I hate coming home.
Not because I don't love my family — but because home sees through me.
The moment I step into the Sign mansion, the noise in my head quiets down. No cameras. No fans. No scripts. Just walls that know my name.
Rangeer Sign.
Not the actor.
"Bhai!"
Paki's voice reaches me first.
She runs toward me and crashes into my arms like she always does.
"You're late," she accuses.
I grin. "I'm always late."
The house smells like incense and fresh flowers.
A wedding has just happened.
I can feel it in the air.
"Najma bhabhi came earlier," Paki says casually as she walks beside me.
"She went to her parents' house."
Bhabhi.
The word still feels strange.
"She looks calm," Paki continues. "Strong."
I nod slowly.
Ranveer doesn't choose weak people.
I spot her then.
Twinkle Takur.
Loud.
Bright.
Impossible to miss.
She's sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, arguing animatedly with Jodha aunty.
And smiling.
I stop walking.
Why is she here?
She looks up and notices me.
For half a second, her smile freezes.
Then—
"Oh," she says. "The actor."
I raise an eyebrow. "The talkative one."
She stands up, folding her arms. "So this is how you greet guests?"
"I wasn't aware you were a guest," I reply calmly.
"You've already claimed the couch."
Paki giggles behind me.
Twinkle scoffs. "Excuse me, this couch chose me."
I smirk.
Interesting.
"You're Ranveer's younger brother, right?" she asks.
"Unfortunately," I reply.
She laughs.
And just like that, something clicks.
Later, as we sit at the dining table, I find myself watching her more than my food.
She talks with her hands.
Laughs loudly.
Gets angry quickly.
And cares deeply.
"So what do you do?" she asks suddenly.
I hesitate.
"Acting," I answer simply.
Her eyes widen. "Wait—you're Rangeer?"
I shrug. "In the flesh."
She stares for a second, then frowns. "You're shorter than I imagined."
I choke on my water.
"Excuse me?"
She grins wickedly. "Relax. You're handsome."
I laugh despite myself.
That's new.
As she prepares to leave, she turns back.
"You're not as arrogant as I thought," she says.
I tilt my head. "You're worse than I expected."
She smiles brightly. "Good."
I watch her walk away.
And realize something unsettling.
For the first time in years—
Someone didn't see me as a star.
Just a man.
And that scared me more than any role ever had.