Mumbai track somehow didn't keep the same pace as they had been maintaining till now. The reviews showed that viewers were not happy. But the actors had no say. It was all in the hands of producers. In fact, whatever beautiful and romantic scenes were shot, were brutally edited from the episodes.

The fans were exasperated at such treatment. They had stuck on till now, in spite of all unfair treatments of the channel to the show... unstable timings, non existent promotion, reducing the number of episodes to only four just to bring in their favourite game show on weekends, loopholes in track, much lesser screen space to their Samaina... the fans had suffered everything but did not move away. Now, when they found the scenes that were available on various entertainment news channels, missing from the telecast, their furore was justified. But as expected, nothing deterred the makers, and they carried on with their step treatment to the show.

Within a short period, Ashi started to get that sinking feeling in her stomach... the end was near. Her premonition turned out to be true when one day they got the news that they had just about a month left to wind up their show. She went into a silent mode. Only when Ayesha shook her nice and proper, did she let her emotions spill out... and cried heartily on her screen sister's shoulder.

That day, when she stepped out of her room, Randeep swiftly walked to her and took her in a comforting embrace. It turned her into a statue for a moment.

"Ashi, I know tum roke aayi ho. Please, itni dukhi mat hona. Show hi toh hai... ek na ek din khatam hona hi tha. And you have earned so much praise, I'm sure you'll get good projects after this. You are not a struggler now, Ashi. Your fans are all over the world. Dekhna, they all will demand your return on the screen so much that you'll be back with a bigger project soon. Don't be disheartened. So many people love you more than you can even imagine."

His words brought a fresh flow of tears. She valued the love of all her fans... but the love she wanted most was evading her completely. He did not even realise that she wasn't as much sad for herself, for having to leave the show... she was devastated for losing the only chance to be with him, even if it was as professionals.

She held his shirt from the sides and cried into his chest.

A few days later, there was a segment with some of the cast about their journey. Ashi and Randeep had to sit together for a proper chat, talking about various situations and experiences from the show.

The first shocker was his light blue jacket and jeans, and the bandana. Ashi always lost a beat when he wore a bandana. The black one today made her gulp again. She decided not to look at him during the segment. Because, she was sure he would again look straight into her eyes, with that perfect smile, a hint of mischief in his eyes... all would make her forget her surroundings.

She was able to maintain some normalcy in her behavior, till he said, "Tum Sameer ko le jao."

And she blurted, "Haan, main Sameer ko le jaungi. Phir Sameer ke kapde bhi mere paas, Sameer ki bike bhi... aur Sameer bhi. Sorted."

She could only see the look he gave to her when she watched the segment clips at home that night. Another thing that had made her go red and shut her eyes in embarrassment was his comments on SR. She had truthfully mentioned that it was the most difficult scene for her... and he was quick to say, "Arre, itna supportive toh hun main."

She had blushed to the roots on camera. But he was not affected by her flamed cheeks, and went on with his comments without thinking, "Lekin konsi suhagraat? Hamari suhagraat toh bohot sari hui hain."

"Tumhare ghar wali." She turned to him, her eyes silently pleading for him to stop.

Whether he did it for her, or himself realised, but thankfully he let the topic go. But there wasn't much respite. When asked about their characters, he went on to tell how they had learnt new ways of romancing without touching and how much they enjoyed their 'ankhon aankhon wala romance'. And then, living upto his reputation, he just walked away the moment camera was turned off. Later on, when some still shots were clicked, there was none of both of them. He just took a few with other cast and left, without saying bye to her.

Ashi sat with her phone at night, watching the segment and pictures. She had managed to give most of her answers without looking at him while his eyes hardly left her throughout. Though his other talks made her go all red again, she was baffled by his expression when he mentioned 'tum Sameer ko le jao'.

"Aisa kyon kaha usne, Ayesha?" She asked when she got the much expected call.

