‘I see you’re basking in the glory of being a star, but you’ve forgotten all about who got you here?’ he snarled under his breath while tightening his grip on her hand. Another ounce of pressure and Meera’s wrist would have snapped like a twig. ‘But don’t forget that stars turn to dust in the blink of an eye, Meera,’ he continued. ‘Tongues are wagging about how you are avoiding Sahil Malik. Now I don’t want things to get out of hand, so stop your passive aggressive behavior in public and start giving some credit where it’s due. We need to set up an interview together for the cameras to nip this in the bud, Meera. Don’t you ever forget that you’re but a bit player floating high up, momentarily. And me – I am the pig that revels in mud. One phone call from me, one dirty little story in the papers, and you’ll have to come play with me. I hold the strings.’

‘Let the wind take its course, Sahil, I am ready to the face the consequences,’ Meera said, and in a moment of sheer anger, stepped on his right foot, digging into it with the two-inch block heel of her shoe with all her might. Sahil yelped and let go of her hand. Meera straightened her kameez and walked off, hoping that was the last time she would have to attack him to protect herself.

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

‘I won’t touch it, she has no clothes on!’

‘What do you mean by no clothes, Meera! It is a statue!’

‘Exactly, then why not add some clothes? Would that have been so difficult?’

‘I didn’t know you were such a prude, Meera.’

Veena grabbed the magazine from Meera and took another look at the photo.

‘It’s beautiful, artistic,’ she said.

Not convinced, Meera made a face to let her sister know that she wasn’t impressed. They were poring over an article in the Filmfare magazine that announced the first-ever film industry awards called ‘The Clares,’ named after the famous film critic and editor, Clare Mendonca. The winners would be decided by fans who had been invited to write-in their choices, the article said. There was no award for playback singing, but a Best Music Composer category was mentioned.

‘What a shame. They should have included a singer category. I know you would have won, hands down,’ Veena said and sighed loudly.