INEXPLICABLE - Phase 3: Colliding Worlds_ Chapter 10

 

Phase 3: Colliding Worlds

Chapter 10

Her: Double Redemption

What only a handful of people knew until then, was on page six after the concert day. It has been over two weeks but it was still hard getting out of my home every time with all the photographers sitting out front. At my parents' insistence (don't even get me started on how much they loved I was dating again), I moved to my friend Ravi's place temporarily. Ravi was my best buddy from school. He lived across the street from my office, which also happened to be a mere five-minute drive from Ady's studio. Ravi was a gig photographer who traveled most days leaving his oversized flat alone. His boyfriend who stayed next door, volunteered to help me out getting deliveries and essentials to avoid being spotted by paps again or worse, abused.

I could not begin to understand what Ady must go through every day facing such occupational hazards that seep into his personal life. It was not something he could get used to. Yet he made sure to visit me in the new place every day, somehow without anyone noticing. We have been going steady for a month now. I can't help but smile at mentioning that. We disagree on multiple personal choices but agree on the biggest stuff like ideologies, outlook, and sense of justice. I have learned more about him in the past month than what I knew from the last ten years. My phone beeped with a text.

Can I come over in 10? Are you busy? xo Ady

How about 20? Let me finish up some paperwork.

You got it. xo

This was one such thoughtful things I meant. He never assumed and expected, he asked and clarified. That was one of the many mature things about him. That and being a stigma-breaker. After the story broke out, he discussed about posting something on his social media and what he wanted to say touched me deeply. He posted a decent picture of us together and wrote,

"My dearest peeps, meet my girlfriend Adithya (she carries that name cooler than me). We met on a flight and she has been my carrier ever since. She's a killer lawyer, so don't get me in trouble with her over the comments you post. She has been through enough already over the past few weeks and I request y'all to accept her as your homegirl so that I am not the source of her hardships anymore. Pls have my back and let's do a fan meet real soon where I can show her off to all of you. Much love, Ady."

Newspapers painted me in poor light on the lines of a gold-digging widow who would end up hurting Ady, breaking up eventually, and setting up an exposé on him for my 15 minutes of fame. In one short post, he broke the stigma against rich celebs dating commoners, especially a woman with a past. He showed his commitment to me, his respect for my privacy, and his pride for me and got his fans to accept me through love. If that was not compassion, then what was? If he was not boyfriend material like it was reported for years before, then who was? He treated me with all forms of love and only wanted love back. A knock on the door paused my mind.

I'm going to spend a couple of nights here.

He just waltzed in, went past me without even saying hello or giving a peck, and started setting up his things. His keyboard, toothbrush, toiletries, and some clothes. I watched patiently. After he was done, he came over to me and sat by my side.

Hi, sweetie.

Why did you bring your stuff,  Ady? This is not even one of our places. We agreed not to do this.

Yeah, I know. I just felt like staying with you over the weekend. You don't want to stay at my flat. So, I have no choice but to stay here.

You have a choice. You should go back.

Nope.

He hugged the side of my torso and scissored his legs around me. It was something that has become an endearing habit.

Nope?

Yeah, nope.

Why not?

I want to be with my girlfriend. Is that so horrible?

No, but people are watching us everywhere,  Ady. It may be usual for you, but I am extremely pissed about being on display. You should leave.

His face hardened and he went to collect all the things that he just put away in my room. He went into Ravi's room and set them all up.

What are you doing?

I don't want to be in your room if you don't want me to. But I can very well be in my friend Ravi's room.

YOUR friend Ravi? 

Yeah.

You know he has a huge crush on you, right?

I did not know that. But, so what? I am an Equal Opportunity Celebrity.

He said that with a straight face. I wanted to laugh at that made-up term but that would dilute the situation. So, I fled to my room and shut the door. I sulked for a while and dozed off listening to my boyfriend's voice on my playlist.

It was pitch dark and I woke up in shock, sweating all over, with chills and a sped-up heart rate. I got my phone to see the time and I sunk in fear seeing the date. I reached for the glass of water nearby and it fell crashing. In the next half minute, Ady was inside my room, in my bed, hugging me.

Shh. Shhh.. I got you, sweetie. I'm here. Do you need water?

Uh..uh. I..today..uh..

I know. I know. That's why I'm here.

