Free Trouble Has a New Name by Adite Banerjie Page A

‘No. But since we were competing with Havelock Island we decided to go with Emerald Isle to attract high-value tourists.’
    ‘Smart marketing strategy,’ said Rayna.
    Julie nodded. ‘Yes, it all comes down to smart marketing, doesn’t it? A romantic hideaway. A honeymooner’s paradise. We want to get some of that feel in our short film. Wish we had known about Chris and Milee’s wedding a bit in advance. Then we could have had the two of them anchor the show.’
    One of the TV crew members, who was within earshot, joked, ‘Hey, in case you two have any plans for getting hitched, now’s the time. Go for it.’
    While everyone laughed, Rayna noticed that Neel was glowering at them.
    Julie winked at Rayna. ‘I guess this romantic ambience is getting to Paul as well.’
    After shooting at the beach, the TV crew ambled through the village, videoing the daily routine of island life. The simple villagers were delighted to be filmedand welcomed them into their homes with offerings of delicious coconut water and banana fritters.
    Neel was determined to avoid Rayna, who amused herself by playing with the children. She felt like a magician as she fished out a tube of lipstick from her purse and gave it to one of the little girls, who scooted away to show it off to her friends.
    By lunchtime, the crew had done enough filming for the day and, as the sun’s rays beat down upon them, they headed back to the resort. Neel had slipped on his aviator glasses and made it more than obvious that he wasn’t interested in idle chit-chat. Rayna couldn’t help but feel irritated—she was hardly to blame for Paul’s off-the-cuff remark and what was the big deal, anyway? This dude clearly had some heavy-duty issues. Besides, two could play at the stony-silence game!
    As soon as they arrived at the resort, Rayna was accosted by a harried Maya, who needed help with the preparations for the
sangeet.
Within minutes they had rounded up the Agra gang for a quick rehearsal at the gym. Maya’s idea was to do a fun Gangnam-style number set to one of the latest Bollywood hits.
    Agra Aunty, who had never heard of the South Korean sensation Psy, was most perturbed. ‘What’s all this
Gangman-
Shangman? Is this something like gangsta rap? Highly unsuitable for a
sangeet
!’
    Her comment was greeted with howls of laughter and Maya quickly played a video of the Korean superstar’s blockbuster number on the gym’s large-screen TV to bring Agra Aunty up to speed. Soon she was tapping her feet, rotating her arms and shaking her ample hips in time to the catchy music. ‘I like this Korean Govinda.’
    A chorus of squeals went up, ‘
Gangnam
, Aunty!’
    ‘
Haan…haan…
I’m telling you he has copied all his moves from our Bollywood’s Govinda!’ she retorted as she swung her hips.
    Agra Aunty threw herself into the rehearsals with gusto. Soon everyone was trying to rival her over-the-top moves. Amid much laughter, booty-shaking and ribald comments, they managed to work out a dance routine that was easy enough to follow without being overly choreographed.
    ‘Ladies, another rehearsal tomorrow morning at seven and we should be ready to rock and roll!’ announced Maya triumphantly.
    Huffing and puffing after the energetic dancing, Agra Aunty caught Maya by the arm and said, ‘Maya
beti
, will Karisma be also joining us for the
scingeet
?’
    Maya’s face fell. ‘Aunty, how do you know about Karisma?’
    Agra Aunty smirked. ‘I have my sources. Everyone in Agra will be so jealous of me if I did
balle-balle
with her.’
    Rayna felt sorry for Maya, who was being bamboozled by the wily old biddy. She butted in. ‘Aunty, Karisma doesn’t want to dance with lesser mortals like you and me. She is our star performer.’
    Agra Aunty snorted. ‘
Arrey
, she might be a superstar. But you are also a
chhota-mota model-shodel
, no?’ Rayna couldn’t help wonder at how Agra Aunty did it—even her praise sounded like an insult. ‘Right, Aunty.