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Chapter 2 - Chepter 2:- First Contract

Verma Family House – Morning

Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains as Raj leaned closer to the computer screen, eyes tired but focused.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long moment before he finally leaned back.

The script was done.

Not perfect—but complete enough to breathe.

Raj exhaled slowly and looked at the title page.

LAST BENCH DIARIES

Format:- Series

Genre: Coming-of-Age • School Life • Friendship • Romance • Drama

Target Audience: Teenagers • Youth • Adults (18–35)

Anyone who has lived school life—and lost something there.

Logline:

Three boys from the last bench grow up together inside a school, unaware that the memories they create will one day hurt more than the failures they fear.

Raj scrolled down, reading the character notes once more.

Arav Mehra – quiet, observant, emotionally guarded.

Rohit Parmar – loud, fearless, hiding insecurities behind humor.

Farhan Qureshi – artistic, calm, the emotional anchor of the group.

Kajol – not just love, but timing, distance, and unspoken choices.

This wasn't just a story.

It was life.

Raj leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting to the ceiling.

"In my previous life," he whispered,

"this kind of story touched millions."

He smiled faintly.

A simple school drama… but powerful.

"I was a fan then," Raj said quietly.

"This time… I'll live it."

He stood up, neatly packed the printed pages and notes into his backpack, and stepped out of his room.

In the kitchen, his mother was busy with morning work.

"Mom," Raj said gently,

"I'm going out for some work. Tell Dad I'll be back later."

She looked at him with a warm smile.

"Okay, beta. Go safely."

Raj nodded and stepped outside.

Bus Station

Raj reached the bus stop but didn't board immediately. He sat on the bench, resting the backpack beside him, eyes thoughtful.

"This is the hard part," he muttered.

Which production house would even look at a newcomer's script?

And on top of that… I want to act in it.

He shook his head.

"Big studios won't even let me enter," he thought

.

"They don't take risks. Not on new writers… and definitely not on new actors."

Raj closed his eyes, recalling his past life's industry knowledge.

I don't need the best studio.

I need the right one.

Suddenly, a name surfaced in his mind.

Moon Studio Productions.

Raj opened his eyes.

"They're struggling right now," he said slowly.

"No big hits recently. But they still have resources. Crew. Reach."

A faint smile appeared.

"And when a company is desperate," he continued,

"they listen."

Raj tightened his grip on the backpack.

"If the script works… and if I prove my acting

they won't have a choice."

The bus arrived.

Raj stood up and stepped forward, determination clear in his eyes.

"This is my first opportunity," he said to himself.

"And I won't miss."

Moon Studio Productions

Raj stood in front of the building and looked up.

It wasn't grand.

Just a small structure tucked between bigger offices—slightly worn, slightly forgotten. Yet people were moving in and out, carrying files, cameras, and coffee cups.

This is enough, Raj thought.

Every big dream starts small.

He stepped inside and walked straight to the reception desk.

A woman in her early thirties sat behind it, flipping through papers.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Raj said politely.

"I'd like to submit a script for the production house."

She looked up, slightly surprised. Raj was young, confident—but very calm.

"A script?" she repeated, studying him.

"You want us to read it?"

Raj nodded. "Yes."

For a moment, she seemed unsure—was he ambitious, or just another hopeful kid?

"Well," she said finally,

"we do accept scripts. Leave it here."

She extended her hand.

Raj smiled and handed over the neatly arranged pages along with his details.

"My name is Raj Verma. My contact number and address are attached."

She flipped through the first page briefly, then placed it aside.

"Okay," she said casually.

"We'll let you know if it interests us."

Raj thanked her and walked out.

He didn't look back.

Mumbai Park – Afternoon

Raj reached the park and waited near the fountain.

A few minutes later, Mital appeared.

She was wearing a blue dress today—simple, elegant, and bright.

Raj's eyes softened.

"Mital," he said with a smile,

"you look beautiful today. This color suits you."

Her cheeks turned pink instantly.

"Raj," she said, embarrassed,

"stop teasing. Let's go."

They walked hand in hand through the park. The place was filled with couples, laughter, quiet conversations, and shared silences.

Raj noticed it.

In my previous life, I was always alone.

He squeezed Mital's hand slightly.

They stopped near a small jewelry shop by the park entrance.

"Let's go inside," Mital said suddenly.

Inside, they looked at necklaces quietly.

After a moment, Mital picked one.

"This one," she said softly.

"For you."

Raj smiled and chose another.

"And this is for you."

They exchanged necklaces—no promises spoken, yet everything felt understood.

It was their first date. Simple. Genuine.

Enough.

Later, they sat on a bench under a tree.

"So," Mital said, looking at him,

"you submitted your series today?"

Raj nodded.

"You're amazing, Raj," she said with confidence.

"They'll choose it. I know it."

He smiled faintly.

"I believe in the story," Raj replied.

"Now… I just wait."

They talked about small things—college memories, silly jokes, dreams that didn't feel impossible anymore.

As evening approached, they stood up.

"Goodbye, Raj," Mital said softly.

