Chapter 11: Unraveling

Aman sat in the dim glow of his trailer, staring at his phone long after his conversation with Anjali had ended. The silence that followed wasn't entirely unwelcome—it was a momentary respite, one that allowed him to process the waves of emotion that had swept over him since reconnecting with his sister. For years, he had carried the burden of their fractured family, the weight of unspoken words and unresolved guilt. But now, something inside him had shifted. He wasn't sure what that meant, but he knew it was the start of something.

As he stood to leave, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He hesitated for a moment, collecting himself before answering. The door creaked open to reveal Nisha standing there, her face serious but calm. She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

"We need to talk," she said, her voice low but firm.

Aman nodded, gesturing toward the small seating area in the corner. They both sat, the air between them charged with unspoken tension. Nisha had been a constant presence in his life these past few months, both on and off the set. But there were times, like now, when she seemed like a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

"What's going on, Nisha?" Aman asked, his voice betraying more exhaustion than he intended.

Nisha hesitated, her gaze flickering to the floor before meeting his eyes. "You've been off lately. I'm worried about you."

Aman sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm fine. Just dealing with some personal stuff."

"I get that," Nisha said, her tone softening. "But you're not just off, Aman. You're completely shutting people out. I've seen you handle stress before, but this is different. You're pushing everyone away, even the people who care about you."

Aman felt the weight of her words settle over him. He wanted to argue, to push back and claim that everything was under control, but the truth was undeniable. Nisha wasn't wrong—he had been withdrawing, even more so after meeting with Anjali. He thought he could handle it on his own, but now, with Nisha sitting in front of him, it felt impossible to keep pretending.

"I don't know what to tell you," Aman said finally, his voice quiet. "It's just... complicated."

Nisha leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "Then let me help. Don't shut me out, Aman."

Her words hung in the air between them, a lifeline he wasn't sure he could grasp. For so long, he had prided himself on his independence, on his ability to handle whatever life threw at him. But this time, it was different. This time, the storm inside him was too strong to face alone.

Before he could respond, Nisha reached across the table, placing her hand gently on his. It was a small gesture, but the warmth of her touch broke through the icy walls he had built around himself.

"I know you're going through something," Nisha said softly. "But you don't have to go through it alone."

Aman stared at her for a long moment, torn between the instinct to push her away and the need for her support. For the first time in a long time, he felt the cracks in his façade deepening, threatening to spill the emotions he had been trying so hard to keep in check.

"Alright," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try."

Nisha's expression softened with relief, but she didn't push him further. She knew better than to ask for too much too soon. Instead, she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before standing up.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Don't overthink it, okay?"

Aman nodded, watching her leave before sinking back into his seat. As the door clicked shut behind her, he realized how much he had been holding back, not just from Nisha, but from everyone around him. He had been so focused on surviving the chaos of his life that he hadn't allowed himself to truly live it.

---

The next day on set was different. The tension from the previous day's intense shoot lingered, but Aman felt lighter, more present. The weight of his conversation with Nisha still clung to him, but instead of being overwhelmed, he found himself grounded by it. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't carrying the burden alone.

As he moved through the day, rehearsing lines and working with the crew, Aman noticed the subtle shift in Nisha's demeanor. She wasn't hovering, wasn't pressing him to talk. Instead, she gave him space, but always with the unspoken promise that she was there if he needed her.

It was a delicate balance—one Aman appreciated more than he could express. And as the day wore on, he found himself opening up to it, slowly letting down his guard.

During a break between scenes, Aman caught up with Anjali over text. Their conversation was brief, but it was enough to reassure him that they were finally on the right track. The years of estrangement weren't something that could be mended overnight, but they were both making the effort. And for now, that was enough.

As the day drew to a close, Aman's thoughts drifted back to the upcoming press conference. The rumors surrounding the production had only intensified, and the media was eager to get answers about the alleged behind-the-scenes drama. It was a minefield Aman had navigated before, but this time, the stakes felt higher.

Nisha approached him as the crew began packing up for the day. "You ready for tomorrow?"

Aman nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"You'll do fine," Nisha said with a reassuring smile. "Just be yourself."

Aman chuckled, though there was little humor in it. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Nisha raised an eyebrow, but didn't press him. Instead, she gave him a pat on the shoulder before heading out. Aman watched her go, a strange mix of anticipation and dread settling in his chest. The press conference was just another performance, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this one would be different.

Tomorrow, the spotlight would shine brighter than ever—and this time, Aman wasn't sure he could hide behind the glamour of the industry.