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dis is a JeRan OS by neet_06 đł
she has written dis, i m jst posting it on her behalf đ
JERAN OS ' I Love You???
Karan walked into his make up room disturbed. What was wrong with him? He was an actor, a professional. He had enacted different roles and scenes with different co-stars and he'd always been able to draw the line between the character he played in reel life and the guy he was in real life. Yes. He did believe in method acting, in becoming the character himself but as soon as he heard "CUT", he could almost always revert back to being just himself. Occasionally a really emotional scene would leave him emotionally drained but he tried hard and more often than not, succeeded in not letting it affect him for long. But today had been different. As he watched the last shot of DMG being filmed, the shot of Armaan hugging Riddhima and kissing her, he felt like going up to them and tearing them apart. Of course he couldn't do that. It's just a show and now its over. Maybe it was just the fact that the show was getting over that had him so wound up. Maybe he had gotten a bit too much into Sid's character. Even as he tried to tell himself that, he knew that it wasn't entirely true. He had had a fabulous time shooting for Dill Mill Gaye. They were all such great friends ' Karan Singh Grover, Shilpa Anand, Prasad, Karan and.. Jennifer.. His thoughts stopped at Jenny. He would miss her. He shook himself. He would miss all of them. He was being ridiculous. His thoughts were interrupted when a spot boy came to let him know that the Aaj Tak, Star News and a whole bunch of other people were waiting to for interviews. He let out a huge sigh. He hated good byes but then when something good comes to an end, it's just for something better to start. On an impulse, he grabbed his shades and walked out of the make up room.
Walking out, he saw everyone hugging and saying bye and without any conscious thought, his eyes wandered around looking for someone. When he spotted her, she was standing in a corner holding a huge heart in hand, Karan's hand around her waist, giving an interview. He did not know why but he felt his heart constrict in his chest. He looked away. He was immediately engulfed in a bear hug by one of the technicians on the set. He went around saying good byes and trying to sound as casual about it as possible. Mikes were constantly thrust in his face for his views on the show ending and how much he would miss it and he replied as casually as he could to all the queries. They had cake cutting sessions, Diwali celebrations and just the way it had always been off screen, all of them had a fun time. He would miss everyone. He hugged everyone and said good-bye, posed for pictures, made random faces at the camera and hung around with Karan.
He'd said his good byes to everyone on the set except her. As soon as he turned, she was standing in front of him. Her tear-rimmed eyes were red yet she was trying to smile. Wordlessly, she came towards him and hugged him. Immediately he wrapped his arms around her. It just felt so right to have her in his arms. Ever so gently, her voice quivering, she whispered "I'll miss you." That was his undoing, he felt tears prick his eyes and then one by one they started rolling down his cheeks. He was acting foolish. It was just a show and they had been a pair in the show and he was so used to seeing her daily and he'd gotten himself a bit too involved in the character and the show.. That's it.. He was reacting like Sid.. He quickly wiped his tears and pulled away from the hug "I'll miss you too lekin don't worry we'll stay in touch thode na main Mumbai chhodke kahin bhaagne waala hoon aur tumhe mujhse aur mere gaanon se ithni jaldi chhutkara nahi milne wala." Inspite of the sorrow she was feeling, Jennifer could not help but laugh. "Pls agar aisi baath hai tho tum Mumbai chhodke bhaag jao.. Plsss.." She teased him and started to walk away. He watched her walking away and felt a strange urge to stop her. "Dude.. You are not Siddhant Modi anymore and she is no longer Riddhima Modi.. You are Karan Wahi and she is Jennifer Winget ' your co-star, that's all.. Calm down dude." He barely had time to finish his thoughts before another mike was thrust into his face. Not wanting anyone to see that he was about to cry, in fact he had been crying just a few seconds ago, he quickly slipped his shades on. Not in a mood to say anything more, he did his characteristic crazy antics and warded off the volley of questions. It was 5 in the morning and he felt tired. Jennifer had already left but the TV crew still wanted a final shot of the entire DMG team singing the title track of DMG and cutting cake so he sat through it all.
Finally, he made his way back home and as he lay back in bed, he recollected his journey with DMG so far. He had been slightly apprehensive walking into the sets the first day. It was a loved and cherished show and it was now their responsibility to carry it forward. He did not know any of his co-stars yet, except for Shweta and he was looking forward to seeing her. Gradually he'd struck up a friendship with all of them ' Prasad, Sehbaan, Neha, Moulishree, Karan, Amit, Sonia ' they were all soon part of his friends' gang. His episodes hadn't even begun to air and people had already started to compare him with Wake Up Sid. He'd taken it in stride and as soon as Moulishree's and his love track had started people had started ranting about how he was trying to be Armaan. But he had expected that too. After all, the show was known for the love story of its two main protagonists. People wouldn't take kindly to newcomers trying to take their place. What they did not realize was that they weren't trying to take their place, only trying to carve out a niche of their own. He let out a huge sigh.
He still remembered the day he was informed that Moulishree was leaving and Jennifer was returning on the show. He did not know what to feel. He had assumed that since Jennifer was returning, Karan would return soon too and he wondered who they'd be pairing him up with next.
On the first day of shoot, he had been busy saying bye to Moulishree and made it just in time to change and shoot the scene of Riddhima's re entry. He hadn't had an opportunity to meet Jennifer and was looking forward to it. He'd asked one of the spot boys if Jennifer had reached and he'd answered that she was shooting for her re entry scene. He had watched from the sidelines as she'd emerged from a corner in her red churidar pushing a trolley, the fan held right in front of her face as her hair waved in the breeze. She was hot, was his first thought. The shot got over and he'd gone to meet her.