Ayesha smiled, "Khud soch."

Joining her brows, Ashi pondered for a while before replying, "Sameer bola na... matlab character. Woh shayad isliye kaha ki yeh character ko main khud se nikal dena chahta hun... toh jisko le jaana hai le jao."

"Kya idiot hai yaar tu. Randeep ne sau baar kaha hai ki woh 80% Sameer hai... toh kya matlab hua iss baat ka?" Ayesha screamed into the phone.

"Haan toh ab woh uss 80% ko nikal raha hai apni personality se. Usse Sameer nahi banke rehna." Ashi shrugged, unable to see Ayesha's point.

"Tera kuch nahi ho sakta, yaar. Wake up, Ashi. We just have a few weeks shoot left. Tu maan ya mat maan but I feel Randeep has some feelings for you. He's not able to say so. Tu hi try karle. Please na, I so wanna see you guys together. You're perfect for each other." Ayesha tried again.

The coming month turned out to be a whirlwind of various happenings in the life of Samaina. Their success, their growth, Naina's pregnancy, even the baby was shown as grown up from an infant to a toddler in just a couple of episodes. Ashi could not muster up the courage to say anything to Randeep.

And then, the last day of shoot happened to be on her birthday. The memories of her previous birthday flooded her mind. The way Randeep had smeared her face with the cake, holding her firmly in the crook of his arm, she was rendered speechless. And to top it, the song...

Ayesha had later nudged him, winking, "Randeep, maang bharne ka itna hi shouk tha toh cake se kyon... umm, there are better ways."

He waved his hand, laughing at her comment, "Funny tha na? Wohi intention tha mera. Yaar, normal is boring. Isliye socha kuch different hona chahiye. Just before coming out of my room, yehi song suna tha FM pe... toh yehi gaa diya. Ab saare fans ko sochne do iska kya meaning hoga."

Ayesha was glad Ashi was away, getting pictures clicked with those who were around... Randeep's casual remark would have added to her pain. But she had come to know... from Kittu the next day.

Pushing aside the excruciating memory, she checked the script in hand for last day scenes.

After the reunion with family at home and the gang at school, they changed into the outfits for a dance performance. Ashi was amazed at the way Randeep reacted to her... he was again at his jovial best. The camera teams who had gathered to take bytes for the last day shoot openly commented on their successful pairing. Dance practice could have fooled anyone. Randeep pulled her close, laughed loudly after whispering into her ears, held her longer in his arms than the shot required... gave all signs to the cameras. He didn't even leave the interviewers. When she had watched his segment later, her eyes forgot to blink. How he had associated their birthdays with the beginning and end of the show, and how he had hinted at some deeper connection had left her perplexed again.

And after all this, he did not come for her cake cutting. These two facets of his conflicting behaviour drowned her in a deeper pool of confusion.

"Tum chahte kya ho, Randeep? Kyon bata nahi dete? Agar main sirf ek costar hun toh yeh kadiyan kyon mila rahe ho? Yeh jo tumne kaha 'kuch toh likha hai' yeh kahan likha hai? Agar tum padh rahe ho toh batate kyon nahi? Mujhe itna mat uljhao ki main pagal ho jaun." Ashi had pressed her head within her hands, shutting her eyes.

Adding to her confusion, he was present in the wrap up party with enthusiasm and zeal. He had danced with her, got pictures clicked without leaving her hand, smiled at the camera with a protective hold around her... giving the impression that they were truly close to each other. At one time, when she stood up to meet someone, he called out her name, stopping her.

"Haan Randeep, kuch kaha tumne?" She turned to look at him.

He walked upto her, rather ran to her, and grabbed her hands. She was surprised. He kept looking at their joined hands, without a word.

"Randeep... kya hua?" Her heart started to hammer... something in his manner was giving her hopes again.

His eyes slowly moved to her face... but drifted behind her within seconds.

