Our Flaming Love

178 days to film release

"Ok guys! We've made good progress today. Shraddha, Varun, hope this clears up all the confusion. You all can go enjoy your day! See you guys in two days," the most applauded director of the decade, Mukesh Kumar, had just dismissed the second meeting for the jodi's new movie. Edited scripts had been handed out, drafts of schedules to align the crew's working time.

Varun and Shraddha had been clad in cozy, casual denim. They had been attentive and studious during the meeting, paying attention to every detail, even the small specks of mistakes that they politely brushed away in their heads. It was an admirable trait. Listening. That's why so many people love them - they listen. But their serious expressions and cautious ears were drawn back, and their bubbly personalities peeped through as soon as the meeting was dismissed.

"VD, let's go eat. I'm hangry," Shraddha whined out, her bottom lip pulled out in a pout, her index finger softly poking Varun's bicep.

"Chirkut, you just came back from lunch. Come on, yaar," Varun watched his best friend display a sadder(cuter) face than before. He rolled his eyes dramatically and a smile pulled through without his conscious permission. "Fine but I'm taking you, you're not taking me."

"Why do you always say that? What's the difference?" When Varun showed no signs of telling,"Fine, keep your secrets. All I want is food anyway. Chalo!" Shraddha leapt with new found enthusiasm and began to keep her copy of documents in her bag. Varun had done the same.

They walked out together, placing their byes and thank yous with the crew, and headed for Varun's car. As they slowly walked along the hallway, Varun said something funny. A joke or pun that made Shraddha laugh with her mouth open, the capacity of her cheeks gently forcing her eyes to flutter shut. Varun, out of habit, bundled his chirkut against the left side of his body, his strong arms tenderly encasing her body to him. She lifted her right arm to rest her hand on his shoulder to get closer to him.

Now, let us analyse this frame of a moment. Do you know how in the olden days they would have roll films? Each single frame would be another shot of a moment taken, only nanoseconds apart?

People are always in a haste. A rush. The hot days, the chaotic traffic, the overpowering chatter of people. Every memories' a blur, they don't quite fit together like clogs in a clock rather they're heaps of sticks piled disorderly. That is why Shraddha and Varun would never remember this moment. This brief, short, indifferent moment in their lives shared together because it is muddled along the rest of the memories they have had together. They've been friends for 20 years!

The brief consoling touches by Varun when she's vulnerable. He would habitually swipe his calloused thumbs along her white wrists whilst wrapping his hands around them. He would lightly stroke the length of her swan-spine, tracing up and down along the knuckles of her vertebrae as he rocks her right and left. His right hand would cradle her throbbing head to the cocoon of his warm neck. Soft murmurs. Tighter hugs. Eventually falling asleep in her hero's arms.

The elated and chaotic laughs they've shared over the years. Shraddha would open her mouth to reveal her pearly teeth and be quick to hide her face behind her delicate hands. The heat and joy from those surrounding her would bring tears of happiness. She would then feel Varun's warm hand on her upper arm and sense his comforting presence capture her personal space and he would lean onto her shoulder as his hair tickles her soft spot, as his laughs disrupt the beats of her heart.

Sometimes, the moments would happen in a split second. A kiss on the cheek as they pass by in an award function, a forehead kiss during a personal celebration, a neck kiss during a goodbye hug. You see, these momentary touches tightens their relationship. They don't realise it, it is their norm. You only realise how much you know, love and care for someone until you are derived of their touch.