I couldn't stop my tears. I let it all out. I hugged him like our skins would fuse. He was here for me. He knew I would need him and he was here for me. Today would have been my fourth wedding anniversary and I have been fighting anniversary associative trauma. That was the reason I was seeing a therapist in New York. But, how did he know? It was as if he heard my inner voice, he spoke.

Your dad told me the first time I met him as a heads-up. I think he wanted to gauge my reaction and check if I would run away. I set it up on my calendar on the same day. Forget that. How do you feel?

My tongue was completely dry and I had no sensation in my hands. They were ice cold. I dragged them on my mental will and held his cheeks and he flinched. I mustered every ounce of energy I had to speak.

I love you, Ady Dheenan.

He moved close and brushed his lips over mine.

I love you, Adithya Mohan. I have loved you since you first smiled at me on that flight.

Him: The Marvelous Ms. Mohan

I was busier than ever before festival movie releases. It was causing me great worry that I was unable to spend time with my bae. Last we went out on a date was on our '100 days of love' and that was over a month ago. Living in the same city and still seeing each other only over video calls sucked. Another ten days of hard work and I can take time off. I planned to make her take a break from work and sneak her away to Havelock. Just then I heard a knock on my door. No one usually knocked my studio door. Whoever belonged here had the passcode. I saw through the peep hole and  my dad was on the other side.

Pa, come on in. Anything wrong? Is amma okay?

Yeah yeah, we are good, son. I wanted to talk to you in private. It has been a month since we even had a meal together. We hardly saw each other at home. So, I thought I'd see you here. Is that okay?

Of course, pa. Come over there and sit.

He scuffled my hair on the way in and sat on my couch. Dheenan was no-nonsense even as a dad.

What's up, pa?

I came in to talk about Adithya. Adithya Mohan.

I did not expect that. He has never spoken about any of my girlfriends in the past.

What about her?

About 3 weeks ago, she came into my office to meet me.

I did not know that.

Yeah, you didn't. She didn't want me to tell you.

I didn't like where this was going.

Do you know a person called Kiran Hemkumar?

No.

How about a Goldway studios?

Of course, that I know. Producer Sanga's company. They produced my first indie single.

Sanga went bankrupt over a year ago and sold the label to Kiran.

Alright. What has Adithya got to do with anything?

She came to my office and talked about her employer, Kumar and Associates, run by Kiran's cousins. They represent him legally. He was preparing to sue you for half of your ownerships, earnings and copyrights in all your songs,  albums and brands. That includes this studio.

WHAT???

I stood up and started pacing.

Sanga had apparently signed a contract with you before that first single that half of the earnings and ownership was for Goldway.

Yes, I am aware of that.

What you were not aware of was that the clauses about 'only that single production' were not clearly drafted and Kiran found that out when his team was digitizing old files at Goldway. He was planning to spin that old contract to apply to all of your music rights, earnings, and holdings.

Oh my god!

I sat down to process all the information.

That means I will..

Yes. Lose half of everything you have and will have in the future.

I sat with my face buried in my hands. I cannot lose anything. I cannot watch my 10 years of work go away. I cannot keep making music that will only be half mine. I have to fight. I took out my phone.

Let me talk to my attorney and see what should be done.

Let me finish. Adithya got wind of that lawsuit. When the digitizing of files began at Goldway, someone got talking and she heard the news through the grapevine. She immediately approached Sanga. He had a personal hard copy of your signed contract. She dissected it word for word and found a way to stop the filing. She couldn't do that working for Kumar and associates. So, she quit her job.

I bounced out of my chair. My body was shaking, filled with adrenaline.

She got Sanga on her side. He was bankrupt but a decent man. She pleaded with his conscience and worked out a way to arrange a meeting with Kiran's legal team.

I couldn't say anything, not from lack of trying. I was going into lock mode.

They met a week ago and had marathon discussions. She got them to stop from filing on grounds of multiple misdemeanors that won't allow for filing in the first place and she got rid of that contract altogether from Goldway. There was a small cash settlement with Sanga. I did that out of goodwill. Kiran and Kumars were not happy at all with Adithya. They blacklisted her from most of the law firms.

Blood drained from my face completely and I deflated into my chair.

You are good now, son. Don't worry.

I couldn't say a word. My dad rose and walked to me.

I am a man of few words. I don't really interfere in your personal life. I only have one thing to say. Never let her go. Throughout these 3 weeks, she never flinched once. She is a fierce young woman who loves you with everything she has.

I sat immobile trying to process the last 30 minutes and in awe of my girlfriend-in-law.