This is for angellwalia who asked if I could do something where Varun is with Natasha and Alia is with Sid and eventually they fall for each other. I hope this is something like what you were thinking.
Varun P.O.V.
You know when you're little, under 10, birthdays and festivals are something you look forward to with endless excitement. You look forward to the presents and the party and going out to eat.
When you hit 11 or 12 and start to get to the teenage years, it's not so much of a big deal. You still look forward to the presents and going to eat, but you don't have the big parties anymore.
When you hit your twenties, that's it. Nobody really makes a big deal of birthdays and the novelty of the festivals has long since worn off. You don't find joy in playing holi as much and it isn't as much fun to draw the rangoli patterns now. Christmas is less exciting when you already now what you're getting.
The only holiday you celebrate once you hit 20 is the new year. It's an excuse to go out, party and, for most of us, get drunk.
There's also the tradition of the kiss at midnight. It gives you an excuse to kiss the girl you want to be with and brush it off if she doesn't take it well.
That's how I ended up dating Natasha.
I've known her for years and I developed a crush on her which eventually turned into something more. Maybe not love, but it's getting there.
The year I turned 23, I decided I was going to ask her out.
I kept trying and trying but I would always chicken out. And then the perfect opportunity presented itself. New year's eve.
There was a group of about nine of us, five guys and four girls. Out of the nine, only three of us were single - me, Natasha and Rahul.
As soon as we got to the party, Rahul was off like a shot in search of drinks and probably a girl. He isn't one for commitment so he was likely looking for a girl who wouldn't mind a one-night stand.
That left eight of us. Seeing as the six that weren't single were attached to each other, it was basically just me and Natasha. So we stuck together, drinking little enough that we'd still be sober by the end of the night.
I'd kissed her at midnight and then our relationship kind of just went from there.
Now we've been together for almost 6 years. It's a steady relationship, something we both need. I know that if I call her, she'll always be there to talk and she knows the same about me.
Right now though, she is kind of pissed with me.
She's not talking to me because I signed a movie that I'll have to film over summer when she had wanted to go on holiday. I know I shouldn't have signed it considering I've been telling her I'll take her on holiday for almost 3 years now, but this is my pet project. The sequel to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. I couldn't pass this up. Humpty is my favourite movie that I've done and I've got the chance to recreate that magic. I'll make it up to her eventually.
Alia P.O.V.
Having a boyfriend who is an actor has several perks. One of those perks is he understands that I have a busy schedule. He doesn't get very upset when I say I can't do something because I'm busy with a film.
Sid is an amazing boyfriend except for one thing.
He gets very jealous, very easily. Especially of Varun. No matter how many times I reassure him that Varun is just a friend, he still has some kind of insecurity. So much of an insecurity that he actually tried to tell me not to sign a film with Varun.
Eventually he got over it, but it shocks me that he had a problem with it.
Either way, I went ahead and signed the film. Today was the first day of filming and Sid insisted that he come with me.
'Sid, it's a couple of hours on a plane! I'm capable of going by myself.' I told him.
'Or it's a four hour drive. Do you have a problem with me coming?' He asked, helping me put my stuff in the boot.
'It's just a waste of time for you. Four hours there and four hours back. That's an eight hour round trip. What's the point? It's not like I'm going to see some people I don't know. Shashank and Karan are going to be there. And so is Varun.' I said, shutting the boot.
'And that is exactly why I am coming with you.' I sighed.
'Sid, for the thousandth time, me and Varun are just friends. There is nothing going on between us. He is happy with Natasha and I am happy with you.' I told him.
'Alu-' I cut him off before he could continue.
'What have I told you about that?' I asked. I didn't like when he said Alu. It just sounds weird in his deep voice.
'I don't see why I can't call you Alu. You let Varun.'
'Because it doesn't sound so weird. That is the only reason.'
'Okay fine. Alia, I would just be a lot more comfortable if you let me drop you off. And it's not just about you and Varun. He's my friend too. Am I not allowed to meet him?' I knew he would use this argument.
'Okay. But we need to leave now. Otherwise you won't get back until gone midnight.' He was literally driving four hours to drop me off and then leaving again after about an hour. It was almost three now.
'Okay. Come on let's go.' I went round to sit in the passengers side as he went to the drivers seat.
Sid P.O.V.
Alia had fallen asleep about two hours into the journey. I had known she would, she has a habit of falling asleep in the car.
I woke her up as I pulled into a spot outside the hotel. I knew it was the right hotel because Varun's blue Audi was parked in the spot next to me.
