Unedited 🙏

"Madam ji, aaj toh bohot hi time lag gaya. Itna traffic tha. Teen ghante mein ghar aake pohonche hain. Aap baithe baithe thak gayi hongi na." Her driver brought her out of the journey her thoughts had taken after the call.

"Thank you, bhaiya. Good night. Kal subah roz ke time pe hi nikalna hai." She gave a nod to her driver and went out to her building.

First thing in the morning was RJ Anmol's tweet about getting confirmation from both the actors, and he had even posted the recorded conversation with Randeep. Ashi sat in the bed, clutching her knees.

So, it was happening.

Next few days were extremely difficult for her. But her acting skills came in handy... no one on the set could see the mess she was from inside.

On the day of the VC, she left a little early. A trip to the parlour later, she was on her way home, convincing herself that she had to give a performance that would make her worthy of best actress award. Yes, she had decided to play the game exactly the way Randeep did. She would be formal, still warm... smiling, still distant... friendly, still reticent... pleasant, still aloof... genial, still detached. Whatever was in her heart for him was not to be revealed... not even to him.

The screen of her laptop crackled to life after she had adjusted the lighting in the corner where she sat against the curtain. She didn't want to show the several big pictures from the show which were everywhere in the house.

Her heart hammered loudly in her ears when the face of RJ Anmol appeared on screen, and his first two lines were lost on her.

"Welcome, welcome guys." Anmol's excited voice reached her ears the same moment Randeep's face appeared on the screen.

Drawing in a sharp breath, she put the smile of actress Ashi on her face and thanked him for the warm welcome.

Randeep, however, had a lot to say, "Thank you, Anmol. Itne achhe words bade dino ke baad sune hain, na sirf Ashi aur Randeep ke liye balki Sameer aur Naina ke liye. Aapki wajah se hum dono itne mahino baad ek doosre se mil rahe hain. Thank you."

Ashi could not take her eyes away from him, but he was mostly looking down, not meeting her eyes. Also, she didn't understand why Randeep, who was so particular about camera angles and the right type of lighting sat with his back to the light today. His face was not clear on the screen... and his eyes, the ones that always melted her, could not be seen.

Anmol praised the fans, saying that it all had happened because of the fans who loved them so much even after the show had been off air for one year, to which both of them were grateful. As the conversation moved ahead, Anmol informed Randeep that the episode would telecast on Ashi's birthday so he can wish her.

If Ashi was shocked when he said he would sing a song for her, she almost fell off the chair when he started to sing

Mere rang mein rangne wali
Pari ho ya pariyon ki raani
Ya ho meri
Sameer ki (he clarified)
prem kahani
Mere sawaalon kaaaaa
Jawaab do
Do naaaa

"Thank you." Ashi could just smile.

"Jawab chahiye bhai." He smirked, adjusting his T-shirt.

"Haan hun... pari hun... pariyon ki raani." Ashi's smile got wider.

If he wanted to change the game today, she was ready to play it his way... but she would not let her control slip.

As they got talking about the show, she was surprised to see Randeep so talkative and forthright. He laughed, he joked, and even teased her constantly, making even Anmol give up a few times.

When asked if she was dating anyone, he vehemently refuted her denial, "Yes, yes, yes... she's dating Alladin."

She gave him a confounded look, wishing she could see his eyes to know if he was teasing, or getting jealous.

"Ahh, wishful thinking." She reprimanded herself silently.

But one slip happened from her side as well. Ayesha had told her about his new show. So, when Anmol asked him, she almost blurted out about it. Later, she wanted to hit herself for letting him know that she kept a track of happenings in his life.

The VC was lively and she was sure fans would enjoy it a lot, but she was rattled by everything that Randeep had done. His meaningful stares, his song, his statements about her... all played in her mind, adding to the confusion that always accompanied Randeep in her life.

Lost in thoughts, she changed into her yellow nightsuit which had multicolored hearts printed on it, and laid in bed.

Hours later, Ashi turned in her bed umpteenth time, still not able to come out of the shock of what all Randeep said in the VC. When the phone started to ring, she half expected it to be him.

