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UN-EDITED, Please ignore typos and grammatical errors.
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"Is there anyone in your mind that you would like to have as your husband on the show?" The producer asked as Siya stared at her with a nervous smile.
"IâŠI don't really know, I would like it to be a surprise." Her hands were cold even though the room temperature was according her liking, she had never done anything like this before, and what scared her more was the fact that she was an introvert, it usually took her time to warm up to people and this being a reality show required her to be more verbal and out-going, which was difficult for her, she was never before placed out of her comfort zone for such a long time.
"You don't need to be nervous, you need to just need to be yourself on the show, well, not entirely, it's like you need to be 65% of yourself and the rest 35% needs to be acting or you acting out of your own skin in order to make the show entertaining and creating a bond with your co-star that looks and feels natural to the audience on camera even if it's the opposite off camera." The creative director explained as Siya nodded nervously.
"Are we going to stay in the same house during the filming?" Siya asked as the Director nodded before adding.
"Yes, you both will be sharing an accommodation but you both will have your own separate rooms with your own privacy, you'll also be free to return to your own accommodation if you like after the filming has ended. It's just a reality show, and as you know, it is a gamble that we are investing in, we don't know if our society will accept this kind of show despite the fact that it is popular and loved in other Asian countries, that is probably why this show is being introduced here though the global edition." Siya already knew that it was a gamble, moreover, choosing to be a part of this show put her career at risk too, there has never been a show like this on Indian television, yes there are shows like Splitsvilla, but it has a whole different concept all together, also, this being the global edition of the show means it was a chance for her to promote India and Indian culture in the other Asian countries, which is a huge opportunity for her as well as a huge burden on her to carry the responsibility of her Country and various cultures within her country, but Siya wanted to take up this challenge and do something for her country, on way or the other.
The terms and conditions were discussed and negotiations were made after which the contracts were signed, and the date was now fixed, Siya's fake married life was set to begin in a month and she had no clue who her husband was going to be, or from what country he would be.
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1st October (1st day of shooting)
"Don't be nervous okay, you just need to answer his questions today, and ask him anything you want to know about him, okay? Plus there will be missions or leads by the crew so that you can both have some interaction, you just need to open up a little." Siya's manager tried to calm her down as she sat in her vanity waiting for the shooting to start. She her managers hand tightly, too nervous to let go as her own team would leave when the shooting starts as per the show's requirement and concept.
"Siya, calm down girl, it's going to be okay, okay?" Khushi, her manager rubbed her back to calm her down.
"What if I don't like him? What if he's an introvert like me too? What if he's too rude and arrogant? What if he misunderstands me? What if he's a pervert? We have to share a house together; it won't be possible for me to leave every time after the shoot ends." Siya suddenly questioned her decision to be on this show with a complete stranger against her parents' wishes.
"Siya! You have to trust the crew, the channel and also our agency, they wouldn't just let you do a show with anyone." Siya looked blankly at Khushi, thinking about what she just said before nodding her head.
"From what I know I might just be leaving for another country!" Siya murmured underneath her breath but her manager heard it.
"Bro, even if you are, you'll be back by 4th October, we have to leave for Seoul for on the 5th and the producers know it, so just chill out." Siya nodded as she unlocked her phone to check out her schedule which was extremely packed for another year with this show being scheduled on each and every day that she didn't have a schedule.
"Siya ma'am we are ready for you." A spot-boy informed knocking on the vanity door as Siya took in a deep breath preparing herself for the adventure she was about to begin.
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As the shooting begin, Siya was to be accompanied by just a camera man while the director and rest of the crew members would follow closely behind in another vehicle while maintaining a safe distance from her. Siya was given a brief about the first day shoot with her and what their expectations was for her and her work husband because they didn't have the script that they needed their couples to follow, they wanted their interactions to be as natural as possible and as authentic it could possibly be, therefore, they could only provide the couples with a target that they wanted them to achieve.
SHOOTING BEGINS
"Do you know where you are going?" The cameraman asked Siya from behind the camera as they were in the car headed to their first check point before reaching their ultimate destination.
"I don't know where I'm headed exactly, but what I have been told is that my husband will be there waiting for me." Nervousness was clearly visible on her face and audible in her voice though she tried her best to hide it.
"Do you have any expectations about your husband?" Siya thought for a moment before shaking her head in a no.
"I don't want to have any expectations, I want to enter this relationship with a clear mind without any prejudice and expectations, as having expectations always leads to disappointments." Siya explained with a smile before staring outside the window.
"There are 7 countries from Asia that are a part of this show this time, where do you think your husband will be from?" Siya looked at the camera before a smile appeared on her face.
"Well, I don't know where my husband is going to be from, but I surely don't want to make random assumptions, what if he get's angry?" She laughed as soon as she completed her sentence.
Soon they reached the airport as Siya looked at the cameraman surprised as he just shrugged his shoulders telling her that he doesn't know anything.
"Am I going somewhere? Within the country or outside? Siya questioned as she walked inside the airport while the crew presented her documents, plane tickets, etc.
"Japan?! I'm going to Japan?" Siya was shocked to read the destination on her flight ticket, she questioned the crew as they just laughed and giggled while nodded their heads watching her reaction.
Siya was now worried, she didn't know how the makers and her team had planned out her schedule, whether she would have to come back to India after shooting in Japan or they would have her fly to Korea directly for the shooting of her up-coming show.
Next few hours on the airport and the flight passed by in a jiffy as Siya met a friend in the airport lounge who was also travelling to Japan for a vacation.
"I'll see you soon bro." Siya now had to part ways with her friend as they made their way out of the airport.
"Contact me as soon as you are done with your shoot, we'll hang out." Her friend told her as they two girls hugged each other goodbye.
"See ya." Siya waved at her friend as she made her way out of the airport surrounded and guided by the crew.
"Are we really going to the meeting venue right away?" Siya asked the cameraman as he nodded behind the camera.
"I surely look ugly right now after that long flight" Siya complained as she pulled out a pocket mirror from her bag checking herself out.
"Guys I look exhausted, my potential groom will runaway after he sees me!" Siya cried as the camera man and the crew laughed, they were enjoying her reactions, they knew that her reactions were natural and would came out that way on the screen too which would actually reduce their burden to edit the clips to make everything look natural, at least Siya's individual scenes.
"Are we really here?" The cameraman informed Siya that they have reached their destination and it was almost time that she would meet her husband.
Siya got off of the car only to find herself standing in front of an Indian restaurant as she tuned and looked at the cameraman.
"Don't tell me you guys got me out of India to just bring me to an Indian restaurant." Siya looked really cute as she asked the cameraman making the rest of the crew, who were sitting in a camp at some distance, laughed.
"We couldn't find any other restaurant that served Vegetarian dishes nearby." Siya sighed as she realized that it would really be difficult for the crew to find a vegetarian restaurant, so she nodded and made her way inside.
"Are you sure he won't run away? I would have if I saw myself in this state." She talked to the cameraman as he shook his head as they continued walking and entered the restaurant totally unaware of the fact that Siya's "Husband was watching them ever since she stepped out of the car.
"Be honest with me I really look fine, right?" Siya stopped on her tracks and asked the cameraman again as he nodded, Siya then took in a deep breath before making her way inside the room where her would be husband was.
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