"Bolo na, tumhe kuch kehna tha kya?" She asked in anticipation, unable to wipe off the beaming smile that had spread on her face.

They didn't know when the picture was clicked by Rajendra ji. Ashi was astounded to see their moment captured by him so perfectly... she giving him a hopeful smile, he looking over her head, as if gathering courage.

"Uh Ashi, woh main keh raha tha... see, hamari jodi ke bohot saare fans hain... unka dil toot jayega agar... agar hum immediately kisi aur ke saath show karenge... toh... toh main keh raha tha ki... umm... agar hum thoda break le lein toh achha hoga... matlab na tum show sign karo na main. Ho sakta hai ki YUDKBH ki popularity ki wajah se humein next show bhi sath hi mile... ya phir SSP hi season 2 mein cast kar lein... baat toh hui hai na... ab jab hamara comfort level itna ho gaya hai toh shayad tumhe bhi..." She kept on staring at him, trying to make sense of his broken blabbering till he let out a long sigh and looked into her eyes, "Actually Ashi, main nahi chahta tum kisi aur ke saath romance karo. Tum saare shows mere saath karogi. Aur sirf shows hi nahi... tum aur main ab alag nahi ho sakte... we're made for each other. Destiny ne humein ek baar juda karke phir se milaya hai toh humein ab hamesha ke liye ek ho jaana chahiye... Ashi, kya tum... kya tum meri..."

A sudden shaking feeling jolted her out of the dream she was seeing with open eyes.

Randeep was tapping at her shoulder, "Ashi, where are you lost?"

She blinked furiously, coming to terms with the fact that whatever she just heard was her imagination... Randeep had said no such thing.

"So... Sorry... main bas woh..." She was embarrassed, but disappointed.

He pointed behind her, "Dekho Kiran sir aaye hain. Main tumhe isliye bula raha tha ki chalo aaj hum dono unke saath bhi picture click karte hain. Show mein unka track itni jaldi end kar diya tha ki hamari koi yaadein hi nahi hain unke saath. Come, let's go."

He was pulling her towards veteran actor Kiran Kumar, who had played his nanu. He met them affectionately, posing for the pictures. He even praised their onscreen chemistry and said he had watched every single episode.

"Bhai hamare zamane mein toh agar kisi ki aankhon mein itni gehraai nazar aati thi toh usse hi janmon ka pyar maan liya jaata tha. Aajkal ke bachhe toh raat ke andhere mein bhi chashma nahi hatate aankhon se. Main toh kehta hun, dil ko pehchanna hai toh aankhon mein jhaank ke dekho, wohi aaina hain aapke dil ka. Agar aankhon mein pyar hai toh dil mein zaroor aapki tasveer milegi. Yeh unn dinon ki baat zarur hai lekin tum dono ki aankhon ka pyar dekh ke inn dinon mein bhi thodi umeed nazar aati hai." Kiran ji patted Randeep's back, smiling.

Randeep grinned, "Thank you, sir. It's a big compliment ki apko hamari acting itni achhi lagi ki aapko apne time ka romance yaad aa gaya hamari aankhon ka pyar dekh ke. Humne bhi iss show se hi seekha... sach kahun toh bohot mazaa aaya... aankhon ki bhasha samajhna, door door se pyar jatana, haath pakadne ke liye itna try karna, ek hug ke liye saalon intezar karna... yeh sab iss show ke bahane experience kar liya. Warna aajkal kiske paas time hai yeh sab karne ka."

And he shattered her dream again.

The next few weeks were really hard for Ashi. Ayesha visited her one day, after she sounded really dull on phone.

"Ashi yaar, aise kaise chalega? Na tune usse khud kuch kaha na mujhe kehne diya. Kam se kam ek baar Randeep ko apne dil ki baat batati toh sahi.

