Chapter Text
Tentative at first, and almost immediately relaxing into comfortable familiarity- it was a cool summer evening when they held hands for the first time. Nagarjuna had taken Tabu a little away from the set where they were shooting their first film together, Ninne Pelladatha, to a small patch of grass over which the sky darkened into inky swirls of blue.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Nagarjuna smiled at Tabu. “If we want, we can imagine this is a park, and we’re just relaxing here after a long day at work.”
Tabu laughed. “I don’t want to be caught alone with you in a park after the sun’s gone down,” to which Nagarjuna blushed in response.
“Ohho, just look at you, big handsome film-star, gone all pink just because of a silly girl’s comment.”
“So you think I’m handsome huh,” Nagarjuna replied, in a visible attempt to regain the upper hand.
“No,” Tabu stuck her tongue out at him. “I just said it because I know it would make you upset to not be called handsome.”
“So you care so deeply about my feelings then?” Nagarjuna inched closer to her. “You say lies just to keep me happy? Tell you what, you’ll make someone an excellent wife one day.”
“Very subtle, Mr. Bigshot Film Star. There, I omitted the handsome. Learn some new flirting skills, and then come talk to me.”
A shadow of a movement, as if she was just about to get up- but just then, he reached out and almost hesitatingly, held out his hand. She took it, with a calmness that he had never seen before. As if she knew this was going to happen all along. As if she had been observing him, coolly waiting for him to stop talking, and all at once, Nagarjuna felt as if someone was seeing him for the very first time. No, that was not quite right. He felt like someone was seeing him, and also seeing through him- maybe even beyond that.
“How’s Amla?” Tabu asked as conversationally as one might enquire about the weather.
He still didn’t let go of her hand.
“She’s fine.” “Busy with Akhil, I suppose.”
“Yes.” At the mention of his son, he grinned widely and looked at Tabu. “He’s such an energetic fellow. Always running about the house and breaking things and laughing. Drives his mother and all the servants insane on a daily basis. My father says he reminds him of me, you know?” There was no mistaking the pride and joy in his eyes.
She just smiled in return. He lowered his voice, “There’s no better feeling than being a parent, you know? Acting and all is fine, but there is nothing I love more than seeing myself through my boys’ eyes.”
Tabu thought, “That reveals a lot more about him than he’d like to be known.” Aloud, she half-teased, “Are you trying to drop a hint?” “Are you willing to pick it up if I drop it?” Nagarjua chuckled, clearly very pleased with his own joke.
“That was honestly one of the worst jokes I have ever heard. It’s disgraceful to call it a joke, actually,” she shook her head.
“Well, I’m so sorry Ms. Tabu for not living upto your fine standards. Come on, smile for me now. Don’t make me beg.”
“We are not in the movie anymore,” she said quietly.
“What is that supposed to me- Oh, that Pandu scene! Wow, I didn’t even think of it like that.” He smiled fondly as he looked at her.
“Is this going to be your- your hobby, maybe? Divorcing the wife before your son turns 5 and finding a new one?” She still spoke quietly, but her hand had suddenly tensed in his.
He was so shocked by this sudden outburst that he couldn’t immediately formulate a reply. “Tabu, what are you even talking about? You know I love Chaitanya and Akhil more than life itself,” Nagarjuna crept closer to her desperately. “All I’m saying is, I’m fond of you. I love spending time with you. Is that a crime?”
She stayed silent.
He looked at her closely, and then abruptly looked away. “Is this because of what happened between your parents?”
She didn’t reply. He looked at her again, and saw that her head was bowed down. He considered wrapping his arm around her, but then abandoned the idea. “Too many people around,” he thought.
“Tabu,” he whispered, almost in her ear. To his surprise, she giggled a little. “That tickled.”
“Tabuuuu,” he whispered in her ear again. “Ouch, stop it,” she was laughing and pushing him away now, “You’re such a typical jerk.” “Am I?” Nagarjuna laughed, as he tickled her sides now. “Oh my god, I said, stop it! Stop it!!” Tabu was almost shrieking, halfway on his lap now.
He put his arms around her, and helped her sit up straight again. “I didn’t know you were this prone to tickling.” “Who isn’t?” she retorted. “Never mind,” he sighed as he took her hand again. “Do you ever miss your father?”
She shook her head. “I never knew him. I’ve never even met him. And I don’t want to.”
He squeezed her hand. “It’s alright, Tabu. Whatever you want.”
She smiled. “Do you really believe that, or are you just saying it?”
“Why would I just say it?”
“To make me happy.” “And what makes you think I’d say anything to keep you happy?” “Oh, quit acting like a high-schooler, it doesn’t suit a 40 year old uncle like you.”
“I’m only 36!” Tabu started laughing again. “See, I knew you’d be outraged. Come, let’s go back to the set, people must be waiting for us.”
“So you know my exact age, huh,” Nagarjuna smirked. “Stop it! Have some shame, you have two young sons. Your days of acting cool are long gone. Now, come!” She stood up, and after throwing him one last cocky smile, ran back to the set.