"Oh God. Not now." She groaned as her eyes fell on the number.

She had been receiving blank calls from past few months from this number which was registered as 'Private'. Most of the times she didn't pick up, but the person called up repeatedly if she didn't answer. He would stop only after she said hello a few times. No amount of anger or shouting had deterred him.

Exasperated, she put the phone to her ear when third time it started to ring, "Hello. Dekho iss waqt mera dimaag bohot kharab hai isliye dubara phone mat karna. Aisa na ho kal police aa jaye tumhare ghar."

She was about to disconnect when her hand froze... at the sound of horn... twice.

Her throat went dry. It had never occurred to her that the call could be from some known person... let alone him. Peeling the phone off from her ear, she checked the number again. No, it wasn't his actual number. The panic was back. Two horn symbol was a part of their show, nothing personal between her and Randeep... anyone could use it.

"Listen, this is going too far now. Main abhi police ko..." She steeled her voice, but the whisper from other side did not let her complete her threat.

"Maina."

The phone actually fell from her hand. Had she not been sitting on the bed, it would have been the end of her precious cellphone.

She quickly picked it up with  shaking hands, only to realise that it got disconnected. As she was contemplating whether to call back, it started to ring again.

"H... hello." She answered in half a ring.

His voice was music to her ears, "Maina, tumse milna hai."

She swallowed, nodded, moved her lips... but no sound came out.

"Tum sun rahi ho na? Mujhe abhi milna hai tumse. Tumhari building ke neeche hun. Tum aaogi ya main upar aaun?"

Her eyes stretched into saucers... he was here.

"Aa jaun?" His voice was just a whisper.

She found her voice back as a shiver shook her at the prospect of seeing him at her door, "Nahi. Main... aa... aati hun."

Later, when she thought about this moment, she chided herself for not even bothering to change or even brush her hair. All she wanted was to fly down to him. Since only Kashish was at home, and she was deep asleep, she grabbed the keys and fled to the lift, typing a message for her sister that she was going down as some of her friends had come over for ice cream.

She saw him the moment she turned towards the parking. Still dressed in the same yellow tee, he was wearing the green cap as well. With great difficulty, she slowed her steps... running to meet him would not look okay. Just when she was about to reach him, he turned and went to the other side of the car, leaving her confused again... was he leaving. Next instant, the passenger door towards her opened and he leaned, indicating her to get in.

"H... hi." She mumbled nervously once the door was closed.

His eyes... she could see them clearly now... were fixed on her.

His voice, from so close, made all the goosebumps return with the speed she couldn't imagine, "Mujhe bas ek chahiye, tum itne saare le aayi."

She thought maybe she had gone insane... and hearing something which didn't make sense at all.

When he didn't say more, she blinked, "Kya?"

His eyes drifted over her from head to toe, before coming back with more intensity, "Dil."

It took her a few seconds to realise that he was talking about the hearts printed on her night suit... and quite a few seconds to understand what he meant. But before her eyes widened at the realisation, he said what she never thought she could hear from him.

"I love you, Maina."

To say that she turned into a stone would not be an understatement. Her heart stopped beating, her eyes stopped blinking, her twisting fingers went still, her breath lost its way... she couldn't even hear any sound from anywhere... nothing was visible to her eyes except his face.

"I really love you, Ashi."

And her world started to function again.

He bit his lip as two tears rolled out onto her cheeks when she blinked, "So... sorry! Itna bura laga kya tumhe? Achha aage se nahi kahunga, tum please rona mat."

She instantly rubbed the back of her hand over her cheeks, gulping hard. His blurred image seemed to be floating. Blinking again, she gingerly put one tentative finger ahead to touch his shoulder. It did hit a hard surface.

"Tum ho? Sach mein ho?" Her confusion still prevailed.

He took a deep breath, and leaned ahead, taking her hands in his, "Ashi, main sach mein hun... sirf tumhare liye. Lekin agar tum kahogi toh main chala jaunga."

Her breath was coming out in short gasps. One part of her mind still refused to believe what was happening. She lowered her eyes, and her gaze registered his cell phone placed in the stand.

