June 1990 had arrived, and with it came a change in atmosphere around Adil Ali. Life at D. G. Ruparel College remained normal on the surface, but outside the classroom, the first signs of Aashiqui's arrival had begun appearing everywhere. Small newspaper advertisements had started appearing. Music companies had begun promoting the film's soundtrack. Posters with the names of actors had started finding their place in newspapers and magazines. Though none of the actors were established stars, curiosity around the film was slowly building.
Inside college, however, Adil's classmates were far more interested in the boy sitting among them than the advertisements themselves.
One afternoon during lunch break, Sameer Malhotra and the rest of their group occupied their usual table in the canteen. Before Adil could even open his lunch box, one of the boys leaned forward excitedly and said. "Enough hiding things. Tell us about the movie."
"Yes!" another immediately joined. "What kind of movie is it?" Adil smiled helplessly. Everyone had been asking him the same question for days. "It's a love story," he answered simply. "And it's also a musical film."
"So what's the name of the hero?" another boy asked. Adil replied calmly, "Rahul."
One of the boys suddenly remembered something. "Wait a second. I saw a poster in the newspaper. Isn't your Fauji partner Shah Rukh Khan also in the movie?"
"Yeah," another added. "It's his first movie too, right? What role is he playing?" Adil nodded and replied. "His character's name is Sameer. He's one of the main characters and Rahul's close friend."
The moment he finished, Sameer Malhotra was surprised, his eyes shifted and he dramatically added. "See? I knew it!" Everyone looked at him. Sameer went on. "I inspire greatness," he announced proudly. "Mahesh Bhatt must have studied me secretly. Why else would Shah Rukh's character be named Sameer?"
The entire table burst into laughter. "Look at his narcissism." One boy said. "Someone stop him." Another one said. "He already thinks Bollywood revolves around him." Even Adil couldn't help laughing.
Sameer folded his arms proudly. "Just remember me when the movie becomes a hit."
One of the girls sitting nearby joined the conversation. "What about the other characters?" "Heah, Who else is in the film?" Another girl asked.
Adil answered, "Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, both are newcomers. Rahul plays Vikram, an important character in the story, and Anu Aggarwal is obviously the female lead."
"All newcomers?" one boy asked. Adil nodded and said. "Entire major cast is new."
Then another classmate suddenly grinned. "Enough movie discussion. Hero, sing something from your movie." Several voices immediately supported him.
"Yes!"
"Sing!"
"We deserve a private concert."
Sameer pointed dramatically. "We have supported you emotionally. We demand payment."
The entire table laughed. Adil shook his head with a smile. "You people are impossible." But after enough insistence, he finally gave in. He softly sang a few lines from one of the songs.
Gradually, the noise of the canteen seemed to lessen around their table. Several nearby students turned their heads. A few girls sitting across from them stopped talking altogether. When he finished, loud applause erupted from his friends.
On the other side of the canteen, Aishwarya Rai had unknowingly heard part of the song. She wasn't paying attention at first, but the voice had naturally reached her ears. She glanced toward Adil's table.
She had already heard people talking about him over the last month. Teachers praised him. Classmates admired him. Now she had understood completely that those talks wre real.
Over the following days, life continued normally. Occasionally, Adil's and Aishwarya's paths crossed. Once, they nearly bumped into each other on the stairs. Another day, they stood near each other outside the chemistry laboratory while waiting for class. They exchanged polite smiles and went their separate ways. Neither thought much about these little encounters.
Until one afternoon. Classes had ended early because one of the professors was absent. Students were talking in the class while some went to the canteen. Adil was heading toward the Principal's office. As he turned the corner near the notice board, he almost ran into someone. When Adil looked up he saw Aishwarya Rai standing in front of him. Both stepped aside simultaneously.
"Oh, sorry," she said. "No, it's my fault," Adil replied. For a moment, both smiled awkwardly. Adil appeared perfectly calm. But inside, he felt strangely nervous. He didn't know why it is. Because he didn't even felt this nervous facing Shahrukh and Mahesh Bhatt.
"Hello," she said with a smile.
"Hello." Adil also said.
"I heard your singing in the canteen the other day." She said. Adil blinked and asked. "You did?"
She laughed softly. "I think half the college heard it." Then she looked at him seriously. "You sing very well. Honestly, your voice sounds like those professional singers."
Adil laughed immediately and said modestly. "No, no. Real singers would throw me out of the studio if they heard that."
"I'm serious, it was beautiful" she said with a smile.
" Thank you." Adil replied simply didn't insist on denying. Then a small silence followed. Then Adil smiled and said. "You know, I think you could become an actress." Aishwarya laughed. "Me? You're exaggerating."
"No, I'm serious." Adil said. "Why?" She asked. Adil simply shrugged. "I don't know. You have that presence."
"And you seem very confident while saying impossible things." Aishwarya just smiled and said. Adil remain silent.
Only Adil knew that who she will be in the future. He just watched her amusedly after hearing her. Aishwarya also looked at him. Neither of them spoke.
Soon, one of Aishwarya's friends called her from downstairs. Aishwarya looked back and smiled. "See you around."
"See you." Adil also said. From that day onward, they became ordinary friends.
Nothing dramatic. Nothing romantic. They simply greeted each other whenever they met. Sometimes they exchanged notes. Sometimes they discussed professors or assignments. Just ordinary classmates who had slowly become comfortable around each other. Meanwhile, outside college, life was beginning to accelerate once again.
One evening, while Adil was studying in his room, Meera Sharma Ali called from downstairs.
"Adil! Telephone!"
He came down and picked up the receiver. It was Mahesh Bhatt. "Adil," the director said warmly. "Enjoying your peaceful days?" Adil replied. "For now, yes sir."
"Good. Because they're over." Mahesh Bhatt said. Then, he informed him that proper promotions for Aashiqui would begin soon. Magazine interviews, photoshoots, press meetings, and music events had all been scheduled.
After hanging up, Adil sat quietly for a moment. The peaceful days were ending. The real journey was about to begin.
Half an hour later, the telephone rang again. This time it was Shah Rukh Khan. "Adil!" Shah Rukh's cheerful voice echoed through the receiver. "I got the call too."
Adil smiled and said. "So we're officially entering the circus." Shah Rukh laughed loudly and said. "Exactly! Can you believe it? Last year we were chasing auditions. Now people are calling us for interviews."
There was excitement in his voice with a little bit nervousness too. Neither of them said it openly. But both understood. The next few months could change everything.