Layers of Us

Chapter 104: The Night That Belonged to Them❤️

Days passed, and the house gradually slipped back into its familiar rhythm.

Ram’s parents had returned to Delhi, leaving the household quieter, but no less lively in its own ways.

Ram immersed himself in his projects, meticulously going over scripts, finalizing schedules, and slowly starting to embrace the creative chaos of acting again.

Tripura, too, was swamped — balancing shoots, meetings, and everything in between. Work, work, work.

Yet, amidst the madness, they carved out small pockets of time for the things that mattered most.

Dinner together as a family, catching Siya’s little antics, sharing a laugh with Tripura’s mom — even if it wasn’t extravagant, it was enough.

Peaceful. Familiar. Grounding.

One bright afternoon, while Tripura was going through her emails at the office, a notification popped up that made her pause.

The Filmfare Awards were coming up — and she had been nominated. Not just once, but for three categories.

Her heart leapt.

Without thinking twice, she grabbed her phone and dialed Ram.

“Ram!” she exclaimed the moment he picked up. “Guess what? I’ve been nominated for the Filmfare Awards!”

There was a beat of silence on the other end before his voice came, equally excited. “Wait… what? Tripura… that’s amazing! But… I just saw the list. I’m nominated too."

Tripura laughed, a mix of pride and disbelief in her voice. “Oh my God, this is unreal! We’re… both nominated? Together?”

Ram chuckled, warmth in his tone. “Seems like it. Looks like the universe really loves us.”

They quickly fell into a comfortable rhythm, talking schedules, shoots, and the practicalities of the upcoming event.

Since the awards were being held in Mumbai, the decision was almost instantaneous and unspoken: they would stay at Palash’s place.

“Staying at Palash’s?” Tripura asked with a teasing lilt. “So, no hotel chaos, huh?”

Ram laughed softly. “Exactly. It’s easier, cozier… and we get to avoid the hotel drama. Plus, Siya can also comfortably stay with us.”

Tripura smiled, feeling a warm flutter in her chest. “Alright then… Mumbai it is. This is going to be fun.”

Their both spoke for a few more minutes and ended the call, planning to discuss further details on dinner.

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

The dinner table buzzed with chatter and clinking cutlery.

Tripura’s mom had made everyone’s favorites, and Siya was busy passing the salad bowl to Tripura, and Bhoomi had joined them too — bright, bubbly, and absolutely thrilled.

She had practically stormed in an hour ago, after Tripura called to tell her about the nominations.

“Maa!” she had squealed over the phone, “I know you’re winning all of them, and don’t even think about arguing — I’m designing your outfit for Filmfare Awards, and that's final!”

Tripura could only laugh and nod in surrender. Bhoomi’s enthusiasm was infectious, and tonight, the entire house glowed with it.

Now, at the dining table, everyone was seated — Ram, Tripura, Siya, Tripura’s mom, and Bhoomi — plates half-full, hearts completely full.