Kiara looking effortlessly flawless above.

viridity

(n.) naïve innocence

The crew had been incredibly busy reaching the final stretch of the series with only a few more months left of filming before the first season was complete and Kiara had unknowingly made friends for life. She found the cast members wonderfully genuine– Emilia with her endearing compassion, Henry with his charismatic energy and Poorna with her carefree humour made it that much easier to bond. Vijay, on the other hand, had a significantly harder time connecting with the cast, only managing to get along with Jeffrey. 

Most people found it challenging to handle his unpredictability and Kiara couldn't blame them, recalling how long it took for her to understand him, but in true Vijay fashion he simply didn't care. Given his reckless tendencies, the Indian film industry had labelled him a difficult actor so it was a miracle in itself that he still had willing employees. Excluding the numerous lovers and select few peers, it was well known that Kiara was the only person he listened to. Nevertheless, his fans loved him all the more for his authenticity while his immense talent made him irreplaceable.

The frigid early morning air chilled Kiara as she tucked her legs under her on the couch, hoping the sunrise would warm her while they waited for Vijay and Emilia. Jeffrey bashfully played a few sample guitar riffs for a new song he was working on as Kiara gasped in awe and cheered him on. Poorna paced around meticulously running through her lines as Henry sat at the table enjoying a breakfast muffin. Vijay leisurely strolled in a few minutes later and ambled over to Kiara.

She sighed in relief, "You're on time."

"You ask, I come. I'm easy like that."

She rolled her eyes and handed him a floatie before noticing something was wrong, "You look–"

He cut her off, "Dashing? Gorgeous? Irresistible?"

"Drained. You look drained."

He unfolded the floatie and grinned at the sketch before sheepishly declaring, "I need your opinion."

"That shirt has got to go. I've been wanting to say something for years."

Vijay paused mid-sentence and pouted in mock offence.

Kiara looked up at him, widening her eyes slightly in a horrible attempt to act shocked, "It's not about the shirt, is it?"

"You know it's not about the shirt. You're just giving me shit."

She shrugged innocently, "We take our opportunities where they present themselves."

Finding their interaction entertaining, Jeffrey scratched his greying beard and leaned back as a dishevelled looking Emilia jogged onto set. She blamed her malfunctioning alarm clock for the delay before sitting down to catch her breath.

Kiara absentmindedly played with the ends of her hair, "Now, what can I do for you?"

Vijay sat on the coffee table across her, "I've got girl trouble."

"You mean girls. Plural."

He went to open his mouth when she cut him off, "Shraddha? Get personal. Remind her of your childhood memories."

He squinted in disbelief, "Actually I meant–"

She cut him off again, finding his struggle amusing, "Samantha? Get her something simple and elegant. Or wild and crazy, the choice is yours. Rashmika?," she waved her hand dismissively; "oh god, doesn't matter. The fact you even thought of her will bring her to tears."

He leaned in, smirking as he realised the one person he needed advice on may be the only person she hadn't yet figured out, "What about Nargis?"

Unlike what their friends seemed to think, Kiara wasn't jealous of Nargis but just worried that Vijay was being manipulated. She knew how much he wanted this relationship to work but understood that desperation didn't bode well for her best friend.

Her nose twitched, a tell-tale sign of the distaste she was trying hard to hide, "Don't know, don't care. There isn't enough time in the world to deal with her every whim."

He gave her puppy-dog eyes, willing her to at least try form a decent solution, "I don't believe in monogamy but I'm willing to try so could you, pretty please with cherries on top, go and convince her that I will?" 

Kiara raised a questioning brow at Vijay's request, doubting he would successfully remain faithful.

He rolled his eyes, "Don't look at me like that. She knew what she was getting."

"Really? Were you completely honest?"

"Oh yeah. Really peeled back all the layers. In bed, on the kitchen counter, over the couch."

She gagged, "Didn't need to know that."

Looking at Vijay for a long minute, Kiara deliberated whether she should encourage his relationship. On the one hand all her concerns were based off a gut feeling she had about Nargis and while she always trusted her instincts, it was no excuse to try ruin a relationship her best friend finally seemed content with.

"Fine," she relented, giving in to his pleading.

He perked up, excitedly, "What?"

"Nargis is a diva."

"And my therapist says I act out. So?"

"So, she likes a show. Make a spectacle."

"Sweetheart, I am the spectacle."

"And that right there is the reason why I buy your presents for Diwali."

He scratched his head, "We're supposed to buy gifts for Diwali?"

"Yep! And you're very generous."

Wearing a comically perplexed expression, he mulled over this revelation as she continued, "For Nargis, go along the lines of like a hundred roses, diamond necklaces, dinner. Anything ostentatious or public and she'll love it."

"Fine. You'll help."

"I'm sure you meant that as a question with a please on the end."

"Absolutely."

She scoffed and took a moment to consider her plan of action as she rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on, "I'll get Nic to help too."

"How?"

"Persuasion."

"Friendly?"

"Decidedly not."

The alarm sounded as the production crew bustled around set to prepare for shooting. Emilia was getting ready in hair and makeup as Kiara, Poorna and Jeffrey got in position to start filming. It wasn't long before their twelve-hour shooting day came to an end and people began packing up. Emilia and Kiara played a game of 'Kiss Marry Kill', referencing their on-screen love interests, as they waited for the elevator.

Kiara raised a finger as she exclaimed, "Oh, okay! I'd kiss David, marry Ben and kill Raja."

Seeing Emilia's puzzled expression, she explained, "Ben's already my husband in the show, Raja was basically a man-whore and David was a sweetheart."

"Aah. Well, no regrets there then."

She laughed and nodded as Emilia shrugged, "I'm none the wiser but at least I'm aware of Ben."

"We definitely need to educate you on Bollywood movies."

Emilia clapped giddily, "Oh, I am so down for a movie night!"

She waved her hand dismissively, "Okay, now your turn."

"Hmm, I'd kiss Drogo, I would marry Tom... and I'll have to kill Kit!"

She high-fived Emilia, "Get him back!"

Kiara burst out laughing and Emilia playfully shoved her as they exited the elevator into the car park. Vijay rested on the hood of his black Porsche, waiting for her as he absently journaled in his notebook. Hugging each other goodbye and separating to their respective cars, Kiara snuck up behind Vijay to peek at his entries. His notebook was one of the few things he hid from her so instinctively, her inquisitive nature meant she'd try find out his 'big secret'. 

Having already spotted her before she noticed him, he flipped to a new page and teasingly wrote 'curiosity killed the cat', knowing her well enough to predict her actions in advance. She flicked the back of his head upon reading his message and stole his pen to write, 'satisfaction brought it back', underneath his inscription before angrily getting into his car. Vijay cackled, tucking his sketchbook into the back pocket of his jeans as he settled in the driver's seat.

He pinched her cheek and swiped her chin, "Why so pouty, sweetheart?"

People were always puzzled by this gesture as it was unique to Kiara and Vijay. She had done it once to him years ago and from then on, they used that gesture in situations where someone was being overly sensitive or adorable.

She glared at him, "Want to try that again?"

"How about... forgive me?"

"I'll accept written apologies only," she sniffed.

He laughed, shaking his head, "Seatbelt, Ms. Mathew."

Second chapter doneeee! Please don't forget to vote and comment.