Her eyes shot back to him, "Yeh... yeh number tumhara hai? Itne mahino se tum mujhe blank calls karte the?"

A feeling of guilt flashed in his eyes as he nodded.

"Kyon?"

"Pehle tum jawaab do. Main sab kuch bata dunga par pehle... jawaab chahiye bhaii, jawaab." His tone was exactly the same as in their VC.

"Kaisa jawaab?" Her eyes crinkled, wondering what question he had asked.

"Ashi, do you love me?" His deep voice made her tremble visibly.

He looked at her without batting his eyes, seeing the whirlpool of emotions that flooded hers.

"Dekho, main jo karne jaa raha hun, agar tum mujhe rok dogi, toh main chup chaap wapas chala jaunga, bina kisi sawaal ke. Lekin, agar tumne mujhe nahi roka toh main samjhunga ki tumhara jawaab haan hai... you love me." His grip on her hands became tighter.

She pressed her quivering lips as he raised her hands, without breaking their eyelock. With a sharp intake of breath, her eyes closed when his lips brushed against her knuckles.

"You love me... haina... toh bolo na... please." His voice seemed closer, and she opened her eyes in alarm.

He had leaned more towards her, his face inches away. Her shoulders hitched up and she lowered her eyes again.

"Achha, toh tum aise nahi bologi. Thoda pyar aur dikhana padega. Jaisi aapki marzi, madam." The hint of mischief in his voice made her look up, just in time to see his eyes stuck on her lips.

"Sam... Sameer..." She mumbled.

He cupped her face, "Sameer nahi, Ashi, Randeep. Aaj main apni Ashi ke paas aaya hun, Sameer Naina ke paas nahi aaya."

"Lekin tum... tum hamesha Sameer banke... matlab Indore mein bhi bas Sameer banke congratulate kiya tha. Aur aaj bhi, sab kuch Sameer ki taraf se... woh gaana, woh birthday wish, woh baar baar mujhe Naina bulana... Tumne toh kabhi Randeep banke mujhe dekha hi nahi." Her voice broke at the end.

He lowered his eyes for a second. When he lifted them, she could see the pain, similar to hers.

"Ashi, maine bohot koshish ki, khud ko Sameer ke peeche chupane ki aur tumhe Naina ka naqaab dene ki... par sach yehi hai ki yeh Randeep Ashi ke pyaar mein saalon se pagal hai." The sincerity in his voice left her stunned.

"Sa... saalon se?" She uttered.

He nodded, "Haan. Ahsaas toh mujhe pehle din se hone laga tha ki main tumhari taraf khinch raha hun, isliye uss raat tumhe phone kiya... aisa laga tumse baat kar sakta hun, tum samajh jaogi meri problem. Woh ahsaas har din badhta raha. Phir jab Mount Abu gaye, toh main jaan gaya ki mujhe tumse pyar ho gaya hai, itna ki main chaah ke bhi khud ko jhooth nahi bol sakta. Lekin yeh galat tha mere hisaab se... aakhir meri theory mein costar ko date karna nahi tha na. Isliye main tumse door rehne ki koshish karne laga. Jab zyada hi pyar aata tha, toh bilkul chup ho jaata tha, jisse kahin dil ki baat muh se nikal na jaaye."

Ashi recalled his mood swings that left her frustrated all the time.

He continued, "Jab show mein Pooja didi ki shaadi wala track shuru hua toh woh pyare pyare scenes karte hue main chah ke bhi apna rookha behavior wapas nahi laa paaya, kyonki tum roz itni sundar lagti thi. Aur jab tumne mujhe I love you bola, mujhe laga yeh sach hai... mera jawaab alag dialogue tha script mein... jo tumne suna woh Randeep ka jawaab tha. Lekin woh scene itna khoobsurat tha ki director ne kaha yehi rehne do, reshoot nahi karenge."

She blushed at the mention of the scene.

