by Ruby Gupta
Chapter 4
Jyothika wiped away tears as she sat glued to the television. Every channel was showing clippings of Rajvir. Some were showing clippings of him winning awards; some were showing snippets of his popular songs; while some revolved around his legendary scenes and dialogues.
It seemed that the world had stilled; and there was nothing else newsworthy except what was going on at Xanadu.
Admittedly, Jyothika was there in most of the programmes. After all, she had been his heroine for more than a decade. Their pairing had been a hit right from their first film as the star lead. The audience loved them together and could not get enough of them.
It was inevitable that she should fall in love with him. Never before in her life had she met anyone as charming as Rajvir. More importantly, he treated her right – like a lady. Even though she soon became his mistress, he never once treated her with disdain or disrespect. This one trait alone made her his slave for life. Later, when she discovered that she was carrying his child, he did the decent thing and married her.
Today too, Rajvir was always by her side whenever she needed him. She had a sneaking suspicion that it was because of the son she had borne him. Her son, Chandra Prakash, resembled Rajvir so much that anyone could be pardoned for mistaking them to be brothers. Not only did Chandra Prakash look like a clone of his father, he had also inherited Rajvir’s formidable acting prowess. Jyothika suspected that it was narcissism that prompted Rajvir to lavish so much love and affection upon Chandra Prakash, and by extension, upon her too.
When the young Chandra Prakash had expressed his desire to emulate his father and become an actor, Rajvir had been elated. Immediately he had enrolled his son in a renowned acting school in New York.
Whilst Chandra Prakash was pursuing his degree in acting, Rajvir was busy planning his launch. Jyothika could not have been happier, at this fortuitous turn of events. She had never really expected that both she, and her son, would earn such respect in society. But as it happened, she was amazed how well things turned out. Although she was the other woman, the public easily accepted her as Rajvir’s wife, owing more to their on-screen pairing, than anything else.
Somehow, she had known it in her bones that it was too good to last. She could not remain so lucky all her life.
And today her foreboding had come true. Her world was crashing all around her, just before her most fervent dream was about to come true.
Work on Chandra Prakash’s debut film had just started. The muhurat shot had taken place barely a couple of weeks back. The shooting was on full swing, and it was expected that the entire film would be wrapped in a hundred and thirty days.
But now, Rajvir was gone. He was the force behind the film. Not only was Rajvir the producer, it was his influence that had got the film the best director, cinematographer, cameraperson, in fact the entire crew. Would they remain with the project now with the drastic change in circumstances?
More importantly, how would Chandra Prakash handle this terrible setback? Her son, though strong, was still a boy, and a very emotional boy at that. He was not tough like her. He needed support in order to survive in this cruel world. So far, she had shielded him as best possible, and Rajvir’s pampering had ensured that Chandra Prakash had grown up in a protective cocoon.
But now the security blanket in the form of Rajvir was gone. Would her son be able to survive this blow? It was not just a question of retaining his mental equanimity, but also of establishing himself in his career, sans the support of his powerful father.
This morning, Chandra Prakash was still asleep. She wondered how best to wake him and break the awful news. She herself was unable to accept it and come to terms with it, then how could her son do so?
It was not just the loss in terms of support. It was the loss of the only love of her life. She had loved Rajvir so completely. He was everything to her. He was not just her husband or lover; he was her father, brother, friend, mentor – everything! How would she live now? There was this sudden gaping emptiness within her. She felt unable to stand straight anymore. It seemed to her that she had been hit squarely in the solar plexus.
But how had it happened? There was nothing wrong with Rajvir. How could he have died so suddenly like this? None of the channels actually spoke about the exact cause or circumstances of the death.
‘Hi Mom,’ Chandra Prakash wandered in, looking innocent and child-like, as he did whenever he woke up.
Then he noticed her tear-streaked face. His face took on a look of question and anxiety. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘Come sit by me,’ Jyothika spoke softly.
As he lowered his tall frame next to her petite one, she ran her fingers through his hair, kissed his forehead and said, ‘Your father is no more.’
For a moment, Chandra Prakash looked at her in bewilderment. He had heard the words; but they made no sense.
The flashing images on the television in front caught his eyes, and drew his attention.
Minutes passed by.
Slowly tears began rolling down his cheeks. He buried his head in his mother’s lap, as deep sobs racked his body.
Jyothika could do nothing but cradle him and pat his head.
There was nothing to be said.
This was the worst thing that could have happened to them – particularly to her darling son.
After what seemed like ages, he sat up straight and spoke gruffly, ‘How could this have happened? We must go to Xanadu and find out the truth.’
Jyothika nodded.
An hour later, they were in the lobby of Xanadu, as Rose left to fetch her mistress.
This was the first time that they had come to Rajvir’s home.
Previously it had always been out of bounds.
But now the circumstances were different.
Thirty minutes passed by as they waited.
‘How dare we be treated like this?’ Chandra Prakash spoke angrily.
‘This was to be expected,’ Jyothika tried to calm him, although she seethed inwardly at the insulting treatment being meted out to them.
