ʜᴇʀ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ...

Shraddha's POV:
(Changi Airport)

That was one hell of a flight, even though we were seated in a business class plane, apparently it was too small to contain Anushka, me and Parineeti. I mean who in their right mind starts playing pillow fight on a plane, 38,000 feet above ground? The answer is us. Our excuse?

"We were bored", I said hanging onto kat's arm trying to convince her into forgiving us. Parineeti was doing the same with Deepi. They were both mad at us. I mean if I were them I would be too.

They were ignorant of us playing pillow fights but when the pillow kept on swinging across the place and crashing down on their heads, that's when they started planning murder.

We stepped outside the Changi Airport, looking around for our manger for the trip. A tall asian woman stepped infront of us wearing a black pencil skirt, dark red shirt with a black blazer and stilletos. Her vibe was pleasant and strong, according to my vibe check. She seemed like a native Singaporean.

"Hello everyone, my name is Adela Lee and I will be your manager and tour guide for the trip. Any information you need on anything, I am the woman to look for. I'll also be there with you for all your schedules." She said smiling at us.

"I'll give you the rest of mine and this trip's details once we get inside the car." She said as she started walking towards a jet black Range Rover.

...........

Third Person POV:
(Varun's car)

"Mr Mahajan, I don't care what you you have to do to get the media from spreading those photos, I want it done by this evening. Beg them, bribe them or befriend them I don't care, but the photos of me being smooched in the middle of an airport should not become tomorrow's headlines." Varun spat venom as he spoke with a deadly tone.

If he wanted to break free from this relationship, he needed to be camera free with her. If he's continually caught on camera with her, it would become harder for him to get rid of her. It would be harder for the public to move on.

He stepped out of his car and started walking towards the hotel's entrance. As soon as he came in a close range all the cameras went off. The shutters and flashlights of the camera started flickering at the speed of light.

As he zoomed past everyone, he heard a whiff of the questions that were thrown at him and surprisingly but not that surprisingly, they were all about Natasha.

His blood boiled. That woman had made him look like a pathetic fool, who took his girlfriend everywhere, doesn't matter if she is invited or not. She had made herself look like she wasn't his girlfriend but instead his wife and he hated every bit of it.

He turned the corner and entered the back alleyway, leaving his manager behind. He wasn't ready to face any preplanned schedules right now. He needed to have some time alone. Walking further and further inside the alleyway, he was getting closer to the back entrance of the hotel and something else. Perhaps someone else.

........

Shraddha's POV
(Marina bay sands hotel)

"Holy shit this hotel is actually huge, look at all those floors." Parineeti said as she gawked at the hotel in front of her.

"Do you think they actually care about us enough to book our rooms in this hotel?" Anushka spoke in a suspicious manner, looking around her with narrowed eyes.

"I mean I thought they were going to give the best rooms to the seniors but apparently all the seniors decided to rent a farmhouse. So the leftover rooms went to us." Deepika said, as she waited for her room keys to be handed to her.

"As long as we have a splendidly lavish holiday, I am happy." Katrina spoke as she beamed at all of us. "And looking at this beauty, I think we will be just fine!" She screamed with glee as she ran towards the elevator with her room keys in her hands.

"Wow she seems really excited for a person who is about to do an 8 hour dance rehearsal. Anyways, I am heading off to check out the hotel. I'll see you guys at lunch!" I said, as I put my key away in my bag and started my walk towards the outdoor gardens.

All our bags had been shifted to our respective rooms, the schedules were set. We will be here for about a week. First two days are rehearsals and then pre-award interviews and fashion parade. Followed by the actual award night and after party, and then finally two days of taking a break and roaming around.

Celebrities, especially the new ones have been eyeing this event for a while now. Iifa, known as the met gala of bollywood. It's not that extravagant, but people try their best to stand out as this is where their future either is made or destroyed.

I was going to turn a right to enter the gardens, when I heard a gazillion plates falling on the ground. Shattering sounds of millions of little shards was heard. I quickly turned my head towards the noise and saw a waiter on the floor trying to pick up all the broken pieces of crockery. Shards of glass surrounded him, some sticking to his skin. All the people stopped for a second or two and then went about their way.