'Why is it so dark?' Alia asked, getting out of the car and stretching.
'It's seven in the evening. The sun has set, Alia. And it isn't that dark.'
'Seven? I slept for two hours? I must've been tired.' She said, opening the boot.
'Or you just can't stay awake in a moving car.' I helped her pull her bag from the car and set it down.
'That too. You remember when we would travel for promotions for Student and me and Varun would fall asleep and you'd just be sat there when we woke up?' I nodded and began walking to the doors, not wanting to stay out in the cooler evening air. She followed, wheeling her bag behind her.
As we walked through the automatic doors into the lobby, we were met by a mess of noise. I looked around for the source and found it was coming from the film crew.
'The noisiest film crew on the planet.' Alia told me with a huge smile. 'Also the best.' She was smiling fondly at the group that was yet to notice us.
'Should I be offended that I am not part of what you consider to be the best film crew on the planet?' I was more than a little hurt that Varun was included in that group when I wasn't.
'No. These people are like my family, Sid. I love working with them. This is like coming home for me.' She said. It didn't exactly make me feel better but I didn't want an argument. 'Okay, come meet them now.' I nodded and she began to walk across the tiled floor.
The wheels of her bag made a loud noise against the tile, drawing the attention of the chatting group. Varun was the first to look round, smile spreading on his face as he spotted Alia. He half jogged towards her and she let go off her bag to wrap her arms around him as he hugged her so enthusiastically that she was lifted off the ground a little. She let out a laugh, much happier than I had heard in a while. I felt slightly angry; had I done something like that, she would not have laughed.
I watched them, jealousy building as they hugged for longer than was strictly necessary. He had set her back on her own two feet, but they were still hugging.
'Hey, what about me?' I asked after a moment. They both turned to me finally breaking their hug.
'Sid, I didn't see you.' Varun said, coming and giving me a hug as well. Thankfully it was considerably shorter than the hug between him and Alia. Alia moved on to speak to the rest of the cast and crew, not even looking at me.
'I gathered. You only have eyes for Alia.' I sounded cold even to me.
'Sid, it's not like that. It's been a long time since I've seen Alia. I'm not after your girl, yaar. I have a girlfriend and I am happy in my relationship.'
'I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that.' I apologised. He nodded. There was an outburst of laughter from Sahil and Gaurav - Poplu and Shaunty - as Alia told them something.
'Varun, come over here yaar!' Gaurav called.
'Give me a minute.' He told them. He turned to me. 'How have you been?'
'Good. Really good. I've got Alia looking after me, what else can you expect?' We both know that Alia has a maternal instinct.
'True. She knows how to take care of people. Have you been taking care of her?' This was the conversation I didn't want to have. Alia wasn't letting me take care of her and wasn't taking proper care of herself. Varun wouldn't let me live if he thought it was my fault.
'I've been trying. You know how stubborn she can be. Little Miss Independent.'
'Try harder. If something happens to her on your watch...' He left the threat hanging in the air.
'It won't. And you better not let anything happen to her either.'
'You think I'd let something happen to our Alu?' The word grated at my nerves. 'I'll take good care of her, don't worry.' I nodded.
'Varun, how long is your minute? Jaldi kar!' Alia called. It stung slightly that she hadn't called me over as well.
'Awww, Humpty your Dulhania is missing you.' Sahil teased. Alia went a little red and Varun laughed. I could hear my teeth grinding against each other.
'Come on then, come meet the rest of the crew.' Varun told me.
'Actually I think I'm going to leave. I want to get home before midnight. Tell Alia I said bye.' I told him.
'You're going to leave without saying bye to her? You have a death wish or something?'
'No. She's having fun. I'll call her later.' He looked at me like I was insane, but made no further comment.
'Okay. I'll see you soon yaar. Take care and drive safe.'
'Yeah. See you.' Varun walked towards the laughing ensemble and I walked out of the doors, glancing back at Alia once and seeing she didn't even notice.
I watched for a second as Varun wrapped his arm around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. I tore my gaze away, not wanting to watch any longer. I left without looking back again.
Varun P.O.V.
Alia didn't take long to realise that Sid had left. She turned around about five minutes after I joined the group and then looked back to me, confused.
'Varun, where's Sid?'
'Uh, he left. Said he wanted to get home before midnight. He said he didn't want to interrupt your fun.' Her face fell and I really wanted to go after Sid and either make him come back or punch him in the face.
