Fortune had rolled out the red carpet for Vir and everything
was within easy reach. He had money, looks, and intelligence and his birthright
to win all the prizes that life had to offer.
His first real
opposition was in the last years of school when Joya’s entry rocked the
dynamics of the classroom. She was attractive, knew how to charm and soon
became one of the lead performers on the school stage. The ripples lasted for a
while and then everybody settled down except for Vir. He couldn’t fathom why she
preferred the company of Tej and Ron, who were nothing special. She wasn’t rude, she didn’t snub him, she was
just not interested and he was clueless. Vir was frustrated but not impatient
and decided to bide his time.
Ron and Tej hastened their steps as it was the last day of
the school year. A teacher whisked Tej away before the assembly was about to
start. Tej looked crestfallen, stood apart and whispered a few words to Ron who
in turn spoke to Joya. She moved swiftly and couldn’t be seen among the impatient
students waiting to be let off.
The last speaker Vir walked up to deliver the final oration.
He had barely spoken when he started to fidget as if he had an unstoppable
itch. Red faced and embarrassed, Vir cut
short his speech and hurried off the stage and the event was concluded with the
school song led by Joya.
Tej, Ron and Joya walked out without a care, relieved that
their schooling was over.
“Joya what did you do
to make Vir squirm? Nobody else would
have dared to humiliate him onstage especially after his father had announced a
hefty donation to the school.”
“Exactly. I was mad when you told me that Vir had been chosen
to substitute for Tej. Vir’s father’s money paved the way. I saw his blazer on
the chair and just put in a handful of red ants. I got bitten too but nothing
like Vir.”
Tej was disapproving, “You know that wasn’t smart. Vir hasn’t
gone out of his way to harm you.”
Joya shrugged, “I’m no longer in school. Think of the future.
I’ve managed a couple of modeling assignments and may be an audition for a
television show. What about you guys?”
“My aim is civil rights, justice, and good governance for
everybody. I’m going to get a college education and look to join a political
party that I believe and can trust.”
“I can see it so
clearly. Tej your first action will be to join the students union and Ron will
be clicking your protest marches.”
“Look who is speaking. I helped you assemble the photographs
for your modeling assignment.”
Ron would capture life through the camera’s lens, Tej would
strive for honest public administration and Joya would captivate hearts.
And Vir, very much in the public eye would go on his ordained
path.
At the beginning it was slow even for Joya who believed that
she could take the world by storm. At all times there were so many young women,
each one ready to give her all and there were agents, contacts who promised
much and often delivered nothing. Joya worked hard for the box office numbers
and learnt to reinvent to survive.
It was the days when nothing worked and she saw her smile
crack along with her make up that she would visit Ron. He said little, noticed
that with time Joya’s restless energy could become hysterical and popping pills
or alcohol were no longer capable of blotting out the present.
“I need to showcase more mature meaningful roles not only
romantic ones. I’ve almost nailed it at some auditions and then it just slipped
away. I guess that is any actor’s life
but did you know that Vir is involved in the film industry.”
“Yes I meet Vir occasionally. Why don’t you approach him? He
has an extensive network.”
Joya avoided answering Ron’s question, “Tell me do you meet
Tej?”
“I forgot to tell you.
Tej wants to meet us. He wants to share some news before it becomes public. Can
we meet next week? ”
It had been a long
time since the three of them had met and the first few minutes were caught up
in trivia that helped to connect. Tej observed them critically, trying to take
their measure, people change and they had come a long way from their teenage
years.
“All these years I’ve been working to build and strengthen
the party’s office and build systems. It hasn’t been an easy task because the
older members were the slowest to acknowledge change. Now the top leaders want
me to have a more public face and field me as a candidate for one of the city’s
constituencies. The belief is that a fresh face would help us win an
influential section of the electorate.
I haven’t made up my
mind about the offer. The news hasn’t been made public and I would like to hear
your opinions.”
Joya looked Tej in the
eye. “Would you be upset if I told you the name of the constituency ……”
Tej stared unbelievingly, “Where did you hear this? I was
made this offer only a few days ago. “
“You know that walls
have ears and I won’t disclose my source. Wait until I tell you the next bit.”