"You can't do anything right, you are fired get out!" A man in a black suit shouted as he approached the waiter who was now quivering in fear. I could see they were having an argument and the waiter seemed to be begging him kneeling on his knees, probably for his job. Suddenly the manager, turned and pushed the waiter away making him fall down on the broken pieces of glass.

In my immediate fight or flight response I ran up to the both of them. The waiter was weeping, blood soaked his white shirt.

"Is this anyway to treat someone?" I said in a firm way, while trying to help the waiter up. "I don't care how many plates he broke or how many cups he dropped. This is no way to treat another human. You just physically assaulted him and threatened to take his job away. Are these the values of your hotel? Where is your head manager, I would like to have a word with them." I spoke in a stern voice, glaring straight into his eyes. I could feel my blood boiling.

"Ma'am please calm down, he just got what he deserved. He broke hotel's property!" He spoke in a calm manner.

"Sir, I told you these were too many plates to handle yet you insisted on me carrying them. Now they are broken." He spoke in a timid way.

"Exactly! How do you expect one person to carry so much? You know what! Why am I wasting my time here? Where is the head manager?" I spoke, as I turned around to head to the reception, but I was stopped in my tracks.

"I am sorry ma'am, I won't fire him. Please don't tell the management otherwise I'll get fired!" He said as he held his hands together.

"I promise, I won't fire him please don't tell them." He said. I didn't trust him that much but I didn't want to create a massive scene on my first day here.

"Fine, I won't." I said as I turned to look at the waiter who was now trying to wipe his tears away, blood still seeping out of his wounds. "I won't, as long as you take him to the hospital, take care of his medical bills and apologize." I spoke, looking at the manager. The manager looked like he was going to faint. Of course that would be the case because him and I both know that the hospital bills are going to be at an expense he probably could afford but his greed wouldn't allow him to. Alas, he had no choice but to agree with my condition. So he did exactly that. Soon the whole scene was cleaned up and the both of them left the place. I started walking away in a random direction and turned the hall.

My mind was still angry, I get so angry when people take advantage of their power to inferiorize people below them. It had happened to me too, when I just entered bollywood. My first film, everyone except my co-stars treated me like an outsider. I will never forget those days.

To get my pent up anger out, I opened the nearest door to me. I had come a long way, I didn't even know where the main lobby was anymore.

As soon as I opened the door, a cold gush of wind and bright sun rays welcomed me.

I looked around to see that this was the backside of the hotel, one of the lonely alleyways. The walls looked like cemented bricks. There were random containers that were put against the wall. Although it was such a big and beautiful hotel, it still had some shabbyness to it. It hid it well though.
No one would have imagined such a  famous hotel to have a shabby backside.

Even though it was shabby, it made my heart delighted to know that I found a secret place that was this peaceful. It felt good to be alone at times and this was the perfect place for that. Away from lights, away from the noise and away from people. No one could find me here.

I took a step forward, and continued my journey to find a nice shaded spot. Where I could, sit and think.

As I was looking around, I heard a soft voice. It sounded more like a mewl, I turned around to find a jet black kitten looking at me with it's tiny orbs.

My heart melted on the spot. It's paws were so little and the way she walked with so much grace yet adorableness, just moved my body on it's own towards it's direction.

Third Person POV:

The world's were going to collide yet again, but the only question was. Will it be a magical reunion, slowing even the time down, or will it be a disastrous collision, ruining everything in it's way.

Varun walked as he scrolled through his phone to check for any new news. He was worried that it was gonna leak one way or another and he didn't want that.

Suddenly he heard, a voice that was pitched high enough for his head to hurt in this stressful time, yet he was intrigued by it. The voice sounded like, it was talking to a baby. It sounded familiar that was for sure.

Shraddha who was trying to tame the cat that was curled up in her arms, seemed like she was very Concentrated at the task. She did not realize, that now she was not so alone in this lonely alleyway. There was a presence in front of her, who had stopped still in his tracks.

The wind took an opposite turn in direction, as his eyes were met with the figure of a girl, whom he hadn't seen in a year. A girl who was once his best friend, now stood there totally oblivious to him, as a stranger.

The heartbeat that was once beating just fine, didn't take a second to turn irregular. The thumping of blood in his veins, could be heard by him. He stood there in trance as he looked at the girl in front of him.