Over the months and the different twists and turns in the plot, they had bonded well and become great friends. The body heat episode had been a turning point because it required them to be comfortable with each other. He had to slip in the blanket and hold her hands and show as if he was hugging her at least a hundred times for the promo, the actual scene and for the panning shots and different camera angles. Whatever awkwardness they might have had had to be put aside because they were both professionals and they'd managed to pull it off well.
Then came the wedding track. Again, shot after shot after shot was taken to get the scene right and the promo right and over a span of two nights, he'd probably married her more than a hundred times. Thankfully, the panditji had been fake. He smiled to himself.
One of his favourite scenes in their storyline had been the part when Riddhima realized that she might just have started having feelings for Siddhant. That was the first time they'd hugged properly and he still remembered how soft and warm she felt in his arms and just how perfect. He shook his head to halt his train of thoughts. What was he thinking? He was no longer Siddhant. Then there had been Armaan's re entry. Karan.. He was such a kick ass dude, KW thought to himself. There is just so much positivity around him. They'd hit it off together right from the start. The set had become a laugh riot because of their antics. Their 'dostana' off screen had become such a huge hit, the creatives used it in the show as well. God! Those had been fun times.
Then he remembered the intense moment he had had to shoot with Jennifer. He had walked in that day and had been handed over the script. They'd met to discuss the scene and when the director had described the scene to them, he had automatically looked at Jennifer. She did not seem perturbed by it at all. Of course, why would she? They were actors and they'd surely done scenes like this before. Again, the scene had been okayed after a number of takes and re takes and rehearsals meaning that he'd ended up kissing her almost all night and each time, she'd responded with a shuddered breath and goose bumps that he could feel erupt over her arms where he held her.
Surprised by the way his thoughts were running wild, KW walked over to the kitchen, grabbed himself a beer and decided to watch TV till he fell asleep. But then even his dreams turned out to be of hers. It was the Sid hangover he named it and decided that he had to get out of it and for that he had to get himself occupied in work.
Unfortunately, even work did not keep his thoughts away from her. That's when the Telly Awards performance came his way. They wanted Jennifer and him to perform together. Glad for just an opportunity to be with her again though he could not fathom the reason why, he grabbed it. Unfortunately, because of certain issues, they could meet up for rehearsals only on the day of the performance. Nevertheless, they spent a whole lot of time rehearsing and he realized once again just how perfect it was to hold her in his arms. When they met backstage just before their performance, all ready to set the stage on fire, all Karan could think of was how gorgeous she looked. He could not take his eyes off her and that showed in their performance.
This was it he was losing his mind. Not only was he going on an emotional overdrive himself but now, he was seeing things in Jennifer's eyes too. The way they'd met after so long, hugging each other as if they hadn't met in years, the way she'd looked into his eyes during the performance, his heart had done a flip-flop and his thoughts had almost turned in the direction that their attraction was mutual. Almost. Before he'd applied a sudden brake to his thought process.
Then, the whole mess with Love U Zindagi had happened and temporarily, very temporarily, his focus had shifted. But it was always there at the back of his mind. Even when he went out with his gang of best friends Raj, Karan, Gaurav and Jay for the TV segment on Badmaash Company, though he'd acted as normal as he'd ever been, his friends had caught on to the underlying tension in him. On their drive back, Raj had confronted him first.
Raj : What's the matter dude? Everything all right?
Karan : yeah.. Why?
Raj : Just.. You seem slightly disturbed..
Karan : Nah.. I am fine..
Karan Mehra : Kahin tu uss Love U Zindagi ki wajah se tho pareshaan nahi hai na?
Karan : Nahi aisi koi baath nahi..
Gaurav : Aur honi bhi nahi chahiye.. That production house has a repo of not treating its actors well.
Karan (distractedly) : Hmmm..
One by one he dropped of all his friends until it was just him and Karan Mehra in the car.
KM : Haan tho ab batha baath kya hai?
KW : Kya?
KM : Abbe main bhi jaantha hoon aur tu bhi jaantha hai ki baath sirf uss show ki nahi hai.. Ab sach batha..
KW : Kuch nahi..
KM : Let me guess.. Girl problem?
KW turned to look at him stunned.
KM : Bingo!! Ab ladki ka naam bhi main hi bathaoon?
KW : Tu kya bakwaas kar raha hai?
KM : Tujhe kya lagtha hai? Hum sab andhe hain ki humme dikhayi nahi detha? Ab baaki gaddhon ka mujhe nahi patha lekin I'm not blind..
KW looked away.
KM : Jennifer Winget??
KW looked at him suddenly and almost lost control of his car. He pulled the car over to the side and slammed his brakes.
KM : Oho! Naam sunte hi aisa reaction?
KW : Dekh jaisa tu soch raha hai waisa kuch nahi hai.
KM : Achcha tho batha na kya hai?
KW : Its just the Sid hangover.
KM : Sid hangover?
KW : Main Sid ke character ke saath kuch zyada hi involve ho gaya. Iss liye mujhe Jenny mein Riddhima dikhayi dethi hai.. That's all..
KM : Both of us know that's not true. The kind of guy you are, you would have zero tolerance of a girl like Riddhima. Face it dude, you are in love with Jenny.