A smile curled the corner of his lips, "Jab college ke scenes mein tum aise hi sharmati thi na, mujhe khud ko control karna mushkil ho jaata tha. Pehle mujhe laga yeh blush 90s ki Naina ke character ke liye hai. Lekin Ashi, maine tumhare chehre pe yeh blush bohot baar dekha, even when we were not shooting... and I realised, tum bhi waisi hi ho, Naina jaisi innocent."

At that time, Ashi was falling more and more in love with him with each passing day, and every reference to their chemistry used to make her blush hard.

"Phir jab hamari shaadi hui, toh main darr gaya... ki ab scenes alag type ke honge toh main nahi rok paunga apni feelings ko bahar aane se. Isliye zyada chup aur alag rehne laga tumse. Kabhi koi tumhare naam se kuch kehta tha toh main bas apna purana raag suna deta tha... will never date my costar. Sach maano, woh main sabse zyada khud ko samjhane ki koshish karta tha. Tumhe shayad jhooth lage, par honeymoon wale scenes mere liye aasan nahi the, khaaskar woh towel wala scene."

Her forehead was covered with sweat drops at the memory.

"Agar woh phone nahi bajta toh shayad main tumhe kiss kar deta." His voice was low.

Her fingers clenched under his grip.

"Main ladta raha khud se, Ashi. Rokta raha khud ko, lekin mera pyar bas badhta hi chala gaya." He earnestly looked into her eyes.

"Kyon? Kyon rok rahe the?" She wanted to know.

He flicked his brows, "Tumhare liye. Main tumhe bandhna nahi chahta tha. Tumhare career ki starting thi yeh show se. Aur main jaanta tha tumhare sapne bohot oonche hain. Ashi, tum bohot choti ho. Abhi se tumhe inn sab mein nahi padne dena chahta tha. Aisi news ke baad roles milne kam ho jaate hain, khaskar female leads ke. Main tumhe successful dekhna chahta hun. I loved you so much that I decided to let you go... tumhare liye."

She blinked the tears that were again blurring his face. He gently wiped her cheeks.

"Toh ab kya hua?" She asked in a heavy voice. It was an absurd question but she wanted to know.

"Show ke last day maine socha tumhe nahi milunga shoot ke baad. Isliye tumhari cake cutting mein bhi nahi aaya. Lekin raat ko party mein tumhe dekhte hi ahsaas hua ki yeh hamari aakhiri shaam hogi ek saath... aur tumse door hone ke khyal ne mujhe uss ek shaam tumse door hone hi nahi diya. In fact, beech mein ek baar maine soch liya ki tumhe bata deta hu apne dil ki baat, lekin kuch kehna toh chodo, tumhari taraf dekhne ki himmat tak nahi hui. Woh toh ussi waqt Kiran sir aa gaye aur mujhe bahana mil gaya, warna... Lekin Ashi, show ke baad main tumhare bina nahi reh paa raha tha. Har din, har minute, har second tumhare alava kuch soojhta hi nahi tha. Main ghoomta raha, sabse milta raha... lekin jisse sabse zyada dekhna chahta tha usse hi nahi mil paa raha tha. Jab ITA Award ki news aayi toh main uchal pada, ki aakhir hum mil payenge. Lekin airport pe, sabke saamne... mujhe khud pe bharosa nahi tha ki tumse baat kar puanga ya tumhe gale laga lunga... isliye baat nahi ki.

Ashi waited as he stopped to take a breath, her eyes conveying the question... what about later?

His eyes filled up with love, "Shaam ko... shaam ko tumhe jab door se dekha toh mera dil jaise dhadakna hi bhool gaya. Tum ek princess lag rahi thi. Function mein meri aankhen bhale hi aage thi, mera poora dhyan peeche tha, tumhari har awaaz pe... tum kisse baat kar rahi ho, kya keh rahi ho... main bohot bechain tha tumhare liye. Jab Karan ne pictures lene shuru kiye toh mujhse aur raha nahi gaya. Par jaise hi tumhare paas baitha, kisi ne comment kiya ki tum beauty aur talent ka perfect combination ho, aur tumhara future bohot bright hai. Maine phir khud ko rok liya... lekin aasaan nahi tha. Mujhe wahan se jaana pada, kyonki tumhe dekh dekh ke main pagal ho raha tha. Par kehte hain na... kismat... mujhe phone aaya ki humne best jodi award jeeta hai... sponsored by Jeevanasathi. Ashi, aisa laga ki yeh mere confusion ka jawaab tha. Isliye hi main tumhari car mein baitha tha... tumse baat karne ke liye."

