“Hello,” said the voice on the other side of the phone. “My name is Karan Johar. I know you never expected a call from me, as famous as I am, but I’ve been given your name as someone who can help me challenge and prank Alia Bhatt.

I was gobsmacked beyond reason, and at that very moment lost my voice.

“Hello, Natasha, are you still there?’ asked Karan Johar.

You see I’m a big fan of his, irrespective of what people *slash* the masses have to say. I was flipping over the moon with joy, as none other than the real Karan Johar was calling me. Of course I could tell from his voice, that it wasn’t a prank call on me, for sure.

“Errr, hummm, Oh! Yes, I’m right here. Just having my fan girl moment you see,” I tried to say rather unabashedly.

“He! He!” Karan grinned. “I know, I know, I do have that kind of effect on people.”

“Gosh! What a narcissistic, B$%#@h!” I thought to myself.

“But who cares. I’ve always wanted to interact with Karan Johar, and today on this incredible rainy day, life drops this opportunity right into my lap,” I reminded myself smugly.

“Ok, listen up babe, Alia is staying at the Leela, Ambience. I got your number from Farhan. He tells me you are an avid cyclist, like him.”

“Farhan, who?”

“Obviously Farhan Akhtar who else,” he said sounding cool as a cucumber.

My jaw almost dropped into my chai. 

“First Karan, now Farhan. Was the universe conspiring in a divine, devious way to realise my dreams. I mean how on earth did Farhan Akhtar have my number? But how did it matter?!” I chose to gloat in some more glory, as my heart did a million somersaults, all in one go.

“Ok so the deal is, we have challenged Alia to go on a ride with your group of cyclists. She’s taken up the challenge not knowing, she has to do the deed in the rains. And guess what, she hates the rains,” said Karan with probably a sly smirk on his face. 

“Farhan will also be joining you guys mid-way and bailing her out.

“Ok cool,” I said rather nonchalantly.

But in my head I was like,“ Fa—-rhaaaaaaaan too!!! Holy Molly, Jesus H Christ,” I wanted to start dancing that very moment to “When You are Happy and You Know it, Clap your Hands”

We don’t want her to go through too much torture,” he continued.“I hate it when Ranbir calls and tells me to stop badgering his girlfriend. He is way too over protective about her already,” complained Karan.

“Yeah, I get it Karan,” I replied, absorbing the trail of messages coming my way.

“Jaan, Jaan. There is no besan at home. You wanted Anastha to make Chillas (chick pea pancakes) for breakfast. Can I ask her to make Upma (semolina) instead,” I suddenly heard the DH, nudging me out of my deep slumber of enchanting, lucid dreams.

“Heck, whaaaat! Chilla??? What happened to Karan?” I said rubbing my eyes sleepily.

“Karan who?” asked the DH looking at me incredulously.

“Karan Johar! For christ sake! How could you do this to me!!” I groaned, glaring at the DH.

“What did I do?” he asked mischievously.

“I’ll tell you what you did. You burst my bubble, and it’s going to be pay back time. No chillas, no Upma. You can go to work hungry,”  I chased after him with my pillow.