Varun P.O.V.
For the past few months, I'd been filming for Badrinath ki Dulhania. It had been an amazing experience, one that beat almost every other filming experience I had ever had. The only filming experience that could beat it is Dilwale. I doubt anything will beat that for a while. Filming with such epic, legendary actors is beyond amazing.
But there are parts of filming this that definitely beat every other experience I have ever had. Like seeing Alia everyday. Getting to see her be properly free and laughing like there's nothing wrong in the world.
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. We were going back home today.
Na Jaane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya
Abhi To Yahin Tha Abhi Kho Gaya
I had been woken up by Alia this morning and had thought I was still dreaming for a minute. She was sat next to me on the bed, probably having come through the door connecting our rooms, gently running a hand through my hair to wake me up.
'Come on, sleepy head, wake up.' She said softly. I opened my eyes slowly, blinking a couple of times. I looked at her, the sun shining through the window and lighting her up, giving her a kind of soft glow. She was smiling at me and still running a hand through my hair. I felt my heart stutter a little.
Na Jaane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya
Abhi To Yahin Tha Abhi Kho Gaya
'Alu? What are you doing here?' I asked, propping myself up on my elbows.
'I came to wake you up.' She stated.
'I know. I meant why?'
'We're leaving in an hour and a half. You need to get up.'
'Oh. Right. We're going back to Mumbai today.' I realised.
'Yeah. So you need to get up, we can't miss the flight.' I nodded. She got up from the bed and walked out of the room. I felt empty now that she wasn't here.
I took as little time as possible to get ready, not wanting to waste time I could be spending with Alia. I know we would be promoting together pretty soon but until then I would miss her.
Na Jaane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya
Abhi To Yahin Tha Abhi Kho Gaya
We spent over two hours on the plane. There was barely a minute of silence between the two of us. It was a constant stream of conversation. I felt like we were trying to fit as much talk as we possibly could into the time we had left together. I didn't want this time to end, I didn't want to have to get of the plane and walk away from her.
I had to though. The flight was over too soon and, before we knew it, we were walking out of the airport to where we both had people waiting to pick us up. I walked with her along the row of cars until we came to the one driven by her sister. She turned to me with a sort of sad smile, like she didn't want this time to end either.
'So, we're done.' She said.
'For now. The filming is over, now the promotions begin.'
'But not for a while. Might even be a couple of months.'
'It'll go by faster than you can fathom. Then you'll wish you could go back to the few months in between.' I tried to lighten the somewhat heavy mood.
'I won't. Promotions may be draining but they're also fun. We get to spend a lot of time together, being us instead of the characters. I like spending time with you.' She said. I felt the corner of my mouth tug upwards in a half smile.
'Then don't be a stranger. If you want to hang out, call me.' I told her. She nodded, smiling.
'I will. And you do as well. I don't want to fall out of contact with you again.'
'We won't. I'll call you.' I promised. She stood across from me, just looking at me and smiling. I could feel the smile on my own face. We were stood there in our own little bubble until the car window rolled down.
'Alia, hurry up. We don't have all day.' Shaheen called out the window, bursting the bubble. Alia turned to look at her sister, silently telling her to give us one more minute. The window closed again and Alia turned back to me.
'I best go. I'll see you soon?'
'Yeah. Definitely.' She nodded and I walked away, looking for my brother's car.
As I sat in the car, I felt like there was an empty space in my heart. The presence in the car was different from the one I had gotten used to over the past few months and it made me a little sad.
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
I let out a heavy sigh and Rohit turned to look at me.
'Why do you look like someone just killed your cat?' He asked me.
'I don't know. Is it weird to miss someone you just saw five minutes ago?' I asked.
'No, it just means that something is happening.' He told me, smiling like he knew something I didn't. Why does he understand more about what I'm feeling than I do?
'But what? What exactly is happening?' I asked.
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
Dildar Sajna Hai Ye Pyaar Sajna
Bhaiya didn't speak for a few minutes. I could tell from the way he was tapping his fingers on the steering wheel that he was deep in thought. When he finally spoke again, he pulled me out of my own thoughts and made me jump a little.
'Varun, who are you thinking about?' He asked.
'Alia. Why?'
'You just left her less than half an hour ago and she's all that's on your mind. Does that not tell you something?'
