As days slowly started to pass by. Srishti got comfortable being around jai. Earlier her mind was filled with regret. And pain. But after she came to know the truth. She started searching for positivity. In every single thing she did. Even though being inside the same room with him. Had freaked her out a little. Jai made sure that srishti was okay. He was concerned about every little thing. When it involved her.

Srishti took care of Jai. And he was slowly recovering from his injuries. Even though the doctor advised him to take rest for 2 weeks. He felt completely fit. And good enough to get back to sets. But he also knew that a small part of him. Didn't wanted this small vacation to end.

Srishtis exams were nearing. And she tried her best to concentrate on her studies. Kumari had strictly warned srishti that she will only get back to any other works. After her exams are done. She even kept the kids away from Sristi.

Jai also knew that srishtis exams were nearing. So he made sure that he didn't disturb her. He spend his time by reading scripts, working out, meeting directors etc. He also read his fan messages whenever he got some time. He had his shooting re-scheduled to the coming week.

Ganesh and team made sure that. Jais murder attempt remained confidential. They took extreme care not to leak any news. That it would alert Sanjay.

It was almost 11 in the night. When jai came back home. He had went out to meet one of the director. Whom he had worked with. They had dinner together. And got busy in discussing each other's life.

Almost everyone was asleep after having an early dinner. Jai walked inside the room. Believing that srishti would be asleep by now. He got startled seeing the lights on in his room. He gently pushed the door open and walked inside. To see srishti sitting in the bed with her legs crossed. She was staring at her books and looked lost. As if she was distracted.

"Hey. You didn't sleep yet?"he asked. Walking inside the room.

She was startled by his presence and jumped up from the bed.

"You...said that you'll be staying in the guest house today?"she asked.

"Yeah I did. But I changed my mind. Sit"he sat on the bed and dragged her wrists. Making her sit next to him.

"Why didn't you sleep yet?"he asked

"I was studying"

"This late?"he glared at her.

"Just....few topics"

"Okay. Then I'll help you study"he took her guide book and went through the pages. She looked at him in shock.

"No....you should take rest sir. You had a long day. And it's already....late"she said. Which made him frown.

"So you do know what time is it. You should be asleep by now. And I know you aren't taking rest as well srishti madam. See I'm concerned about you just like you are concerned about me. And it's not at all healthy that you are not taking care of yourself"he said. She smiled at him. Which made him narrow his eyes.

"What? I'm serious. You take care of me as if I'm a little boy. I should also take care of you right. Since we are roommates now"he said.

She nodded her head. Trying to hold her smile. For some reason she felt exhilarated. Seeing his concern for her just because she wasn't sleeping on time.

"God. How do you study all these?"jai sighed. While he went through the pages of her textbook.

"Is it hard to study?"he asked her. Which made her shake her head.

"Good. Because you should study well and make me proud"he smiled at her. And turned his attention back to the pages. Srishti stared at him. Admiring him. He kept on saying something. Which all went unheard by her.

Suddenly something flew down. From the pages of srishtis book. Jai got startled and he quickly caught hold of it before it flew away. He looked at it. It was a newspaper cutting. And to his surprise. It was one of his old movie's poster. She had his poster cutting in between the pages of her book.

He raised his head and looked at her. She realised that she had been staring at him. That's when she noticed the paper piece on his hands. Her eyes widened in shock that he had seen it.

"So...Ms.Srishti. Can you give me an explanation for this?"he asked. Showing the paper towards her. He finally got a chance to hear it from her mouth. He was hell excited but he didn't show it outside.

Her mouth opened in gasp. And her throat suddenly went dry.

"Tell me. Why do you have my movie poster, that too a movie which was released almost two years back, on your textbook?"he asked. She turned red. And felt had been caught red handed.

"I....I...um...I don't know"she said. He squinted his eyes.

"Lying huh?"

She shook her head cutely. Making him smile.

"Fine. I'll ask bhoomi then. She will definitely know it"he said.

"No"srishti said instantly. Making him raise his brows. She lowered her head and he sighed.

"Srishti. I know that you are my fan. I don't know about now but I know that I definitely was. I was in your life before we met. I badly wanted to hear this from your mouth. I know how happy, carefree and exciting your life was before I dragged you into all this mess. And I feel really guilty for spoiling your happiness. But I know deep inside you are still the same. I want you to be the same. Like how you were when we met for the very first time"he said.

She melted seeing the way he observed her. Even the littlest thing made her happy. And he wanted to see that happiness.

"So....now tell me. Are you my fan?"he asked excitedly.

