"Cut."

"CUT."

"CUTT. Ho gaya shot." The director had to holler to make his voice heard.

Ashi jerked back to her present surroundings, realising that she was still swinging the sword in hand.

"Aap talwaar wapas rakh sakti ho." Props assistant extended his hand to take back the sword from her.

After giving it to him, she gave a conscious smile to everyone around, and went back to her room.

Her co actor, Smita ji knocked and entered a little later.

"Ashi, kya hua tumhe? Tabiyat toh theek hai na? Aaj bohot khoyi khoyi lag rahi ho." She was always warm and affectionate.

Ashi shook her head, "Nahi ma'am, bas woh naya naya start kiya hai na... thoda hectic lagta hai toh thak jaati hu kabhi kabhi."

Smita ji pressed her shoulder, "Agar zyada thakaan lage toh bata dena... ek din ka rest le lo. Hum nahi chahte hamari doosri heroine bhi bimaar pad jaaye."

"Don't worry. Aisa kuch nahi hoga. Maine workout bhi start kar diya hai, stamina ke liye. Main na bimar padne wali hun, na show chod ke kahin jaa rahi hun." Ashi gave her a charming smile.

Smita ji smiled back, "Bas aise hi raha karo... khush khush. Agar tum unn logon ki baaton se upset ho jo hate mails bhejte hain aur insulting comments post karte hain toh..."

Giving her a half hug, Ashi blinked, "Nahi hun. Jo mujhe napasand karte hain usse kahin zyada log dher saara pyar bhejte hain mujhe. Isliye main aisi hate mails se effect nahi hoti. Aap tension mat lo."

"Good." Patting her cheek, Smita ji left the room.

The pensive mood was back the moment Ashi was alone. She even forgot to click the pack up selfie before leaving. On the way back, sitting in her car, she scanned her phone. A tweet made her sit up suddenly. It seemed to be the perfect solution to the dilemma in her mind since previous day.

She dialled the number, and spoke in a light, casual voice, "Hello Rj Anmol, woh VC ke liye aapne call kiya tha. I'm okay with it. Aane wale days mein mere jo bhi free slots hain main aapko abhi message kar rahi hun. Agar fix hota hai toh aap bata dena. I'll be happy to do it for our fans."

She could feel the disappointment in RJ Anmol's voice, "Thank you, Ashi. But problem yeh hai ki Randeep se contact nahi hua hai. He's not taking my calls nor replying to messages. Main joint chat karna chahta tha, lekin agar Randeep se baat hi nahi hui toh... well, let's see, fans ko bataya hai maine. But thanks anyway, for taking out time. If not now, we'll do something together soon."

"Sure. No problem." Ashi let out a relieved sigh.

She was already aware of his inability to get in touch with Randeep... and that was the tweet that had solved her quandary. Her acceptance was of no use if Randeep wasn't there for the joint VC. The decision was easier to make... and she had made the call without fear, ending the turmoil that was boiling in her for more than twenty four hours.

RJ Anmol, a well known name, had called up yesterday, and told her about the colossal amount of requests he had received for a joint video chat of her and Randeep.

His voice was gentle and encouraging, "Ashi, aap soch bhi nahi sakti kitne request aaye hain mujhe. Mera insta aur twitter dm se aisa jam packed hai ki main khud darr gaya dekh ke. Aap dono ke pair ko fans itna pyar karte hain ki trend tak kar diya. Ab itne pyare fans ko main sach mein dukhi nahi dekh sakta. Aap apna convenient time bata do... a few slots. Phir main Randeep ko contact karke uske available time ke saath match karke day fix karta hun."

Ashi was left shaking. The probability of any interaction with Randeep was next to impossible... and suddenly a request for joint VC.

"Uh... abhi set pe hun. Main free hoke apna iss week ka schedule dekh ke aapko call karti hu." She replied after a brief pause.