'Should it? I think about her a lot, it's nothing new for me.' He gave me a look that basically told me I was missing something obvious. 'Bhaiya, what is it that I'm missing?' I questioned.
'Sometimes something happens. You'll understand eventually.' He said it like he was delivering a dialogue that I should know, like it would make me understand. It did remind me of a dialogue, but I still didn't understand.
'Kuch kuch hota hai Varun, tum nahi samjhoge.' I muttered to myself.
Alia P.O.V.
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
Dildar Sajna Hai Ye Pyaar Sajna
I sat in the car and something felt off. I was usually happy to get a break for a few days. I love what I do, but sometimes it's tiring and when you get a break, it's a bit of a relief. Somehow, this time it feels like the break will be more tiring than the work was. Maybe it's the fact that I'm already missing Varun. I've gotten so used to his overly energetic behaviour that I feel weird now that I'm in a calm environment. In some bizarre way, his energy would kind of transfer to me when he's around and now that he isn't, I feel drained.
I leaned my head back against the seat with a sigh and closed my eyes. As usual, the first thing to come to mind was Varun's smiling face, looking at me in that way that made me feel special.
'Where are you lost?' Shaheen asked, dragging me from my mind. I opened my eyes and turned my head in her direction. She was focused on the road, not looking at me of course, but I could tell she would have a small smile on her face like she always did when she caught me daydreaming.
'Nowhere. I just can't get my mind of this movie.' I answered.
'The movie or your co-star in the movie?'
'Both. More the latter than the first. Why can't I stop thinking about him? It doesn't make sense. I've just spent so many months filming with him, I just said bye to him less than ten minutes ago. He shouldn't be the only thing on my mind, right?' I asked. I couldn't think why he was occupying every space in my mind.
'It's funny how you can't figure out your own feelings.' Shaheen laughed.
'What do you mean? What is there to figure out?' I queried.
'You're the actress and you can't think what would happen right about now in a movie? I expected better.' I thought on what she said for a minute and then it clicked.
'This would be the part when someone says to me "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Alia, tum nahi samjhoge." Isn't it?' Shaheen nodded and I lapsed into silence, thinking about what I had just said and trying to tell myself it wasn't true.
Varun P.O.V.
Dekha Na Tune Mudke Bhi Peechhe
Kuchh Der To Main Ruka Tha
As soon as we had pulled up in the driveway, I had got out of the car, grabbed my stuff and practically raced into the house. I paid little attention to anything, heading straight for my room. I didn't even bother to check if my parents were home.
I met bhabhi on the way to my room. She stopped me in the hall, putting her hand on my shoulder so that I would stop and look at her.
'Someone's in a bad mood. Did you get in a fight with Rohit?' She asked.
'No. I don't walk away from a fight with Bhaiya, especially not without an injury. You know that.' I answered.
'Then? Did something happen with Alia?' She asked, concern visible in her eyes. Everyone was always more worried when I'd so much as argue with Alia than when I would fight with someone else. I'm not sure why but that's how it is. Sometimes I think they know what I'm still trying to figure out.
'No, nothing happened with Alia. We're fine, better than before. We've agreed not to let our friendship die again.'
'Then why do you look so down?'
'Maybe because when we had to walk away neither of us looked back.' I hadn't realised that something so simple would hurt, but it did. The fact that she hadn't said anything when I'd walked away, hadn't called me back for a hug like she used to, it hurt me. I hadn't looked back either, though, and that hurt me as well.
Alia P.O.V.
Jab Dil Ne Tujhko Rokna Chaaha
Door Tu Ja Chuka Tha
When we got home, I was unsurprised to see cars in the driveway. I knew my parents would be home, they had already told me they were going to be here when I get back. Shaheen had informed me on the way that Pooja Didi and Rahul bhai were at home as well. I wasn't in the mood for a family get together, but I didn't get a choice. I got out of the car and grabbed my bag from the back before following my sister down the pathway to the front door.
She had already gone inside by the time I reached the door. It was still open so I just walked in. I looked around the entryway, feeling a bit out of place. I had never felt that way before. When I came home, there was usually only a sense of relief that came over me, the feeling that I was back where I belong. I had never had a longing to be somewhere else when I was here, but today I did.