A smile had never been so beautiful, but her's was another case. From the little twitching of her lips, to the little giggles that escaped her mouth. From the fainted blush on her cheeks, to the bright gleam in her eyes, it was all beautiful. As if she was the only person in the world, who had the ability to smile. Even the smile was grateful for having the permission to reside on a human like that.

His breath came out raggedly as he was in a mesmerizing trance, but as soon as his breathing started, the realization dawned on him like a bucket of ice water.

He was not looking at his best friend anymore. He was looking at a complete stranger. He was not the same Varun and she wasn't the same Shraddha. They had grown up to have their own indifferences. Different paths. Different lives.

He was ashamed to have even thought of her like that, he was flustered to say the least. Regret and anger seeped through him. He was about to quietly walk away, when his phone rang on full volume.

Shraddha's concentration was broken by a loud ringtone, which had not only startled her but even the kitten in her hand. Soon the kitten pounced out of her arms and walked behind the millions of boxes that were piled up against the wall.

Shraddha looked up, frustrated at the fact that she couldn't even find peace in an isolated alleyway.

She stopped in her tracks when she saw him and their eyes locked. The air was knocked out of her lungs, the girl just stood there looking at the boy in front of her. Her heart seemed to pick up it's pace. 'Seeing a stranger shouldn't be doing this to her?' She thought to herself, but deep inside she knew that the person in front would never be a stranger. He was one of the most important parts of her life. Before she had the chance to even process anything else. She saw him pick the call up with a tensed face. His eyes held her captive. She couldn't read him, but he saw straight through her.

"What?" Varun said with disbelief, creases of lines forming on his forehead. His strong gaze no longer situated on her.

"How is she here, when I clearly told her not to come?" He spoke, anger at the tip of his tongue. He was seething. His jaw clenching and unclenching. Fists automatically formed on his sides.

As the conversation proceeded, the creases on his forehead, the whiteness of his knuckles and the clenching of his jaw increased.

She saw him end the call with a defeated expression. It had been so long since she last met him. She would never accept it but inside she knew she was craving to just get a simple glimpse of him. But seeing him like that, all tensed and worried got her wheels grinding. She couldn't think of a reason why he would be like this. Everything was going well for him. He had a list of movies piled at his foot, the whole nation loved him, the media loves him, his family was super supportive, he had someone's shoulder to lean on and he had his heart stolen by the perfect girl. What was bothering him then?

The darkness of the skin underneath his eyes and the droopiness they carried, showed how he actually was feeling inside. There was something wrong, and before she could stop herself she stood up to clear out the elephant in the room.

"What's wrong Varun? I have never seen you this worried? Is everything okay? If you need my help at any time you can tell me." She said in a soft tone, as she stepped a step ahead.

He remained still in his spot. His brain had gone haywire after hearing her voice. The brain that was previously filled with thoughts of the conversation he had with his manager, was now divided into two separate situations. One was the conversation and the other was her, Shraddha.

"Have you not been sleeping well enough? Why do you have such prominent dark circles? Is it really that hard to focus on your self?" She spoke once again, but this time her tone was a mixture of worry and annoyance.

A smile was formed. Not on his lips, oh god forbid not there. He couldn't show her his emotions, he was fighting with her. But a smile was felt in his heart as it bloomed with the thought, that the girl in front of him still cared. She still had creases forming on her forehead because of him. That had always been his favorite part. Making her get worried for him.

Ever since they were little, he was the naughty little monkey who jumped everywhere and causes a ruckus. Whereas she was the quiet little princess, who was too kind for her own good. Always worried for her best friend.

Back in the days he would tease her with little pranks, just to see her get all flustered and worried for him. Her little nose scrunching up in worry and her brain raking out a plan to get him out of trouble.

(Flash back). 
               ______________
              16 years ago
               ______________

(Third person POV)

"Okay, Varun ready or not here I come! You can't hide! You can't run! I will find you either way! So be ready here I come!" A girl around the age of nine screamed at the top of her lungs bewaring her friends, that she had ended her counting and the seeking was about to start.

The children that were hidden behind cars and trees and walls, jolted with glee as a rush of adrenaline passed through them. The fun of being caught and getting the turn to be the seeker was clearly shown on their faces.

