Invisible String

INT. ADDISON AND VIHANA APARTMENT - EVENING

Two young women sit on worn-in couches in a modern apartment, high windows behind them displaying a bright city. ADDISON (23) stares at her roommate VIHANA (22) in shock. Vihana has a semi-apologetic look, colourful nails digging into the light pillow she holds.

ADDISON Please run me through all of that again, slower this time.

Vihana takes a breath, avoiding Addison's eye.

VIHANA So apparently, when we moved in together, my sister thought we were dating.

Addison slowly nods along as Vihana speaks, shock morphing into understanding.

VIHANA (cont'd) And now Mira is getting married... and invited me.. and you... as my girlfriend.

Addison continues nodding, story making sense to her.

ADDISON And what did you tell her?

Vihana stares at the wall beyond Addison's head, voice getting soft enough Addison can't hear her.

ADDISON (cont'd) Sorry what was that Vi?

VIHANA I told her yes. That we would both love be there. Which leads back to my earlier request.

Addison leans back into the couch she sits on, sighing.

ADDISON Your request to 'play girlfriends' for the weekend?

Addison puts the words in air quotes, unable to keep the smile off her face as Vihana falls backwards, consumed by both embarrassment and the couch.

ADDISON (cont'd) Which is soo much easier than just telling your sister we're not together.

Vihana rolls her eyes at Addison's sarcastic tone, her own voice muffled by couch cushions.

VIHANA It's been four years! Four blissful years without any teasing or being set up on awful dates!

Vihana sits up and looks at Addison, her eyes meeting Addison's for the first time all evening, Vihana's face painted with desperation as she looks expectantly at her roommate.

VIHANA (cont'd) Please Addi. I'll do anything.

Addison takes a moment, something flashing across her face, before slowly nodding her head.

ADDISON Alright I'll do it. You'll regret promising tha-

Before Addison can finish, Vihana tackles her in a hug, pushing her back onto the couch. Neither girl can see how warm the others' face gets from this action.

VIHANA You're the best ever!

ADDISON I know

EXT. FANCY VENUE - NIGHT

Addison stands outside of a brightly lit formal venue, hands tucked into the pockets of her baby blue dress. She is shifts her weight nervously, looking for familiar faces as guests start to arrive.

In a few moments a cool hand touches her arm, making Addison jump slightly. The sound of Vihana's laugher fills the air, her henna stained fingers instinctively interlacing with Addison's.

VIHANA Boo!

Vihana stage whispers, still chuckling, while Addison rolls her eyes.

ADDISON How's Mira going?

Vihana sighs, sharing a knowing look with Addison.

VIHANA Running the show, as always.

Addison squeezes Vihana's hand in her own.

VIHANA (cont'd) She really wants to see you, by the way.

ADDISON See proof you mean?

Addison holds up their joined hands and kisses Vihana's knuckles softly, as if to make a point, the action turning the tops of Vihana's ears pink.

Vihana rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out in response and pulls Addison into the venue through a side entrance.

INT. FANCY VENUE - NIGHT

The large venue is covered is tones of purple, blue and silver, matching the blues of Addison's dress and Vihana's lehenga. Flowers in matching colours cover every surface mixed with twinkling fake candles. Star covered fabric hangs from the walls while lantern-like lights hang from the ceiling. The space is full of loud chatter as family members find each other, Bollywood music in the background as they do.

Vihana takes a right turn as soon as they enter, stopping just before a door down a short hallway. Vihana's eyes meet Addison's, a flurry of nerves passing between the two of them.

'We got this' Addison mouths, linking her arm in Vihana, who ignores the butterflies that have filled her stomach. Vihana opens the door.

INT. VENUE DRESSING ROOM - NIGHT

As the door closes behind Vihana, her butterflies are forgotten as her sister turns around in her chair. Dressed in a pale pink sari, gold jewelary drips off MIRA (28), her many bangles let out a soft TWINKLE as her hands come together, her smile lighting up the small room.

MIRA You two look stunning!

ADDISON Says you! You were born for this.

Addison slips her arm from Vihana as she gives Mira a hug. Vihana finally takes in Addison as they talk, nerves stopping her from doing it earlier, not taking in anything else happening in the room.

MIRA Earth to Vi!

Vihana shakes her head like she's just woken up, blinking at her laughing sister. Addison leans back on one of the table, giving Vihana a quizzical look.