Since then, her mind was in a mess... or rather, her heart. It had been a few months since she met Randeep. Just before the lockdown, they had been together at a mutual industry friend's birthday. But there was hardly any conversation between them. She didn't know why it was so difficult when it involved the two of them. They had worked together as leads in a show for two years, they had been good friends, done romantic... even sizzling scenes together, they had attended parties with each other, even won ITA Award for best jodi. Still, there was something in their relationship that was unexplained.

Though, not from her side.

Ashi had started to feel the pull long back. There was something in his eyes that made her lose herself whenever they had an eyelock in the show. But Randeep was one person she couldn't understand at all. He was extremely protective of her when they went out, but would not look at her directly. He would be a complete gentleman, but ignore her in a gathering. And when she concluded that she should step back, he would suddenly become all doting and showering her with attention, leaving her confused.

Confusion... yes, that was the perfect way to describe their relationship... or whatever it was.

They had met for the first time almost five years back... for a show where he was the lead, and she had played a side role. His focus was mostly on his role and his co star, even when they were not shooting. Hers, on him.

She was impressed by the way he tried to feel every situation before enacting it, how he performed each shot, how he practiced alone even for the simplest of the scene. He was a perfectionist. But the show was over before they could interact. He stayed in some corner of her heart though. It was a pleasant surprise when she faced him again on the set of Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, a new show she was auditioning for. He did not show any hint of recognition.

When she got the call that she had been selected, it was a dream come true on many accounts... big channel, well known PH, a story different from the ongoing trend of saas bahu or transforming into animals... and Randeep as her hero.

However, all her rosy ideas of their first meeting when the shooting commenced, crashed face down. Randeep was highly irritated for something she didn't even understand. The stares he gave her left her even more perplexed.

"Hello?" A call from an unknown number late in the night broke her line of thoughts as she sat hugging her pillow, trying to replay the scenes from the day to understand what had triggered his anger.

"Hello. Is it Ashi Singh?" She almost dropped her cell... it was the first time she was hearing his voice on the phone but there was no doubt it was him.

"Ye... Yes. Who is it?" She feigned ignorance.

"Ashi, this is Randeep. Maine yeh batane ke liye call kiya ki aaj jo hua woh mujhe bilkul achha nahi laga... aur iss tarah ka insulting behavior koi mere saath kare toh shayad main khud bhi uski insult kar sakta hun. Woh ladki hai isliye aaj kuch nahi kha lekin aage se aisa na kare yeh tum Kristina ko samjha dena. Ok bye." He disconnected before she could utter a word.

She kept staring at the screen, wondering what had Kittu done that left him so annoyed.

"Kam se kam bata toh deta konsi baat pe gussa aaya usse. Ab main kaise pata karun. Haan, kal Kittu se hi puch lungi ki in dono ke beech koi baat hui hai kya?" Ashi talked to herself, still looking at the phone.

It was another hour later, when she was still turning in her bed, unable to sleep that the realisation made her sit up with a jerk.

"Agar problem Kittu se thi toh phone Kittu ko karna chahiye tha... mujhe kyon kiya?" Her forehead creased.

When the morning alarm went off, Ashi had to drag herself out of the bed after a restless, and almost sleepless night.

"Hain, meri kya baat honi thi usse. Hamare koi dialogue hi nahi hain saath mein ab tak. Aisa kyon pucha tune?" Kittu placed her hands on her waist and gave Ashi a piercing look when she asked if she had some argument with Randeep the previous day.

Ashi immediately pacified her new friend, "Arre nahi, mera matlab tha koi baatein ki kya tumne... matlab dosti hui kya? Woh galti se shayad muh se nikal gaya ki koi baat hui hai... sawaal yeh nahi tha."

Kittu shrugged, "Abhi kahan dosti. Abhi toh baaki dono se jinke saath scene kar liye, unke saath bhi nahi hui. Bas tu aur Madhu. Woh Ayesha bhi thodi reserved hai."

Ashi nodded, more confused than before. What was it that had bugged Randeep so much... she could only get to know the reason many months later.