Her eyes clouded with the memory, "Par tumne toh..." and her cheeks flamed up, recalling the way he had kissed her.

He craned his neck to bring his face right in front of her, "Woh kiss soch ke nahi kiya tha. Tum achanak mere saamne aise aa gayi... aur main ruk nahi paaya. But that was a mistake."

She bit her lip... he still felt it was a mistake.

His gaze moved to the small movement and went up again, to give her an intent look, "It was a mistake kyonki mujhe aur chahiye tha. Ashi, I cannot tell you how I stopped myself from holding you in my arms and kissing you madly. Apni aankhen phone mein ghusa ke main bhagwan ka naam lene laga... jisse aisa kuch na kar dun jo tumhe bura lag jaaye. Uske baad wapas aake yeh private number liya. Jisse tumhari awaaz sun sakun. Aur aaj... Ashi, aaj himmat nahi thi light mein baith ke tumhe dekhne ki. Mujhe pata tha apna pyar nahi chupa paunga, isliye andhere mein baitha, jisse kisi ko nazar naa aaye ki meri aankhen sirf tumhe dekh rahi hain."

The colour on her face darkened to such a level that he wanted to fulfill the wish of that night right away. Ashi thought her heart would probably jump out of her chest. All this revelation... all along when she thought he was acting... he was actually in love with her. When she was holding back her tears in the car ride, he was holding back the urge to kiss her. Seeing his gaze racing between her lips and eyes, she shuddered. Randeep closed his eyes, inhaling deeply to control himself. When he opened them again, he could sense some discomfort in her.

"Kya hua? Tum... tum gussa ho kya meri baaton se? Did I hurt you? Ashi, I'm sorry agar aisa hai toh... woh mujhe laga... tum... tumhe dekhke bohot baar aisa laga ki shayad tum bhi... isliye main yahan aaya. Lekin agar tum aisa feel nahi karti toh... " He was clearly worried now.

"Haan, tum jao. Bohot raat ho gayi hai. Kal mera..." She lowered her eyes, speaking slowly.

"Oh haan, kal subah shoot pe jaana hoga na tumhe. Sorry. Lekin Ashi, tumne jawaab nahi diya ab tak." His face had the dejected look she recognised so well, having seen it on herself innumerable times in last three years.

Her phone rang that moment, making her pull her hands out of his hold. It was Kashish. Ashi assured her she was on her way up and disconnected.

"Main abhi jawaab nahi de sakti. Goodnight Randeep." She turned to open her side of the door.

"A... Ashi... I'll always love you. Mere liye pyaar ka matlab hamesha tum rahogi. Tumhara jawaab jo bhi ho, it won't change my feelings for you." His voice was sincere.

Without looking back, Ashi left him alone in the car, walking back to the lift of her building. Only when she was back in her room did she let herself go. The tears burst as if a dam broke. She buried her face in the pillow, crying hard for so long that the pillow was soaking wet when she finally lifted her face. The night was a long one as she relived every single moment of few hours back, recalled every single word he said, remembered every single occasion he had mentioned.

The night was even longer for Randeep. He paced his room, his thoughts completely scattered. When he had driven to her society, he had not expected the meeting to end this way. Somewhere deep inside his heart, he was sure that she loved him. He had imagined the scene several times, and had expected her to fling herself in his arms, accepting his love, and telling him that she loved him too. But her uneasiness and reluctance had left him confused... and shattered.

Sitting heavily on the bed, he held his head in his hands, "Shayad maine der kar di. Ashi ke mann mein jo bhi feelings thi woh khatam ho gayi hain. Ab usne naye dost bana liye... naya show, naye costars, naya mahaul... ab Ashi ki life mein mere liye jagah nahi bachi."

The pain was so unbearable that he didn't realise when his face became wet with tears.

