UNDYING DEVOTION

CHAPTER 12| Newcomer

AUTHOR'S POV:

"kya baat hai Meera !! You are looking delighted today?!", Ishika asked Meera, who was grinning, looking at her phone screen.

"That I am", Meera grinned at her

It's been half an hour since Meera reached the set. Since the time she arrived, she was beaming with joy.

"Is Khushi ka raaz humei bhi toh batao", Ishika raised her brow.

"You will know with time", Meera winked. Ishika was Amused at her best friend's behavior. Meera was more than happy today. Not that Ishika minded, but there must be something that made her so happy. But is she gonna tell her? Naahh not at all !!
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Raghbir entered the set with a gloomy expression on his face. Ishika noticed his mood and asked, "Hey, what's up? Why the long face?"

Raghbir sighed and replied in a monotone, "Check yourself"

Ishika's eyes widened as she looked at Raghbir's phone screen. Raghbir and Kara's photo was all over social media. Some media handles have even highlighted "New Couple In The Town".

"You both Patched up??? When?? How?? Why wasn't I informed??", yelling, Ishika stood up in haste.

Raghbir rolled his eyes at her dramatic action.
"Stop overreacting Ishika. You know there's nothing like that—" Raghbir was speaking but was soon cut off by Meera, "Come on Raghbir ! No need to hide it from us. I have seen you guys at the restaurant today..!!", Meera laughed making the two frown.

"What do you mean??  Raghbir and Kiara went out today morning? What the heck Raghbir??", Ishika asked shocked.

Goooddddd!!! She was a RaghMeera shipper.!! Pleaaseee no no noooo!!!

"Yaar shut up you both.!! Yes, we went out for breakfast but we are NOT dating. There's nothing like that!!", Raghbir shrugged, annoyed at the two ladies in the room.

"haaan Haan... Haathon mei haath diye ghum rah the. Of course not dating!!", Meera winked. Raghbir, who was already annoyed groaned in frustration. He wanted to explain everything but he was too tired for that, so he just shrugged while Meera walked out of the room, still grinning.

However, Ishika couldn't get all of this out of her system. She knew that the 'Raghbir-Kiara Thing' was a rumor. She trusted Raghbir. Of course.

But Meera's behavior was weirdly odd today. And Ishika wasn't getting good vibes at all. But could she do anything? Not really. Therefore, she decided to shrug it off and focus back on her work.
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The rest of the day passed in a blink. Everything was perfect except Meera. Ishika and Raghbir were not at all comfortable around this 'New' Meera. She was behaving quite weirdly.
She even asked for a leave from their Director God Knows how many times. But the director denied it, saying they have a lot to do.

Raghbir found it quite strange. It was not a Meera thing. As far as he knew her, she was very professional. And her wanting for leaves randomly was something that Raghbir couldn't digest.

She even didn't approach him throughout the day. Each time Meera looked at him, he hoped that she would ask about the bracelet she gave..or anything random. But alas!! She didn't. She was way too engrossed in her mobile phone, to be honest.

•

It was around 10 of the night. The cast and crew were busy dining. Raghbir, Meera, and Ishika were eating as well. But there was an unnatural silence. Meera wasn't talking or complaining about how spicy the food was. Neither was she measuring the quantity of salt nor was she reminiscing any of her old childhood memories, like she always did. Instead, she was again engrossed in her mobile phone, typing something.

Raghbir kept looking at her discreetly. What is wrong!? He wanted to ask her. But before he could, she excused herself and went outside.
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Raghbir's eyes snapped towards the door as he heard Meera's giggles following another Man's.

Man? Who is this?

Raghbir's heart sank as he saw Meera walking onto the set, holding a man's hand.

Jealousy started to creep in, but he tried to hide it. Meera seemed to be sticking close to the man, their connection is evident to everyone around.

Raghbir tried to focus on his script, but his mind kept wandering back to Meera and the man. He can't help but feel a pang of sadness and longing as he watches them interact. Meera's attention was fully on the newly arrived member.
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Meera struts onto the set, holding the guy's hand confidently. Raghbir couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he watched them.

As they approached Raghbir, Meera introduced him to the new person with a mischievous smile. "Raghbir, meet Shekhar, Shekhar Yadav. My travel buddy for life.
And Shekhar, he is Raghbir Malhotra. My co-star!"

Only co-star? Raghbir felt his stomach churn. Does she think of him as just her costar??

Raghbir forced a smile, trying to hide his true feelings. "Nice to meet you, Shekhar."

Shekhar shook Raghbir's hand warmly. "Likewise, Raghbir."

Raghbir nods, his jealousy simmering beneath the surface.
Meera, completely oblivious to Raghbir's inner turmoil, said "Okay, let's go Shekhar. I will introduce you to my other friends as well."

Raghbir stood there, looking at the disappearing figures of Shekhar and Meera.

•
The next day, Raghbir was waiting outside the cafe, where Ishika and Meera were supposed to meet him.

They had planned to meet at the cafe to spend some 'friends time' together. But here he was. All alone.
Ishika was still stuck in traffic while Meera wasn't even picking up the call.

Raghbir was simultaneously checking his phone to see IF meera has called or texted. But sadly, there was no such thing.

No matter how much he tried, his mind drifted to the incident that took place yesternight. Meera addressing him as just a costar was something he couldn't get his mind off.

And then the Yadav kid. He didn't like him at all.
Chipku!!

Raghbir's thoughts came to a halt when he sensed someone's presence near him.

It was Ishika.

"where is Meera??", Ishika questioned

"She hasn't reached yet!", Raghbir sighed

"abhi bhi??? Lunch se dinner Ka time hojayga yaaarr", Ishika cried dramatically.

"Wait I will call her ", Saying, Raghbir pulled out his phone from the front pocket.

But before he could dial the number, Ishika shouted "What the hell!!"

"Kya hogya?", Raghbir inquired.

"Meera isn't coming. ", Ishika groaned making Raghbir frown.

"Did she text you?", Raghbir peeked in Ishita's Phone to see if Meera texted.

"noo!! She uploaded a story on her Instagram handle -", Ishika was saying that Raghbir interrupted, "That she won't come??"

"Ayyeeee duffer noo!!! She has uploaded a picture with her friends  !! Karan Ahuja, Ravi Kulkarni, and the new boy Shekhar Yadav. !! See!!", Ishika showed Raghbir the picture.

She was with them??

But wasn't she supposed to Go out with us?? —Raghbir Thought.

" She could've informed. ", Ishika groaned. Upset with her best friend's behavior.

This was the first time they were about to go out together. And she ditched them.

Both Raghbir and Ishika weren't happy with her act. Nevertheless, they moved inside the cafe.

They needed some refreshments too. And What more could've been better than a cup of Coffee?

✨

Hey guys!
Sorry for the short chapter. I just typed it and posted it since Sunday is the deadline. I assure you, next week you'll get a satisfactory long chapter.
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