Except one. Son of the devil himself. Not one day passed by, where he didn't do the opposite of what everyone else was doing. His family was rethinking their choice of having a spawn of Satan as their child. The whole neighborhood knew the dangerous child that just zooms past their houses everyday, while riding a bike with his best friend, screaming his lungs out.

This time this child was not just going to hide. He was going to HIDE. In a place where no one could find, especially his best friend Shraddha.

He loved seeing her worried for him. It made him giggle. It made him think that she was his real best friend.

Shraddha on the other side, was a sensitive little girl; who listened to her parents, loved her best friend, was polite with everyone and was known as the princess of the neighborhood.

Half of the time she was worried sick for her friend, who just wanted to pull tricks on everyone. She wanted him to be nice like her, but his little devious brain wouldn't let him just sit down and do nothing.

Shraddha had found everyone except one person. She was calling out to him but got no response back.

The other kids also spread out to look for the boy, but to no avail.

"Varun!" She called out looking behind all the walls.

"Varun, come out! The game is over!" She screamed, as she looked behind the trees.

"Fine, I accept I lose. Just please come out!" She screamed as she started running. Worry consuming her as she took each step.

Soon it became dark and one by one every one left and went home.

Shraddha was still running around just to get a glimpse of her lost best friend. It was to no avail. After an hour of running she came back to the bench in front of her house. Her breathing fast as she tried to hold back the tears. An involuntary sob left her mouth, as she thought about the different scenarios that could have happened to her friend.

'What if he fell?'

'What if he fainted?'

'What if he got kidnapped?'

All these thoughts built up in her brain, increased the amounts of sobs she was experiencing.

She felt so cold and tired but she couldn't go home, when her friend was somewhere out there. 'What would David uncle say? Laali aunty will start crying!' she thought to herself and more tears started flowing down.

At this point she was wailing badly. Suddenly she felt something warm wrap around her. She was surrounded by the same smell of a person that was so close to her heart.

She looked up to see Varun hugging her tightly, as he looked down at her.

Her heart became so happy. She was about to jump up to hug him back, but she was stopped. Stopped as she looked at his face. There were no tear strains no, no dirt, no look if fear. Instead there was dried drool on the corner of his lips, which were pulled up in a smirk.

She understood in a second that this was another one of his pranks. She was so angry. She started punching his shoulder in anger as she shouted at him.

"You think your pranks are funny? You scared me so much, I felt so bad that I had lost my one and only friend while playing hide and seek!" She screamed as she continued to hit him.

"I am sorry, but why are you crying?" Varun cackled, as he started running away from her.

"You idiot! I am crying because you were lost! Somewhere! I don't even know where you went and why you went and the I find out that you were playing a prank on me. It's been 3 hrs, two hrs of finding you with the other kids and one hour just by myself!" She cried as she ran after him.

"Okay, I am sorry I won't prank you again stop running after me! Please!" He screamed, out of breath from all the running and laughing.

"No! You are going to get punched!" She screamed, as she increased her speed.

"Please I am so tired!" He tried running faster, while huffing and puffing.

" You are tired? Oh wow! Have you even considered me? I am even if more tireder that you dumbo! You made me look for you for three whole hours!" She yelled back.

"I am sorry! I am sorry! How do you run this fast? Shraddha please stop running!" He said as he screeched to a stop in his front lawn. He was going to turn around before a zooming Shraddha just crashed into him making them both fall on the grass.

Both of them tired. Varun looked to his left to see Shraddha sitting up and hiding her face. He knew instantly she has started crying again. He instantly got up and took his best friend's hands in his own little ones.

"You know I thought that you either fainted or got kidnapped? I was so worried for you and your parents." She sobbed harder, as he tried to wipe her tears away.

"I am sorry Shraddhi. I am sorry for making you so worried. I just thought it would be fun but I am sorry it made you sad." He whispered as he crawled closer to his crying friend.

"I promise I won't do it again." He spoke in a soft voice as he held her in a hug gently patting her back.

"How do I know this is a real promise?" She asked in a weak voice.

"Okay, I promise from the bottom of my heart to the next country that I will not prank you!" He said as he put his hand out to shake her's.

"Just to the other country?" She said as she arched her eyebrows, a smirk clear on her face.

