ch-13

Chapter 13: The End of One Journey, The Start of Another

After months of hard work, the final day of shooting had arrived. The set of Bloody Commando buzzed with excitement and a tinge of sadness. For Suraj, it was a bittersweet moment. This project had consumed his every waking thought, and now it was all coming to an end. Yet, he felt an immense sense of pride. He had done it—his first movie as a director was in the can, and it had turned out exactly as he had imagined.

"That's a wrap!" Suraj announced into the megaphone, his voice carrying over the set.

A round of applause erupted from the cast and crew, everyone cheering and clapping in celebration. Aarav Kapoor, the lead actor who had brought Arjun to life, walked up to Suraj and clapped him on the back.

"You did it, man. This film is going to blow people away," Aarav said with a grin.

Suraj smiled, though the weight of everything still felt surreal. "Couldn't have done it without you all. Thanks for trusting me, Aarav."

The two shared a look of mutual respect before Aarav left to join the rest of the cast in celebrating. Suraj, on the other hand, found a quiet corner on the set. He watched as the crew began dismantling the props, packing away the cameras, and striking down the lighting equipment. The movie was complete, but Suraj knew this was just the beginning. There was still post-production, marketing, and, most importantly, the release. But for now, he allowed himself a moment to breathe.

His thoughts drifted to Aryan. After weeks of long, exhausting days, Suraj was eager to return home to his little brother. He had missed Aryan terribly. Though they had spoken on the phone every day, it wasn't the same as being with him. Aryan had been so understanding, never complaining about Suraj's absence, but Suraj knew how much Aryan needed him—and how much he needed Aryan.

---

Later that evening, Suraj drove to Kunal uncle's house. As he parked in front of the familiar home, a sense of calm washed over him. Kunal uncle had been a rock during this time, caring for Aryan while Suraj was away filming. As Suraj approached the front door, it opened before he could knock.

Aryan stood there, grinning from ear to ear. "Bhai!" he shouted, running forward and throwing his arms around Suraj.

Suraj knelt down and hugged Aryan tightly, his heart full. "I missed you so much, buddy," he whispered.

"I missed you too," Aryan said, his voice muffled against Suraj's shoulder.

Kunal uncle stepped out of the house, smiling at the reunion. "You're done with the movie, then?" he asked.

Suraj stood up, still holding Aryan's hand. "Yeah, it's all wrapped up. Now comes the hard part—editing, promotions, and everything else."

"You'll handle it," Kunal said confidently. "You've done something amazing here, Suraj. Your parents would be proud."

Suraj smiled, his eyes misting for a moment. "Thanks, Kunal uncle. I couldn't have done this without you."

Anitha aunty appeared behind Kunal, her gentle smile filled with warmth. "Aryan's been an angel, but I'm sure he's missed his brother," she said, ruffling Aryan's hair. "Take care of him."

"Of course," Suraj said, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for Kunal and Anitha.

They shared a few more words before Suraj and Aryan said their goodbyes. As they walked to the car, Aryan looked up at Suraj with a beaming smile. "You're home for good now, right?"

Suraj chuckled. "For a little while, yeah. But there's still work to do. I promise, though, we'll have more time together."

Aryan nodded, satisfied with the answer, as he hopped into the passenger seat.

---

The drive home was peaceful. Aryan talked non-stop about school, his friends, and everything that had happened while Suraj was away. Suraj listened intently, glad to hear Aryan so happy and lively. Every word made him more determined to succeed—for Aryan, for their future.

When they arrived back home, Aryan insisted on helping Suraj unpack and settle in. The small house felt warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the intensity of the film set. After everything was put away, Suraj sat down on the couch, and Aryan immediately curled up beside him.

"I'm proud of you, bhai," Aryan said softly, leaning his head against Suraj's shoulder.

Suraj's heart swelled with emotion. "I'm proud of you too, Aryan. You've been so patient and understanding. I promise, I'll be here for you more now."

Aryan smiled, his eyes closing as he snuggled closer. "I know you will."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while before Suraj spoke again. "Hey, you know what? Once the movie's done and it hits the theatres, you'll be the first one to see it with me. How about that?"

Aryan's eyes lit up. "Really? I can't wait!"

"Really," Suraj said, ruffling Aryan's hair. "And when the time comes, we'll celebrate together."

That night, as Aryan went to bed, Suraj stood in the doorway, watching his little brother drift off to sleep. The house was quiet, but his mind was racing with thoughts of what was to come. Bloody Commando was more than just a movie—it was his chance to honor his parents, to save Mythic Productions, and to create a better life for Aryan.

As Suraj lay in bed later, exhaustion finally taking over, he smiled to himself. The road ahead was long, but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready for whatever came next.

The dream of Bloody Commando was now a reality, and soon, the world would see the story he had poured his heart and soul into.

But for now, he was home, and that was all that mattered.