Ashi wiped the tears that flowed freely on hearing his name aloud, "Koshish ki thi, Ayesha. Lekin jab bhi himmat karke uske paas gayi usne kuch aisa keh diya jisse pata chal gaya ki main uske liye kya hun... sirf ek costar. Woh sab jo tu uski aankhon ka pyar kehti hai na, woh acting hoti hai. Wrap up party mein usne khud kaha Kiran sir ke saamne. Main toh uss din bhi ek baar sochne lagi thi ki keh hi deti hun... lekin uski baaton se ahsaas hua ki nahi, aisa kuch keh ke main hum dono ko awkward kar dungi. Ek show khatm hua hai, kya pata aage jakar hum phir se saath kaam karein. Kaise face karungi usko agar usne mana kar diya toh... aur woh pakka manaa karta, Ayesha... woh mujhe kabhi haan nahi bolta. Randeep aur Ashi hamesha do naam rahenge... kabhi Ashdeep nahi ban sakte... jaisa fans chahte hain."

Ayesha held her sobbing friend delicately in her arms, stroking her hair, "Tu kuch bhi keh, Ashi, mujhe ab bhi lagta hai yeh hoga... zarur hoga. Fans hi nahi, main bhi aisa chahti hun, Ashu... Ashdeep mujhe bhi chahiye. Randeep agar aaj nahi samajh paa raha toh kal samjhega, lekin uske dil mein kuch toh hai... uske dil mein tere liye kuch na kuch pakka hai."

After crying her heart out, Ashi straightened, smiling at her friend's efforts to make her feel better, "Tu sach mein bohot positive hai. Isliye tujh se baat karke hamesha halka feel hota hai."

Coming months saw Ashi and Randeep spending time with family and friends, relaxing and posting pictures of their enjoyable moments.

When the invitation for ITA was sent to them, her heart danced at the opportunity. But Randeep being Randeep, didn't go beyond a formal 'Hi, how are you' when they met at the airport. Even though they were in the same flight, he sat with his group of friends and she with hers. Later in the evening, when she was informed of the waiting car, she asked if she would be going alone or someone was to accompany her.

"Ma'am, aapke saath aapke ek friend hain. Unhone kaha hai aapki wait kar rahe hain." The voice at the other end made her heart flutter... was Randeep waiting for her?

She was disappointed to see Karan when she quickly reached the hotel gate.

"Hey Ashi. I thought hum saath chalte hain." Karan beamed at her.

They entered the venue together. Ashi was given a seat behind Randeep. Not even once did he look back during the initial presentations and performances. When half the show was over, Karan started clicking pictures, capturing all his friends from other seats as well. He stepped out of the rows and clicked selfies with Randeep and few more actors.

It was then that the voice she badly wanted to hear greeted her.

Randeep turned back to look at her and smiled, "Ashi, why don't you come ahead... let's get a few clicks. After all saath mein show kiya hai, do chaar pictures toh le hi sakte hain. Nahi?"

At loss of words, she just nodded and lifted her gown to walk out of the passage.

"Wait, wait. Aise kaise manage karogi, iss heavy dress ke saath. Ek minute." He frowned.

Before she could say anything, he had picked up two chairs from the side to make her step straight ahead... being the same gentleman that he was always with her.

"Ab yahan baith jao." He placed the chairs back, and patted one right next to him.

"Thanks." She finally uttered, swooning at his concern.

After pursing his lips in a smile, he glanced away next moment, "Okay Karan. Ab lete hain kuch selfies."

Once their category was done, Randeep left immediately, not keen to stay after losing out on the award. Ashi stayed on for her friends. And she was glad she did. When their name was announced for Best Jodi, she couldn't believe it. They weren't even aware of such a category, or their nomination for it. Sadly, she had to go alone on the stage. But fate played a different game here. Since there was some fault in the recording system, she was told that the award would be presented again. And Randeep had been informed already so when he would arrive, they could go on the stage together this time.

They waited with bated breath... till the names were announced

"Jeevanasathi Best Jodi Award... Arshi Singh and Randeep Rai."