"Okay! Okay! I promise from the bottom of my heart to the next country to all the countries and rivers that I will not prank you!" He said a victorious smile on his which was soon swapped with a frown as he saw she was still not forgiving him.

"Okay! How about; I promise from the bottom of my heart to the next country to all the countries and rivers and mountains and oceans that I will not prank you!" He said, but tried again.

"Okay this one is a big one. I promise from the bottom of my heart, to the next country, to all the countries and rivers and mountains and oceans, to the sun and the moon, to Jupiter and Mars and all the other planets that I can't remember, to the universe, to the black hole and to the next galaxies, I promise that I will not prank you or hurt you in any way!" He spoke out of breath, little breaths came out of his little mouth.

Shraddha couldn't bare the cuteness and therefore she hugged him back tightly. She held his face and tightly pecked his cheek. Smearing all her nose contents there. She put her big smile on and finally said, "Okay I trust you!"

Varun just stood there stuck at two things that just happened to him. First he was kissed on his cheek by a girl and second he had her snot on his cheeks.

"Shraddha you stupid paagal! Take it off!" He said as he ran after, who was running away laughing her lungs out.

"Shraddha come back! I hate you!" He screamed, but to no awail she has already reached her door. As she was opening it, she looked back it him giggling. Then she put her finger underneath her eye and pulled the lid down, while sticking out her tongue. Then she was gone.

"I hate you! You know why I came a late? It's because I fell asleep, now hate me more. I hate you! Do you hear me? Ewwww TAKE IT OFF! MUMMA!" He stomped his feet as he ran off towards his house, throwing a tantrum on his way.

(End of Flash back)

A smile formed on his face and this time it was for real. He was back in his memory lane. He still remembers that day. After he went home his whole family laughed at him and then they all went to Shraddha's house to talk about the incident and the whole night they all just laughed and the naiveness of both the children. He missed those days, where everything was fun and games. Then he remembered his promise. The one he had given to her. He never pranked her again but the second one. The promise he gave her when he said he wouldn't hurt her? He had broken that. She was hurt. The person he had dearly loved who stayed with him through all his good and bad times, now was hurt because of his stupid past.  He felt his heart breaking, he wanted to hold her again and tell her that it wasn't her fault. But...

Before he could even say anything he heard the voice, he was desperately trying to forget.

...But he forgot that his heart was frozen after that night. That one night that ruined Varun Dhawan.

He couldn't say anything. He won't allow himself to. His one self knew it wasn't her fault, but the other blamed it on her. The misery was unbearable.

"Varun!" A voice screeched from behind them. Turning both their heads towards the direction. They both froze in their spots.

"How dare you leave me alone back there?" She screamed once more as she reached closer to him.

She was going to continue, when her voice haltered in her throat as she saw who was standing next to her boyfriend. Her face contorted into an expression that screamed; confusion, surprise and a hint of envy, which she tried to quickly cover.

"Oh hi Shraddha! I didn't know you were here too?" She said as she quickly linked her arms with Varun, pulling him closer to her.

He hated every bit of it, he wanted to rip himself apart, but his gaze moved straight to Shraddha. He didn't know why? Did he think she would care if she saw both him and Natasha together? No! But that day, the day where the both of them fell apart he saw a flicker inside her eyes. It looked like something broke inside her. He shook away his thoughts and concentrated on the pest beside him.

"Natasha, I think she is here because she was actually invited." Varun spoke, sarcasm dripping off his tongue as he looked anywhere but the two women in front of him.

Shraddha's POV:

"Nats, It's been so long! How have you been?" I asked as I approached her for a quick hug. But for some reason the hug was awkwardly rejected by the girl in front of me.

'That was weird' I thought to myself. She has never been like that before. There was something awkward about her vibe today.

"It's been so long, I have been doing just fine. I mean look at me I have the best man as my partner, thanks to you!" She said as she giggled and pulled Varun closer to her.

Varun on the other hand seemed like he just wanted to go home. He was standing there so stiffly, that for a second I thought it was a metal pole and not a human. He looked like he was going through hell. I have never seen an expression like that on him. He seemed like he had lost all his hopes.

What in the world is going on with them. They seem like such a perfect couple in all the pictures that come out. So in love, like they can't get enough of each other. Then what's wrong right now.

