“Let’s go meet them,” Dev said.
An hour later Tina sat rigidly next to her husband in the back of the luxury car. As the driver turned on a busy street, Tina clenched her hands into fists and bent her head. It had taken longer than usual for her to get ready. She was nervous about her first visit to Arjun Film Studios. He had not invited her before and Tina had been reluctant to drop by unannounced. She had always suspected he kept her away because she didn’t meet up to the Arjun high standards. She knew she had to look the part as the boss’s wife. Dressed in a bright yellow designer dress, stiletto heels and dark sunglasses, she looked like a Bollywood star. The ensemble was her armor, hiding her tension and uncertainty.
She glanced again at Dev. He was dressed casually in jeans and a black dress shirt. He didn’t have to try hard to look like a movie star. “You don’t have to be part of the reunion ,” she muttered.
“Is there something I should know?” Dev asked as he scrolled through the messages on his phone. “Do you not get along with your family?”
“We’re fine.” The driver took a turn and Tina saw the sign for the Arjun Film Studios. She studied the large modern building. “This is your film studio?”
“It was built a couple of years ago to meet international standards,” Dev said proudly as Tina stared at the green landscape that surrounded the white building. The entrance was a tower of glass windows. “We have soundstages, recording studios and dance rehearsal halls under one roof.”
All the necessities to make a Bollywood hit, Tina thought dazedly as she continued to stare at the building. The music and dancing were required for every masala movie. Only when she worked on a movie, her dance rehearsals were done in crowded rooms or outside in the sweltering heat.
Tina noticed the buzz of activity when she walked in the lobby with Dev. Young men and women, dressed casually in a mix of tunic shirts and jeans, were rushing around. They carried papers, cell phones and small glass cups of tea. There was a sense of urgency and creativity in the atmosphere.
Tina spotted her mother sitting on the bright blue chair among the contemporary artwork depicting famous movie scenes. Tina was surprised that tears pricked her eyes when she saw Reema Sharma. Her mother’s long black braid was streaked liberally with gray hair and red henna. Her white embroidered dupatta slipped over her shoulders and her dark blue shalwar kameez strained against her voluptuous curves.
“Amma!” Tina said in greeting as she stood in front of her mother. Inhaling the floral scent that she always associated with the older woman, Tina bowed down and touched her mother’s foot with respect.
“I hate your hair,” Reema said as she pulled a spiky tuft. “What were you thinking? No one is going to hire you when you look like a boy.”
“She could never be confused for a boy,” Dev drawled as he greeted her mother.
Tina rose to her full height and glanced at Dev. She felt a pull deep in her belly when she saw the gleam of desire in his eyes. She blushed and hurriedly looked away. How could he look at her like that, when he had seen her at her very worst? No amount of makeup or gloss could erase those moments when her eyes had been dulled, her hair lank and her face colorless.
What was she thinking? She didn’t want Dev to desire her anymore. To look at her with such intensity that her stomach would clutch with anticipation. She needed to keep her distance.
“Would you like a tour?” Dev asked.
“Yes!” Reema said enthusiastically.
“Where are Rani and Meera?” Tina asked as they walked. She was very aware of Dev beside her. Tina didn’t like the way he towered over her. It made her feel small and delicate.
“I told your sisters that I needed to speak to you alone,” Reema said as she straightened her dupatta. “It’s a shame that they’re missing this. Do you think we’ll meet any stars?”
“They will be working,” Tina said. She didn’t point out that her sisters didn’t care about the Hindi film industry. They had other interests and goals, something her starstruck mother couldn’t understand.
“Yes, but we will be with the boss,” Reema reminded her. She glanced at Dev and then back at Tina. “We can always talk later, when we’re alone.”
“I’m her husband,” he reminded his mother-in-law. “You can say anything in front of me.”
That didn’t mean a lot to Reema Sharma. She wasn’t impressed with Dev’s good looks or his male charm. Tina couldn’t remember the last time her mother had said anything complimentary about a man. Her mother didn’t like, respect or trust men. Not since the day her husband had deserted her with three young daughters.