As the days progressed, the gang became more friendly with each other. Ayesha shared the room with Ashi which made them become more close than they were with other cast. Things changed with Randeep as well. Ashi was surprised to see his softer side when the track changed to show them as friends. He was also more amiable with Raghav and Sanjay, warmer with Ayesha but remained a little restrained with Kittu.

And with her, the game of ping pong continued. He would be in a great mood for a few days, joking with everyone, teasing her for something or the other, and then withdraw suddenly... leaving her searching her memories to put a finger on that exact reason that had triggered this aloof behaviour. But she was never successful. And as abruptly as he had withdrawn, he'd bounce back again, being the same ebullient self yet again.

Ayesha had noticed her silent pondering when they were in the room. She was usually a quieter person and having a great sense of observation, could see that Randeep's varying moods had a much deeper effect on Ashi than others.

"Ashi, sun na, aaj bahar chalte hai shoot ke baad. Koi movie, ya phir dinner." Ayesha suggested one evening after seeing Ashi lost again.

She got up and went to her friend, shaking her when there was no response.

"Huh? Kya hai? Dhakka kyon maar rahi hai?" Ashi jumped at her touch, and tried to hide her flustered face under the garb of fake anger.

Ayesha rolled her eyes, "Yeh Preeti wale dialogue mat suna. Bahar chalne ko keh rahi hun."

Ashi being an outdoor person, instantly brightened, "Wow, chalte hain na. Kitne din ho gaye issi routine mein. Change hoga toh shayad mera dimaag bhi theek ho jayega."

Ayesha raised one brow at her, "Kyon, tere dimag ko kya hua? Abhi toh kitna lively track chal raha hai... Pooja didi ki shaadi, masti, maza aur woh Sameer ka Naina ke peeche peeche ghoomna, usse manane ke liye."

Ashi stood up and straightened her dress, ready to go out for next shot, "Mere dimag ko kya hoga? Main toh bas yeh keh rahi thi ki hum sab roz roz 90s ke kapdon mein rehte hain toh change ke liye aaj bahar jaane se achhe outfits pehen lenge, thodi aajkal wali feel aa jayegi. Chal main shot dene jaa rahi hun. Tera thodi der baad hai, aa jana... aur haan, bahar jaane ka plan pakka."

Ayesha smiled knowingly when she was alone. Though there was time for her scene, she checked her outfit and hair for continuity and left the room.

Ashi was shocked to see the whole gang when she and Ayesha stepped out of their room later, dressed up in jeans and tees.

"Tune toh kaha tha hum dono jaa rahe hain." She hissed at Ayesha.

"Maine kab kaha? Maine toh pucha tha chalen... tune haan bola toh maine baaki sabse bhi puch liya. Everyone agreed. So is there a problem if we all go together?" Ayesha queried.

Ashi glanced at Randeep, talking and laughing with Raghav. She was seeing him being normal after many days. Except at the time of the shoot, he was always quiet.

Looking at Ayesha, she shrugged, "Of course no problem. Let's go."

The movie and dinner turned out to be great fun. They were all so relaxed in each other's company that Ashi forgot about Randeep's dry attitude of past few days.

Next day, he was equally pleasant when they started the shoot of haldi sequence. Nobody could guess from the bytes they shot for a news channel that till day before they were almost on non talking terms. His happy curve went on rising this time for next many days. Their beautiful confession scene left her blushing, and she could sense some shyness in him as well, though he didn't say anything.

When they had to shoot separately for the Delhi track, Ashi realised how much she missed him.

Ayesha, like always, sensed it immediately, "Sameer ko miss kar rahi hai na?"

"Haan." Ashi nodded, lost in her own world as she brushed her hair till Ayesha's chuckle brought her to present.

The hairbrush dropped to the floor... she bent down to retrieve it, gaining a few seconds to catch her lost breath, "Woh... scene practice kar rahi thi. Sameer ko miss karna hai na Naina ko... bas isliye."

Ayesha came and hugged her from behind, looking at her reflection, "Baby, it's high time you see the difference between Sameer and Randeep... and stop hiding behind Naina."