Ashi held her gown again as he looked at her with a bright smile, "Inhone bhi tumhara naam galat bola."

She didn't look at him once, knowing what it would do to her system, "Par tum yahan mat correct karna. It's okay."

He chuckled, "Arre mere jeevansathi ka naam galat bolenge toh kehna hi padega na."

Her heart skipped a beat. Did he just say that? But he instantly moved one step ahead and they walked onto the stage in silence.

Thankfully, he didn't say anything about her name to presenters. After their thank you speech, they were called for a press meet. As always, Randeep was warm and affable when they addressed the media representatives together. What surprised Ashi was when he slipped in next to her in the same car.

"Hey, congratulations." He grinned at her, waving his hand in front of her eyes as she forgot to blink.

Ashi jerked her head, fumbling for words, "Uh... umm... main... woh..."

"Kya hua? Mera baithna achha nahi laga? Main chala jaata hu if you are not comfortable." He narrowed his eyes, and extended his hand towards the door.

"Nahi, bohot achha laga." She blurted, leaning to hold his hand.

Next moment, she had squeezed her eyes shut at her stupidity. There was a silence of few seconds, till she became aware of his breath on her cheek. Her eyes popped open, only to make her go red in mortification when she realised her cheek was right in front of his face, rather his lips. She left his hand and tried to move, but his hand held her in place, holding her elbow.

Ashi could have died the moment his lips touched her cheek. Her skin broke into a sweat, inspite of the strong air conditioning inside the car. It wasn't the first time he had kissed her cheek... but it was the first time when he wasn't in the character of Sameer.

"Yeh kiss Sameer ki taraf se Naina ko... jinki jodi best hai." His words showed her the reality once again, brutally pulling her out of illusions.

"Uh... haan... thanks." She straightened, and blinked repeatedly, praying that the tears remain confined till she was alone.

Turning her face to the other side, she started to count the light poles, just for the sake of keeping her mind away from his thoughts. Not that it helped... but a slanting glance at him showed that he was busy in his phone, unaffected by what happened.

"Nahi, ab main aur nahi sochungi Randeep ke baare mein. I'm nothing more than Naina to him. Ab show khatam toh Naina aur Sameer ki kahani bhi khatm... Ashi aur Randeep ki toh koi kahani kabhi thi hi nahi. Bas Ashi, ab agar ek baar bhi uske baare mein socha na... toh... toh... toh chod de na yaar, mat soch." She pleaded to her reflection in the mirror after reaching her hotel room.

Another month went by without any interaction, but she couldn't follow her advice to herself. Checking Randeep's account several times a day seemed to be a routine for her. Hence, she almost hit the roof when he dropped the bomb on New Year.

Her angry glare could put the phone on fire when she saw his pictures of Thailand.

"Yeh samajhta kya hai khud ko? Kehta hai main dost bana nahi sakta, close nahi ho paata... isse zyada kya close hoge, Deep? Jaake goud mein hi baith jao... aur inko bolo kahin bhi chali jayein, rahengi Indian hi... sharam nahi aati aise kapde pehente hue... ya bolun ki kapde na pehente hue. He bhagwan Deep, yeh kahan phans gaye tum... haan, pakka phans hi gaye ho. Apni marzi se toh tum aisa nahi karoge. Kuch problem hai kya? Koi blackmail kar raha hai kya tumhe? Deep, inn logon ne tumhe drugs wagera toh nahi de diye?" She went on with her silly assumptions till the phone started ringing.

"Ayesha, dekha tune? Inn logon ne mere Deep ko kuch kar diya hai. Warna tujhe pata hai woh aisa nahi hai... yeh ladkiyaan..." Ashi frantically repeated everything she had been telling herself, to Ayesha on the video call.

Once she had run out of steam, Ayesha raised her brows, "Ab main bolun?"

