Tejran- Three meetings,One secret

Birthday

Karan returned to Mumbai the very same day.

It was Teju's birthday week, but she had no time to breathe—and she preferred it that way. The constant rush of shoots kept her distracted, kept her from missing him. At least, that's what she told herself. Deep down, guilt gnawed at her. She knew she had hurt him, and the thought of seeing him again felt like pressing on an open wound. So, she avoided it.

On her birthday, the set itself became her celebration. Between takes, her phone flooded with Instagram and Twitter notifications—fans and friends showering her with love. Yet she kept refreshing, waiting for one wish she knew would never come.

At Karan's home, he woke to the sound of his mother on a video call. His sister's voice echoed from the screen. Sleepily, he laid his head on his mother's lap, glancing at the phone. His chest tightened. On the screen was her.

For a moment, he thought he was dreaming. But then Teju smiled politely, and reality hit him.

His mother's voice cut through the silence. "Sunny, do you know it's Teju's birthday today?"

He froze, fumbling for words. "Oh. Hi... happy birthday."

"Thanks," she replied softly.

He shifted to the opposite couch, trying to mask his discomfort.

"Teju, why don't you come home? I'll cook your favorite dinner," his mother offered warmly.

"I will, Aunty. But not tonight."

"Oh, you must have plans."

"No, I have a shoot."

His sister teased, "Who works on their birthday?"

"Di, I just... have too much lined up. No time for parties," Teju said, her tone casual, though her eyes betrayed exhaustion.

His mother beamed. "My hardworking girl."

They ended the call soon after. Teju thanked them for the wishes and the flowers—flowers Karan hadn't even known his mother sent. The knowledge brought him an odd comfort.

When the screen went dark, he turned to his sister. "Di, how do you even know her? You've never met."

"When she visited Mom, I was on a call. She spoke to me then. It was her birthday, so I thought I'd wish her. She's such a good girl."

Karan blinked. "She came home?"

His mother nodded. "Two days ago. When you were on shoot."

He walked to his room, thoughts spinning. Did she come to see me—or to make sure I wasn't there? He pushed the thought aside. Whatever it was, I don't care, he lied to himself.

Just then, Om called about a music video shoot in Goa.

"You'll be working opposite two actresses," Om explained.

"Who?"

"Tejasswi and a newcomer, Sonia."

Karan stilled. "Tejasswi Prakash?"

"Yes."

"She'll never agree to work with me."

"She already signed—knowing you're part of it."

His heart stumbled at that. She agreed?

⸻

A month later, Karan arrived in Goa for the shoot. The story was simple: a man betrayed by love (played by Sonia) finds a reason to believe in it again with another woman (played by Teju).