“I could understand if Ron knew after all he has entry to
many worlds and does work for the media but you?”
Joya grinned cheekily, “I learnt early in life not to
underestimate anybody. Vir has asked me to marry him but he has one condition.”
Tej was trying to make
sense of Joya’s disconnected statements while Ron added, “I’m sure you are
aware that Vir fell in love with you from the first moment and you ignored
him.”
Joya’s voice dripped sarcasm, “Do you know whom I love or
that isn’t important?”
“No. Tonight you are more a stranger than your usual self,”
Tej muttered.
“Vir’s offer has a clause. I must be ready to give up acting.
It wasn’t easy and I would have almost conceded except that soon after I was
offered the lead role in a political thriller. The script is brilliant and I’ve
signed the contract.”
Ron was critical “Are
you playing for time?”
Joya’s refusal to answer left both the men uneasy but they
promised to meet again. There was an upswing in Joya’s popularity and Tej was
grooming himself for his responsibilities.
Occasionally, Vir would commission Ron for one of his many
business projects. They had a
satisfactory working relationship and neither of them crossed personal
boundaries.
“My father thinks the time is opportune for me represent the
party and gradually build my stronghold. He will support and guide me while my
brothers and cousins take greater responsibility in the family business
The election campaign is gathering momentum and tomorrow my
name will be announced publicly. It wasn’t my choice but I have been pitted
against Tej. The party machinery and
funds are heavily weighted in my favor. Just tell Joya to stay out of the fray.
I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”
Vir’s news would be public knowledge but the warning about
Joya made Ron apprehensive. Tej was on the campaign trail and difficult to contact
and Joya’s response was casual. “Vir is upset over my refusal but he won’t ever
harm me. His father is worried about the results though both of them are first
time contestants. Tej has political support but he doesn’t have the backup that
Vir enjoys.”
“Don’t be so stubborn.
You don’t have to be a part of Tej’s campaign entourage. Often situations get
out of hand and escalate.” Ron repeated Vir’s words but Joya was on her own
trip.
Tej was scheduled to address a big public meeting and had
requested Ron to take a few photographs. Traffic and crowds had built up and
Ron was delayed. He abandoned the cab and started making his way towards the
venue. He overheard bits of conversation, “The film star Joya is going to be
sharing the platform. There are rumors
of her joining the party.”
Ron felt uncomfortable, Vir’s warning echoed and he pushed
forward to get closer to the raised dais. Skirmishes and rough housing had
become a part of these rallies and he only hoped that this one would pass off
peacefully. The site was near a crowded city neighborhood and there would be
chaos if there was trouble.
The meeting was well received with rousing speeches and
promises, Joya waved and smiled with the practiced ease of a crowd pleaser and
Ron was panning the crowds to get some candid pictures. Tej had got down from
the stage and Joya was behind when he heard a few gun shots and some smoke
bombs being let off. Within seconds he saw Joya hurtle down and the chaotic
crowds pushed in all directions. He was too far away to help and in danger of
being trampled in this mad stampede. He wanted to protect the last footage and
to find an escape route.
Ron was experienced
enough to know that in such volatile situations the first action was personal
safety. He would find out later not only what the camera had recorded but who
had marked his presence in that melee. He didn’t want to be roughed up or have
his equipment damaged. The news of
Joya’s death was common knowledge by the time he had reached safety.
Whether it was Joya’s death or fate but Vir lost by a slim margin.
Vir mourned her deeply but he it didn’t
stop him from actively participating in future elections.
Tej returned to the
nitty gritty of running the party machinery and would be respected for his
logistical skills. Joya’s death had left him remorseful and with unanswered
questions. Had she known about the attack that might signal her end?
After her death Ron had been requested to display some of his
work and it had included a few photographs of Joya before she became
famous. A couple of these were sold to
an anonymous buyer who in spite of Ron’s efforts couldn’t be traced.
Joya had spilled out childhood stories of abuse and neglect,
bad mouthed people who had duped and dumped her and the seedy workings of the
entertainment industry but left Ron guessing about the man she truly loved.
