Page 138 of Okay Boss
Then he stepped through. His shoulders squared. His jaw set. The man who'd kissed her forehead disappeared, replaced by someone with a mission. Harshit's hand settled on his son's shoulder. Kavita's chin lifted. Even Raghav and Ishani exchanged knowing glances.
They all knew something she didn't.
The door closed.
Divya stood alone in the quiet. Pista trotted over, settling at her feet. She scratched behind his ears absently, then moved to the living room and turned on the television.
Whatever was coming, whatever he wanted her to witness, she would keep her promise.
???
The Filmfare Awards stage blazed with light. Harsh, unforgiving brilliance that exposed every emotion, every truth. Hundreds of India's most beautiful people sat perfectly still, faces turned toward the podium where the presenter held the Best Actor envelope.
"And the award goes to..." She paused, smile wide. The envelope tore slowly. "Vikram Khanna for 'River's Edge'!"
Applause erupted. Cameras swung toward Vikram, capturing his practiced humility, gratitude and surprise perfected over years. Beside him, Kavita squeezed his arm. He stood.
He walked to the stage, steps measured, smile in place. He looked exactly as a winner should. To millions watching, he was Bollywood perfection, the star who’d earned his place through talent and discipline.
The presenter handed him the trophy with congratulations before stepping aside. Vikram approached the microphone, holding the award at his side. His smile softened as he faced the crowd.
“Thank you.” His voice carried easily, trained through years of performance. “This role challenged me in unexpected ways. Thank you to Madan Sir believing I could play someone so far from who everyone thinks I am.”
Appreciative laughter rippled through the audience. Director Madan raised his hand in acknowledgment.
“To my incredible co-stars. You elevated every scene. To the crew who worked tirelessly. To my family for supporting every choice, even the unconventional ones.”
Standard thank-yous. Expected and sincere. The audience began to settle into the comfortable routine, some already reaching for their phones.
Then Vikram stopped.
His expression shifted. The practiced charm fell away, replaced by something raw that made people straighten in their seats. He looked directly into the main camera. The one broadcasting to millions of homes.
Including one specific home. One specific viewer.
“Three months ago, a photograph leaked.” His voice changed, dropping lower, becoming intimate despite the massive audience. “A behind-the-scenes moment showing me with a woman the media didn’t recognise.”
The audience went completely still. Publicists tensed. This wasn’t approved. This was dangerous. The scandal no one mentioned, the hasty marriage that spawned a thousand rumours.
“The speculation was immediate and vicious.” Vikram ignored the warning light. “Who was she? What was our relationship? Was it betrayal? A secret affair?”
He took a breath. The auditorium held its breath with him.
“It was the luckiest accident of my life.”
The words hung there. Unexpected. Utterly sincere. The camera stayed locked on his face as every defense dropped. The public persona gave way to the man beneath.
“Divya.” His voice caught on her name. Not for effect. A genuine break in his composure. “You’re watching right now because I made you promise. Because I needed you to hear this not in our bedroom, not in private, but in front of everyone.”
Kavita's hand pressed against her heart. Several rows back, Riya Sharma smiled with unexpected warmth. Near the side, Raghav leaned forward, utterly focused, while Ishani's eyes glistened with tears she didn't bother hiding.
"You're not in my life by accident." Vikram's eyes never left the camera. As if he could see through it directly to her. "This was never temporary. Never just a contract or an arrangement."
His hand moved to his pocket. There was a slight tremor of real nerves.
"I've been in love with you since the fourth week of your internship." The confession came simple and bare. Just truth. "Since you challenged my script interpretation and refused to back down even though I was the star and you were just an intern. Since you stayed until three in the morning fixing production notes because you couldn't bear for something to be done incorrectly."
From his pocket came a small black box. Held carefully, like something precious. His thumb pushed it open, revealing a diamond ring that caught the lights, simple, elegant, perfect.
