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The LA sun was blazing over the production set, but Ameya felt a lingering chill that no amount of studio lighting could warm. Between takes, she sat in her folding chair, her gaze fixed intently on the green stone gold ring on her finger. It shimmered beautifully, yet the witch's raspy voice echoed in her head: "Everything you felt happy will turn to unhappy... it will choke you."
"Why?" Ameya whispered to herself. "This ring brought me everything. It fulfilled my dreams when I thought they were dead. Why would she call it a curse?"
She let out a heavy sigh, trying to shake off the dread.
"Ameya! We're ready for you!" her assistant called out.
Ameya stood up, adjusting her costume. As she walked onto the set, her co-actor, Julian, was already waiting. He was the "handsome new lead" she had teased Rico about, but today, she barely noticed his looks.
Julian caught her somber expression and offered a kind smile. "Are you alright, Ameya? You look like you're miles away."
Ameya forced a nod and a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well. Let's do this."
They stepped into their positions, the cameras began to roll, and for a few minutes, she allowed the script to bury her real-life anxieties.
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During the afternoon break, Ameya's phone buzzed. It was Jenna.
"Hey, Jenna," Ameya said, her voice instantly brightening.
"Ameya! I have the best news!" Jenna squealed on the other end.
"Tell me! I need some good news today."
"Michael proposed yesterday! I said yes!"
Ameya's eyes widened, a genuine smile finally breaking through her gloom. "Really? Oh, Jenna, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!"
"Thank you! We're planning the wedding for very soon," Jenna said breathlessly.
Ameya paused, her brow furrowing. "Wait... didn't you say you wouldn't marry him until you succeeded as a solo artist? You were so firm about that."
Jenna let out an awkward, happy laugh. "Yeah, well... how long can I really make him wait? Besides, my second album is out now, and the reception is great. I'm confident I can manage my career and a family at the same time."
"I'm proud of you," Ameya said softly. "You deserve this."
"Thanks! We're going shopping this evening for some party outfits," Jenna said, before her tone shifted to a more curious one. "But wait—you're only asking about me. What about you and Rico? How is everything?"
Ameya hesitated, the memory of the previous night's kiss and the subsequent nightmare swirling together. "Everything is... good. He cooked for me. Oh, and I forgot to tell you—his mother arrived unexpectedly last night."
"Oh no!" Jenna gasped. "Ameya, I'm so sorry. Michael was trying to call Rico to warn him that Clara was on her way, but Rico's phone just cut off. He couldn't reach him. I tried calling you too, but you didn't pick up."
"It's okay," Ameya sighed. "Rico's phone actually broke. That's why you couldn't get through."
"Was she furious?" Jenna asked tentatively.
"How could she not be? She was angry that he hid his hospital stay. I'm still confused why Rico didn't tell her earlier. He should have."
Jenna went quiet for a second, thinking to herself: He didn't tell her because he wanted to keep the world away so he could spend every second alone with you. Aloud, she just said, "Mothers are like that. I'm sure it'll settle."
"Jenna, I have to go," Ameya said as the director gestured toward her. "My scene is up. I'll call you later!"
Ameya walked back to the center of the set. The Director looked up from his monitor, checking the lighting.
"Alright, everyone. This is the big one. Scene 42: The confession and the kiss."
Ameya's heart skipped a beat. She felt a wave of hesitation wash over her. It was just acting, but the conversation with Rico the night before made her feel strangely guilty.
Julian noticed her stiffness as they took their marks. "Are you tensed?" he asked softly.
Ameya let out a nervous breath. "Of course I am. This is my first time doing a romantic scene like this."
Julian gave her a reassuring wink. "Don't worry. It's my first time, too. We'll get through it together."
"Action!" the Director shouted.
The world narrowed down to the dialogue. Ameya delivered her lines with a trembling vulnerability that was perfect for the character. Julian responded, his voice low and emotional. Then, leaning in slowly, he pressed his lips gently against hers.
It was professional, soft, and brief.
"Cut! Perfect! That's a wrap on this scene!" the Director yelled, looking delighted with the footage.
Ameya pulled away, offering Julian an incredibly awkward smile. He mirrored it, scratching the back of his neck.
"You did great," he muttered.
"You too," Ameya replied, though as she walked back to her dressing room, all she could think about was Rico's face—and whether she should tell him that her "first kiss" on screen had finally happened.
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The Shifting Reality
The afternoon sun scorched the pavement of a private park in LA, but Rico didn't feel the heat. He was busy directing a small army of staff. "More yellow roses over there," he commanded, pointing to a marble gazebo. "Jenna said Ameya loves yellow."