Hoding her quivering lip under her teeth, Ashi glared at her in the mirror before speaking, "Kuch bhi."

"Bohot kuch." Ayesha winked at her before waving and leaving the room for her shot.

Ashi let out a breath. She knew Ayesha was right, but she was scared to admit it even to herself.

She was falling for Randeep.

Upcoming months brought several occasions and a few ivs where his wavering conduct made things even more complicated for her.

"Tum aise kyon ho, Randeep?" She muttered to herself one day when he was bashed on SM for not even once looking at her in a joint iv.

But there were no answers.

In fact, except for this one segment, he was always extra nice to her in ivs... right from the beginning when they had shot one for Valentine's Day, or during Mouth Abu sequence, even small promotional segments for other shows. He genuinely smiled at her, behaved as if they were very close, treated her like she was most important for him. But then, there was also the Randeep who never wanted to attend any Award show together. Even when they both were nominated, he preferred to go on his own, not even acknowledging her presence. And she, like a teenager in love, beamed on camera that she wanted her 'hero' to win... at one such event.

"Uggghhh... tu kuch bhi karne se pehle sochti kyon nahi hai, Ashi. All those smiles, those blushes... camera ke aage how can you wear your heart on your sleeve! Saari duniya ko samajh aa gaya hoga." She muttered to herself when she saw the clip on insta, covering her face in her hands.

The voice from her heart jumped up to the rescue, "Saari duniya ko aaya toh uss ek insaan ko bhi aaya hoga jiske liye kaha tha, jisse sabse zyada zaroorat hai yeh samajhne ki."

The logical voice curbed the weak, lovesick argument, "Par usne kiya toh kuch nahi na? Iska matlab samajh, Ashi. Usse agar pata bhi hai toh woh ispe react nahi kar raha. Isn't it very clear? HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN ANY SUCH THING."

The clash between her heart and mind became a common occurrence in the coming period. Just like the college track had many ups and downs, the graph of her feelings was erratic beyond any other graph in the world. Her screen hero would shower her with compliments when some channel was covering their shoot or dance sequence, making her smile ear to ear, but move apart the moment he was sure that no one was recording.

However, the fans were getting a different picture. Along with their onscreen pair of Samaina, the shipping of them as actual couple was on the rise. Ashdeep... that was the name given to them earlier. And now, the SM sites were full of fans' prayers and requests to see Ashdeep together. How could she tell them that she wanted it much more than all of them put together, but there seemed to be no entry to any zone around him, forget about an entry to his heart.

Nonetheless, whenever Randeep went Live on insta, fans posed questions about her. And the answers he gave strengthened their belief.

"Yes, Ashi is beautiful, she's very beautiful."

"Ashi... Ashi is love."

His declaration could fool anyone into believing that he had a soft corner for her... but the very next day he would be giving all cold vibes to her on the sets.

By the time their marriage was fixed in the show, she had accepted that she was hopelessly in love.

And he wasn't.

She still faced the quirkiness of his moods especially when they were alone or going out with friends. Even such outings had become very less oflate. But whenever they did go, he kept a protective eye on the girls, including her. A promotional event at Kora Kendra during navratri a few months back had made her pinch herself to believe that whatever was happening was real. He kept her close all the time, held her hand, shared jokes with her, looked at her repeatedly... basically, gave all such hints that made her fall for him some more. Anyone who watched their clip would think he was totally smitten with her. But the truth was, it was her who was smitten... and the only thing she had prayed for was that he should get whatever he asked for in his long pooja.

The party to celebrate their 350 episodes was something she couldn't forget. It was held in his new house.

"Ma'am, yeh meri taraf se housewarming party samajh lo. Iss show ne mujhe Mumbai mein set hone ka chance diya hai, ek ghar khareedne ki capability di hai toh main uss ghar ko show ke 350 episodes ki party ke saath apni life mein laana chahta hun." Randeep had suggested when Shashi ma'am mentioned that they are planning a party for celebration.

Ashi was taken aback when he called her a few hours before the party, "Maina, ek request hai. Manogi?"

