Ravi blinked, her mouth slightly open as she watched Beck dissolve into laughter, clapping and flailing as though she’d just heard the most ridiculous story of the year. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips despite the tension twisting in her chest. “Beck,” she said, her voice tinged with exasperation as she crossed her arms, “I’m so glad my life is such prime entertainment for you.” Letting out a sigh, she brushed her fingers through her damp hair as Beck finally composed herself. Yet, the mention of Dave’s girlfriend made her stomach tighten, her expression darkening as her shoulders stiffened.
“I don’t… I don’t know if he’ll still be with her,” Ravi admitted quietly, her gaze dropping to her hands. “It wasn’t something we talked about. I wasn’t thinking about the future or the consequences or…” She trailed off, frustration flickering across her face. “It wasn’t like that. In that moment, it was just him and me. It felt… real. Like, for once, I could breathe. Like I wasn’t just some version of myself that someone else wanted me to be.” Her voice softened, almost pleading. “I know it’s messy, and trust me, I’m not proud of the timing. But, Beck… I can’t regret it. It’s like I’ve been living in this fog for so long, and now I’m finally seeing clearly. Even if it’s complicated.”
Before Beck could respond, Ravi leaned back slightly, her gaze sharpening as she added with quiet determination, “And for the record, Beck? I don’t need anyone deciding what’s best for me - not Ezra, not Dave, and not you. I appreciate your concern, but I’ve spent so long trying to please everyone else. I need to do this my way.”
Her expression softened as she reached out to gently squeeze Beck’s hand. “I’m sorry, that came out harsher than I meant,” she said, her voice quieter now. “I know you’re just looking out for me, and it means a lot. Really.” She offered a small, almost sheepish smile. “This whole thing is just… a lot. And I think, for the first time in a long time, I’m realising I need to figure out what I want, not what’s expected of me. But that doesn’t mean I don’t value your advice - or your friendship.”
Her phone buzzed on the couch beside her, drawing her attention. She glanced at the screen, her brows knitting together as she read the notification. With a small sigh, she stood, smoothing her damp hair back from her face. “I hate to cut this short, but I have to go,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. “There’s some damage control I need to handle before this spirals into something bigger than it already is.” She turned to Beck, a flicker of gratitude softening her expression. “Thank you for listening, even if I dumped a lot on you all at once. It means more than you know.” Ravi stepped forward, hugging Beck tightly, her voice quiet but steady. “I’ll figure this out. I just… need some time to untangle the mess.”
Pulling back, she offered a faint, determined smile. “We’ll catch up soon, okay? And maybe next time, we can talk about literally anything other than my drama.” Her lips curved into a softer smile, a flicker of warmth breaking through the tension. “But don’t think I’m letting you off the hook for laughing at me earlier. That was cruel,” she teased lightly, a glimmer of humour in her tone. With that, she grabbed her phone, gave Beck a small wave, and headed for the door, her heels clicking softly against the tile as she left.
Movie Set - 21st of December - With Dave
The time between the Brazil trip and now had been nothing but a blur for Ravi. Ezra and she were deep in the throes of divorce proceedings, their once-private struggle now a feeding frenzy for the paparazzi. Every trip to the courthouse, every carefully worded public statement, and every leaked detail had been dissected in excruciating detail. Despite the noise, Ravi had managed to keep her head above water, focusing on what mattered most - her career.
Today was a significant day. It marked the first day of filming for her upcoming rom-com, a project that had not only brought her excitement but also served as a much-needed escape from the chaos. The kind of light-hearted, feel-good story she’d grown up dreaming of being a part of. As she stood in front of her vanity, Ravi carefully applied her makeup, taking slow, deliberate strokes to steady her nerves. Her reflection stared back at her, framed by a halo of soft lighting, and she took a moment to breathe deeply, willing herself to leave the turmoil at the door and step into the skin of her character.
Her wardrobe for the day hung on a nearby rack - vibrant, flowing, and playful, just like the woman she was about to portray. Slipping into her costume, Ravi couldn’t help but smile. The fabric felt like a shield, separating her personal life from the world of the story she was about to help create. With her phone buzzing incessantly in the background - messages from her agent, notifications from entertainment sites speculating on her love life, and a few supportive notes from friends - Ravi resolutely silenced the device, tucking it away in her bag.
She grabbed her script and bag, giving her reflection one last glance before heading out. Her posture was straighter, her chin held high, and a determined glint sparkled in her eyes. Ravi knew that today wasn’t just the first day of filming - it was the first step toward reclaiming her narrative.
As she entered the set, Ravi paused mid-step, startled by the sound of her name spoken in a familiar voice. Her gaze snapped to the mirror, where Dave’s face was reflected, his expression a mix of disbelief and something she couldn’t quite place. For a moment, she stood frozen, her script clutched tightly in her hands, her breath catching in her throat.
Of all the places to run into him, she hadn’t expected this. Not today, not now. She had rehearsed this moment in her head countless times since Brazil, imagining every scenario from anger to excitement. But seeing him here, his face lighting up with a surprised warmth, threw all of those rehearsals out the window.
She straightened her posture and stepped further into the room, her expression carefully composed. “Dave,” she greeted, her voice steady but devoid of the playful familiarity she used to share with him. “Fancy seeing you here.” Her eyes flickered to the makeup artist, who seemed more annoyed by the interruption than anything else, and then back to him.
“I didn’t realise you were part of this project.” Her tone was polite, almost professional, but there was an undercurrent of tension - like she was daring him to explain himself or justify his presence. The air between them felt charged, heavy with unspoken words. Ravi could feel the weight of all that had been left unresolved pressing against her chest, but she refused to let it show. Not here. Not now.
@LunaticLeviTheSecond | Dave
@Kbail | Beck | I know I’ll never get a reply, but wanted to write something nevertheless. I’m so sorry I couldn’t quite write as much for this interaction as I wanted 
@eunoia | Ezra | Mentioned