First rays of sun fell into the rooms of two restless and disconcerted people, making them aware of a new day in their life.

Taking a deep breath, Randeep stood up from the bed, rubbing his face and pushing the hair back from his forehead. He went out to the balcony. The activity on the road below showed that the world carried on with all others, not bothered that one heart had stopped beating, one pair of eyes had lost all hope, one person had stopped living.

The sound of door bell second time brought the realisation that his help, Pawan was not at home and he had to open the door for milkman.

Absentmindedly, he opened the door and held out his hand, waiting for the milk packets.

The voice made him jump.

"Kisi ke liye bhi apna haath badha dete ho kya?" Ashi was standing at his door.

He was dumbfounded. After rubbing his eyes vigourously with fisted hands, he still found her standing at her door. Just like her, he extended a finger, and touched her cheek. The velvety softness left no doubt that she was real.

"Andar aa sakti hun ya..." She raised her brows.

He quickly opened the door fully, moving aside to let her in. When she looked back after reaching the center of the room, he was still standing next to the wide open door.

"Door band karoge ya kisi aur ko bhi bulaya hai?" She crossed her arms, her face devoid of any emotion.

"Oh haan." He bolted the door.

"Toh?" She arched her brow.

He was baffled, "Tum... tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Tumhe toh shoot pe jaana tha na."

"Aaj mera off day hai." She answered.

"Lekin kal raat tumne kaha shoot hai subah." He scratched his head.

"Maine nahi, tumne kaha. Khud hi soch liya ki main wapas jaane ko kyon keh rahi hun... jaise baaki sab khud soch liya... ki kab pyar karna hai kab nahi... kab zaahir karna hai kab nahi... kab dikhawa karna hai kab nahi." Her flat voice alarmed him.

"A... Ashi, yeh kya keh rahi ho? Maine koi dikhawa nahi kiya. I really love you." He stressed on the last few words.

"Of course, isliye jab tumhe laga Ashi ko batana hai toh bata diya, jab tak nahi batana chahte the tab tak Ashi ke dil pe kya guzar rahi hai usse tumhe koi waasta nahi tha. Agar tumhe laga tha ki mere mann mein feelings hain toh kabhi socha unn feelings ko kitni chot lagti hogi jab tum costar bolke ya 'yeh sirf acting hai' bolke door chale jaate the? Ek baar bhi khyal aaya ki saamne baith ke baat karni chahiye? Nahi, bas faisla le liya... ki I love her so much that I should let her go. Khud mahaan ban gaye lekin mere baare mein socha? Ek baar pucha mujhse whether I wanted to go or not? Kyon puchoge? Tumhe toh saare faisle khud lene kaa shouk hai na... kisi aur pe unka  kya asar hota hai yeh sochna ki zarurat hi mehsoos nahi hui."

He was crestfallen, "Lekin maine toh tumhare liye..."

She turned and walked to his room. Stunned, he ran after her, almost crashing into her as she stopped just inside the door.

Turning around, she glared at him, "Isliye andar aayi hun jisse tumhare neighbours ko ladne ki awaaz na aaye. Ab bolo, kya keh rahe the... mere liye... tumne mere liye mujhe chod diya. Waah, the great Randeep Rai kitne bade dil ke hain ki apne pyar ko jaane diya. Lekin Mr Rai, aapne ek baar bhi socha ki uss pyaar ki saansen aapke hone se chalti hain, uski subah aapke chehre se hoti hai, uski shaam aapki aankhon mein hai, uski khushi aapki smile mein hai... uski zindagi aapke saath hai, dammit."

"Ashi." He spread his arms, his heart breaking at her choked voice.

She held up one hand, stalling him, "Iss comfort ki aadat nahi hai mujhe. Maine bohot raatein ro ke bitai hain, kal pehli baar nahi thi... lekin har baar kaaran tum hi the. Kyonki main tumse pyaar karti rahi aur tum mujhse bhagte rahe. Aur kal jaake mujhe pataa chala ki tum bhaag rahe the mere liye... matlab mujhe khabar bhi nahi aur yahan mere liye sacrifices ho rahe hain. Aapko toh haar pehnane chahiye, Mr Rai."