Rose entered. ‘Madam is indisposed. She will not be able to see you,’ she spoke, poker-faced.
‘What nonsense!’ Chandra Prakash spoke agitatedly. ‘I demand to know what happened to my Dad,’ his voice suddenly broke.
Trying her best to be diplomatic, Jyothika said, ‘I understand. But we have come all the way and my son has the right to know how, why and what happened. Please ask some member of the family or close family person to meet us, and tell us the truth. This is the very least that can be done.’
‘Okay Ma’am I will convey this,’ Rose spoke and disappeared inside.
‘How dare that Pallavi do this to us?’ Chandra Prakash’s eyes blazed.
‘It’s okay beta, keep calm. And don’t speak like this. She is older than you, you know.’
‘I don’t care. She should behave properly. This is no way!’
Jyothika remained quiet.
A good forty-five minutes later, Dr. Singhvi entered the lobby. Softly and in a matter-of-fact manner, he conveyed the circumstances in which Rajvir was found dead.
Satisfied, Jyothika and Chandra Prakash left. There was nothing more to be said or done.
Presumably the police were already doing whatever needed to be done.
‘You know about the death of your favourite star?’ Inspector Bhogle commented to his wife.
‘Of course! The whole world knows of it!’ his wife was indignant.
‘Well I have been assigned the case,’ Bhogle said, with a deep sigh.
His wife’s eyes widened. ‘Assigned? You mean there is something suspicious about his death?’
‘Umm,’ Bhogle nodded, stroking his handlebar moustache.
‘But I thought that he was doing something with his gun and it accidently went off?’ she said.
‘Well that is mere speculation.’ Bhogle paused. ‘A star like Rajvir – many people could have hated him. Maybe his family too hated h
im … these filmy families are not like normal families. Who knows what goes on between them in the privacy of their homes? How the hell will I arrive at the truth?’ he seemed to be speaking to himself.
His wife listened interestedly.
‘Now you better not say anything to anyone regarding this,’ his expression darkened as he looked broodingly at his wife.
She nodded. She knew that the darkening of the expression was not directed at her. It was a natural occurrence when Bhogle’s mind was far away, lost in the intricacies of the case.
But it was great that her husband was assigned the case, she smiled inwardly to herself. Now she would be the only person in the world, barring her husband, who would know the true details of the case, she felt exulted.
‘I’m on my way to Rajvir Kapoor’s home. Don’t call, unless necessary,’ Inspector Bhogle instructed his wife absentmindedly, as he walked out of the door.
‘So it is murder,’ Professor Shantanu Bose said.
‘Yes, it is plain enough, even though they have not said so to the press,’ Professor Dinkar Mishra said.
‘I think I should try…try in my own way to get to the bottom of this,’ Shantanu paused.
Dinkar knew all about his friend’s penchant for solving mysteries. The fact that he had already solved two murder cases in the past, made Shantanu even more convinced that there was something of the sleuth in him.
After all, unravelling a murder mystery was not much different to his job as a researcher.
Besides, ever since Shantanu’s wife had passed away, he had become more and more involved in unravelling crimes. The fact that he did not have any children, made it that much easier for him to devote all his time to such activities.
‘You remember, I was the one to solve the murder that had scandalized our IIT a couple of decades back and also the serial murders that had rocked Dehradun last year?’ Professor Shantanu spoke, as if reading his friend’s mind.
‘Of course, I know. You know, some day, I might base a couple of novels on those two cases of yours. But this is Rajvir Kapoor you are talking about. Don’t you think this is a bit out of your league?’ Dinkar cautioned.
‘Certainly not!’ Shantanu felt affronted. ‘Do you doubt my capabilities?’
‘No, I don’t; but I don’t want to see you get into something that you may not be able to handle. This, here, is high stakes, you know,’ Dinkar hastened to placate his friend.
‘Of course I know. This is precisely why it is so interesting. You know I cannot help myself. The entire thing is as alluring as a beautiful woman. I won’t be able to rest, till I know what is at the bottom of it,’ Shantanu’s eyes gleamed.
Pensively, Dinkar looked out of the window at the manicured lawns. He knew it was futile trying to convince his friend otherwise. Not only was Shantanu tenacious when he was pursuing a particular puzzle – he was also stubborn to the extreme. ‘But what about your responsibility at the summer school at IIT Mumbai? The reason you are here at the first place?’ he made one last attempt.
‘My dear, I’m sure you know how capable I am of doing two things at the same time,’ Shantanu smiled happily.
Alone in her bedroom, Remanika looked dispassionately at her reflection. The mirror had small lights fitted atop it, and they shone mercilessly on every part of her face. She could no longer deny to herself the reality of the spidery lines that were emerging on her forehead. Nor could she ignore the radiating grooves that emerged at the corners of and beneath her eyes, when she smiled.
She recalled her meeting with the skin specialist a week ago. He had suggested Botox for her forehead and a dermal filler, something called Resytline around her eyes.