I shut the door quietly and went to the sitting room. My family were all there, right in front of me, but I felt like something was missing. I was sure it showed on my face but nobody said anything about it. We hugged and everyone was speaking, asking me about filming. I gave short answers, trying to sound interested, but my mind was on Varun.
I kept thinking of the minute we had turned away from each other. We had promised to keep in touch this time, but I still wish I had stopped him, called him back or gone after him, maybe hugged him. I could have but by the time I even realised I wanted to, I was sat in the car and he was probably on the way home too.
Third Person P.O.V.
Hua Kya
Na Jaana
Time was moving slowly for them. They were both feeling out of place. They were supposed to be at home, but somehow it didn't feel right to either of them. Home wasn't a place anymore, home was wherever the two of them were together. Neither of them could describe what was going on. Both of them wanted to know why they felt strangely homesick when they were at home.
Ye Dil Kyon
Deewana
He couldn't think of anything but her. She couldn't get him off her mind. There were conversations going on but those didn't matter. What mattered was that without each other, they both felt incomplete.
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
She wanted nothing more than to get away from the conversation, she wanted to go to her room and call him, hear his voice. She knew it was ridiculous to miss him this badly when they hadn't even been apart for a week, but there was nothing she could do about it. She knew why she was missing him but she wasn't going to accept it. She kept telling herself she was wrong.
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
Dildar Sajna Hai Ye Pyaar Sajna
He kept checking his phone, waiting for a message from her. He knew she probably wouldn't text or call so soon, but he hoped she would. He wanted to speak to her again, he missed her terribly. It was clear to him now why he was feeling like this. For the past week he had been thinking about what his brother had said and he had finally understood it. He finally understood what that something was.
Varun P.O.V.
Ay Vakt Rukja Thamja Thaharja
Vaapas Zara Daud Peechhe
Time has a funny way of slowing down when you want it to speed up and speeding up when you want it to slow down. I was torn between wanting time to speed up and wanting time to slow down so much that it would go backwards.
If time would go faster, I'd be closer to spending more time with Alia again but then it would be over not long after.
If time would go backwards, I'd be able to go back to when we were filming and spend that time with her again.
Alia P.O.V.
Main Chhod Aayi Khud Ko Jahan Pe
Vo Reh Gaya Mod Peechhe
It's been two weeks since we got back to Mumbai. I've been talking to Varun occasionally, but it's mostly been by text. I want to see him, speak to him in person. I miss him so much, possibly more than I should. I feel like I left a part of me behind when I left him behind. It's like I'm missing something vital, something that is required for me to live.
Third Person P.O.V.
Kahan Main
Kahan Tu
They both felt lost. They were in a familiar city with people they knew but it was like they had no idea where they were.
Ye Kaisa
Hai Jaadu
It was an odd thing, not knowing your own self. It was odd, but not entirely bad. The feeling could be pleasant at times, like a cold drink on the hottest day of the year. Other times it was far from pleasant. Sometimes it hurt. There were times when she couldn't hear his name without feeling a sharp twinge of longing. He sometimes couldn't even see her picture without feeling that, now familiar, stab of need.
Arre Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
Ho Gaya Hai Tujhka To Pyaar Sajna
Laakh Karle Tu Inkaar Sajna
Dildar Sajna Hai Ye Pyaar Sajna
Eventually, they both accepted what was happening. They finally admitted to themselves that these feelings weren't just because they were used to be being around each other. He texted her and asked her to meet up with him. She texted back a yes almost immediately.
Varun P.O.V.
Na Jaane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya
Abhi To Yahin Tha Abhi Kho Gaya
Kho Gaya.. Kho Gaya..
I had texted Alia and asked her to meet me at the café by my house at three today. I knew she wouldn't be busy today but I hadn't really expected her to agree. She did agree, though, texting me back within a minute.
It was five to three now and I was sat at a table in the back corner of the café. I had already ordered for both of us just so that I felt like I was doing something. I already knew what Alia would get anyway, hopefully she'd be happy that she had a drink and a muffin waiting when she got here.
I picked at my muffin as I waited, my stomach tossing with nerves that prevented me from eating. There was a guy at the table next to me giving me a sympathetic look.