"Pehna dena, lekin badle mein main bhi pehnaunga tumhe... phoolon wala haar... jis din shaadi hogi hamari." He said suddenly, making her go quiet for a few seconds.

"Sh... shaadi nahi karni mujhe... mera career zyada important hai." She crossed her arms again, defiantly turning to the side.

"Mujhe bhi nahi karni." He said, making her jerk her head to look at him, the confusion back in her eyes.

"Kaise karun... tumne jawaab toh diya hi nahi abhi tak." He tilted his head to the side, giving her an innocent look.

Her lower lip trembled, and two drops tumbled down her eyes.

Randeep pulled her in his arms before she could resist, kissing her hair, "Ab tak aadat nahi thi lekin ab iss comfort ki aadat daal lo. I can't let you go now, Ashi."

She covered her face with her hands and cried hard, leaning on his chest.

"I'm so so sorry. Mujhe agar zara bhi idea hota ki tum... waise mujhe idea tha, Ayesha ne kaha tha ek baar." He stroked her head, speaking softly after her sobs subsided.

She turned her face towards him, shocked, "Ayesha ne? Usne baat ki tumse? Maine maana kiya tha usse."

He wiped her tear stained cheeks with the back of his hand, "Bataya usne, ki tumhare manaa karne ke baad bhi usne aisa sirf isliye kiya ki woh tumhe sad nahi dekh pa rahi thi. Pataa hai kab baat ki?"

She flicked up her brows.

"Jab tumne TV wali saas bahu ke show ki actresses ke jaise shor machaya tha... meri Thailand ki pictures dekh ke." He gave her a twisted smile.

Her eyes widened in shock and her face reddened in mortification, "Ayesha ki bachhi, chodungi nahi usse."

He chuckled, "Haan, aise hi bol rahi thi tum. But honestly, mujhe na kisi ne blackmail kiya tha, na drugs diye the."

Ashi stared, "Yeh bhi bata diya?"

Pushing the strands away from her face, he smiled, "Recording sunayi thi... uss din ki tumhari call ki."

Ashi pushed him and stepped back, "Ky... kya? Recording? Ayesha ne... usne woh sab record... ughh... aur tumko..."

He held her wrist, moving closer to her, "Jab tumne Deep kaha toh bohot achha laga sunke... aur tumhari woh jalan, woh gussa. Abhi se aisa hai toh pata nahi shaadi ke baad kya karogi tum."

"Tum shaadi ke baad bhi unke saath aise hi jaoge?" Her eyes widened even more.

"Shaadi ke baad ka toh pata nahi, kyonki shaadi toh tab hogi na jab meri pasand ki ladki haan kahegi." He rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand.

"Achha? Kaunsi wali pasand hai tumhe unn sabme se? Dekh ke toh lag raha tha saari pasand hain... aur unko bhi tum kuch zyada hi achhe lag rahe the." Ashi frowned at the memory of those pictures.

"Mujhe toh ek hi pasand hai, jiski wajah se main kal raat bhar nahi soya." His voice dipped as he reduced the distance between them.

"Tum toh kal ki raat hi nahi soye, Randeep... tumhare pyar mein main teen saal se jaag rahi hun." She looked back into his eyes.

He could feel her pain, "Samajh sakta hun, Ashi. Maine jo dard kal mehsoos kiya usko yaad karke kaanp jaata hu. Tumhare pyar mein jaaga toh main bhi hun pichle teen saalon mein par tab main khud se lad raha tha. Kal pataa chala rejection ka dard kya hota hai, dil tootna kya hota hai. Tumhara gusaa galat nahi hai. Main ek din mein aise toot gaya. Lekin tum bohot strong ho. Kal tumhe VC pe dekh ke, tumhari wahi smile dekh ke, koi keh nahi sakta ki tumhare dil mein itna sab hoga."

"Kisi ne acting karna itne achhe se sikha diya hai ki ab main kaise bhi expression de sakti hu." She shrugged.