"Take care," he replied.

Night – Verma Family House

After dinner, Raj stood near his window. The moon hung quietly in the night sky.

He looked at it for a long moment.

"This time," he whispered,

"I will achieve my goal."

The moon remained silent.

But Raj's eyes burned with certainty.

Moon Studio Productions – Late Evening

Karan leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

The office was quiet. Too quiet.

Files were scattered across his desk—scripts he had already read and rejected. One after another, they had failed to spark anything inside him.

"None of this works," Karan muttered.

Romantic dramas. Predictable love stories. Recycled emotions.

"I've already tried these," he said to himself.

"And I failed."

Back-to-back project losses had pushed Moon Studio to the edge. Only two projects remained in their budget.

Two chances.

"If the next one fails," Karan thought grimly,

"I'll have to sell my shares… maybe even shut this place down."

He picked up the next file.

The last one.

The title caught his attention.

LAST BENCH DIARIES

Karan paused.

"Interesting," he murmured.

"Simple… but iconic."

He flipped the page and began reading.

Character descriptions.

School setting.

Friendship. Growth. Unspoken emotions.

His eyes slowed as he went deeper.

"This…" he said softly,

"this is what the younger generation connects with."

No over-the-top romance.

No artificial drama.

Just life.

By the time he reached the end of the overview, Karan sat upright.

"This script has heart," he said decisively.

"And honesty."

He turned to the final page and noted the writer's name.

Raj Verma.

Karan checked the contact details.

Without wasting time, he picked up his phone and dialed.

Verma Family House – Nigh

t

Raj lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Plans. Failures. Dreams.

Everything from his previous life and this one tangled inside his head.

What if they reject it?

What if nothing changes?

His phone rang.

Unknown number.

Raj frowned and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello," a calm voice said.

"Is this Raj Verma?"

"Yes."

"This is Karan," the voice continued.

"Head of Moon Studio Productions."

Raj sat up instantly.

"I read your script today," Karan said.

"I'd like to discuss it with you. Can you come tomorrow?"

For a second, Raj couldn't speak.

Then he smiled.

"Yes, sir," Raj replied clearly.

"I'll be there."

"Good," Karan said.

"We'll talk tomorrow."

The call ended.

Raj stared at his phone, heart racing.

He clenched his fist.

"It's starting," he whispered.

For the first time in a long while, Raj slept with a smile on his face.

Morning – Verma Family House

Raj woke up early.

After a quick shower, he changed into neat, simple clothes—nothing flashy, just confident. He checked his bag one last time. The script. Character notes. Documents he had prepared the previous night.

Everything was ready.

In the kitchen, his mother noticed him immediately.

"Raj," Arti said with a smile,

"you're looking very good today. Where are you going?"

Raj took a bite of breakfast and smiled back.

"It's a secret, Mom," he said lightly.

"I'll tell you after I achieve it."

She laughed. "Okay, beta. Go carefully."

Raj nodded and left for the bus station, heart steady, mind sharp.

Today mattered.

Moon Studio Productions

Raj entered the reception area. The same woman from yesterday looked up and recognized him.

"Hello, ma'am," Raj said politely.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Karan."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh," she said, standing up.

"You're Raj? Come with me."

As she led him inside, she glanced at him again—clearly surprised that the head himself had called such a young newcomer.

Inside the cabin, Karan was already waiting.

"Raj," Karan said, gesturing to the chair,

"please sit."

"Good morning, sir," Raj replied.

Karan leaned forward.

"I read your script carefully," he said.

"I like the story. It's honest. Real."

Raj listened calmly.

"But," Karan continued,

"I saw your note. You want to play the male lead."

Raj nodded.

"You know the problem," Karan said bluntly.

"No face value. No background. No experience."

Raj met his eyes without hesitation.

"Sir," Raj said respectfully,

"audition me."

Karan raised an eyebrow.

"If you like my acting," Raj continued,

"give me the role. If not—I'll stay only as a writer."

The room went silent.

Karan studied him for a long moment.

"Fine," he said.

"Show me."

The Test

Karan handed him a scene—emotional, heavy, difficult.

Raj took a breath.

Then he became someone else.

His expressions softened. His eyes spoke before his words. Pain, confusion, quiet love—everything flowed naturally.

Karan straightened in his chair.

This wasn't practice.

This was experience.

When Raj finished, the room stayed silent for a few seconds.

Then Karan smiled.

"Alright," he said.

"I agree to your condition."

He stood up and extended his hand.

"Let's work together."

Raj stood and shook it firmly.

"Happy cooperation, sir."

The Deal

The contract was simple.

Raj was signed as:

Writer

Male Lead Actor

Payment: ₹10,000 per episode

Not a big amount.

But it was a beginning.

Moon Studio didn't have much budget, and Raj knew it.

"I agree," Raj said.

Karan nodded.

"Let's see how far you go."

Raj walked out of the studio with the contract in his bag.

The city felt different.

Louder. Brighter.

"This is just the first step," Raj thought.

"But this time… I won't stop."

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