'Waiting for a girl?' He asked. I nodded, relaxing a little because there was now conversation as opposed to just my own brain talking. I was glad I had picked this café; nobody here ever cared about the fact that I'm an actor, most of the regulars know me and the ones I don't know, I get to know.
'I don't know how people do this.' I said.
'Is this your first date?'
'No. With this girl, yes. But I've never been this nervous about a date before.' I admitted.
'It's normal. It just means you really like this girl.' He assured me.
'That's true. It also might be because she's my best friend.' Somehow it was easier to talk to a complete stranger than it was to talk to my brother.
'Well, you know what they say, pyaar dosti hai. You'll be fine.'
'Thanks.' I said with a smile. The bell above the door chimed then, indicating someone had walked in. I looked over and saw Alia had just walked through the door. I felt the breath escape from my lungs as I looked at her. She was dressed casually, wearing jeans and a jumper but she still looked amazing.
'Is that her?' The guy next to me asked. I nodded. 'Good luck, yaar.' I nodded to say thanks and stood up, waving a hand to catch Alia's attention. She must have noticed because she turned to me and began walking towards me with a smile on her face.
'Hey, thanks for coming on such short notice.' I said, hugging her.
'Hey. That's alright. I was actually gonna ask you to meet up anyway.' She said.
'Shall we sit then?' I asked a little awkwardly. She nodded and sat down in the open chair. 'I ordered for you already. You don't mind right?'
'Have I ever? You always know what I want anyway.' She told me, taking a sip of her drink. 'That's nice.' We sat in an awkward silence and I began to pick at my muffin again. Alia noticed. 'Varun, what has that muffin done wrong to you?' She asked.
'What?' I looked down and realised that the muffin was now a pile of crumbs. 'Oh. I didn't notice. Guess I'm a bit nervous.'
'Are you? I didn't notice.' She said sarcastically. It actually helped me to relax. 'So, what is this about?'
'See the thing is, I've been thinking about you a lot recently. I don't just mean there are things that remind me of you occasionally, I mean I can't stop thinking about you. All the time, you're the only thing on my mind. And sometimes I miss you so much it starts to hurt. I'm always waiting for a message or call from you and I feel kind of lost and out of place when you're not around.' I told her.
'Varun, honestly, I know exactly how you've been feeling. I can't get my mind off of you. And it's a little crazy, but, it's like since we've come home, I've been feeling homesick because you aren't there.'
'So I'm not going crazy then?' I asked, earning a laugh.
'No. I think the right phrase would be falling in love. At least, that's how I feel.' She told me, hesitating a little.
'I think you might be right. I'm in love with you.' Saying it out loud was a relief. I had kept it inside for a while and now I felt lighter. The smile I got from Alia may have contributed to that feeling.
'I'm in love with you, too.'
'So, we can call this a date?'
'Yeah, that would be accurate I guess.'
'If this is a date, that would mean we're going out. So then maybe it would be okay for me to call you my girlfriend?'
'That's fine by me.' She nodded.
'Okay, I think I'm dreaming. Did this actually happen or have I dreamed the past day?' I asked.
'You aren't dreaming.' Alia assured me.
'You sure? Because I've dreamt about this a lot. Maybe somebody should pinch me.' Alia smiled at me and reached her hand across the table to rest on mine.
'Varun, this definitely is not a dream. I can prove it.' She told me, leaning forwards over the table. My forehead creased in confusion. She gestured for me to lean forward a little and I did. There wasn't much of a gap between us and I was having trouble keeping my heart steady. Alia closed the gap and kissed me softly. She pulled away quickly and sat back in her seat.
'Yeah, I'm not dreaming.'
'If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.' She said.
'Do you wanna get out of here? Find somewhere a little less crowded to talk?'
'Good idea. Let's go.' I got up from my seat and waited for her to do the same before walking to the door. She took a hold of my hand and I slipped my fingers between hers, smiling.
That smile didn't fade for weeks after.
A/N: it's been a while since I've done a songfic and I had a sudden urge to write one thus this was born.
So, going completely off topic here, I've realised that my eighteenth birthday is in twenty days. I'm kinda freaking out a little. It's scary. Also I have my driving test in like two weeks, which is even scarier. If I suddenly drop off the face of the earth, that is because I have gone to hide in a hole and ignore my real life.
Anyways, I will see you soon, hopefully if I am not hiding in a hole.