"Sab kucch sirf teri vyjase hua hain! Aaj teri vyjase Rehman ka aisa haal hua hain!" Gopal roared at Shabnam, who kept herself quiet since Rehman was hurried into the operation theatre. "Aap mohabbat ke taqat ko nahi jante ho, bhaiya. Use kucch nahi ho sakta hain. Meri mohabbat use ek kharoch bhi aane nahi degi. Mera yaqeen karo, bhaiya." She sniffled. "Agar hazaron mautein bhi aajaye phir bhi Rehman ka kucch nahi ho sakta." A curve pulled the edges of her lips as tears cascaded below her chin.

"Mohabbat, mohabbat, MOHABBAT! Teri uh-" The actor presenting Gopal stammered before huffing in defeat.

Asad rolled his eyes. "Take a reshot!"

Faajal reslipped into her portrayal mode. The strength of menthol had already overpowered her eyes to shed tears. Though she had assured Asad practising a few times was enough for her to cry, he pressured she better apply it for precision. Later, she also considered the number of retakes required if her timing wasn't exact.

An hour ticked off. With each passing second, Shabnam felt her blood subtracted in gallons, leaving her veins lifeless. Had Allah stripped off her life when she had plummented into the river, her heart might not have to sustain the agony of loss. Yet, her breaths were saved and she was here to be killed once again.

"Rehman ke rishtedaar aap log ho?" A wordboy queried, walking up to them. "Haan, kya hua hain use?" Shabnam let a hoarse whisper out.

"Mubarak ho, operation successful."

Shabnam collapsed on her knees, cupping her hands before the Almighty Allah whose magic had done this. A million gratitude fell short to Him for reviving her Rehman from the hands of death.

"CUT!"

The actors unfroze from their roles. Yusuf sat in a nearby bench, munching on apple. His lips were crooked slightly, that sly grin. He seemed to take delight in her crying scenes. "Aish, your tears seemed so natural. It felt like you were weeping for me."

She whirled her eyes, hissing. "If it was you, I wouldn't have shed a single tear." Faajal was to smack his gut when she caught Ravinder fixed on them. She averted her hand to her side, shifting her gaze away and walked to her makeup room.

Removing makeup and restoring her unruly hair, Faajal grabbed her script. Today, the last shot would captured. Unlike other films, this film occupied only 3 weeks to complete. Ravinder had already started searching for film contracts. They had contacted Devika Rani past week for further deals. Hopefully, she guaranteed an upcoming deal but not till the completion of this film promotion.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

After lunchtime,

"What if this film turns out a flop? We'll starve." Ravinder grunted in undertone, clenching his knuckles. The man in his late 40s appeared older in distress, his wrinkles cleaving deeper on his skin.

"Devika Rani did assure us of a new project, baba."

"She only meows and then shun people's pleas to oblivion only to fulfill it way later. We don't even know if the next film will be any greater or not! Anyways, I am heading off to the studio heads for further negotiations. Go get whatever needed done for the last shot." He trailed off.

Faajal went before Yusuf's door to find it open. He was packing his belongings for the trip to home the day after tomorrow. His drift afar hurt more than she cared to admit. He would probably return within weeks, but the most vilest thoughts clawed onto her mind. She sat on the sofa, lowering her head.

"Upset already?" He pulled out his coat and kept it on the dressing table. "Paata nahi kya hoga tumhara bina saath hamara?"

She snickered, "Kabhi jane du tabh na. Aisa sachh mein hua main jee hi nahi paungi. Aur koi vale jeena kyu chhordega?"

He giggled, plopping beside her. His finger twined a lock of her curls and tweaked it. "Aur kabhi chhod ke chala gaya toh?"

"Toh phir yeh duniya bealam hojayegi, asmaan ke sitarein sannata ke dhoop mei doob jayegi, aur yeh priya bina sayonee ke inteqal karegi." She concluded the final note with a heavy sigh.

"Itni mohabbat? Darr lagta hain agar kabhi maine aapka dil dukha diya toh aap toh-"

"Jo dukh doorr karta hain wohi kaise mainu dukh dega?" She smiled, tucking his hair behind his ear.

"Hume badal na hoga, aapne liye, apne pyar keliye, Rehman. Puri kaynaat se jaang ladhna hoga agar ek dusre ka saath chahiye. Karoge na?" Shabnam stroked his cheeks below the bandage wrapped around his eyes. The doctor confirmed he would regain his sight within 2 weeks Till then, he required assistance in daily chores and Shabnam left no stone unturned.

"Khushi khushi. Mere sawariya keliye sab kucch mumkin hain." His lips widened up as he sensed his face hovered on his.

"CUT!"

Yusuf yanked open the bandage on his eyes and winked at Faajal. The final scene was shot without retakes, much to Faajal's relief. The sequined saree and open hair were troublesome additions to the infamous heat of Bombay. Though it was supposed to be autumn by now, this city only knew three seasons: summer, monsoon, and not-so-perciptable winter.

