Memories

Finale

Karthik
It had been exactly one year since everything in my life had changed—since the chaos, the danger, the betrayal—and yet, somehow, I felt more at peace than ever. Today, Vicki and I were backstage at Candid, waiting for our cue to walk in. The buzz of the studio, the bright lights, and the murmurs of the audience made me feel alive in a way I hadn't felt in months.

The host, DD, entered with his usual energy, his voice booming over the speakers.

"Welcome to Candid, everybody! The show where actors get candid like you've never seen before. Today, we have the two youngest sensational superstars of B-town! Most of their movies have been box-office hits, and they are absolute gems of Bollywood. Let's welcome... Karthik Varma and Vicki Kapoor!"

The applause was deafening as DD gestured us forward. I shook his hand firmly, feeling the adrenaline rush through me. Vicki mirrored my actions, her energy infectious as we made our way onto the stage.

"Always a pleasure," I said, smiling.

"Thanks," Vicki echoed, her eyes sparkling.

"So, you guys excited? Because I've got a lot of surprises planned today," DD said, leaning back with a mischievous grin.

"When you say it like that, it kind of scares me now," Vicki replied, laughing.

We sat on the couch, and the initial chatter was all about our projects, upcoming films, and collaborations. DD finally leaned forward, his tone shifting to more personal territory.

"Okay, we've gotten to know your professional side. Now it's time to get personal. Vicki, do you have a girlfriend I should know about?"

Vicki shook her head, grinning.

"Looks like Vicki isn't going to give us any Deets. So, Karthik... I hear you got married earlier this year. Tell us about her."

I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Well, you might already know her story. She's my six-year girlfriend turned wife. Her name is Shivani, and she has nothing to do with the film industry. She's a lawyer, working with my brother Rahul at our law firm. We met during our first year in law school. I dropped out, but she continued and became an exceptional lawyer. She's my No.1 critic, my supporter, my best friend... my everything."

DD whistled softly. "That's so sweet. Now let's see what she has to say about you. On to the screen!"

The camera shifted to the video wall and there was Shivani smiling at the camera.

"Hi Shivani," DD greeted warmly.

"Hi, Meera," she replied, her voice soft but confident.

"So, Shivani," Meera continued, "you know Karthik is on the show today. I wanted to ask you a few things about him. Is that alright?"

"Shoot," she said, rolling her eyes playfully.

The questions began, simple at first—Karthik's full name, favourite colour, favourite food—but then she started to reveal things that made my heart swell with pride and warmth.

"Karthik is different when he's outside and when he's at home," she said, laughing softly. "You know him as poised and stylish, but at home, he's completely different—funny, childish, a prankster. And when he gets sick... he becomes Granny's baby boy. It's hilarious, and nobody would ever believe that this suave superstar is like that at home. That's why I love him so much."

I blinked in disbelief and amusement, trying to suppress the grin that threatened to spread across my face. Vicki looked at me, laughing, while the audience clapped, clearly enjoying Shivani 's revelations.

"Wow," DD said, smiling. "That's something I don't think anyone expected. That's a side of Karthik we've never seen!"

Shivani smiled warmly at the camera before Meera concluded the segment. "Thank you, Shivani."

"The pleasure is all mine. And, by the way... happy birthday, baby!" She cupped her hand to her mouth playfully.

I froze, suddenly realizing what she had done. My heart skipped a beat. "Wait... today?" I muttered under my breath.

"Yes, today!" she replied with a teasing smile.

Shivani

I had been waiting backstage for the perfect moment. Today was Karti's birthday, and DD and I had planned a little surprise together. I could hear the laughter and applause from the audience as the show continued, my heart racing with excitement. I kept checking the stage, waiting for the right moment to step out.

Finally, DD turned toward me, his eyes twinkling. "Now, I have one more surprise for you, Karthik!"

Before I could process what was happening, he extended his hand toward me. I placed my hand in his and walked out from behind the curtain. The spotlight hit me, and I saw Karthik's eyes widen so much it made me laugh quietly.

I rushed toward him and whispered, "Happy birthday, Karthi!" I shook hands with Vicki as well, smiling at her warmly.

"You're here!" he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to make it today. How are you here?"

"That's called a surprise, isn't it?" I said, laughing softly. "Rahul allowed me to come home early, and I thought... why not? I couldn't let your birthday pass without me being there."

He pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me so close I could feel his heartbeat against my chest. "Thank you, Shivani. Thank you... I... I can't believe you did this. You're incredible."

I smiled, resting my head against his chest, inhaling the scent of him that had always felt like home. "I just wanted you to be happy, Kar. That's all that matters."

He pulled back slightly to look at me, his eyes soft but intense. "I am happy, Shivani. Seeing you here... it's more than I could have ever hoped for. You always find a way to make every moment unforgettable."

The audience clapped and cheered, but all I could focus on was him. His smile, the sparkle in his eyes, the way his hand gently brushed a strand of hair from my face. I felt a warmth spreading through me that had nothing to do with the lights or the cameras—it was him.

"Okay, enough PDA, you two!" DD called, laughing. "Let's cut the cake!"

Karthik grabbed the knife, his hands steady, but his eyes never left mine. I could feel the unspoken words between us, the love, the gratitude, the bond that had only deepened over the past year. As he cut the cake, we sang Happy Birthday, the audience joining in. He fed me the first piece with a mischievous smile and handed slices to Vicki and DD.

I looked at him, my heart swelling with love. The struggles, the danger, the secrets, the chaos of the past year—all of it felt like it had led to this moment. I was so incredibly lucky to have him in my life. He was no longer just the star everyone adored; he was mine, and I was his.

Karthik leaned closer, whispering softly, "You know, Shivani... you make every day of my life brighter. I can't imagine a world without you."

I smiled, my eyes shining. "And you, Kar... you make everything worth it. Every challenge, every risk... every single moment. I'd do it all over again just to have you."

He kissed my forehead gently, a tender promise of love and devotion. "I'm not going anywhere, Shivani. Not ever. You're my heart, my home, my everything."

As we stood there together, cake forgotten for a moment, I realized something profound. Life could be chaotic, unpredictable, and dangerous, but as long as we faced it together, everything was perfect. He was my star, and I was just a girl—but together, we were unstoppable.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt that everything truly was as it should be.