The New Dawn Final: One Last Time

"This young actor is pleading with me to give him a chance to act in my next play. Could you please take his small screen test!" Reluctantly Simran agreed to this request of her editor who was also into writing and directing plays.

So there!... She was at that Restaurant sitting with the young actor Bala. Simran was not that keen on taking any screen test and was just happy to close the matter with few questions on his education and experience in theater. But Bala who was hardly eighteen was more than eager to display the immense talents he had picked up from his Master. Bala spoke of how he had mastered the Nava Rasas(the nine emotions) and wanted to give a presentation. Simran was more concerned of what was contained in the paper rather than what was bubbling inside the young man.
Suddenly she got a pat on her back... literally. Turning around she found Sharanya, Prem's colleague. After a quick Hi, Sharanya just pulled the chair and joined them.

She didn't take much time to break the news to Simran, "Your Prem may get engaged in few days!...." She expected a outburst of some kind of emotion from Simran. But Simran just had two lines to say, "That's Great!" and she said them with a nice smile on her face.
Sharanya was surprised at Simran's reponse to the news, "Aren't you angry on hearing the news!" The actor inside Bala got awakened when he heard the word Angry and he banged the table very furiously. His face started turning red and his body leaned forward with a clinched fist. Sharanya unaware of the screen test, tried to calm the young boy, "Oye! Angry young man! What's your problem?... Don't worry! The order will come! Have patience!"
Simran congratulated the young man, "Nice display of Raudra rasa (emotion of anger). Bala! That's Enough! People may think that you are possessed and have you thrown out!" Before Sharanya could make out what was going on, Simran started addressing her,"Why and What should I be angry at in the first place? I don't have any control over him. I know my preferences in life and have realized that Prem can only be a good friend in life. So what's there to be angry about?"

The order was served to their table. Sharanya was still interested in taking forward the conversation, "You're saying that this news doesn't make you sad at all...."
Bala caught the word sad and was quick to act. He made a gloomy face, his body dropped and he put both his hands over the cheeks. Sharanya was still clueless of the young man's behavioral changes, "Oye! What a transformation! From Angry young man to Dukhi Mann Mere*.... What's wrong? Aren't you happy with the dishes being served? You can order anything you like! I am the sponsor today..."
Simran again smiled at Bala, "Hmm.... shokha rasa... the emotion of sadness. It looks more like you are being subjected to a electric shock rather than any emotional shokh....Negative Marks!" Sharanya was now able to come to a conclusion about the young boy. But before she could say anything, Simran was removing her doubts, "And this emotion of sadness has definitely not taken over me. And what is there to grieve about, anyway. Yes! .... When I look back at the year of laughter and fun filled moments that I had with him, it will bring tears to my eyes... But it is not out of sadness...Why should I brood over the past?...."

For some time, Sharanya dropped the topic. But she was restless and needed to hear more from Simran. And so she burst out, "Don't tell me you're happy for him?..."
Bala immediately started displaying the emotion of happiness. This time Sharanya was not to be fooled and she didn't want any irritation, "If you are so happy, here! take this!" and handed over the bill, "....you can pay it!....". Bala became speechless and was devoid of any expression when he saw the bill amount. Sharanya teased the boy, "Now! What do they call this expression on your face? "
Simran saved the boy from the trouble and took the bill, "I would be more than happy to pay this bill. And I am equally happy on listening to the news that my Prem has got engaged... I am happy if he has found the one who will love him for the lifetime.I can only wish that good things happen to him." As she said those lines, tears trickled down her cheeks.

When the waiter returned with the change, Simran complimented Bala on his acting skills, "Full marks for your talent. I will recommend your name to my editor." The boy was more than happy and thanking Simran, departed from the scene. Simran turned to Sharanya, "See! Its so easy to be happy! Make others happy and you will also be happy! Convey my best wishes to Prem and the girl."

(PS *Dukhi Mann Mere (Sad is my mind) Song of Kishore Kumar associated with extreme sadness.
** Thanks to Ananditha and Priya for helping me with the Post)
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This is the 100th post in the Prem-Simran stories and I am ending the love story of Prem and Simran here. It all started on July 25, 2008 (click here) when a boy proposed to a girl (At that time I didn't knew they were Prem and Simran :) )

I hope all of you have liked my Prem Simran stories. Do you feel I need to continue with the same series or try to write something different? Please do let me know your opinion.