"Well done! Magnificent!" Asad clapped, galloping near. The young man they had seen rekindled into that lean body. Faajal also couldn't, but join him in rejoicing. They had finished the film that granted them lead roles for the first time!

"The editing is almost done, and we'll be screening it the week after the next one. You two will be here then, won't you?"

"Uhm, I am going home as you know the partition thing is happening. So, I don't think-" Yusuf relucted.

"Still do try Yusuf. Imagine seeing your first major film for the first time on screen?!"

"I will, surely. After all of your taunting, I managed to finish this." Both men broke into a grin, smearing a smile on Faajal's face.

They stepped out of the studio when Yusuf called Ravinder. "Uhm, uncle ji ek baat kehni thi."

"Hmm?"

"Main parso Peshwar jaa raha hu. Toh main station mein Faajal ko bas alvida kehne keliye lana chahta hu."

Ravinder arched a brow at his words. Faajal prayed that Ravinder agreed. She wouldn't mind even if he accompanied along, but he better consent.

"Fine, I'll go with you two," Ravinder responded grimly. Relief flooded across Faajal. Yusuf winked at her and strode away.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

2 days later,

"FAAJAL!" Yusuf's call echoed on Faajal's gateway as she put on shoes, and Ravinder walked out. Faajal ran toward the motor van rumbling beside Yusuf. He motioned her to get inside. "I'll sit on the front." Yusuf faltered, unnerved by Ravinder's stoic countenance.

To Faajal's dismay, Ravinder sat with her, and Yusuf perched on the front. "Let's go, chacha." Yusuf told the driver, and the wheels swivelled to life. It was around 12.30 am when they had outstripped half of their path. His train was scheduled to leave on 1.00. They better make it quick through the jam of Bombay.

Passing another kilometre, Yusuf asked the driver to halt before a dargah. He turned to Ravinder. "Uncle ji, I just wanted to take her to the dargah to seek blessings. You know, prayers should be made before good ventures."

"Your train is on 1.00. Don't be late." Ravinder kept his expression stern, moving out to let Faajal exit.

"Have you taken a bath?" asked Yusuf.

"Yes,"

"Then, just wash your feet, hands, and face over there."

She did as instructed and covered her head with her dupatta. By the time she closed to him, he had two dhaagas in his hold. "These are for making wishes." He informed. He wore a white cap, and they headed inside. Many swarmed across the marble-tiled chambers. Huzoors recited the Quran, their assistants sprinkled petals on the adorned graves of saints. The aroma of incense sticks and tube roses wafted around. Children chirped chewing on laddus and confectionaries distributed by huzoors. Yusuf and Faajal stood before a lattice-worked wall where hundreds of dhaagas were wrapped already. "Pray for something you want from your heart. Allah pays heed to all of his creatures." Yusuf mumbled in her ear. Faajal cupped her hands as he did and closed her eyes.

Hey, the Almighty! Let peace be granted over us. Let us and our dear ones live with ecstasy and fulfil their well wishes. Nourish me with enough vigour to conquer whatever taqdeer had written for me. Please, let not us be parted and our bond shattered.

She tied her dhaaga on a mere space atop his on the wall, and they made their way out to the van.

By the time they arrived at the station, 15 minutes was remote from the departure time. They unloaded his trunks and baggages and awaited on the platform.

Minutes later, a sharp bawl overshadowed the whizzing of the anticipating passengers, and pale steam obscured their vision. It was time. As the train halted, Yusuf fetched his baggage.

Countless people poured out of the bogies, filling the station with more noise. Faajal swayed her hand to drive away the smoke thickening before her. Yusuf coughed beside her, his nose reddened from smoke.

Minutes later, when the train was vacated to sustain passengers once again, Yusuf tilted to her. "I guess it's time we bid farewell, now." A subtle smile beamed on his face. Ravinder backed aloof as though he wasn't even with them.

"There's no farewell. You are returning to me real soon." Faajal replied, inching closer.

"What if I don't? What if I fail to persuade abbu and-" He slipped into his teasing tone.

"It's not a thing to joke about." She sharpened her voice. This issue had already uneased her since its revelation.

"I should get going, now. Don't get too reckless, mehbooba." He giggled, tapping her nose tip slightly.

"Only if you keep your promise, rangrez." She blinked away the glossy beads swelling behind her eyes.

The whistle blew again. He hustled inside the bogie, twisting to her for the last time. The train jerked timidly; the engine roared to life. The wheels screeched, rolling forward. Faajal paced along, waving at him as he did the same. The gates were shut.

The train gained speed, so did his smiling sight. Her feet traced faster and faster, contesting with the train. She didn't stop until the platform ran out and the train blurred into a zooming line. A clawing hollowness gaped in her stomach as he disappeared. Her heart trailed away with him.