The final clapboard echoed throughout the filming location before Director Hari Rao raised his voice with a satisfied smile.
“Cut!
Excellent!
That’s a wrap for today!”
For a brief second, complete silence filled the shooting floor before thunderous applause erupted from every corner of the set.
Cameramen, lighting technicians, assistant directors, makeup artists, and the supporting actors all clapped enthusiastically.
Months of tireless effort had finally come to an end.
The production of Tejaa was officially completed, leaving everyone with a deep sense of accomplishment.
Little Ram Charan stood in the center of the set, still dressed in Tejaa’s school uniform, looking around in amazement.
Although he possessed the memories of an adult from another life, spending nearly two months acting every single day had exhausted even him.
Memorizing dialogues, repeating emotional scenes, maintaining expressions for countless retakes, and standing beneath scorching studio lights had been far more demanding than he had expected.
Director Hari Babu walked toward him with a warm smile before gently patting his head.
“You’ve worked harder than many adult actors, Ram.
You deserve a good rest.”
Ram smiled politely before bowing slightly.
“Thank you, Director Uncle.
I learned many things because of you.”
Hari Babu chuckled proudly.
“I have a feeling you’ll become an even greater actor someday.”
Nearby, Shruthi skipped toward Ram with a bright smile.
The cheerful little girl still wore the costume of her character, making everyone around them smile naturally.
“Ram!”
“What happened?”
“We finished the movie!” she exclaimed happily before grabbing both his hands and jumping excitedly.
“No more waking up early every morning!”
Ram couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re happy because shooting is over?”
“Of course!
Now we can play all day.”
Everyone watching the two children burst into laughter.
Producer Nagendra Babu his uncle shook his head with amusement.
“Children really have different priorities.”
Soon afterward, the entire crew gathered together for a group photograph.
The enormous camera flash illuminated everyone’s smiling faces as memories of countless filming days came flooding back.
Some technicians even wiped away emotional tears, knowing they had poured their hearts into the production.
Chiranjeevi looked proudly toward his son.
The little boy had not complained once during the entire filming schedule.
Whether it involved repeating scenes, learning expressions, or waiting patiently between takes, Ram had behaved far beyond his years.
Watching his son’s dedication filled Chiranjeevi with quiet pride.
As the family returned home that evening, Ram immediately collapsed onto the large sofa in the living room.
“I’m finally free…”
He stretched both arms into the air before letting out an exaggerated sigh.
His exhausted expression made everyone laugh.
Sushmita walked over confidently before poking his forehead.
“Look at you acting like a veteran superstar.”
Ram rolled his eyes dramatically.
“You try memorizing dialogues every day.”
“I’ll pass.”
Everyone laughed once again.
Life gradually returned to normal over the following week.
There were no shooting schedules, no makeup artists waiting outside the house, and no assistant directors reminding him about tomorrow’s scenes.
For the first time in months, Ram could wake up naturally without anyone knocking on his bedroom door before sunrise.
He had almost forgotten what true relaxation felt like.
One peaceful evening, the entire family gathered around the dining table for dinner.
Delicious South Indian dishes covered the table while laughter echoed throughout the dining room.
Halfway through the meal, Chiranjeevi quietly placed his glass of water down before looking toward his children.
“I have a surprise for both of you.”
Immediately, Sushmita’s eyes sparkled.
“What is it, Appa?”
Chiranjeevi smiled mysteriously.
“Since everyone has worked very hard these past few months, I’ve decided it’s time for a proper family vacation.”
Silence.
Then—
“Vacation!”
Both children shouted together.
Surekha couldn’t help laughing at their identical reactions.
Sushmita leaned across the table impatiently.
“Where are we going?
Ooty?
Kodaikanal?
Bangalore?”
Chiranjeevi shook his head with a playful smile.
“No.”
“Goa?”
“No.”
“Then…
Visakhapatnam?”
Again he smiled.
“No.”
Ram became curious himself.
His father rarely took long holidays because of his busy acting schedule.
Where exactly were they going?
“We’re going to the Maldives.”
Both children froze.
“…Maldives?”
Ram blinked several times.
Even with memories from another lifetime, he hadn’t expected that destination.
His first assumption had naturally been Goa or one of India’s famous beaches.
After thinking about it for another moment, however, everything became clear.
His father was already one of the country’s biggest film stars.
Travelling freely across popular tourist destinations inside India would attract enormous crowds.
Their vacation would quickly transform into public appearances rather than peaceful family time.
A quieter international destination made much more sense.
Sushmita nearly jumped out of her chair.
