Layers of Us

Chapter 33: Serene Morning 🌄

The soft morning sunlight filtered into the room as Tripura stirred awake. She instinctively reached out, only to realize Ram was not beside her.

For a brief moment, confusion clouded her face, but it was quickly replaced by a soft smile as memories of last night came rushing back.

The warmth of his embrace, the peaceful slumber — she couldn’t help but cherish the moment.

Just then, the door creaked open, and there he was — Ram, carrying his cup of tea and a steaming mug of her coffee. Spotting her smile, his lips curled into his signature charming grin.
“Good morning, Tripura,” he greeted warmly, his voice soft yet cheerful.

“Good morning, Mr. Kapoor,” she replied, the genuineness in her tone matching his.

He handed her the coffee, and she gladly accepted it, her fingers curling around the warm mug. “Thank you,” she said, taking a sip of her favorite beverage. The familiar taste brought an instant sense of comfort.

Ram settled down opposite her on the couch, cradling his own cup of tea. Both of them fell into a tranquil silence, the kind where words weren’t needed. The quiet morning, the aroma of their drinks, and the soft companionship between them were enough.

The moment was interrupted by the sudden buzz of Tripura’s phone. Setting her coffee aside, she glanced at the screen. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw the caller ID — it was none other than a renowned and celebrated director.

A spark of excitement flickered in her eyes as she quickly answered the call. “Hello, sir! Good morning,” she greeted, her voice polite yet eager.

“Good morning, Tripura,” the director replied warmly. “I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

“Not at all, sir. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you,” she said sincerely.

The director chuckled. “Well, I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve been following your work closely, and I must say, I’m thoroughly impressed. I’ve got a script in mind, and I can’t think of anyone better than you for the lead role. Would you be interested in working with me on this project?”

Tripura’s heart skipped a beat. The words felt surreal, like a dream come true. Barely able to contain her excitement, she replied, “I… I don’t know what to say, sir. This is such an honor! I would be absolutely thrilled to work with you. Thank you so much for considering me for this opportunity.”

“It’s well - deserved, Tripura,” the director assured her. “I’ll have my team reach out to you with the details soon. I look forward to creating something amazing together.”

“Thank you again, sir. I won’t let you down,” she said earnestly before ending the call.

As she placed the phone down, her face was lit up with uncontainable joy. She turned to Ram, who was already watching her, his expression filled with pride and an encouraging smile.

“I got the offer!” she exclaimed, barely able to sit still. “The director I’ve always dreamed of working with — he wants me in his next film! I can’t believe this is happening, Mr. Kapoor.”

Ram set his tea aside and stood up, his smile widening as he walked toward her. He pulled her into a warm, heartfelt hug, holding her close. “Congratulations, Tripura,” he said softly, his voice brimming with genuine happiness for her. “I’m so proud of you. You deserve this and so much more.”

His words wrapped around her heart like a comforting blanket, and she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. She rested her head against his chest, her own arms circling his waist as she hugged him back tightly.