The first time their pictures came out in the media, I was shocked to say the least. They seemed like the perfect power couple, that could make people jealous. They were the talk of the town, a lot of people in bollywood were saying Varun was too young for a relationship, career wise. But some said that's exactly what people told Sharukh Khan, when he got married to Gauri.

Seeing them so happy, I wanted to be happy like a good friend too, but I was not a good friend. I wasn't happy, leave that I was quite the opposite. Every time I saw them together covering the front page of headlines, I tasted bitterness and sourness in me. I hated myself for it. I was the one who  got them together then why did I feel this way? Why did my heart hurt and why did my soul suffer. I would never know.

"Varun are you okay? You don't seem so well." I asked, taking a step forward, but my sight was blocked by Natasha as she stepped in front of Varun, trying to stop me from approaching him.

"He is just tired from all his schedules. Especially Badlapur, you know how dark his character is. He needs some rest. Babe let's go.

Her way did not seem right with me. I don't see any reason for her to answer for him, when he is completely capable of doing so himself.

"Natasha, I think he can speak for himself. I am pretty sure I asked him a question. Don't worry I won't take much of your time." I said in a firm tone. As I was saying this I looked past Natasha's face and behind her I saw an expression fall on his face. It was something along the lines of warmth and happiness, but as soon as it came it was gone. His face was soon taken over with an expression of annoyance and disinterest.

Without even waiting for an answer, Varun walked away casually as though he didn't care about what either one of us had to say.

Natasha on the other hand was shocked by my response. I don't know how she had gotten the gist that I wouldn't talk back, but hopefully her confusion is sorted now. As soon as she saw Varun leave, she called after him in a high pitched voice. There was no response, as he continued to walk.

There something definitely wrong with them. She seems way too clingy and he seems way too uninterested.

But behind all that unbothered facade, I knew something was hurting him. Eyes were the window to your soul, and his eyes gave away his shattered self.

I am going to have to meet up with him again. He needs to let whatever's bothering him out.

.....

"That's when the back up dancers will come in and surround you so you can change your outfit. We'll be rehearsing for a fast outfit change as well." The instructor, spoke as we finished our first day of the 8 hour dance rehearsal.

"You are okay with the aerial ring Shraddha? Please try and balance yourself, it's very dangerous.

"Yes I think I am fine with it, infact it's my favorite part of the performance." I said smiling at my instructor as she bid me a good bye.

The rehearsal was hectic like always. My shoulders and knees are dead. I have a few cramps in my ribs from excessively using my accessory muscles. I feel dehydrated and fatigued, but there is no time to rest. I have to meet Varun.

I was on my way towards my room to change out of the sweaty outfit I had on, when I overheard a conversation. The voice I heard made me realize it was none other than Natasha.

"What do you mean you can't put them up? I want them up on your page. They should be tomorrow's headlines. What do you mean you can't? I'll pay you, as much as you like! Hello? Hello?" She whisper screamed at her phone, as she walked towards the front exit of the hotel. What does she want to leak so bad? That's so suspicious. I didn't know she was like this, she seemed like such a warm and nice person before, but now she was totally different human. Oh well I don't jump into other people's business. It's her life anyways.

I continued my way up to my room. I have to plan a way on how I can meet Varun.

____________________________________________________________________________

Hey lovelies! First of all thank you for waiting and secondly I have tried to make this chapter long so that y'all can enjoy it more. Hopefully it makes up for the late update.

Btw LONGEST CHAPTER TILL NOW! 7000 WORDS! MY HANDS ARE DEAD🤣

My pracs are starting soon, updates would be slower (lol I know y'all ain't surprised anymore). You guys please understand that, I am a uni student and it's really hectic. I am actually so happy that you guys understand me and wait patiently and I genuinely love you from the bottom of my heart for that! I'll try to update once in two weeks. I am really sorry for that.

(About the chapter)

- What do y'all think about Natasha?

- What do you think is going to happen next? Is Varun going to talk it out with Shraddha or is he going to neglect her?

- I don't know about y'all but I felt them butterflies while writing this.

- How did you like the flashback?

Let me know your thoughts through the comments. The comments keep me super motivated.

Anyways if you liked this chapter, please:

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I will be back with another chapter soon!

But till then smile and spread love!

Love you
- Mehak😘