Though the possibility had been lurking at the back of his mind, hearing someone tell him to his face had the effect of being splashed with cold water on his face. KW looked at KM in disbelief.
KW : What??!!
KM : You heard me right, you are in love with her yaar. I mean its so evident the way you look at each other, the way you interact..
KW : Aisa kuch nahi hai..
KM : Aisa kuch nahi hai? Achcha phir mujhe batha tere show ka title track kya hai?
KW : Kya?
KM : Abbe Dil Mil Gaye ka title track gaakar suna..
KW : Tu pagal ho gaya hai..
KM : Ek baar suna na..
KW started to sing "Humse hansi, humse khushi, hai hum hi se zindagi, taare hum zameen pe le aaye, hum laaye hain roshni, hum tho chale the dosti banne jaane kahan dil mil gaye.."
KM : Achcha aur tu ne Koel ke interview mein kya gaya?
KW looks at him puzzled.
KM : Yaad nahi aa raha hai? Ek minute.
He pulls out his iPhone and loads the video.
KM : Yeh dekh..
KW watches the video with concentration. A smile breaks out on his face when he sees Jennifer and he remembers how much fun their interview had been. KM watches him closely.
At the end of the interview, he starts to sing Dil Mil Gaye and he realizes that he was singing "Tumse hasi, tumse khushi, hai tum hi se zindagi.." all looking at Jennifer. KM watches realization dawn on his face and smiles.
KM : Ek aur baath batha.. Uss friendship day waale interview mein, when you were imitating Jennifer, how come you could not sing the line 'I love you more than I can say' looking at her face?
KW looked puzzled still so KM pulled out that interview video too and showed it to him. It was true, at that very crucial line, he'd turned towards Jenny and acted as if he hadn't forgotten the lines and was that actually a blush on his face???!!!
KM : Ab yeh math kehna ki you genuinely forgot the lines.. You'd been singing that same song 24x7 during those days.
KW looked ahead. He was genuinely in love with Jenny? Was that possible?
KM placed a hand on his shoulder.
KM : Dekh dude.. She's a really nice girl and you too are just fabulous together. Maybe its time you asked her out. Ab ghar chalein?
KW started the car and drove, his thoughts still focused around Jenny and the fact that he had fallen in love with her. He dropped KM off home and went back home. He set up his projector, connected it to his laptop and dug out the Koel interview again. He watched it over and over again. He could not help but notice the way Jenny leaned towards him throughout the interview, the way she smiled at him.. Oh God! He was in love. He was in love.
Karan spent the entire day the next day doing something he never normally did ' picking out what to wear. He rummaged through his closet trying to find something to wear and not liking any of what he had. Then he remembered something. Jenny always liked to carry something white with her all the time. He grinned and grabbed his white shirt and got ready.
An hour or two later, he was at Jennifer's door feeling nervous. He'd managed to muster the courage and ask her if she would like to join him for dinner. She'd agreed and so here he was outside Jennifer's door breathing in and out to calm his wildly racing heart. He raised his hand and rang the doorbell.
"Coming..," her voice from somewhere within the house sounded like music to his ears. He waited patiently and finally she opened the door. All the calming down he'd done before ringing the door went flying out like a balloon deflating coz she looked stunning and it did not help that she was wearing green ' his favourite colour. When he was able to think again, he held out the bouquet of white lilies he'd bought for her.
Jennifer : These are gorgeous. Thank you.
She pulled him into a hug and blew him a kiss. He thought that it should be physically impossible but his heart did start to beat even faster.
Jennifer : You didn't have to.. You are making this look like a date or something..
She told him distractedly as she went to place the flowers inside. God he looked hot in that white shirt blue jeans combo he was wearing, had been her first thought and it had unnerved her. Then she joined him and they walked out. They had a fun dinner where they talked about the fun times shooting, Jenny experiences in Argentina shooting for Zor ka Jhatka, their upcoming projects, what they were planning on taking up and what not.
Jennifer : I have a surprising number of people requesting us to come together as a lead in a new show.
Karan : Don't even tell me about it. They don't want to see me with any other female at all..
On an impulse he added..
Karan ; In reel and real life..
He watched Jennifer's reaction as a blush stole over her cheeks.
Jennifer : I've had a lot of people tell me the same thing too.
She looked away nervously.
Karan : And.. ?
Jennifer looked at him puzzled. God! He loved her eyes.
Karan : What do you think?
Jennifer : About what?
Karan : You know.. the two of us..
Jennifer looked away, her blush deepening. He did not want to make her uncomfortable so he did not pursue the topic further. Somehow, the blush on her cheeks and the look in her eyes spoke to him and he had a feeling that maybe it was something mutual and not just the silly musings of his heart.
They finished dinner and Karan asked her if she'd like to take a walk on the beach with him. Jennifer agreed.
Long hours later, Jennifer lay in bed wondering what had just happened. She'd always felt something very special for Karan. He was a prankster, he was fun, he was irritating, he was caring and even though she constantly complained about him being too talkative and the sada third class songs he sang, those were the things she missed most about him. It was not that she did not have fun on the sets of Comedy ka Maha Muqabla.. It was so much fun, she was almost always in splits, laughing so hard that her cheeks would hurt. Yet, there was something missing in all of it. She missed the camaraderie that she shared with her co-stars on the sets of DMG ' especially that of a guy named Karan Wahi. She had been so happy to see him at the rehearsals of the Telly Awards, she'd hugged as if they hadn't met in years. The rehearsals were fun but she distinctly remembered that instant during the performance when she'd felt his breaths caress her belly and her heart had started to race. He had looked so dashing in his outfit that she hadn't been able to take her eyes off him.