His phone buzzed. A notification from a movie news site popped up: "LEAKED: Steamy first look at Ameya's new romance!" Rico tapped it, and his heart sank. There was a high-quality still of Ameya and Julian, their lips locked in a gentle, perfect kiss. A hot flash of jealousy surged through him. He looked away, his jaw tightening so hard it ached. Seeking refuge from both the sun and his temper, he retreated into the air-conditioned sanctuary of his car.
His phone rang. It was Michael.
"Are you ready for the big moment?" Michael asked, sounding far too cheerful. "Did you add those extra yellow roses? Jenna insists it's the key to Ameya's heart."
"Mm," Rico hummed, his voice flat.
"What's with the mood? I think I'm more excited about your proposal than you are!"
"Did you see the BTS pictures of Ameya's movie?" Rico asked suddenly.
Michael chuckled. "Oh, the kiss? It's gone viral, man. Fans are losing it. Wait... are you jealous?"
"What if I say yes?" Rico snapped.
"It's just acting, Rico," Michael said, trying to be the voice of reason. "As a movie star myself, I've kissed dozens of costars."
"And Jenna wasn't jealous?"
Michael's voice wavered. "Well... okay, she was furious during my first movie. But she's over it now! Mostly."
Rico sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know it's acting. But seeing it is different. Anyway, I have a lot to do. Bye." He hung up before Michael could offer any more "expert" advice.
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By evening, the shoot had wrapped. Ameya walked out of the studio, her eyes red and irritated. "I think some dust got in my eye," she muttered, rubbing them.
Julian, who was walking beside her, stopped. "Don't rub it, you'll make it worse. Here, let me see."
He leaned in close, gently holding her face to blow into her eye. At that exact moment, Rico's car pulled up. He stepped out, his face turning a terrifying shade of crimson. Without a word, he stormed over and shoved Julian back.
"Hey!" Julian stumbled, catching his balance.
"Rico! What are you doing?" Ameya cried, stepping between them. She turned to Julian, her face burning with embarrassment. "I am so sorry, Julian. Please, excuse him."
Julian nodded, stunned, while Rico grabbed Ameya's arm. "Get in the car. Now."
"Reply to me first! Why are you behaving like a madman?"
Rico didn't answer. He simply lifted her off her feet, placed her firmly in the passenger seat, and slammed the door. He rounded the car, shifted into gear, and roared away.
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The Park and the Shift
Hours later, they stood in the center of the dark park. The decorations were hidden by the night, the air heavy with tension.
"Why, Rico?" Ameya demanded, her voice trembling. "How can I even face the crew tomorrow? You acted like a lunatic."
Rico turned to her, his eyes cold. "Do you want me to be the 'cool' boyfriend who doesn't care when another man handles his girl's face?"
"He was blowing dust out of my eye!"
"He shouldn't have been touching you at all," Rico growled. "You're mine, Ameya. I can handle the movie scenes, but this..."
Ameya stepped back, a tear escaping. "Are you suspecting me? After everything?"
Rico froze, his anger crumbling into realization. "Ameya... no, I'm not—"
"Enough!" She turned away, sobbing. "Why is the life I thought was a blessing suddenly giving me so much pain?"
As she cried, the green stone ring on her finger began to shimmer with an eerie, rhythmic pulse. The world blurred.
Blink.
Ameya opened her eyes. She wasn't in a park. She was in a brightly lit shopping mall. A man was inches from her face, his lips reaching for hers.
"Michael?" she gasped, pushing him away with a violent reflex.
Michael looked at her, completely bewildered. "What happened to you, Jenna?"
Ameya's heart nearly stopped. She looked into a nearby store window. The reflection staring back wasn't her own—it was Jenna's face. "Oh no..." she whispered.
Blink.
Back in the LA park, the lights suddenly flickered on, revealing thousands of yellow roses and "Marry Me" signs. Ameya opened her eyes and felt someone's frantic heartbeat against her chest. She realized she was hugging Rico.
She pushed him back, looking around in a panic. "Where am I? Why am I here?"
She frantically pulled out her phone and looked at the black screen. The reflection was Ameya. Jenna was come in her friend body. A chilling thought struck her. If i had been in Ameya's 's body for those few seconds... where had Ameya been?
"Ameya... what have you done?" she whispered to herself.
Rico, completely confused by her sudden change in demeanor, reached out to touch her shoulder. "Ameya? What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Ameya looked at him ( Real Jenna), the joy of the proposal completely drowned by the terror of the witch's curse. The shifting had begun.
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To be Continued....
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