Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 12

7 years ago

Flames OF Paradise - Season 1 - Episode 12

pathani trousers. Snigdha could feel her mouth drop open at the way he was looking at her, intently as if he knew her. Snigdha’s breath caught in her throat but she could not tear her eyes away from his hypnotic gaze. She could feel his eyes moving all over her and she became conscious of her dishevelled hair, and sleep induced face and her shivering body wrapped in just a gown and nothing else. Suddenly, he turned and lifted a rose from the basket kept near his feet, and threw it at her which she caught as a reflex action. Stunned at his action, Snigdha opened her mouth to say something, but before she could utter a single word, he swiftly started rowing the thin boat and vanished into the mist.

Snigdha wasn’t sure but she had noticed his eyes crinkling at the corners as if he had smiled. Her hands curled around the curtains as she craned her neck to see the receding boat.
‘Sidhi! What the hell are you doing? Close that d--n window. Its cold’. Dimple rumbled from somewhere under the blanket.
Her reverie broken, Snigdha jerked away from the window feeling her cheeks turn hot with embarrassment. Looking down at the dewy rose, she was puzzled at the man’s effrontery. But more than that she was puzzled at her own uncharacteristic reaction to the way the man had looked at her. She took a ragged breath and willed her heart to slow down its frantic palpitation. She looked at Dimple who was fast asleep now. Who was he? A florist? Were all florists so daring in Kashmir? What had made him behave like that? Snigdha got up and went into the small bathroom to freshen up and was shocked to see her face, all rosy and flushed. Had that man, a complete stranger done this to her? For all she knew, he could be a terrorist! But a d--n good looking one who had made her behave like a crazy woman! What had made her stare back at him? With effort, Snigdha shrugged the quaint image out of her mind and splashed icy cold water on her face, normalising her instantly and pushed her toothbrush in her mouth.

In the meeting, everyone was shivering with cold and had bundled themselves into thick pullovers, jackets and Phirans. Morning’s breakfast had consisted of an assortment of Indian breadlike makhni roti and alu parathawith a couple of spicy vegetable preparations and yoghurt. Some had even ordered fluffy masala omelettes which Snigdha had avoided. Snigdha’s assistant Ruby, came with a sheaf of papers and her laptop, and started discussing the locations lined up and the shot list she had planned.

The day was spent shooting at some prime locations, taking establishing visuals of the town, and areas like Dal Lake, Nageen Lake, Nishat Garden, Shalimar Garden and Chashme Shahi. The town was buzzing with usual activities, with shops open, selling the hot Kashmiri tea, Kahwa and loads of fruits especially juicy apples and plums. They found some army and police pickets, petrol vans roaming stealthily and some barricades in the middle of the roads, but by and large, the shoot went on peacefully. Next two days they spent in shooting the landscape and various known landmarks. Dimple’s performance improved tremendously after the first day’s nervous fumbles. Snigdha noticed that her fumbles increased much more when Nitin was in the vicinity. Finally, Snigdha mentioned diplomatically to Nitin that Dimple would perform better if too many people did not crowd around during her shoots. Taking her hint, Nitin avoided being on location when Dimple’s anchor links were being shot. Thereafter, Dimple, with her super confident and ‘bindaas’style impressed everyone. She had no qualms sitting on her haunches talking to a runny nosed village boy, or aburqua clad giggling girl, or confidently shooting serious questions at police or army officials. Snigdha watched her face transform from delight to sadness to an alert, sharp enquiring look. She also watched how it was affecting Nitin while previewing the footage at the end of each day. From indifference to absolute intense involvement, Snigdha could see Nitin getting deeply mesmerised by Dimple’s performance.
‘She’s good, isn’t she?’ Snigdha jumped at the catty, venomous tone of Tripti.
‘Oh yes! Indeed, she is!’ Snigdha said proudly.
‘Regret having recommended her? Poor you, little did you realise that she would snatch your beau from right under your eyes!’ Tripti laughed silkily.
‘My beau? What are you talking about? Oh… if you are hinting at Nitin, let me tell you he’s a very close friend. And if what you are saying about Dimple and Nitin is true, I would be the happiest person on earth!’ Snigdha said with satisfaction.
‘Oh really? How magnanimous of you! All of us have noticed how besotted you are with Nitin.

And the way he defends you proves that your feeling is reciprocated. What I find intriguing is your close pal Dimple’s behaviour. It’s clear she has eyes only for Nitin. I am sure Nitin will have better sense to be interested in that nitwit.’ Tripti was looking at her long painted nails with full concentration now.
‘Listen Tripti. I have no idea where you have got this weird notion of Nitin and I being romantically… well… as far as Dimple and Nitin are concerned, let’s wait and watch. If something has to happen, it will happen. Whether anyone likes it or not.’ Snigdha finished truculently watching Tripti’s lips turn down in bitterness. Before Tripti could say anything else, Snigdha saw her D. O. P. signalling for her. She hurriedly excused herself, wondering why Tripti was so antagonistic towards her in particular. For a second, Snigdha felt as if Tripti was jealous.

Was she secretly in love with Nitin? They have worked together for last couple of years and maybe she has developed feelings for him.

Maybe that’s why she was spewing venom.