It was weird the way she reacted to him. She'd been in the acting business since she was 12. She'd done all kinds of scenes thinking of them just as scenes but somehow with Wahi, the rules had changed. She did not have to try to react or respond to him during their close, romantic scenes. It had come naturally to her. Sometimes, during a shot, the way he looked at her, she would almost forget that they were acting and she'd be lost in those eyes. She looked down at her left hand ring finger. It was the same ring from Siddhant's confession scene in the fire escape. When the director told them that they were planning to shoot this scene, it happened to be the day, she'd bought the ring and was showing it to someone when the director had suggested they could use the same ring for the scene. Ever since Wahi had slipped that ring on to her finger, she'd never taken it off. It had just happened that way that she never had to take it off again. Now, she looked at the ring and smiled. She loved him. The realization had been gradual because the world around her was just not the same without him. She had gone to Argentina for Zor ka Jhatka and though a lot of the contestants were really close friends, she found that she did not enjoy their company as much as she enjoyed Wahi's. She would often catch herself humming "I see God in you, oh my friend what to do" and her thoughts would turn to Wahi. He was fun, he was irritating, he was childish but there was never a dull moment when he was around. Add to the fact that nowadays he'd been working out so hard, he was looking ripped and hot and it made him simply irresistible. Jennifer blushed at the way her thoughts were going haywire. It was all his fault, she thought as she remembered their walk on the beach.
It was a half moon night and the waters shimmered with the reflection on the moon in them. They were walking silently enjoying the quiet and the peace.
Karan : Jenny..
Jenny : hmmm?
Karan : You know what we talked about earlier? At the restaurant? I was serious.
Jennifer had been so lost in the beauty of the moment, she did not understand what he was talking about. She looked at him puzzled.
Karan : I mean.. you know.. the.. What the heck.. I don't know how to say it but Jenny.. I.. I love you??..
She stopped in her tracks. She hadn't expected to hear this.
Jennifer : What?
Karan (letting out a deep breath) : I love you.. I think you are the hottest female I have ever met and more than that you are just so.. beautiful and I just can't seem to take my eyes off you and you are not just beautiful from the outside, you are just as breathtakingly beautiful from the inside too and I've missed you so much that its made me realize that I can't live without you.. I.. I love you..
He rushed it all out in one breath before he lost the nerve to say it all. Jennifer stood there staring at him, her mouth open and her eyes wide. Then, the blush had coloured her cheeks and she realized Karan had just said I love you to her. She felt happy. That's what she felt.. As if she'd been secretly hoping that things would come to this one day.. And just as surely, her heart knew what her response should be..
Jennifer : I love you too..
She told him shyly.
Karan did not know what he had been expecting but it wasn't this.
Karan : What?
Jennifer (blushing deeper) : I love you too..
Karan : Are you sure?
Jennifer nodded. He lifted her off her feet and did a quick twirl before setting her back on her feet but not letting go of her. Jennifer's laughter tinkled in the night air. He rested his forehead against her and said.
Karan : Jennifer Winget, will you be mine?
Jennifer looked into his eyes lovingly and whispered : Yes!
He pulled her into a hug again. Then suddenly, he pulled away.
Karan : Oh shit!!
Jenny : Kya hua?
Karan : Main bhool gaya..
Jenny : Kya?
Karan : Ring..
She should've been mad but she smiled. That was the best thing about Karan. He wasn't conventional, he wasn't predictable.
Karan : Actually mujhe laga nahi tha ki tum ithni jaldi maan jaogi. I thought I'd have to do a great deal of convincing before you'd agree.. That's why.. But don't worry, we are going to the jewelers right now and getting you a ring. You are mine and I'm letting the world know you are mine.
As he started to drag her along, Jennifer stopped.
Jennifer : Karan.. I already have a ring.
Karan turned to look at her puzzled. She lifted her left hand to show him the ring on her ring finger. He recognized the ring from the fire escape confession scene.
Karan : You are still wearing that one?
Jennifer nodded and looked away blushing.
Karan : But why?
Jennifer : I'd bought it to wear on right hand ring finger, but after you slipped it on here.. I just.. didn't ever take it off..
She looked so gorgeous blushing that Karan felt his heart begin to race. She hadn't taken off the ring since then. God! He loved her. He took slow, steady steps towards her and Jenny's heart started racing. She looked anywhere but at him. When he was standing right in front of her, he slowly pulled her to him by her waist and gently lifted her chin with his fingers so that he could look into her eyes. When their eyes locked, he softly said to her,
Karan : I love you Jennifer..
She was so lost in his eyes, his words barely registered. She'd missed being held in his arms. Earlier, when he held her in his arms, she had been Riddhima and he had been Siddhant and even then it had been perfect. But now, he was Karan and she was Jenny and it was more than perfect. As he gently lowered his head towards her, Jenny closed her eyes and locked her arms around his neck. He kissed her ever so gently and they both knew that this was how it was meant to be, that what they felt for each other was love ' like a friendship caught on fire.