He gently wrapped his arms around her, "Lekin jawaab nahi dogi. Ashi, bolo na, do you love me?"

"Tumhe ab bhi jawaab ki zarurat hai?" She placed her palms on his chest.

"Jawaab toh chahiye. I'm going crazy waiting for you to say it, please." He pleaded.

Her hands moved to encircle his waist as she rested her forehead against his heart, speaking in a low voice, "I love you, Randeep... a lot."

The room suddenly turned brighter for him. Tightening his hold on her, he murmured against her hair, "Look at me."

Slowly, she turned her face towards him.

"I love you Ashi. I promise aaj ke baad meri wajah se tumhare aansu kabhi nahi aayenge. Please mujhe maaf kar do. I'm really very sorry." He gave her an earnest look.

She smiled, "Kar diya."

"Toh meri aankhon mein dekh ke jawaab do, pehli baar theek se suna nahi." He placed his fingers under her chin.

The glow of pink was back on her cheeks, "I love you, Randeep."

He dipped his face. She turned hers.

"Kyon? Aaj hamare pyaar ka pehla din hai. Let's start it with a kiss." He cupped her chin, making her look at him.

When their lips finally met, it was not just a seal of their new love, but the beginning of a new story.

He lifted his head when Ashi pushed at his chest, panting for breath, "Koi, koi aa jayega."

"Kon ayega? Pawan nahi hai yahan. Hum akele hain." He gave an impish grin.

"Oh. Umm, achha toh main tumhare liye breakfast bana deti hu jaane se pehle." She tucked back a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly nervous at the thought of being alone with him.

"Pata hai, Ashi, jab yeh ghar liya tha, tabse bas tumhe hi imagine karta hun yahan. Housewarming party mein main chahta tha hum dono host banke sabko receive kare. Maine call bhi kiya tha tumhe lekin keh nahi paaya. Aaj tumhe yahan apne room mein dekhke dream come true jaisa feel ho raha hai." He looked around, then at her.

Ashi recalled his phone call, and how she had felt that he wanted to say something more.

"Achha ab jao aur fresh ho jao. Abhi tak kal ke VC wale kapde pehne hain. Main breakfast banati hun." The feeling of being an actual couple made her blush more.

She was whipping up an omellete in the kitchen when she heard footsteps.

"Dekho mujhe zyada kuch nahi aata isliye omellete banaya hai. Saath mein..." She turned and her voice died down in her throat.

The scene from their old show was replayed in front of her. Standing with a towel around his waist, Randeep tousled his wet hair with his hand, making the droplets fall on her.

"Are you mad. Jao kapde pehen ke aao. Sharam nahi aati tumhe?" She turned her back to him, wiping her face.

"First time thodi dekh rahi ho aise. Aur sharam kaisi... jab TV pe bina shirt ke aa sakta hu toh tumse kya sharmana." He spoke right behind her ear.

"Randeep please. Aise kyon kar rahe ho?" Her voice wasn't normal anymore.

"Kyonki jab last time aise dekha tha tumne, tab kuch kaam baaki reh gaya tha. Ab poora karna hai." His husky voice made her knees turn into jelly.

He held her arm to turn her towards him, taking her for a deep, lingering kiss that was long enough to turn the omellete cold and juice warm.

Within a month, Ashi and Randeep told their families about their relationship. Both sides were ecstatic as they always loved to see them together on screen. But they all kept the news between them, not revealing to anyone outside. The fans continued to shower their love and prayed for Ashdeep to be a reality one day, unaware that their prayers had already been answered. As the signs of prevailing viral infection started to recede, Randeep signed a new show, and both got busy in their work. But that did not stop them from meeting everyday, stealing moments to express their love to each other, and enjoy the efforts of their fans who relentlessly made beautiful edits and vms for them.

One day, they do plan to declare officially that Ashdeep exists. But that day is yet to come.

So this was the last chapter of this story. I keep my fingers crossed that the last para comes true... one day we get the news that Ashdeep is real.

If you love Ashdeep ff, check out this account. Jalpaa weaves such beautiful tales that it is difficult to believe they are pure imagination. Every incident seems real.