Stunt man to Star director

Dev worked tirelessly, balancing his dreams with the harsh reality of his current situation. At 25, he had spent the past three years chasing a dream that seemed farther away with each passing day. Tonight, like many others, he was at his part-time job as a waiter in a modest bar.

The bar was noisy, filled with laughter and clinking glasses, but for Dev, it was just a backdrop to his thoughts. He moved efficiently, taking orders, serving drinks, and cleaning tables, but his mind was elsewhere—replaying his audition earlier that day. His heart clung to a fragile thread of hope, but his exhaustion reminded him of the countless rejections he'd faced before.

As the night dragged on, Dev forced a polite smile for every customer, masking the turmoil inside. His coworkers often joked about his "dreamy eyes," unaware of the fire that had driven him to leave his small town and defy his father's wishes. His hands, once soft and unblemished, were now rough from years of labor. Yet, every tray he carried and every order he fulfilled was a reminder of why he couldn't give up.

When the bar finally closed, Dev helped stack the chairs and clean the counters before clocking out. The walk home was long, and the chilly night air bit at his skin, but it gave him time to think. His small apartment, which he shared with his parents, was dimly lit when he arrived.

---

His father, a postman who had spent his life delivering letters and packages, was seated on the worn sofa watching the evening news. The sound of the television filled the room, but it did little to mask the unspoken tension between father and son.

Dev's father, Rajesh, had always been a practical man. He believed in stability and hard work, values he tried to instill in his son. But Dev's dreams of becoming an actor had clashed with Rajesh's vision for his future. For three years, their relationship had been strained, with barely a word exchanged between them.

Dev's mother, Sunita, a homemaker, was in the kitchen, preparing tea. She had been Dev's silent supporter, encouraging him in small ways despite Rajesh's disapproval.

As Dev entered, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion, he looked at his father for a brief moment. "I'm back," he said softly.

Rajesh didn't reply, his eyes glued to the television. Dev hesitated, then sat down at the dining table, avoiding his father's gaze. The silence was heavy, broken only by the sound of the news anchor's voice.

After a long pause, Dev spoke again, his voice low and filled with a mix of sadness and defeat. "I'm done with acting, Baba. I've decided to quit."

Rajesh's hand paused mid-air as he reached for his tea. His eyes flickered with shock, but he quickly masked it, keeping his gaze on the screen. He didn't say a word, but his posture stiffened.

Dev stood up and walked to his room without waiting for a response. His heart ached as he closed the door behind him, leaning against it for support.

---

In the living room, Rajesh sat frozen, his mind racing. Finally, he stood and walked to the kitchen, where Sunita was pouring tea into a cup.

"Go check on him," Rajesh said abruptly.

Sunita turned to him, confused. "What happened?"

"He said he's done with acting," Rajesh replied, his voice strained.

Sunita frowned, setting the cup down. "And what did you say to him?"

"Nothing," Rajesh admitted, avoiding her gaze.

Sunita sighed, her frustration evident. "You act like you don't care, but you care more than anyone else in this house."

Rajesh looked at her sharply. "I've always told him not to dream too big. Dreams hurt when they break. I know because I've felt it. I didn't want him to go through the same pain."

Sunita softened, seeing the unspoken regret in his eyes. "Rajesh, you can't protect him from pain. It's a part of life. But you can stand by him, support him, and let him know he's not alone."

Rajesh's shoulders slumped as he ran a hand through his graying hair. "I thought by staying silent, I was helping him. But maybe I've been wrong. Go check on him, Sunita. He needs you."

---

Sunita knocked gently on Dev's door before opening it. She found him sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. His eyes were red, and his hands were clasped tightly in his lap.

"Beta," she said softly, sitting down beside him. "What happened?"

Dev didn't look up. "I'm tired, Maa. Three years of trying, and nothing to show for it. I've let you down, I've let Baba down... maybe I should've listened to him from the start."

Sunita placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You haven't let anyone down, Dev. Not me, and not your father."

"He doesn't even talk to me," Dev said bitterly. "How could he not be disappointed?"

Sunita smiled sadly. "Your father is a complicated man. He's not good at showing his feelings, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. He worries about you more than you know."

Dev shook his head. "He doesn't understand, Maa. Acting is all I've ever wanted to do. But maybe he's right. Maybe I've been chasing a dream that was never meant for me."

Sunita cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. "Listen to me, Dev. Dreams are never easy. They test you, push you, and sometimes break you. But if you give up now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. You've come so far—don't stop now."

Tears welled up in Dev's eyes as he whispered, "What if I'm not good enough?"

Sunita pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "You are more than good enough. You have something special, Dev. I've seen it, and so has your father, even if he won't admit it. Don't let fear stop you from being who you're meant to be."

Dev clung to her, his resolve slowly returning. As she pulled back, Sunita smiled and said, "And remember, no matter what happens, I'm proud of you. We both are."

Dev nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. For the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn't alone, and as long as he had his mother's unwavering support, he knew he could keep fighting for his dream.

In the kitchen, Rajesh stood quietly, listening to their conversation from a distance. His eyes were moist, but he didn't wipe them away. Instead, he made a silent promise to himself: if Dev truly wanted this, he would find a way to support him, even if it meant facing his own fears.

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Author note:-

:- mass release (2/4)

:- support the story with power stones for extra chapters and motivation 😁