P.S ' Credit for last line goes to malluangel for her tag line in one of her siggies ' Love is like a friendship caught on fire.
dis is a JeRan OS by neet_06 đł
she has written dis, i m jst posting it on her behalf đ
JERAN OS ' I Love You???
Karan walked into his make up room disturbed. What was wrong with him? He was an actor, a professional. He had enacted different roles and scenes with different co-stars and he'd always been able to draw the line between the character he played in reel life and the guy he was in real life. Yes. He did believe in method acting, in becoming the character himself but as soon as he heard "CUT", he could almost always revert back to being just himself. Occasionally a really emotional scene would leave him emotionally drained but he tried hard and more often than not, succeeded in not letting it affect him for long. But today had been different. As he watched the last shot of DMG being filmed, the shot of Armaan hugging Riddhima and kissing her, he felt like going up to them and tearing them apart. Of course he couldn't do that. It's just a show and now its over. Maybe it was just the fact that the show was getting over that had him so wound up. Maybe he had gotten a bit too much into Sid's character. Even as he tried to tell himself that, he knew that it wasn't entirely true. He had had a fabulous time shooting for Dill Mill Gaye. They were all such great friends ' Karan Singh Grover, Shilpa Anand, Prasad, Karan and.. Jennifer.. His thoughts stopped at Jenny. He would miss her. He shook himself. He would miss all of them. He was being ridiculous. His thoughts were interrupted when a spot boy came to let him know that the Aaj Tak, Star News and a whole bunch of other people were waiting to for interviews. He let out a huge sigh. He hated good byes but then when something good comes to an end, it's just for something better to start. On an impulse, he grabbed his shades and walked out of the make up room.
Walking out, he saw everyone hugging and saying bye and without any conscious thought, his eyes wandered around looking for someone. When he spotted her, she was standing in a corner holding a huge heart in hand, Karan's hand around her waist, giving an interview. He did not know why but he felt his heart constrict in his chest. He looked away. He was immediately engulfed in a bear hug by one of the technicians on the set. He went around saying good byes and trying to sound as casual about it as possible. Mikes were constantly thrust in his face for his views on the show ending and how much he would miss it and he replied as casually as he could to all the queries. They had cake cutting sessions, Diwali celebrations and just the way it had always been off screen, all of them had a fun time. He would miss everyone. He hugged everyone and said good-bye, posed for pictures, made random faces at the camera and hung around with Karan.
He'd said his good byes to everyone on the set except her. As soon as he turned, she was standing in front of him. Her tear-rimmed eyes were red yet she was trying to smile. Wordlessly, she came towards him and hugged him. Immediately he wrapped his arms around her. It just felt so right to have her in his arms. Ever so gently, her voice quivering, she whispered "I'll miss you." That was his undoing, he felt tears prick his eyes and then one by one they started rolling down his cheeks. He was acting foolish. It was just a show and they had been a pair in the show and he was so used to seeing her daily and he'd gotten himself a bit too involved in the character and the show.. That's it.. He was reacting like Sid.. He quickly wiped his tears and pulled away from the hug "I'll miss you too lekin don't worry we'll stay in touch thode na main Mumbai chhodke kahin bhaagne waala hoon aur tumhe mujhse aur mere gaanon se ithni jaldi chhutkara nahi milne wala." Inspite of the sorrow she was feeling, Jennifer could not help but laugh. "Pls agar aisi baath hai tho tum Mumbai chhodke bhaag jao.. Plsss.." She teased him and started to walk away. He watched her walking away and felt a strange urge to stop her. "Dude.. You are not Siddhant Modi anymore and she is no longer Riddhima Modi.. You are Karan Wahi and she is Jennifer Winget ' your co-star, that's all.. Calm down dude." He barely had time to finish his thoughts before another mike was thrust into his face. Not wanting anyone to see that he was about to cry, in fact he had been crying just a few seconds ago, he quickly slipped his shades on. Not in a mood to say anything more, he did his characteristic crazy antics and warded off the volley of questions. It was 5 in the morning and he felt tired. Jennifer had already left but the TV crew still wanted a final shot of the entire DMG team singing the title track of DMG and cutting cake so he sat through it all.
Finally, he made his way back home and as he lay back in bed, he recollected his journey with DMG so far. He had been slightly apprehensive walking into the sets the first day. It was a loved and cherished show and it was now their responsibility to carry it forward. He did not know any of his co-stars yet, except for Shweta and he was looking forward to seeing her. Gradually he'd struck up a friendship with all of them ' Prasad, Sehbaan, Neha, Moulishree, Karan, Amit, Sonia ' they were all soon part of his friends' gang. His episodes hadn't even begun to air and people had already started to compare him with Wake Up Sid. He'd taken it in stride and as soon as Moulishree's and his love track had started people had started ranting about how he was trying to be Armaan. But he had expected that too. After all, the show was known for the love story of its two main protagonists. People wouldn't take kindly to newcomers trying to take their place. What they did not realize was that they weren't trying to take their place, only trying to carve out a niche of their own. He let out a huge sigh.
He still remembered the day he was informed that Moulishree was leaving and Jennifer was returning on the show. He did not know what to feel. He had assumed that since Jennifer was returning, Karan would return soon too and he wondered who they'd be pairing him up with next.
On the first day of shoot, he had been busy saying bye to Moulishree and made it just in time to change and shoot the scene of Riddhima's re entry. He hadn't had an opportunity to meet Jennifer and was looking forward to it. He'd asked one of the spot boys if Jennifer had reached and he'd answered that she was shooting for her re entry scene. He had watched from the sidelines as she'd emerged from a corner in her red churidar pushing a trolley, the fan held right in front of her face as her hair waved in the breeze. She was hot, was his first thought. The shot got over and he'd gone to meet her.