“We’re going overseas!”
She happily hugged her mother before running around the dining room in excitement.
Ram suddenly remembered something.
“…Passport?”
Before he could even ask aloud, Chiranjeevi smiled knowingly.
“I expected that question.”
He reached into a nearby folder before placing several documents on the table.
“Everything has already been arranged.”
Flight tickets.
Passports.
Hotel reservations.
Travel itinerary.
Even transportation after landing.
Ram stared at the neatly organized file before looking back at his father with admiration.
“So everything was already prepared…”
Chiranjeevi nodded calmly.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Surekha smiled warmly.
“Your father has been planning this vacation for nearly two months.”
Ram couldn’t help smiling.
Despite being one of the busiest actors in the country, his father had secretly prepared everything himself simply to spend a few peaceful days with his family.
The excitement inside the Konidela household reached another level over the following days.
Suitcases appeared throughout the house as everyone packed clothes, sunglasses, cameras, beachwear, and countless other travel necessities.
Sushmita proudly declared herself the family’s “official packing supervisor,” although her actual contribution mainly involved unpacking whatever Surekha had carefully folded.
Every few minutes she would proudly announce a new idea before accidentally creating even more work.
Meanwhile, Ram quietly packed a small backpack containing his favorite books, a camera gifted by Director Hari Babu after filming wrapped up, a notebook, and several seashell guides he hoped would help him identify interesting marine life.
Finally, the long-awaited morning arrived.
A luxurious black car stopped outside the house before carrying the Konidela family toward Chennai International Airport.
As the city slowly disappeared behind them, Ram rested his head against the window, watching buildings give way to open highways.
For the first time since his rebirth, he wasn’t thinking about acting, future investments, or business opportunities.
He was simply looking forward to spending precious time with his family.
Their summer vacation had finally begun.
The following morning arrived with a refreshing sea breeze flowing gently through the balcony curtains of their luxurious resort suite.
As the golden rays of the Maldivian sunrise illuminated the crystal-clear ocean outside, Ram slowly opened his eyes with a contented smile.
Even after living two lives, he had rarely experienced such complete peace.
There were no scripts to memorize, no acting rehearsals, no cameras following him, and no endless practice sessions.
For the first time in months, he could simply enjoy being a six-year-old child.
Meanwhile, Sushmita had already changed into comfortable summer clothes and impatiently knocked on Ram’s room door several times before loudly announcing that breakfast was waiting downstairs.
Surekha laughed softly at her daughter’s excitement while Chiranjeevi adjusted his sunglasses, amused by how energetic both his children were whenever they traveled together.
After everyone freshened up, the family made their way toward the resort restaurant overlooking the turquoise lagoon.
The breakfast buffet was unlike anything Ram had ever seen in either of his two lives.
Long tables displayed fresh tropical fruits, homemade pastries, pancakes, waffles, freshly baked bread, fruit juices, seafood specialties, and dishes from dozens of different countries.
Ram curiously sampled several unfamiliar fruits while Sushmita proudly acted as though she were an expert food critic, recommending random dishes despite having no idea what most of them actually were.
Watching his children happily enjoying breakfast filled Chiranjeevi and Surekha with satisfaction.
Their demanding careers rarely allowed uninterrupted family time, making moments like these far more precious than any award or box-office collection.
Even Chiranjeevi silently admitted that choosing this vacation had been one of the best decisions he had made in recent years.
After breakfast, the family boarded a private motorboat arranged by the resort.
The powerful engine hummed softly as they sailed across the unbelievably transparent waters of the Indian Ocean.
Schools of colorful tropical fish could easily be seen swimming beneath the boat, while graceful stingrays occasionally glided across the sandy seabed.
Ram leaned over the railing with sparkling eyes, fascinated by the incredible marine life surrounding them.
The boat captain guided them toward one of the famous private islands owned by the resort.
Unlike the crowded beaches found in many tourist destinations, this island felt almost untouched by civilization.
Tall coconut trees swayed gently in the breeze while white sand stretched endlessly beneath the brilliant blue sky.
The atmosphere was so peaceful that even Ram momentarily forgot he belonged to one of India’s most famous film families.
Sushmita immediately challenged her younger brother to another sandcastle competition.
Armed with tiny buckets and plastic shovels provided by the resort staff, the siblings enthusiastically began constructing elaborate castles near the shoreline.
Ram’s previous-life engineering mindset unintentionally surfaced as he carefully designed towers, defensive walls, and tiny water canals around his castle.
Seeing the surprisingly detailed structure, Sushmita folded her arms and pouted dramatically.