He had given her this name long back, and he called her sometimes by this when they had entertainment news channels covering their shoots... but this was the first time he had addressed her by this name when they were talking without any audience.

"Request? Kya hua, Randeep? Koi help chahiye kya party ke liye? Main jaldi aa jaati hun agar kuch kaam hai toh." She asked in a normal voice, pressing her heart with one hand so he couldn't hear the clear thundering.

"Nahi, uski zarurat nahi hai. Party ke sab arrangements ho gaye hain. Bas yeh kehna tha... umm... if you don't mind... kya tum black pehenogi aaj?" He asked.

Ashi was surprised, "Randeep, tumne sabko dress code black bataya toh tha. Of course, main black hi pehenne wali thi. Sabhi pehenenge."

There was silence of a few seconds on the other side before she heard a soft chuckle, "Oh haan. How stupid of me. Pata nahi kaise bhool gaya. Of course, dress code... black hi toh pehenogi."

"Randeep, all okay na? Why are you jittery?" She could sense the nervousness in his voice.

His voice still seemed lost, "Woh... woh pehli baar apne khud ke ghar pe... I mean main akela host hun na... bas zara nervous ho raha tha."

She wanted to ask if he wanted her to come right away, and help him... be with him when he received others. Ashi closed her eyes... chiding herself for such thoughts.

"Relax Randeep, tum kar loge. Koi guest thodi honge, sab dost hain... jinhe hum kabse jaante hain. Don't worry. Your party will be the best. Just like you." She bit her tongue as the last words slipped out unintentionally.

He, thankfully, didn't notice, "Wow Ashi. Thanks for such encouragement. Already confident feel kar raha hun. Chalo see you then."

She kept staring at the phone for a long time. Somehow, the conversation seemed flawed. It was like they both were thinking something else and speaking altogether a different thing.

Rubbing her forehead, she opened her cupboard to look for the perfect black outfit for tonight. Selection wasn't easy either. What she took out in the end was a simple top with well fitted trousers.

"Agar zyada dressy lagungi toh phir sab tease karenge. Yehi outfit sahi rahega. Simple hai par okay hai." She stared at her reflection after dressing up.

The party was amazing. And yet again, he was giving her much more attention than she had expected. After a warm welcome, he introduced her to all his friends, clicked pictures with them, keeping her in the loop of his arm, kept her ahead for everything, calling out loudly if she wasn't around. It was like he couldn't stay away from her at all.

That night, she again had beautiful dreams. But next day onwards, it was back to square one on the set.

The marriage brought them closer in the show. Yet, they were not given any scenes which required them to show more than occasional hug... and then, the honeymoon shoot took them to Ooty.

She promised herself that she would remain as unaffected as him, give the shots just like they were normal scenes, not behave like a smitten puppy but an actor... yes, she needed to perform as an actor, not slip everytime he looked at her.

Still, that one thing melted her every time... his eyes. In the romantic scenes, he looked at her with such intensity that she kept her fingers crossed to remain Naina and not get lost in his deep pools and blurt out something as Ashi. Thus, when he blurted out her name while shooting once, she was shocked to the core. His improvisations had been a constant thing for quite some time... he said it was for the story... but calling her 'Ashi' in one of the shots was unbelievable. She had still not recovered from the Ooty scenes and now this. The reminder of Ooty again made her shiver. Just when she had started getting used to the regular kisses and hugs, she had been handed over the scene sheet for the sequence which made her eyes pop out.

Randeep... was to romance her in a towel... just out of a shower. She had squeezed her eyes shut. Already her senses were on fire, with him acting as if they were a couple in real... yes, ever since they had boarded the flight for Ooty, his demeanor had changed. The glances he gave when outsiders were around, the way he held her arm, or even placed a hand on her back, the way he spoke to her... everything screamed of possesiveness.