Over the months and the different twists and turns in the plot, they had bonded well and become great friends. The body heat episode had been a turning point because it required them to be comfortable with each other. He had to slip in the blanket and hold her hands and show as if he was hugging her at least a hundred times for the promo, the actual scene and for the panning shots and different camera angles. Whatever awkwardness they might have had had to be put aside because they were both professionals and they'd managed to pull it off well.
Then came the wedding track. Again, shot after shot after shot was taken to get the scene right and the promo right and over a span of two nights, he'd probably married her more than a hundred times. Thankfully, the panditji had been fake. He smiled to himself.
One of his favourite scenes in their storyline had been the part when Riddhima realized that she might just have started having feelings for Siddhant. That was the first time they'd hugged properly and he still remembered how soft and warm she felt in his arms and just how perfect. He shook his head to halt his train of thoughts. What was he thinking? He was no longer Siddhant. Then there had been Armaan's re entry. Karan.. He was such a kick ass dude, KW thought to himself. There is just so much positivity around him. They'd hit it off together right from the start. The set had become a laugh riot because of their antics. Their 'dostana' off screen had become such a huge hit, the creatives used it in the show as well. God! Those had been fun times.
Then he remembered the intense moment he had had to shoot with Jennifer. He had walked in that day and had been handed over the script. They'd met to discuss the scene and when the director had described the scene to them, he had automatically looked at Jennifer. She did not seem perturbed by it at all. Of course, why would she? They were actors and they'd surely done scenes like this before. Again, the scene had been okayed after a number of takes and re takes and rehearsals meaning that he'd ended up kissing her almost all night and each time, she'd responded with a shuddered breath and goose bumps that he could feel erupt over her arms where he held her.
Surprised by the way his thoughts were running wild, KW walked over to the kitchen, grabbed himself a beer and decided to watch TV till he fell asleep. But then even his dreams turned out to be of hers. It was the Sid hangover he named it and decided that he had to get out of it and for that he had to get himself occupied in work.
Unfortunately, even work did not keep his thoughts away from her. That's when the Telly Awards performance came his way. They wanted Jennifer and him to perform together. Glad for just an opportunity to be with her again though he could not fathom the reason why, he grabbed it. Unfortunately, because of certain issues, they could meet up for rehearsals only on the day of the performance. Nevertheless, they spent a whole lot of time rehearsing and he realized once again just how perfect it was to hold her in his arms. When they met backstage just before their performance, all ready to set the stage on fire, all Karan could think of was how gorgeous she looked. He could not take his eyes off her and that showed in their performance.
This was it he was losing his mind. Not only was he going on an emotional overdrive himself but now, he was seeing things in Jennifer's eyes too. The way they'd met after so long, hugging each other as if they hadn't met in years, the way she'd looked into his eyes during the performance, his heart had done a flip-flop and his thoughts had almost turned in the direction that their attraction was mutual. Almost. Before he'd applied a sudden brake to his thought process.
Then, the whole mess with Love U Zindagi had happened and temporarily, very temporarily, his focus had shifted. But it was always there at the back of his mind. Even when he went out with his gang of best friends Raj, Karan, Gaurav and Jay for the TV segment on Badmaash Company, though he'd acted as normal as he'd ever been, his friends had caught on to the underlying tension in him. On their drive back, Raj had confronted him first.
Raj : What's the matter dude? Everything all right?
Karan : yeah.. Why?
Raj : Just.. You seem slightly disturbed..
Karan : Nah.. I am fine..
Karan Mehra : Kahin tu uss Love U Zindagi ki wajah se tho pareshaan nahi hai na?
Karan : Nahi aisi koi baath nahi..
Gaurav : Aur honi bhi nahi chahiye.. That production house has a repo of not treating its actors well.
Karan (distractedly) : Hmmm..
One by one he dropped of all his friends until it was just him and Karan Mehra in the car.
KM : Haan tho ab batha baath kya hai?
KW : Kya?
KM : Abbe main bhi jaantha hoon aur tu bhi jaantha hai ki baath sirf uss show ki nahi hai.. Ab sach batha..
KW : Kuch nahi..
KM : Let me guess.. Girl problem?
KW turned to look at him stunned.
KM : Bingo!! Ab ladki ka naam bhi main hi bathaoon?
KW : Tu kya bakwaas kar raha hai?
KM : Tujhe kya lagtha hai? Hum sab andhe hain ki humme dikhayi nahi detha? Ab baaki gaddhon ka mujhe nahi patha lekin I'm not blind..
KW looked away.
KM : Jennifer Winget??
KW looked at him suddenly and almost lost control of his car. He pulled the car over to the side and slammed his brakes.
KM : Oho! Naam sunte hi aisa reaction?
KW : Dekh jaisa tu soch raha hai waisa kuch nahi hai.
KM : Achcha tho batha na kya hai?
KW : Its just the Sid hangover.
KM : Sid hangover?
KW : Main Sid ke character ke saath kuch zyada hi involve ho gaya. Iss liye mujhe Jenny mein Riddhima dikhayi dethi hai.. That's all..
KM : Both of us know that's not true. The kind of guy you are, you would have zero tolerance of a girl like Riddhima. Face it dude, you are in love with Jenny.
