Chapter 45: ch-44
In the bustling streets of Moscow, the crew of Raw's Rampage had transformed a run-down alley in a fictional district into a hub of intrigue. The shoot was focused on showcasing Ravan's early days of gathering intelligence, mingling with small-time mobs to gather information, and laying the foundation for his network of power. Suraj, as director, was entirely immersed in the work. The scene was pivotal, showcasing Ravan's razor-sharp wit and his ability to manipulate people into giving him what he wanted without them even realizing it.
Ansh, playing Ravan, was having a particularly challenging time. The scene demanded him to converse fluently in Russian, delivering dialogue with precision while maintaining the intensity of his character. The language barrier proved a significant obstacle. The crew noticed him repeatedly stumbling over pronunciations during rehearsals, his frustration visibly mounting.
During one of the breaks, Suraj approached him with a suggestion. "Ansh, I know you're giving this your all, but it's okay to lip-sync for now. We can dub it later with a native speaker. The focus is on your expressions and body language."
Ansh shook his head firmly. "No, Suraj. If I'm playing Ravan, I need to do it right. The language is part of the character. I can't cut corners. It might take me longer, but I'll get it."
Suraj admired Ansh's dedication. Despite the actor's struggles, his determination was unshakable. Whenever he wasn't on set, Ansh could be found in a quiet corner, reciting lines in Russian over and over, perfecting the nuances of the language.
Meanwhile, Aryan, who had accompanied Suraj to the set, was making himself useful in his own way. Though too young to be formally involved, he insisted on helping out wherever he could—fetching water bottles for the crew, carrying props, or just offering a cheerful smile. His boundless energy and innocent enthusiasm quickly made him the crew's unofficial stress buster.
"Aryan, the little helper," one of the crew members called him affectionately, handing him a clipboard to carry.
"I'm not little!" Aryan retorted, puffing out his chest. "I'm helping Suraj bhaiya make the best movie ever!"
His antics often drew laughter, lightening the mood on even the most exhausting days.
One afternoon, as the crew was setting up for the next scene, Aryan wandered around the location, exploring the alleys and props. It was then that he spotted a familiar face. Across the set, standing with her guardian, Natalia, was the little girl he had met days ago.
Aryan's eyes lit up with genuine happiness. Without hesitation, he ran toward her, waving enthusiastically. "Hey! You're here!" he called out, his voice filled with excitement.
Ekaterina, the little girl, noticed Aryan approaching and looked slightly surprised. Yet, there was a hint of a smile on her face, a rare expression that hadn't been seen by many since her tragic past. Natalia, ever vigilant, stepped aside but kept a close eye on the interaction.
Aryan stopped a few feet away, suddenly self-conscious. He wanted to communicate but knew the language barrier was a problem. Remembering the sign language he had been practicing, he clumsily attempted a few basic signs.
"Hi! How... are... you?" he signed, his fingers fumbling slightly.
Ekaterina blinked in surprise, then covered her mouth with her small hands to stifle a laugh. His signs were far from perfect, but the effort was clear. She responded with a few signs of her own, her movements graceful and precise.
Aryan looked confused, turning to Natalia for help. "What did she say?"
Natalia smiled, her usually stern demeanor softening. "She said she's happy to see you again."
Aryan beamed at the response and quickly tried to sign back, though his clumsy gestures didn't exactly match the words. "Me too! I... learned... for you!" he managed to convey.
Ekaterina's eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, she responded with a small but genuine laugh, her blue eyes sparkling. She signed something back, and Natalia translated.
"She says, 'Thank you for learning. You are funny.'"
Aryan laughed in return. "I'm not funny! I'm smart!" he declared, puffing out his chest again.
Natalia watched the interaction closely, noting the rare joy on Ekaterina's face. It was a side of the girl she hadn't seen since she had taken on the role of her caretaker.
Ekaterina pointed to Aryan's arm, which still bore faint scratches from their previous encounter. She signed again, and Natalia translated. "She's asking if your arm is okay."
Aryan waved off the concern with a big grin. "It's fine! I'm strong!" he said, flexing his tiny arm muscles dramatically, which earned another laugh from Ekaterina.
Suraj, who had been discussing the next shot with his assistant director, noticed Aryan talking animatedly with the girl and Natalia. Curious, he walked over to join them.
"What's going on here?" Suraj asked, smiling as he approached.
Aryan turned to his brother excitedly. "Suraj bhaiya! Look, she's here! And I talked to her! Well, kind of... with signs."
Suraj looked at the little girl and nodded in recognition. "Hello again," he said warmly, directing his words to Ekaterina.
Natalia translated, and the girl shyly waved back.
Suraj crouched down to Aryan's level and ruffled his hair. "Looks like you've been practicing, huh?"
Aryan nodded vigorously. "I told you I'd learn! And she laughed at my signs, but I think she likes them."
Suraj chuckled. "Well, that's a good start." He then turned to Natalia. "Thank you for bringing her. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."
Natalia shook her head. "It was her request to come here. She insisted on seeing him again."
Suraj raised an eyebrow in surprise but smiled. "I see. Well, Aryan has that effect on people."
The interaction continued for a while longer, with Natalia helping bridge the communication gap between Aryan and Ekaterina. The little girl's initial shyness began to melt away, and she even taught Aryan a few new signs, which he eagerly tried to mimic.
By the time the day ended, the crew was ready to wrap up the shoot at the location. Aryan waved enthusiastically as Ekaterina and Natalia prepared to leave.
"Will you come again?" Aryan asked, his voice filled with hope.
Natalia translated the question, and Ekaterina nodded with a smile before signing a response.
"She says she hopes so," Natalia relayed.
As they walked away, Suraj placed a hand on Aryan's shoulder. "You did well today, Aryan. You made her smile."
Aryan looked up at his brother with pride. "I'll learn more signs, bhaiya. Next time, I'll talk to her properly!"
Suraj smiled, his heart swelling with pride for his little brother. "I'm sure you will."
As they headed back to their hotel, Suraj couldn't help but feel that these small moments of connection were just as important as the grand story they were trying to tell on-screen. In the midst of all the chaos of filmmaking, Aryan's genuine kindness and determination reminded him of the true value of human connection.
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