Layers of Us

Chapter 68: Clumsy Start!

Days passed, but Ram and Tripura avoided each other beyond polite nods and professional interactions.

On set, their conversations were strictly limited to the scenes they enacted. Even during romantic sequences, Ram maintained a safe distance, masking his emotions under a veil of professionalism.

For Tripura, while this newfound space brought relief, it also carried an ache she couldn't quite ignore. She forced herself to brush off the feelings, reminding herself why she had built those walls in the first place.

One evening, as the shoot wrapped up, Tripura was heading back to her vanity. The uneven path outside, paired with her heels, proved treacherous once again. She tripped, falling hard and twisting her ankle. A sharp cry escaped her lips as pain shot through her leg.

Hearing her yell, the crew rushed to her aid. A flurry of voices erupted.

"Tripura ma'am has hurt herself! Someone get help! Call the doctor!"

Inside his vanity, Ram overheard the commotion. He sighed deeply, muttering under his breath, "This woman... How clumsy can she be? Kya zarurat hai hamesha heels pehnne ki?" His frustration softened as memories of her playful clumsiness flooded his mind.

But then, his heart whispered softly, You loved this clumsy woman once, didn't you?

That thought broke him into a small, involuntary smile. Shaking his head, he murmured, "Arey, I still love her. But... she's changed. Or maybe... she's still my Tripura." The thought made his heart swell, and before he realized it, his feet had already carried him toward the commotion.

When he arrived, he found Tripura sitting on the ground, her face contorted in pain as she clutched her ankle. A spot boy moved closer, hesitatingly reaching to help her up by holding her waist.

Ram's jaw tightened, and before he could think twice, he stepped forward, his voice firm but calm. "Bhai, it's fine. I'll help her."

The crew stepped back, giving way as Ram knelt beside Tripura. Without a word, he scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her securely in his arms.

Tripura gasped softly at the sudden closeness, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

Ram's heart raced as he carried her toward her vanity, her arms encircling his neck for support, her face mere inches from his. He could feel her warmth, her soft breaths brushing against his collarbone, making it harder to suppress the emotions surging within him.

Her brows furrowed in pain, and despite everything, she looked so vulnerable - so much like the Tripura he had once adored. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to focus on walking, resisting the overwhelming urge to hold her closer.

In his mind, however, a storm brewed. "I still can't stand the sight of another man touching her," he thought bitterly. The possessiveness surprised even him, but he couldn't deny it. "She's mine. She's always been mine," his heart whispered.

Meanwhile, Tripura held on tightly, feeling his warmth seep into her. Her heart raced, but she kept her face composed, not letting her emotions betray her. Yet, a small part of her longed to stay in his arms just a little longer.

When they reached her vanity, Ram gently placed her on the couch, careful not to jostle her injured ankle.

For a moment, their eyes met, and an unspoken tension filled the air.

"You're impossible," Ram muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Tripura blinked in surprise. "What?" she asked softly.