VIHANA I'm here, I'm here.

Vihana chuckles, putting her hands up in surrender.

MIRA I was just saying, any day now it's going to be you two going through all of this

Mira speaks knowingly, gesturing wildly. Vihana laughs, hiding awkwardness.

ADDISON Any day now, right Vi?

She raises an eye at Vihana, challenging her. Vihana just shrugs, letting mischief take over her features. As she does, a panicked voice calls for Mira from beyond the door, making her eyes go wide.

Before Mira can get up to deal with the problem, Vihana is halfway out the door.

VIHANA I'll deal with it

Vihana call out, both to the voice outside and her sister.

VIHANA (cont'd) I'll find you later ok?

Vihana blows a kiss to Addison, who smiles after her as the door closes.

INT. VENUE DRESSING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

As soon as the door closes, Mira moves her chair to block the doorway. Addison raises an eyebrow in suspicion, the sound of the crowd outside dampening.

MIRA When did you fall in love with my sister?

Addison blinks, taken aback.

ADDISON Wha-

MIRA Answer the question Addi

Mira sits with her hand on her hip, expectant look on her face.

Addison takes a moment to breath and just lets herself speak, picking at her nails. She mentally chastises herself for not expecting this after all the years she's known Mira. There's a long pause before she picks a memory and starts speaking.

ADDISON A coupe of weeks after we moved in together.

It comes to Addison quicker than she thought, the memory bringing a smile to her face, brightening the more she speaks about her roommate.

ADDISON (cont'd) I remember that Vi was convinced we would end up hating each other, some stupid study she read somewhere. So for weeks, Vi made sure that she was the perfect roommate. Cooked, cleaned, made barely any noise...

Addison laughs, lost in the memory.

ADDISON (cont'd) And then one week, I got home early from a trip with my family. I knew something was up when I put my key in the door and immediately heard someone running around. I walk in and the place is a disaster and Vi looked like a deer caught in headlights.

ADDISON (cont'd) Realising she isn't perfect, it felt like unlocking the real Vihana. And I love that side of her.

Mira catches her eye and Addison clears her throat, eyes going wide as thoughts once again rush through her head. She leans further on the table as realisation takes hold.

Mira speaks softly, aware of the inner turmoil taking place in front of her.

MIRA Vihana's year 12 camp.

Addison looks at her in confusion.

MIRA (cont'd) That's when she realised she was in love with you.

Pieces come together in Addison's mind in a rush, her mouth ajar. Flashes of multiple emotions cross her face until her it finally settles on contentment. Understanding. Acceptance.

Warmth.

INT. VENUE DRESSING ROOM - LATER

Vihana flings open the door, walking into the middle of the room, not registering anything as she starts speaking.

VIHANA I don't know how you got anything with these-

She's interrupted by a dazed sounding Addison

ADDISON You're in love with me?

Panic starts to bloom across Vihana's features, smoothed out quickly when she realises Mira is still in the room as well.

VIHANA I mean- we are dating-

ADDISON Mira's been playing you. She knows everything.

Addison speaks quickly, heart speeding, her hands clasped tightly.

A beat

ADDISON (cont'd) Since year 12?

Vihana's head whips to where her sister is standing in the doorway, smiling.

VIHANA What did you- why would you-

MIRA Because you wouldn't do it!

Mira stands up and slips out, closing the door behind her, her jewelary heard all the way down the hallway.

Addison looks at Vihana expectantly, clearly wanting an answer. She takes a step closer, taking Vihana's hand in her own. Vihana's heart races.

Vihana nods.

VIHANA Since year 12 camp.

ADDISON Why didn't you tell me?

Addison speaks softly, eyes searching for answers.

VIHANA I didn't think you loved me... not like this.

Addison brings her forehead to Vihana's, whispering.

ADDISON Well I do. I was just very good at hiding it I guess.

Vihana looks like she's in a dream, arms laced around Addison's neck. She pulls her closer and kisses her. Addison and Vihana break apart giggling, broken apart when Vihana's phone BUZZES loudly.

She reads the message and swears, turning her phone for Addison to see.

Addison leans back.

ADDISON (cont'd) Addison blows Vihana a kiss as she moves quickly through the venue before slipping into the main hall herself, smiling.

FADE TO BLACK