Though the possibility had been lurking at the back of his mind, hearing someone tell him to his face had the effect of being splashed with cold water on his face. KW looked at KM in disbelief.
KW : What??!!
KM : You heard me right, you are in love with her yaar. I mean its so evident the way you look at each other, the way you interact..
KW : Aisa kuch nahi hai..
KM : Aisa kuch nahi hai? Achcha phir mujhe batha tere show ka title track kya hai?
KW : Kya?
KM : Abbe Dil Mil Gaye ka title track gaakar suna..
KW : Tu pagal ho gaya hai..
KM : Ek baar suna na..
KW started to sing "Humse hansi, humse khushi, hai hum hi se zindagi, taare hum zameen pe le aaye, hum laaye hain roshni, hum tho chale the dosti banne jaane kahan dil mil gaye.."
KM : Achcha aur tu ne Koel ke interview mein kya gaya?
KW looks at him puzzled.
KM : Yaad nahi aa raha hai? Ek minute.
He pulls out his iPhone and loads the video.
KM : Yeh dekh..
KW watches the video with concentration. A smile breaks out on his face when he sees Jennifer and he remembers how much fun their interview had been. KM watches him closely.
At the end of the interview, he starts to sing Dil Mil Gaye and he realizes that he was singing "Tumse hasi, tumse khushi, hai tum hi se zindagi.." all looking at Jennifer. KM watches realization dawn on his face and smiles.
KM : Ek aur baath batha.. Uss friendship day waale interview mein, when you were imitating Jennifer, how come you could not sing the line 'I love you more than I can say' looking at her face?
KW looked puzzled still so KM pulled out that interview video too and showed it to him. It was true, at that very crucial line, he'd turned towards Jenny and acted as if he hadn't forgotten the lines and was that actually a blush on his face???!!!
KM : Ab yeh math kehna ki you genuinely forgot the lines.. You'd been singing that same song 24x7 during those days.
KW looked ahead. He was genuinely in love with Jenny? Was that possible?
KM placed a hand on his shoulder.
KM : Dekh dude.. She's a really nice girl and you too are just fabulous together. Maybe its time you asked her out. Ab ghar chalein?
KW started the car and drove, his thoughts still focused around Jenny and the fact that he had fallen in love with her. He dropped KM off home and went back home. He set up his projector, connected it to his laptop and dug out the Koel interview again. He watched it over and over again. He could not help but notice the way Jenny leaned towards him throughout the interview, the way she smiled at him.. Oh God! He was in love. He was in love.
Karan spent the entire day the next day doing something he never normally did ' picking out what to wear. He rummaged through his closet trying to find something to wear and not liking any of what he had. Then he remembered something. Jenny always liked to carry something white with her all the time. He grinned and grabbed his white shirt and got ready.
An hour or two later, he was at Jennifer's door feeling nervous. He'd managed to muster the courage and ask her if she would like to join him for dinner. She'd agreed and so here he was outside Jennifer's door breathing in and out to calm his wildly racing heart. He raised his hand and rang the doorbell.
"Coming..," her voice from somewhere within the house sounded like music to his ears. He waited patiently and finally she opened the door. All the calming down he'd done before ringing the door went flying out like a balloon deflating coz she looked stunning and it did not help that she was wearing green ' his favourite colour. When he was able to think again, he held out the bouquet of white lilies he'd bought for her.
Jennifer : These are gorgeous. Thank you.
She pulled him into a hug and blew him a kiss. He thought that it should be physically impossible but his heart did start to beat even faster.
Jennifer : You didn't have to.. You are making this look like a date or something..
She told him distractedly as she went to place the flowers inside. God he looked hot in that white shirt blue jeans combo he was wearing, had been her first thought and it had unnerved her. Then she joined him and they walked out. They had a fun dinner where they talked about the fun times shooting, Jenny experiences in Argentina shooting for Zor ka Jhatka, their upcoming projects, what they were planning on taking up and what not.
Jennifer : I have a surprising number of people requesting us to come together as a lead in a new show.
Karan : Don't even tell me about it. They don't want to see me with any other female at all..
On an impulse he added..
Karan ; In reel and real life..
He watched Jennifer's reaction as a blush stole over her cheeks.
Jennifer : I've had a lot of people tell me the same thing too.
She looked away nervously.
Karan : And.. ?
Jennifer looked at him puzzled. God! He loved her eyes.
Karan : What do you think?
Jennifer : About what?
Karan : You know.. the two of us..
Jennifer looked away, her blush deepening. He did not want to make her uncomfortable so he did not pursue the topic further. Somehow, the blush on her cheeks and the look in her eyes spoke to him and he had a feeling that maybe it was something mutual and not just the silly musings of his heart.
They finished dinner and Karan asked her if she'd like to take a walk on the beach with him. Jennifer agreed.
Long hours later, Jennifer lay in bed wondering what had just happened. She'd always felt something very special for Karan. He was a prankster, he was fun, he was irritating, he was caring and even though she constantly complained about him being too talkative and the sada third class songs he sang, those were the things she missed most about him. It was not that she did not have fun on the sets of Comedy ka Maha Muqabla.. It was so much fun, she was almost always in splits, laughing so hard that her cheeks would hurt. Yet, there was something missing in all of it. She missed the camaraderie that she shared with her co-stars on the sets of DMG ' especially that of a guy named Karan Wahi. She had been so happy to see him at the rehearsals of the Telly Awards, she'd hugged as if they hadn't met in years. The rehearsals were fun but she distinctly remembered that instant during the performance when she'd felt his breaths caress her belly and her heart had started to race. He had looked so dashing in his outfit that she hadn't been able to take her eyes off him.