She raised her head and looked at him. Then shook her head. His smile faded and he dropped his head in disappointment.

"I'm your Biggestttttttttt Fan"she said after a pause and he looked at her surprised. She was smiling widely. Her eyes shining.

"What?"he asked.

She lowered her head. Feeling his gaze.

"Say that again"he demanded.

"You will laugh at me"she said nervously.

"No I will not. Tell me. Tell me everything"he was eager. She smiled widely and straightened herself.

"Okay. You were right. I'm your crazy crazy fan. I admired you so freaking much that everyone knew how much you meant to me. I remember few years back I had a very bad day so my friends dragged me to a movie of yours. I wasn't interested but still I watched the movie. But the moment you came on screen I forgot all my worries. You filled the screen and I was drooling over you. From that day onwards I started watching all your movies and fell in love with them. I started watching your interviews and got to know more about you. I used to cut out your pictures from newspaper articles and stick them in my album. I used to talk a lot about you to my friends and family. They used to tease me a lot. There were times where I used to skip my classes to watch your movies. My friends used to accompany me. First day. First show. That was our policy. Bhoomi and I used to watch your movies late at night. She used to get irritated because I can see your one movie even for a thousand times without getting bored"She finished with a giggle.

Jai sat dumbstruck. He wondered if this was the same nervous Srishti. Who was talking to him without stammering a word. Her eyes shining and face glowing in happiness.

"There were times I just wished to meet you once in my life. I used to have dreams in which you come to meet me and I faint in your arms"she said which made him laugh loudly. Seeing him laugh. She too joined in the laugh.

"And I used to screenshot your pictures. Download your videos. Even my phone wallpaper is...."she stopped midway. Seeing his stare. He couldn't stop smiling. Seeing this version of her.

Srishti hit herself inwardly. Realising that she had spoken too much.

"Seriously?"he asked after a pause.

"You have no idea Mr. Superstar. You should feel lucky to have a fan like me"she chuckled

He held his chin and stared at her.

"You know what. More than being my fan. I like to see you like this. I'm glad that I got a fan like you"he said and she smiled brightly.

"So....that's why you shouted my name that day right?"he asked chuckling and she shook her head.

"No actually. I was dying to meet you that day. I couldn't sleep the previous night. Thinking that I'll be seeing you for real. But when you finally came I couldn't even get a proper glimpse of you in the crowd. I was disappointed. That's why I shouted"she lowered her head and he laughed again.

"So sweet of you"he pinched her left cheek. She felt her cheeks burning with blush.

"But still. Why did you like me so much srishti?"he asked curiously.

"Because....you are real. You don't have filters. You are the way you are. You smile. And laugh genuinely from your heart"she said. He smiled softly and held her hand

"Srishti..will you do something for me?"he asked. She looked hesitant but still nodded her head. He forwarded his palm towards her.

"Just be like this and never change. I don't like the silent...nervous srishti inside you. I like to see the crazy...carefree...happy srishti. Forever. Promise me that you'll no longer hesitate to talk to me. Promise me that from today you will be seeing me as your good friend. Promise me that you will never ever change and will always keep smiling. Like this"he said. She looked at him. Smiling inwardly.

"Arey promise me. See it's your superstar jais wish and as his biggest fan. I think you should fulfill this silly wish of his. So that he will be happy"he said.

She finally gave in. Keeping her palm above his. He smiled widely and clasped her palm. In between his.

"Thank you. This means a lot to me"he smiled and pulled her closer for a gentle hug. Srishti was shocked when she found herself in his arms. Her heart thumped hard against his chest. Which he could feel. But he didn't feel like pulling back. But she relaxed slowly. And gently hugged him back. Jai smiled widely. Feeling her palms over his back.

He broke the hug and looked at her. She lowered her head to the ground.

"I think you should sleep now. You can wake up tomorrow early in the morning and study. It's not good for you to stay awake this late. Okay?"he said. As he arranged her book one by one. Keeping his pic right inside where he found it. She kept looking at him.

He got up and arranged her books in the table neatly. And turned to face her.

"Take rest. Let me take a shower. I'm so tired Srishti" He stretched his hands and walked inside the washroom.

Srishti lay on her side of the bed with a small smile playing in her lips. She had told everything to him which she always wanted to. Ever since their first meeting. She couldn't believe that this happened. She pulled the sheets and covered her fully. To stop her blushing.

But suddenly her eyes snapped open and she removed the sheets from her face.

"What's happening with me?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : First kiss

♡ Nila ♡