"You think the world belongs to you because it applauds your name."

She looked him straight in the eye.

"But applause fades, Mr. Oberoi. Character doesn't."

-

"Don't stand so close."

He took one slow step forward anyway.

"Then stop looking at me like that."

-

Flash.

Flash.

Flash.

A thousand cameras.

One accidental catch.

By sunrise...

The country had already decided they were in love.

-

"Smile for the cameras," he whispered.

She forced one.

The moment the shutters stopped clicking...

She let go of his hand first.

-

"You're jealous."

She laughed.

"Of Advay?"

He smiled without an ounce of humor.

"No."

His eyes met hers.

"I'm jealous of anyone who gets more of your time than I do."

-

"You keep saying this marriage is fake."

He trapped her gently between himself and the kitchen counter, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

"Then why does it bother you every time another woman looks at me?"

-

He adjusted the pleats of her saree without saying a word.

She froze.

It had become terrifyingly easy...

To let him touch her.

-

"Mr. Oberoi, are you in love with your wife?"

Every microphone in the room pointed toward him.

He looked at Anagha.

Really looked at her.

Then smiled.

"That's the first honest question you've asked me today."

-

She packed one suitcase.

He packed an entire career.

Somehow...

Neither of them took what mattered most.

-

The National Award felt lighter than the silence waiting for him at home.

-

Every morning...

He left a cup of hot filter coffee outside the gates of Nrityaangan.

Every morning...

She waited until he was gone before picking it up.

-

"Why didn't you fight for me?"

His answer came after a long silence.

"Because I thought there would always be another tomorrow."

-

He had spent years performing for millions.

But the hardest role of his life...

Was convincing one woman that he deserved a second chance.

-

Some love stories begin with a confession.

Some begin with a kiss.

Ours began with an argument...

And somewhere...

Between applause and silence...

We fell in love.