When a crew member had teased him about this behaviour, he had commented with a solemn face, "Ashi ko yahan akela mehsoos na ho isliye hamesha rehta hun uske paas. Mumbai mein toh saara gang tha lekin yahan bas hum dono hi hain... aur Ashi ko akele rehne se uncomfortable lagta hai. Waise bhi, iss tarah ki closeness dikhane se scenes mein aur zyada feel aati hai. After all, honeymoon ke scenes hain, humein ek doosre ke saath awkward nahi lagna chahiye screen pe. Kyonki jo real mein hota hai wohi screen pe dikhta hai."

The crew member had given a mischievous smile, "Awkward? Tum dono jab ek doosre ko dekhte ho tabhi screen pe aag lag jaati hai. Aur woh jo chote chote improvisation ke touches daal dete ho tum, lagta hi nahi acting hai. Believe me, tum dono ki chemistry ka koi comparison hi nahi hai. Hum log camera ke peeche se break kar kar ke scene dekhte hain phir bhi haalat kharab ho jaati hai toh pata nahi tumhare fans ki kya condition hoti hogi. Honestly, you two can make everyone see the stars."

Randeep tilted his head to the side, chuckling, "Achha? Bro, yeh chemistry aise hi nahi aayi hai. Mehnat ki hai, aankhon aankhon se romance karna seekha hai, right type ki vibes create ki hain, hum dono ke beech ki mystery bana ke rakhi hai fans ke saamne. Ek baar agar keh do ki haan, we're dating in real life, toh woh charm kam ho jaata hai. Aur agar keh do ki humare beech kuch nahi hai toh inhi scenes mein viewers ko chemistry ki aag ki jagah shayad misunderstanding ki barf nazar aaye."

The person gave him a narrow eyes look, "Toh kya hai iss mystery ka answer? Kya sach mein you both are dating? Are you together? You can tell me, kisi ko kehne thodi jaa raha hun."

Randeep widened his eyes, "Are you crazy? Ashi meri costar hai, aur maine starting se kaha hai ki main kabhi apni costar ko date nahi karunga. We are both professionals. Jab bahar jaate hain toh image maintain karne ke liye jo bhi closeness dikhate hain ya jab bhi distance maintain karte hain woh sab sirf professionalism hai, aur kuch nahi... na meri taraf se, na uski taraf se."

Ashi, who was passing from there a few moments back, had hidden behind a pillar to hear Randeep's answer when the crew member was questioning him. And his words had again left her heartbroken. She did not even remember the number of times her heart had shattered into pieces... but his one warm smile would again make it start thudding for him. For now, she ran back to her room, wiping her tears. After crying her heart out in the pillow, she resolved to be exactly what Randeep had said... professional.

"Na uski harkaton ko samajhne ki koshish karungi, na uske dil mein jhankne ki. Ashi, bas bohot hua. Randeep ke liye tu bas ek costar hai. Tujhe bhi ab sirf dimag se sochna hai, dil se nahi. Yeh ek tarfa pyar bas yehi reh sakta hai... ek tarfa. Randeep ka intezar karna band kar, idiot." She made a resolve.

And the very next day, it was broken.

The sight of him walking towards her, in a towel on his waist, his upper body covered in droplets, his wet hair sleekly pushed back... and her heart stopped beating. There was no need to act. The hitched breath, the shrinking of shoulders, the quick, stolen looks... it all was her natural reaction. And when he pulled her towards him, she could do nothing but stare into his eyes, holding onto his bare shoulders. Her fingers curled, as she controlled herself from letting them graze the expanse of his heated skin. When he leaned, all she could do was clutch him hard, to stop herself from collapsing at his feet. Her nails dug into his wet skin, when she realised that he had lowered his head much more than the script mentioned... his lips could touch hers any second. Was a kiss written in the scene? No, she didn't want a kiss... not here... not in front of so many people... not with Sameer.

She wanted it with Randeep.

Ringing of the phone was lost on her till she heard his low voice, rising from the back of his throat, "GO!"

And she turned quickly, freeing herself from his grip. Her condition, after the scene was okayed, was far from okay. Whatever had happened, had left her burning. And with the realisation yet again... that he was calm and just acting. His prompting to respond to the ringing phone was evidence enough. The scene didn't affect him the way it made her nervous system go haywire.

