"Which makes me the favorite by default." Raghav's expression turned more serious. "Look, here's the real advice: you know her better than anyone. You've been watching her for months. You know what she likes, what makes her smile, what she wants but won't ask for. Use that."
He leaned forward. "But Vikram, be careful. She's fragile in ways she doesn't show. If you come on too strong too fast, you'll scare her. She'll run. Or worse, she'll stay and convince herself even harder that it's all just pity or duty."
"So what do I do?"
"Small things. Consistent things. Things that show you're paying attention. Things that can't be explained away as professional courtesy." Raghav paused. "And for God's sake, stop letting her call you 'Boss.'"
Vikram winced. "She does it reflexively..."
"Because you let her. It gives her distance. Every time she says it, correct her. Gently. But consistently."
From the bed, Ishani added, "And don't hover. You look at her like you're planning escape routes in case someone threatens her."
"People do threaten her..."
"Yes, but you can't bodyguard her 24/7. She needs to feel safe, not monitored." Ishani shifted. "Also, compliment her. Specifically. Not 'you look beautiful', she won't believe that. But 'I love how you organize chaos' or 'the way your mind works fascinates me.' Things she can't dismiss as generic flattery."
Vikram absorbed this, mentally noting every piece of advice.
"How long do you have?" Raghav asked suddenly.
Vikram looked up. "What?"
"Before this becomes impossible. Before some external factor makes it harder. How long?"
"Filmfare is in three weeks. After that, it's promotional circuit for two months. Constant media. Constant scrutiny. Constant pressure."
"So you have three weeks," Raghav said. "Three weeks to make her feel it before the chaos makes everything harder."
Three weeks. Twenty-one days to break down walls that had taken twenty-three years to build.
"That's not enough time..."
"It’s enough. I gave myself seven days." Raghav's voice was kind but firm. "So use it. Start today. Right now. Before she wakes up and puts her armor back on."
Vikram stood, feeling something click into place. Purpose. Direction.
"Thank you," he said, meaning it.
"Don't thank me yet. Thank me when she stops thinking this is temporary." Raghav walked him to the door. "And Vikram? Whatever you do, don't tell her you love her. Not until she's ready to believe it."
"How will I know when she's ready?"
Raghav smiled. "You'll know. Trust me. You'll know."
Vikram nodded and stepped out. He stopped at a window overlooking the garden, watching the sun climb higher, painting everything gold.
He had played romantic leads for a decade. Had made audiences believe in love stories on command.
Now it was time to write his own.
And this time, this one time, it had to be perfect.
Because this time, it was real.
Chapter 23
Vikram moved through the now-brightening corridors of Khanna Sadan.