'He left? Just like that?' I nodded. She looked like she was going to cry. She pulled herself away from me and walked away from the group. Now I wanted to go and punch Sid in the face.
'I'm gonna go make sure she's alright.' I told Sahil. He nodded and continued the conversation without me.
I walked over to Alia and put a hand on her shoulder. She turned and hugged me without hesitation.
'Hey. It's okay. He just didn't want to make you sad. He's gonna call you once he gets home and you can talk to him then.' I comforted.
'I know. But it's not just that.' I didn't ask, didn't need to hear that she wasn't happy in her relationship.
'Why don't you go to sleep and then you can talk to him in the morning and sort it out.' She picked her head up off of my shoulder and looked at me.
'It's too early to sleep. And we're all together after so long. I want to enjoy this. I'm not going to let him ruin my night. I feel like I've finally come home, it's a night to be happy.' One of the things I love about Alia, nothing can keep the smile off of her face for very long.
'Well then, let's go and rejoin them and have some fun.' I led her back over to the group.
***
Over the next few days I had so much fun that I accidentally forgot to call Natasha. She ended up calling me.
I was on set when I got the phone call. I wasn't going to answer, it was lunch break and we were all laughing and joking and I knew that this phone call would end in an argument. I silenced the call.
'Varun, answer it.' Alia told me.
'Alu, I don't want to kill my mood. I'll talk to her later.'
'You haven't spoken to her since we've been here. Just go and talk to her for five minutes at least.'
'Fine.' So I walked to a spot with better service and called her back. It took her three rings to pick up. 'Hey, sorry I just missed your call. I'm on set.' I half lied.
'Have you been on set 24 hours a day?' She asked angrily.
'No, I've just been having a lot of fun with everyone. You know these guys are like family to me.'
'Everyone is like family to you, only I'm not.'
'Natasha, don't be like that. We all have a lot to catch up on.' I placated.
'You have time to talk to them but not to me.'
'I'm on set with them. I'm working with them. I am literally going to be spending every waking minute with these people for the next few months.'
'Just forget it. Call me when you actually have time.' She cut the call and I went back to my seat.
'What happened?' Gaurav asked.
'She's pissed with me. Says I don't call her enough. Usual drama.' I sighed.
'Yaar, why are you still with her? You just fight. You've been fighting since we were filming Humpty.' Sahil told me.
'It's a secure relationship.'
'Varun, do you just want a secure relationship or do you want a happy one?' Alia asked.
'Matlab?'
'Matlab, do you want to be with a girl you aren't in love with in a relationship that is secure but has too many fights or do you want to be with a girl you are in love with in a happy relationship that may not be as secure?' I looked at her as I thought about it. She was looking at me with emotion pooled in her eyes. For the first time in months, there was someone looking at me with actual concern for me, like I actually matter.
'You're right. There's no point in secure if it's not happy.' I agreed.
'Then you need to think about what's best for you.' She put her hand on my knee and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through my body.
'I will.' She smiled at me and then directed the conversation to another topic. I watched her talk, hands moving to emphasise her point, her eyes expressing everything she was feeling.
Alia P.O.V.
One month later.
A month of filming passed by in what felt like a day. I was having fun, looking forward to being on set everyday.
It was a familiar cast and a familiar feeling. Being on set with all of them, Varun especially, made me happy.
I should have known something would happen to ruin it.
It didn't take long for me and Varun to fall back into our usual comfortable pattern around each other. We were still used to each other. It didn't make me jump when he would come up behind me and just randomly hug me. Nothing about him really surprised me. I could still read every thought and emotion clearly in his eyes. I could still predict exactly what he was going to say.
I was still falling in love with him.
I had fallen for him, badly, back when we were filming Humpty. I had gotten over it, mostly, and moved on with Sid. But now I was falling for him all over again. I had decided that this time I was going to tell him. Yes, he's in a relationship, but he does deserve to know at least.
I was going to talk to him today.
He found me before I found him. I was just getting to set when he came up to me.
'Alu, do you have a minute?' He asked. I was early so I nodded. 'Can we talk? Alone?'
'Yeah, sure.' I followed him to a secluded corner, away from the film set up.
'Listen, I've been thinking a lot about what you said a few weeks ago about being in a happy relationship or a secure relationship. I know I'd rather be in a happy one.' I nodded, wondering why he was telling me this. 'I'd rather be with the girl I'm in love with. I don't care if it's safe or not.' I nodded again. He smiled and ran a hand through his hair, reminding me off Sharukh Khan in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai when he went to declare his love. 'Shit, yaar, this is really difficult to say.' He laughed a little nervously and took a hold of my hand. 'Basically, Alia, what I'm trying to say is that I- shit!' He dropped my hand and took two steps back. I looked at him, a little worried.
