Layers of Us

Chapter 96: Envy in Velvet Gloves💚

Time was slipping away like sand through clenched fingers, and before they knew it, the day had arrived - the one they had been waiting for.

The beginning of something new.
Their web series.

A story waiting to be brought alive, and with it, a thousand emotions waiting to be felt - on screen and off it.

Ram and Tripura were equally excited.
Of course, for very different reasons.

Tripura had spent weeks polishing her part of the script, designing the emotional arcs, running meetings with the production, coordinating with the costume team - she had gone full actor mode, and it showed.

Ram, on the other hand?

Well, Ram had his own list:
• More screen time with Tripura ✔️
• More rehearsals with Tripura ✔️
• More "accidental" moments with Tripura ✔️
• Basically... more Tripura ✔️✔️✔️

That night, he had landed in Bangalore, and the city already felt different.

It was quieter. Breezier.

Or maybe... it was just her presence that made everything feel lighter.

Tripura, ever the hostess, had insisted he stay at her penthouse. But of course, Ram had politely, and firmly, declined.

She didn't argue. She didn't sulk either.
She just smiled tightly and moved on.

Not because she agreed - God no.
But because arguing with the Ram Kapoor about ego-related decisions was like punching a wall and expecting a hug in return. Pointless.

Still, in her heart, she was thrilled.

He was here.
In her city.

And even if they weren't living under the same roof, they would see each other every single day.

She smiled as she got under the covers that night, her heart quietly dancing.

She turned to her side, glanced at the clock blinking 10:04 a.m., and whispered a little prayer to the universe:
"Let everything go well tomorrow... let this story, our story, unfold the way it's meant to."

And with that, she drifted off to sleep - dreams filled with lights, cameras, and Ram's stupidly perfect smirk.

_____________________________________

The morning sun peeked through the Bangalore skyline, casting a golden hue across the set.

Muhurat day was finally here.
The official beginning.
Lights. Camera. History in the making... again.

The crew was already bustling - setting up lights, taping marks on the floor, adjusting camera rigs, and triple-checking sound. Laughter, chaos, and caffeine ruled the set.

And in the middle of all that?

Tripura.
Clad in a deep rust-colored kurta, her hair loosely braided, a pair of minimal gold jhumkas catching the sunlight every time she turned - she looked like poetry wrapped in purpose.

"Ma'am, you're needed at the altar in 5," called out Richa, the assistant director.

Tripura nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soon a car skidded slightly as it stopped.

Out stepped Ram, wearing a casual shirt, denims, and his usual smug grin.