The "Reality" Romance

Shreya and Ankur seemed to be made for each other. Ankur understood everything Shreya wanted without her uttering a single word. For Ankur, Shreya's blush was all that he needed in return.

"Has Ankur really fallen for me?" Shreya thought to herself before falling asleep. Shreya was participating in the reality show "Who's the Boss?" and she had to win by all means. This would be her ticket to the life and everything she wished for.

Ankur too was engrossed in similar thoughts as Shreya and was pondering on the feelings he had for her. The pretense of loving Shreya was getting at him.

Winning the reality show was everyone's dream who had participated in the "Who's the Boss?" Reality show aired during the prime time on Alpha plus channel. Each one of the 15 participants was putting their best foot forward to win the show. All were trying to get high TRP ratings and not to get eliminated. 40 days of pretense cannot be a daunting task and should be real fun was what was in everyone's mind.

Gaurav was trying to flaunt his culinary skills and Tina her martial art techniques. Farah was being the agony aunt to everyone. However, Shreya and Ankur were trying the tried and tested formula of on screen live romance to win the show. Both had started with looking out for a suitable partner to feign the romantic act. Both soon were paired as "Ankush" and became the talk of each household. Everyone was wondering if the love story was real. The way both of their eyes locked, their body language, the little sweet nothings they spoke seemed so impossible to be fake.

On the 32nd day of the show most of participants had been eliminated. Ankur and Shreya were falling for each other for real but were not sure of depth of the other's feelings. Before the final elimination and announcement of the winner both wished the other's victory. Happiness of the other became a priority more than their own agenda with which they had participated the show. 

On the 34th day, it was 1 am in the night and everyone else had fallen asleep. Ankur and Shreya decided to express their real feelings. Feigning the emotions was easy but finding words to reveal the real emotions was intimidating task. Eyes locked and helped them. Soon both melted in each other's arms, basking in the sheer bliss and delight of this new found love. Both promised to get engaged after the show was over.

On the final day Shreya was announced as the winner and Ankur was the happiest. At night there was a gala party with all the 15 participants and the host and the entire creative unit. Everyone was enjoying on the dance floor. Ankur walked towards Shreya with 2 glasses of wine in hand. He wanted to share few moments in her company alone. Shreya was on cloud nine and greeted everyone with her flashing smile. However, as Ankur reached her, she started a conversation with Gaurav and moved in the opposite direction. Ankur was aghast at the stark change in her behavior. Ankur waited the party to get over and decided to confront Shreya.

"Shreya" called Ankur, loud enough to reach Shreya's ears. Shreya stopped and looked back. "Yes" said Shreya in an indifferent tone. Ankur asked her the reason for her late change in her behavior. Shreya with a smile answered, "Hope you are not serious about whatever happened between us. I just wanted to win the show. Everything was an act and for the camera."

Shreya moved to the dias to pose for the shutterbugs and Ankur tried to drown his shattered emotions in the glass of wine.