How self-righteously she had claimed in all her interviews that she would never opt for plastic surgery or anything artificial to preserve her youth and beauty.
And now? But then this was not plastic surgery. This was just some … a small intervention. Something, which was done even by ordinary girls nowadays, so why shouldn’t she go for it? Of course she would have to be careful about where she got it done. It would not do for the media to get this information … she would not be able to handle the ensuing public ridicule.
Just then, she noticed a slackening of the skin at the corner of her lips. An uncontrollable anxiety welled up from somewhere deep within her being, unnerving her. She observed it closely. How come she had not noticed it before? When did this happen? On either side of her lips, beneath her full cheeks, about a quarter of an inch of skin seemed to have slackened … as though it had slipped a bit.
Horrified, she put both palms on either side and pulled the skin back. Instantly her face looked younger.
Gosh!
She was deeply dismayed.
This was a disaster!
What would she do now?
Was plastic surgery next on the agenda?
Tears of self-pity fought through and emerged out of her eyes. Why was God – fate, so cruel to her? How could this happen to her? She was a Miss Universe, a National best-actress award winner. She was invincible! This was horrible. This was a disaster. The face that had helped her become what she was … that face was deserting her. How would she survive now? A slow panic rose up from somewhere deep within her and instantly spread to every cell of her being.
Flinging herself on the bed, she buried her face in the pillow as tears flowed unchecked. Later, drained of all emotion, she turned on her back and stared at the ceiling. ‘Don’t worry, you still have a lot going for you,’ she whispered consolingly to herself.
Remanika had reached this position in life after considerable struggle. Daughter of a single mother, she never had things easy. He mother had been a socialite in New Delhi page three circles. It was rumoured that she was the mistress of a powerful politician. Remanika had often asked her mother who her father was, but her mother had always refused to answer. The plea was an emotional one – ‘don’t make me unhappy by making me relive the most miserable time of my life’. Remanika loved her mother and always complied with her mother’s subtle emotional blackmail.
As she grew up and heard the rumours, she fantasized that she was perhaps the daughter of the said politician. But since Remanika never saw her mother with the person in question, she could never question her mother. Also, there was no way she could know much about her mother’s personal life. She had been sent away to boarding school in Shimla and she grew up without knowing much about her mother’s life back home.
Admittedly, she did not lack much as a child – not the material things anyway. But the void of not having a father stayed with her always. She would listen enviously to her friends relate stories about their doting dads. Most of them were daddy’s special little girls – much loved and adored.
Remanika had none of it. And she could not talk about this with her mother either. To talk of it would unnecessarily hurt her mother and that was something she could never do. She had seen her mother put up a brave front in front of the world. She had always given Remanika the best – been both a father and a mother to her. How could she show her sorrow to her mother and cause unhappiness to the one person in the world whom she loved more than anyone else?
It was in the last two years of school that Remanika decided that her mother had done enough; and now it was her turn to ease her mother’s underlying anxieties and give her a good life. And the only way she could do that was by becoming someone. The only recourse open to her was to become a star, she figured. The Mumbai film industry was the place to be. She had the looks; and perhaps the talent too, she thought. All through school, she had not missed a single chance to be up on the stage – be it for a play, or dance, or even a debate.
Her mother had been understandably apprehensive of seventeen-year-old Remanika’s decision. But she could not refuse her darling daughter anything. And she certainly did not want to spoil relations with her most precious little girl, over something as trivial as the choice of career. So setting her misgivings aside, her mother had given her co
nsent. She tapped into her sources and got Remanika a contact in Mumbai for a modelling assignment.
This was the only toehold Remanika required. Soon she was in Mumbai and on to a modelling career. Films were her target; and she knew that it was just a matter of time before she got her big break. Then she came abreast with the sordid and cruel reality of the casting couch. This was more than she had bargained for. There was no way she could bring herself to take this route. Then a friend suggested another way. ‘Why not try for the Miss India contest?’ he advised. Remanika was not really sure whether she had what it took to be a Miss India. But then she had nothing to lose. She applied for it.
To Remanika’s delight and surprise, she was not only crowned Miss India-Universe, but she was soon on her way to participate in the Miss Universe contest. Suddenly, the wheels of destiny were magically and swiftly turning for her. Remanika entered a world of being feted and honoured wherever she went. Overnight she became a princess – it was the best time of her life.
God was finally looking her way, she thought. And He did come through for her all the way by handing her the Miss Universe crown. In one stroke she went from princess to queen. The next year passed in a blur of Miss Universe duties, charity visits, parties and a surfeit of male attention. Remanika blossomed, truly blossomed under all the adulation and attention.
When she came back to India, she was flooded with film and modelling offers. Her first film where she played the lead opposite a star son was a big hit and then there was no looking back.
A decade later, she had given several hits, several flops and been in love once. The relationship never did work out. He was a bigger star than she was, and came from a prominent film family. He had had several relationships in the past – all of which had ended badly. Remanika was warned by everyone to not get into it. He was tall, well built, charming, with a chocolate-like voice, a good twelve years older than her, and still single.