Two weeks had passed since the auditions for Aashiqui. For ordinary people, fourteen days were nothing. But for dreamers, they felt much longer. Life had gradually returned to its normal rhythm. Adil attended his classes at D. G. Ruparel College, continued his daily training.
Although he had become somewhat recognizable among young audiences, his fame remained limited. Students often greeted him with smiles, some girls shyly asked for autographs, and even professors joked that they expected free tickets to his future films. But beneath all the ordinary routines, one thing occupied everyone's mind inside the Ali household. The telephone call.
Every evening after returning home, Adil would unconsciously glance toward it. Every ring sent Meera Sharma Ali rushing toward it before anyone else. But each time, disappointment followed. Sometimes it was a relative. Sometimes it was Arif's office. Sometimes a wrong number. Never the call they were waiting for.
Even Shah Rukh Khan seemed equally restless. The two occasionally spoke on the phone, and despite his cheerful nature, Shah Rukh's anxiety became obvious."Tell me honestly," he laughed during one conversation. "How many times do you stare at the telephone every day?"
"Not many." Adil replied. "Liar," Shah Rukh immediately replied. "I've started treating the phone like my girlfriend. Every ring gives me hope."
"You need help," Adil said. "I need work," Shah Rukh answered dramatically, making both of them laugh.
Then came Sunday afternoon. Adil was upstairs in his room studying economics while soft music played from his cassette player. Downstairs, Meera was busy preparing lunch while humming happily. Suddenly, the telephone rang.
Without wasting a second, she hurried toward it and picked up the receiver. "Hello?" A polite male voice answered from the other side. "Namaste. May I speak with Adil Ali?" Meera straightened immediately. "Yes, of course." The man introduced himself as an assistant from Mahesh Bhatt's office. Meera's eyes widened. "One moment!" She said. Then her voice echoed throughout the house. "Adil!"
"Adil! Come downstairs quickly!"
Upstairs, Adil paused, set his book aside, and stepped out of his room. Reaching the top of the staircase, he looked down and asked,
"What happened, Mom?"
"Phone!" She said by pointinyher finger. "Who is it?" Adil asked. "Just come down!" Meera urged impatiently.
By the time he reached the hall, Meera looked strangely excited. She handed him the receiver immediately. "It's for you." Adil took the phone.
"Hello. Adil speaking." He introduced himself. "Good afternoon, Mr. Adil. I'm calling from Mahesh Bhatt's office."
Adil expression changed. His heartbeat became faster. The guy on the other side of the phone went on saying. "We wanted to inform you that Mr. Mahesh Bhatt was very impressed with your audition. He would like you to visit the office tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. There are some matters regarding Aashiqui he would like to discuss personally."
For a moment, Adil froze. Not rejection, Another meeting. And it's tomorrow. Adil replied impatiently, "Thank you, I will be there on time."
"We'll be expecting you." The assistant said after that he ended the call. For several seconds, Adil simply stood there holding the receiver. His mind became blank. Meera who was lookinv at him anxiously, Asked. "What happened?"
Adil returned to his senses, his heart is still beating faster. He looked at her and said. "They want me to come go their office tomorrow." For a moment, Meera simply stared. Then happiness exploded across her face. Without warning, she hugged him tightly and exclaimed. "I knew it! I knew it! My son! Is awesome." She held his face and smiled brightly and asked further. "They liked you." Adil shook his head and replied. "We don't know that yet.
"We do," she replied confidently. "Nobody calls someone twice for nothing." Suddenly, she stood up. "I have to tell your father. And today, I'm making something special. We're celebrating this great moment."
Before Adil could say anything, she had already picked up the telephone again. Within seconds, her excited voice filled the room.
"Arif! They called!"
"Yes, Mahesh Bhatt's office!"
"No, not rejection."
"They want him tomorrow. Come home early! And remember to bring sweets!"
Meanwhile, Adil slowly walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. His thoughts remained scattered. Behind him, his mother's excited voice continued.
"Yes, yes! We'll celebrate tonight!"
Leaning back against the sofa, he stared at the ceiling.
'Aashiqui.'
He knew exactly what this film would become in the future. It would not merely be successful. It would become a phenomenon. The songs would dominate the country. Every cassette shop would play them. Young couples would memorize every lyric.
Then his thoughts shufted. Mahesh Bhatt had personally asked his assistant to call him. Why? Had fate itself begun changing? Was he being considered for a supporting role? A friend of the hero? Or something even bigger? For the first time in years, uncertainty excited him.
That evening, Arif Ali returned from work earlier than usual. The moment he entered the house. Meera practically dragged him inside. "There he is!" she announced proudly. "The father of a future movie star." Arif laughed softly. He said, "Slow down, Meera. It's not final yet"
"No!" she protested. "They called him again, It means he is selected, i knew about my son than anyone else." Arif just shook bis head at her. Then turning toward his son, Arif asked calmly, "What exactly did they say?" Adil explained everything. After listening quietly, Arif smiled. "Good." Meera frowned immediately. "That's all?" She said. "What else should I say?" Arif asked with amusement. "They called him back. That's important." Meera said.
"It is." Arif nodded. Then, he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "But don't celebrate success before it arrives." Then his smile deepened. "However, people don't usually call someone twice without a reason." That simple sentence brought another smile to Meera's face.
That night, she prepared a special dinner. The atmosphere inside the Ali household was cheerful, and she smiled throughout the evening. But long after everyone had gone to sleep, Adil stood alone on the balcony, looking over the countless lights of Mumbai.
'Tomorrow.' He thought. Tomorrow he would meet Mahesh Bhatt again. Tomorrow could change everything.