The beginning

Chapter 5

They began workshop together, running lines, having various costume fittings and makeup trials, spending every day by each other's side. The long hours slowly made them easier in each other's company. 

They often ended up eating together after their day ended because they were having a conversation that was too interesting to leave halfway. They could talk about anything and nothing, he discovered. She was fast becoming a very good friend. From time to time they'd touch accidentally or he'd stare at her too long or she'd blush when he said something to compliment her and he'd feel a jolt of heat that quickly became very familiar to him. 

They didn't even realise it, but they built their own little bubble of comfort. When the rest of the cast joined them they noticed it instantly. Looking at the two laughing and talking, always together, many assumed that they'd known each other long before the film.   

Alongside script readings and acting workshops they began rehearsing for the first dance, Lahu Munh Lag Gaya. It was a melodic folk garba, something neither had done before. They bonded over how difficult it was to pick up the offbeats for the steps. Ranveer found himself falling under Deepika's spell again when he saw the grace with which she danced. He attempted to harden his heart, but invariably ended up smiling like a loon at her sheer joy in movement. She, too, was struck by his enthusiasm and happiness when he danced. It became harder every day to say goodbye.

On a rare day off Ranveer was alternately thinking of excuses to call her and cursing himself for being too needy when he received a message from her asking whether he was planning to attend the screening of 'Shirin Farhad ki Nikal Padi'. The movie had Farah Khan in it and was produced by Sanjay Bhansali. He'd been invited by Sanjay sir and he assumed she'd been invited by Farah. He sent her his confirmation. 'Shall I pick you up?' he asked her. Her reply came quickly. 'I'll meet you there'. He accepted it. Their arriving together would cause unnecessary speculation. 

Ranveer walked into the lobby at eight that evening, his eyes scanning the crowd for Deepika. Her face lit up when she saw him and he had to tell himself to calm his racing heart. He gave her the customary film industry air kisses and felt his breathing grow shorter at her proximity. He didn't know what it was about her today. 

Maybe it was the fact that she'd dressed up tonight for the first time since they'd started working together. Dark red lipstick, messy bun, dramatic winged liner, figure-hugging dress - it was a killer look and he was far, far from immune. He was staring, he knew, but couldn't help it. He saw a faint blush on her cheeks and had to stop himself from doing something stupid like stroking that flush of red. He'd grown too comfortable with her. He cleared his throat, shook her hand and told her, "I think I'd better go talk to Sanjay sir." She nodded. 

They mingled with the others, trying to stay away from each other, but gravitated together again and again. When it was time for the screening he found himself sitting next to her with no knowledge of how he'd made it there. They had been talking and laughing together for a while, oblivious to the speculative looks of people around them. 

The lights in the theatre darkened and the movie began. It was a quirky love story between two middle-aged people and it was quite funny in its characterisation of the Parsi community. It was a stroke of genius to cast Boman Irani in the lead and Farah Khan was surprisingly good. Ranveer noticed all this in the first five minutes, because after that, he found it impossible to concentrate on the film. 

He had rested his arm on the armrest between his seat and Deepika's and she brought her arm to rest next to his. The moment he felt her elbow touch his a jolt of heat went through him. She was touching him deliberately! He looked at her and she looked at him, mischievous smile on her face as she pushed his arm with hers. Ranveer felt fireworks go off inside him as he pushed back and raised a challenging eyebrow. She giggled and fortunately the sound was lost in the laughter of the audience.