Her eyes were stinging with salty tears but a helpless smile curled her lips at the irony of the situation... when it appeared that Sameer was trying to hold Naina who was running away, it was actually Randeep telling Ashi to move away, while she wanted to be with him.

Nothing changed between them after that scene either. He continued to act protective on outdoor locations, carried on with his aloofness when they were on the set, did more improvisation while shooting, behaved like a gentleman all the time.

When Ayesha questioned her after they came back to Mumbai, Ashi couldn't deny any longer.

"It's all one sided, Ayesha. Sirf main hi pagal ho rakhi hun. Randeep ke liye main bas ek costar hun. Nothing more." She said in a dejected voice.

Ayesha pulled a chair to sit in front of her, "Nahi Ashi, I'm sure he feels for you. Dikhta hai uski aankhon mein."

Ashi shook her head, "Woh sirf scenes ko better banane ke liye karta hai. Maine khud usse kehte hue suna. Aur yeh toh hum sab shuru se sun rahe hain jo woh apne ivs mein kehta hai ki apne costars ko kabhi date nahi karega."

"Lekin usne ek aur baat bhi kahi hai... ki woh shaadi karna chahta hai... yaad hai? Kitne ivs mein kaha hai. In fact, uski house warming mein toh declare kar diya tha ki iss show se hi uski shaadi ho jaaye, yeh dream hai uska." Ayesha was hopeful.

Ashi blinked hard, keeping the tears well hidden, "Shaadi chahiye hogi, par kisse, yeh toh nahi kaha na. Let's not twist his words."

Ayesha held her shoulders, "Woh gadha hai lekin teri feelings toh genuine hain na. Dekhna, woh jaldi hi realise karega. Tu kahe toh main uss bewakoof ko kuch akal de sakti hun."

A sad smile spread on Ashi's face, "Mujhe pata hai tu mere liye kuch bhi karegi. You're my soul sister. But Randeep ke case mein kuch mat bol. Just because he cannot love me the way I love him doesn't make him a bad person. Woh bohot achha hai, gentleman hai, caring hai, hard working hai, dedicated hai... bas mera nahi hai."

Ayesha hugged her friend. She really wished there could be a love story between them... but it all was destiny.

As time passed, Ashi tried to compose herself, but her heart could never have a normal beat when Randeep was around. When the SR scene was announced, she felt the fate was actually conspiring against her. How could she bring herself to show such intimacy, and still hold herself together?

"Don't worry, Ashi. Main sambhal lunga. Waise bhi aisa kuch nahi hai scene mein jo pehle na kiya ho... cheek and forehead kisses aur hugs. Thode candles laga dene se kuch badal thodi jayega. Tum tension mat lo. Aaram se ho jayega... aur agar kisi stage pe difficult lage toh bas ishara kar dena, main improvise kar lunga." Randeep was so normal about it that had she not seen all his shows, she would have thought he had done it several times.

The scene turned out to be aesthetic... and sizzling. True to his words, script writer had not put anything more than a few hugs and kisses, but when she had to portray Naina's acceptance to Sameer, her hand trembled as it moved under his shirt. She was sure he could feel her damp, shivering palm on his bare skin, goosebumps on her arms when he grazed them, her quivering lips when the camera was behind her and his eyes pierced her with raw passion... she couldn't hide her nervousness from him. His assuring blink every now and then made her go on, and the shoot was done.

It wasn't easy for her to come out from the effects of the scene next day. What Naina had to look like was not much different from her own emotions. The nervousness on the face, lowering of eyes shyly, gulping when he looked at her, fidgeting with her skirt... she didn't know when Ashi and Naina became one.

Thankfully, the situation changed to serious scenes and she could bring some semblance in her emotions.

When it was time to move to Mumbai, she presumed that Randeep would again be more close to her as they would again be alone, since the gang was not a part of the regular episodes. But he turned more distant when they started the shoot on the new set. Ashi started to feel more lost.

Next part tomorrow morning