Surbhi knew she would be sad after Ishqbaaaz ended. Of course she would be. This had been her show for the last three years. It had given her so much – friends, fans, fame. In a way, Ishqbaaaz was the reason she had met Nakuul. So yes, she was inconsolably sad for a long period after the show ended. But what Surbhi didn't expect was that this sadness would be accompanied by a very helpless sort of anxiety. Anxiety of not finding good work again, of losing her fans, of never being able to act again. She knew it was a baseless fear: actors had to wait for months, even years at times before they got a good offer. But Ishqbaaaz had created a bubble that she had been living in for the past three years. For three years, she hadn't worried about finances, career, reputation, anything. So now, even though barely three months had passed, Surbhi would sometimes find herself drowning in crippling anxiety – what if she wasn't offered another show? She was almost tempted to accept the offer for a show she knew she would hate working for. The people in her life, however, knocked some sense into her and asked to patiently wait. They assured her that it was only a matter of time before she would get a good show and tried their best to keep Surbhi indulged. As a belated birthday gift, Nakuul even sent her on a one-week solo trip to Singapore. It indeed helped a lot. Surbhi had gone sight-seeing, shopped a lot, but most importantly, relaxed, if only for a week.

It was on New Year's Eve that Surbhi was thankful for the fact that she wasn't currently working. She and Nakuul had decided to throw a New Year's Eve party for their friends at his apartment. Surbhi was extremely excited and had meticulously planned everything to the T. Nakuul's apartment was like home to her, and the thought of having friends over at their place and throwing a great New Year's Eve party felt very intimate. She wanted it to be perfect and had cooked dinner herself. They were getting snacks from outside, and currently, Nakuul was out buying some last-minute things Surbhi had asked for. They had decided not to go for any decorations but had bought sky lanterns for everyone to light at 12 am.

Currently, Surbhi was busy dusting the furniture. She was also wondering if there was anything else that needed to be done when her phone rang. It was an unknown number. These days, unknown numbers made her anxious, mainly because they hadn't brought any good prospects in a while. Hesitantly, Surbhi picked up. It wasn't from any producer but an advertising company, and yet, the offer they had was the best Surbhi had gotten in a while.

--

Nakuul entered the apartment to see everything set up nicely in the living room. There was an hour left till the guests were supposed to arrive but Surbhi had managed to get everything done ahead of time. He smiled fondly. It was good to see her so involved in this. The last few months had been tough for her and he absolutely hated seeing her this way. It seemed like today, he had seen the real Surbhi after a long time, humming around his house as she planned the party. Keeping the grocery bags in the kitchen, Nakuul went to the bedroom in search of her. She emerged out of a shower just then, dressed in her party clothes and drying her hair with a towel. Her skin looked peachy and she was positively glowing. Seeing him, she threw away her towel and hugged him excitedly.

"Nakuul oh my God I have the best news ever!" She squealed, jumping into his arms. Nakuul held her waist and laughed. It felt so good to see her so happy.

"What happened, baby?" He could guess it was something to do with work. Surbhi dragged him to the bed and sat him down.

"So," She started excitedly, "I got a call from this advertising company." There was a dramatic pause as she implored Nakuul to figure out the rest.

"And they want you to shoot for them?" He asked with a wide grin.

"Better!" Surbhi squealed. "They want us to shoot for them, Nakuul! For this hot and happening fashion brand!"

There was a moment of silence as Nakuul looked at her.

"Us being..."

"Oh ho," Surbhi clicked her tongue, the excitement in her voice not wavering. "Us meaning you and me, of course. Isn't that amazing? We'll shoot an ad together! Like Virat and Anushka! How romantic is that?"

"Surbhi," Nakuul started slowly, "I don't do ads, remember?"

Surbhi's smile faltered, but only for a second. "Yes, but you'll do this, right?" Of course, he would, she thought in her head, this wasn't just some random ad. It was with her! "I mean, I know you've never done ads before, but so many cricketers do them. Virat, Dhoni, Tendulkar..."

"See," Nakuul cupped her face and started in a soft tone, "before I got into cricket, I promised myself that I wouldn't do ads. I just...I don't want to endorse brands I couldn't give a shit about. Besides, acting is just not my forte. There are so many brilliant actors out there who should get this chance, and I'm only a cricketer. So I'm sorry, baby, you go ahead and do it. I can't."

"Well, I don't think they're gonna want me if you're not there," Surbhi laughed shakily. She gulped the lump that was forming in her throat.  They fell into silence. Nakuul clasped her hands in his.  

"I'm sure they want you," Nakuul said, his voice even softer now, almost a whisper. "I'm not the actor, Surbhi. You are."

Surbhi snorted. "You're definitely more famous than I am. I guess they know you don't do ads but thought they would be able to convince you through me. How stupid of them to think that." Tears were stinging her eyes now. Nakuul's absolute inconsideration, despite knowing much this would mean to her at a time like this, hurt more than Surbhi wanted it to.

"Can we discuss this later?" Nakuul sighed. "Guests will be arriving soon."

Nodding, Surbhi stood up. She left to sort the grocery bags out as Nakuul sat there, staring after her. He felt like absolute shit to be doing this to her, but he also wanted her to understand that for her, this would be one small ad to boost her career a bit. But for him, this was the only moral promise he had ever made to himself before entering the national team – he would not be swept away with the idea of glamor, money, and fame. God forbid if, after all these years, he gets swept away by his girlfriend's tears. Sighing, he got up to take a quick shower. The guests would be arriving soon.

--

The party was warm, fun, and only slightly strained because of the subdued yet visible tension between the hosts. No one could really muster up the courage to ask them what was wrong, because they all knew that if Nakuul and Surbhi had fought, it must be something big. And so throughout the evening, everyone watched as the two chatted away merrily with all the guests, played the perfect hosts, and yet sat as apart from each other as they could. Their only words to each other were about getting more wine or passing the salt.

As 12 am approached, the party made their way to the terrace of the apartment. A few other residents were present, but the area was spacious enough for everyone to grab a lantern each and make space for themselves. With a few minutes left for new year's, everyone got busy trying to make sure they could light the lanterns on time. As Surbhi fumbled with hers against the windy night, Nakuul came closer and helped her set it up.

"I know we had a fight," He started, not meeting her eyes as he worked with the lantern, "but let's light one together?"

Surbhi nodded. It was New Year's, after all. And despite how she was currently feeling, she didn't want to start the new year on a bad note.  And so, at 12 am, Nakuul and Surbhi lit their lantern and let it float, gazing at it together before they could no longer differentiate it from the countless others. Amidst the chorus of Happy New Years in the background, Nakuul leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Surbhi's mouth.

"Happy new year, baby," He whispered against her lips.

"Happy new year, asshole," She mumbled indignantly. Nakuul laughed and took her into a warm hug. He didn't know how 2020 was going to be, but he knew this woman would be there in his arms throughout it all.

Which meant that it was going to be absolutely perfect.

--

A late happy new year's from Nakuul and Surbhi. Look at them being all hopeful about 2020, not knowing what's coming for the world 🤡

Also, I know, short chapter. Hopefully the next one will come soon and will be longer!