The beginning

Chapter 12

Sorry for the long wait, guys. This one's been kicking around in my head for a while. I was unsure which direction to take it in, so I hope you like what it's ended up as. It's also a pretty long chapter. I debated dividing it in half but decided in the end to leave it as it is. The next one won't take quite as long, I promise. I'm already writing it, so hopefully it should be up by next week. Enjoy! (And do leave comments/suggestions)

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Ranveer realised that Deepika had fallen asleep when her head slipped into the crook of his neck. He faltered in what he'd been saying to Sanjay sir about the shooting schedule, caught by the feeling of her breath against his skin. Sanjay sir smiled at him and he couldn't help his blush. "Go on," sir said. "It's late, and she's been working very hard. Take care of her. We can have this discussion tomorrow." Ranveer blushed harder at his words. "Thank you, sir," he said. Sanjay sir's eyes were soft with affection and some unnameable emotion as he nodded and rose from his chair, leaving the two in relative privacy.

Ranveer shifted so he could see Deepika's face. She looked tired but serene. And still so beautiful she took his breath away. He brought a hand up to caress her cheek and whispered her name. "Deepika? Wake up, baby, it's time to go home." She murmured something unintelligible and pressed her face more firmly into his neck. He smiled and continued his caresses. "Come on, baby, let's get you home," he said. She blinked her eyes open and rubbed at them with the back of one hand. When they met his they were adorably confused. Her hand clutched at his shirt. 

"What time is it?" she asked. 

"A little past three in the morning," he said. 

She sighed heavily and her head dropped back onto his shoulder. Then she lifted it and looked around. "Sanjay sir?" she asked. 

He smiled. "He left us after you fell asleep," he replied.

Deepika blushed and sat up, embarrassed at having fallen asleep in front of their director. That had never happened before. "I keep falling asleep on you," she told Ranveer, still blushing. 

"I don't mind," he said, laughing. "I'm going to take it as a compliment. You feel comfortable enough to fall asleep with me," he told her and she nodded. 

"I do," she said, "With you and with Sanjay sir. Come on, let's go find him and say goodnight." 

He rose from his chair and held out a hand to her. She took it and they walked over to where Sanjay sir was directing a couple of assistants on the setup of the space for another scene. They bid him a good night and walked out to the car park.

Ranveer walked Deepika to her car and stopped next to it. Shanu, her driver, opened the door to the back seat then walked around to the front and got in. Deepika took half a step into the car then got back out. 

"I have an early flight tomorrow," she said, eyes troubled, voice low. 

"Then you should get home as soon as you can," Ranveer replied. His hand caressed hers with gentle strokes. She continued to look troubled and clasped his hand tighter. He raised their joined hands to his lips. "I'll miss you on set tomorrow," he said. 

She sighed. "I don't want to leave," she said. 

He looked at her steadily for a second, then pulled her closer. "Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.

She shook her head slowly. "It would be pointless, I have to leave home by six thirty and you'll have a disturbed night for nothing," she said. 

He smiled at her. "Not for nothing. I'd get to spend three whole hours more with you," he said.