'Are you guys rehearsing a scene?' Came the familiar voice of my boyfriend. I slowly turned to face him.
'Yeah, something like that.' I told him.
'Well do you mind if I steal your leading lady for a minute?' Sid asked Varun. Varun just shook his head, looking very put out. Sid took a hold of my hand, it felt weird holding his hand after Varun's, and led me further away from set. I kept looking over my shoulder at Varun. His expression was one of pure sadness that I'm sure matched my own. I lost sight of him after a minute and I just wanted to run back to him.
I kept walking with Sid until he finally came to a stop.
'Surprised?' He asked, smiling at me.
'Yeah. I didn't know you were coming.'
'That's kind of the point of a surprise.' I nodded, mind still on Varun.
'Sid, is this important? I really need to be on set in like two minutes.' It was a lie, there was still about a quarter of an hour until I needed to be on set but I wanted to get away from him.
'Okay. I wasn't planning on being rushed but I have to leave for Delhi in an hour so I guess I best do this now.' He pulled something out of his pocket and got down on one knee. My brain froze and my stomach tossed. 'Alia, will you marry me?' I stared at him in shock before the word came tumbling out of my mouth.
'No.'
'What?' He asked, smile fading a little.
'No. I'm sorry but I can't. You're an amazing boyfriend and just an all round amazing guy but not for me. This relationship is safe. It's secure. It's not what I want.' I realised that the advice I had been giving to Varun was advice that I needed to take. Sid was on his feet now.
'What? Secure? I'm confused.' He said.
'But I'm not.' I smiled. 'This has been good, thank you for this past year. You're really a great guy, Sid, I'm just not in love with you.'
'Where is this coming from?' I ignored the question.
'I've gotta go. I'm sorry.' I told him, running back to set.
Varun P.O.V.
I had gone to set, feeling kinda depressed. I had been about to tell Alia that I love her and he had shown up.
I was just stood, watching as they set the scene, when I heard the sound of feet hitting concrete in a pattern that was definitely someone running. I turned to see who and barely managed to register that Alia was running towards me before she was hugging me.
'Alu, what happened? Are you okay?' I asked.
'I'm fine. I'm more than fine. I just realised that I needed to take my own advice.' She told me.
'Explain please.'
'I've been telling you not to stay in a relationship that's secure if you aren't actually happy, but I was doing the same thing. I'm not in love with Sid, I doubt I ever was.'
'Okay, but what does that have to do with this?'
'I love you. I'm in love with you.' I wasn't sure whether I wanted to say something or just kiss her or what. Her smile started to drop after a minute of me.not saying anything. 'I just thought you should know. I didn't want to keep it from you, that's all.' She unwrapped her arms from around me and began to walk away.
'Oi, who said you could just go?' I asked. She turned back to me.
'I don't think I want to be rejected so publicly.'
'Rejected? Nobody said anything about rejection. Maybe it just took me a minute to process what you said.' She didn't speak. I walked closer and she didn't move.
I easily closed the gap between us, coming to stand in front of her. I brought a hand up to cup her face and she leaned into my touch. I looked at her for a second, taking in every detail. The way her eyes were wide, displaying her hope, innocence and curiosity. The way her expression was guarded, like she was wearing mask. The way her eyes fluttered closed as I leaned in to close the gap.
I kissed her. It was gentle and soft and over within seconds.
'Alia, you can't just tell a guy you love him and then walk away.' I mock scolded.
'Then what do I do?'
'You wait for him to process so that he can tell you that he loves you too.'
'You do?'
'Yes. I love you. That's what I wanted to tell you earlier.' She beamed at me.
'If you're done with your filmi love story over there, can we get back to filming this filmi love story?' Shashank asked. We both turned to him.
'You couldn't give us even two minutes?' I asked.
'You can have your time later. We're on a schedule here. We've got a song to shoot.' He told me.
'Well, I guess it's time to get to work.' Alia said.
'Come on then. Let's dance.' I grinned at her and we raced each other to the set, somehow ending up in the correct positions.
The music started and we got lost in the characters. This time it was even easier than usual to become my character. We had something in common, we were both in love.
So, I hope you liked it, I tried my best. I don't know if that's what you were hoping for angellwalia but it's all I could come up with.
See you soon.