and saw her mother looking at her curiously. She simply shook her head, letting her know it was nothing, and continued to help her mother, no longer caring to look at the TV screen as RK walked away to head into the theater.

Well that was weird.