It was weird the way she reacted to him. She'd been in the acting business since she was 12. She'd done all kinds of scenes thinking of them just as scenes but somehow with Wahi, the rules had changed. She did not have to try to react or respond to him during their close, romantic scenes. It had come naturally to her. Sometimes, during a shot, the way he looked at her, she would almost forget that they were acting and she'd be lost in those eyes. She looked down at her left hand ring finger. It was the same ring from Siddhant's confession scene in the fire escape. When the director told them that they were planning to shoot this scene, it happened to be the day, she'd bought the ring and was showing it to someone when the director had suggested they could use the same ring for the scene. Ever since Wahi had slipped that ring on to her finger, she'd never taken it off. It had just happened that way that she never had to take it off again. Now, she looked at the ring and smiled. She loved him. The realization had been gradual because the world around her was just not the same without him. She had gone to Argentina for Zor ka Jhatka and though a lot of the contestants were really close friends, she found that she did not enjoy their company as much as she enjoyed Wahi's. She would often catch herself humming "I see God in you, oh my friend what to do" and her thoughts would turn to Wahi. He was fun, he was irritating, he was childish but there was never a dull moment when he was around. Add to the fact that nowadays he'd been working out so hard, he was looking ripped and hot and it made him simply irresistible. Jennifer blushed at the way her thoughts were going haywire. It was all his fault, she thought as she remembered their walk on the beach.
It was a half moon night and the waters shimmered with the reflection on the moon in them. They were walking silently enjoying the quiet and the peace.
Karan : Jenny..
Jenny : hmmm?
Karan : You know what we talked about earlier? At the restaurant? I was serious.
Jennifer had been so lost in the beauty of the moment, she did not understand what he was talking about. She looked at him puzzled.
Karan : I mean.. you know.. the.. What the heck.. I don't know how to say it but Jenny.. I.. I love you??..
She stopped in her tracks. She hadn't expected to hear this.
Jennifer : What?
Karan (letting out a deep breath) : I love you.. I think you are the hottest female I have ever met and more than that you are just so.. beautiful and I just can't seem to take my eyes off you and you are not just beautiful from the outside, you are just as breathtakingly beautiful from the inside too and I've missed you so much that its made me realize that I can't live without you.. I.. I love you..
He rushed it all out in one breath before he lost the nerve to say it all. Jennifer stood there staring at him, her mouth open and her eyes wide. Then, the blush had coloured her cheeks and she realized Karan had just said I love you to her. She felt happy. That's what she felt.. As if she'd been secretly hoping that things would come to this one day.. And just as surely, her heart knew what her response should be..
Jennifer : I love you too..
She told him shyly.
Karan did not know what he had been expecting but it wasn't this.
Karan : What?
Jennifer (blushing deeper) : I love you too..
Karan : Are you sure?
Jennifer nodded. He lifted her off her feet and did a quick twirl before setting her back on her feet but not letting go of her. Jennifer's laughter tinkled in the night air. He rested his forehead against her and said.
Karan : Jennifer Winget, will you be mine?
Jennifer looked into his eyes lovingly and whispered : Yes!
He pulled her into a hug again. Then suddenly, he pulled away.
Karan : Oh shit!!
Jenny : Kya hua?
Karan : Main bhool gaya..
Jenny : Kya?
Karan : Ring..
She should've been mad but she smiled. That was the best thing about Karan. He wasn't conventional, he wasn't predictable.
Karan : Actually mujhe laga nahi tha ki tum ithni jaldi maan jaogi. I thought I'd have to do a great deal of convincing before you'd agree.. That's why.. But don't worry, we are going to the jewelers right now and getting you a ring. You are mine and I'm letting the world know you are mine.
As he started to drag her along, Jennifer stopped.
Jennifer : Karan.. I already have a ring.
Karan turned to look at her puzzled. She lifted her left hand to show him the ring on her ring finger. He recognized the ring from the fire escape confession scene.
Karan : You are still wearing that one?
Jennifer nodded and looked away blushing.
Karan : But why?
Jennifer : I'd bought it to wear on right hand ring finger, but after you slipped it on here.. I just.. didn't ever take it off..
She looked so gorgeous blushing that Karan felt his heart begin to race. She hadn't taken off the ring since then. God! He loved her. He took slow, steady steps towards her and Jenny's heart started racing. She looked anywhere but at him. When he was standing right in front of her, he slowly pulled her to him by her waist and gently lifted her chin with his fingers so that he could look into her eyes. When their eyes locked, he softly said to her,
Karan : I love you Jennifer..
She was so lost in his eyes, his words barely registered. She'd missed being held in his arms. Earlier, when he held her in his arms, she had been Riddhima and he had been Siddhant and even then it had been perfect. But now, he was Karan and she was Jenny and it was more than perfect. As he gently lowered his head towards her, Jenny closed her eyes and locked her arms around his neck. He kissed her ever so gently and they both knew that this was how it was meant to be, that what they felt for each other was love ' like a friendship caught on fire.
P.S ' Credit for last line goes to malluangel for her tag line in one of her siggies ' Love is like a friendship caught on fire.
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