"Haan toh bol na. Manaa kiya hai kya? Chup karke kyon baithi hai? Meri shakal dekhne ko phone kiya hai ya apni dikhane ko agar bolna nahi hai toh." Ashi lashed out unknowingly, not even aware of what she was speaking.

Ayesha smiled, "Deep kabse ho gaya woh? Have I missed out something?"

"Huh?" Ashi gave her a puzzled look.

Ayesha rolled her eyes, "Ashi, you're even more in love with him now than you were earlier. Miss kar rahi hai na? Maine toh isliye phone kiya tha ki tu shayad upset hogi inn pics ki wajah se but you're fuming, girl. You've gone mad. Tujhe pata bhi hai tu kya kya bol rahi hai? Jis naam se uski family bulati hai usse, woh naam kaise aaya tere hothon pe? Pehle toh kabhi nahi bola... iska matlab you're possessive, and protective for him. Baby, you see him as your own."

Ashi stared at her. Ayesha softly talked to her for almost an hour, pacifying her. At the end, she was painfully aware again that instead of taking him out of her system, Ashi had gotten more lost in him. She truly loved him. But there was nothing she could do for her friend. All she did was pray that Ashi gets back to work soon so that she was able to divert her mind.

In answer to her prayers, Ashi informed her shortly after that she had signed a new show with another big channel.

For Ashi, more than the excitement of a new show was the happiness of a two line text message she received in the middle of the night.

"Hey Ashi. Congratulations for the new show. Hope yeh bhi hamare show ki tarah super successful ho. Good luck."

She lost the count how many times she read the message from Randeep.

Fate, however, had something else planned for her again. A huge, world wide pandemic forced the entire country to come to a stand still. Everything was shut down... shops, offices, schools, colleges, malls, theaters, studios. Slowly, as the effects of a long lockdown started to spiral over, new shows got cancelled, so did Ashi's. She wasn't upset though. In her heart of hearts, she wanted to work with Randeep, and only Randeep.

But as the months passed, staying locked at home started to get on her nerves. His thoughts, and the memories, made a permanent residence in her mind and twenty four hours she was thinking about nothing else. Whatever few hours of sleep she got, dreams, or rather nightmares of him with other girls invaded her. Ashi started to workout with YouTube videos, helped her mother in cleaning of the house, tried to learn some cooking... but nothing brought any comfort. Her sister commented that she had become exceptionally quiet, and snapped at everyone who tried to talk to her.

"Main sach mein tumhari wajah se pagal ho gayi hu, Randeep." She cried into her pillow that night.

Next morning, she saw the news that Maharashtra govt had given permission for the shooting to commence.

"Kaam karna hi ek raasta hai mere paas. Agar mujhe apna mental balance theek rakhna hai toh mujhe wapas shooting shuru karni hogi, aur main karungi." She pledged to herself.

She had just made a few calls in next couple of days when the offer came. Her desperation to go out and submerge herself in work was so strong that she didn't say no to the fantasy show.

The fact that she was a replacament didn't deter her, the impending hard work to join a show without any workshops and preparation didn't scare her, the feeling of mingling with people at the times of spreading infection didn't dissuade her. She just wanted some excuse to bring new reasons in her life to occupy her time.

Even this beginning wasn't smooth for her, she realised within a few days. Though the hero of the show was much younger to her in age, making it safe for her to not be a victim of unnecessary speculations about their relationship, it turned out to be the reason for hatred she received. She was not prepared for the bashing by the show fans... for looking elder to him, for breaking a pair, for trying to take someone else's place. Initially, it had upset her greatly. But she decided to not let it pull her down. After all, she needed the show to hold her sanity together.

That is when the call came... from RJ Anmol.

SORRY SORRY SORRY
Sachi wala sorry that I couldn't wrap it up in second update either. So you can rename TS as Three Shots now 😁

But next part is definitely the last. I'll post it in the evening today, around seven.