“Ram!
You’re cheating!
Nobody builds castles like that!”
Ram simply smiled innocently.
“I’m just making it stronger, Akka.”
Surekha covered her mouth to suppress her laughter while Chiranjeevi took several photographs of the adorable sibling rivalry.
Those simple moments were exactly what they hoped their children would remember years later.
Later in the afternoon, the family decided to experience recreational fishing.
Resort staff provided lightweight fishing rods suitable for beginners before escorting Chiranjeevi and Ram onto a small fishing platform extending over the calm ocean.
Sitting beside his father under the warm tropical sun, Ram quietly cast his fishing line into the crystal-clear water.
For several peaceful minutes, neither father nor son spoke.
They simply enjoyed each other’s company.
Finally, Chiranjeevi broke the silence with a gentle smile.
“So…
Ram looked upward.
“Yes, Appa?”
“You worked very hard during the shooting.
I’m proud of you.”
Those simple words warmed Ram’s heart far more than any praise he had ever received.
“I’ll work even harder next time.”
Chiranjeevi softly ruffled his son’s hair.
“I know you will.”
Moments later, both of them suddenly felt their fishing lines tighten simultaneously.
“Appa!
Mine’s moving!”
“So is mine!”
The father-and-son duo hurriedly reeled in their catches with childlike excitement.
Although they only managed to catch a pair of modest-sized reef fish, both celebrated as though they had conquered the ocean itself.
Surekha and Sushmita laughed from the nearby deck while capturing countless photographs of the memorable moment.
As they continued exploring the island later that day, something unexpected began happening.
Many international tourists noticed the extraordinarily handsome little Indian boy walking beside his parents.
Ram’s naturally attractive appearance, enhanced by the mysterious effects of his Incubus Physique, unintentionally drew attention wherever he went.
Several foreign families smiled warmly after seeing his cheerful personality.
One elderly European woman approached Surekha politely.
“Your son is absolutely adorable.
May I take a picture with him?”
Surekha exchanged a glance with Chiranjeevi before nodding politely.
The woman knelt beside Ram, gently kissed his forehead, and happily posed for a photograph.
Soon another family approached.
Then another.
Before long, several tourists politely requested photographs with the cheerful little boy.
Some affectionately pinched his cheeks, while others gently kissed his forehead or cheek as a gesture of affection toward such an adorable child.
Ram could only sigh inwardly.
“…Seriously…
even overseas?”
“…This physique really doesn’t know any boundaries…”
Meanwhile, several husbands standing nearby wore expressions filled with playful jealousy.
“Even at six years old…”
“My wife ignored me completely.”
“That little guy has better popularity than all of us combined.”
One man dramatically sighed.
“I’ve already lost.”
Their exaggerated reactions made everyone around burst into laughter.
Even Chiranjeevi found himself smiling helplessly.
“My son certainly attracts attention wherever he goes.”
Surekha chuckled.
“At least everyone is being respectful.”
As evening approached once again, the family returned to the resort beach for one final sunset.
The sky slowly transformed into breathtaking shades of orange, pink, and crimson as the sun disappeared beyond the endless horizon.
Gentle waves washed against the shore while the cool evening breeze carried the scent of the sea.
A professional photographer offered to capture one last family portrait.
Standing together beneath the glowing sunset, Chiranjeevi placed one arm around Surekha while Sushmita hugged Ram tightly from one side.
“Smile!”
Click.
The photograph perfectly captured the happiness reflected on everyone’s faces.
After darkness settled across the island, the family enjoyed a farewell beachside barbecue beneath countless stars.
Soft instrumental music echoed across the shoreline while lanterns illuminated the wooden tables.
Fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, tropical desserts, and fruit juices completed their final dinner in paradise.
Later that night, before returning to their suite, Ram quietly stood near the shoreline alone.
The moonlight reflected beautifully across the calm ocean.
Gentle waves touched the sand before retreating into the darkness.
For several silent moments, Ram simply watched the sea.
In his previous life, endless work, financial pressure, and unfulfilled dreams had prevented him from ever experiencing something as simple as a peaceful family vacation.
Now, after being reborn, fate had granted him not only a loving family but also memories he would cherish forever.
He smiled softly.
“Maybe…
this second life truly is worth living.”
The following morning arrived all too quickly.
After completing the checkout formalities, the Konidela family boarded their return flight to India.
As the aircraft slowly ascended above the endless blue waters of the Maldives, Ram looked out through the window one last time.
The white beaches gradually disappeared beneath the clouds.
The peaceful vacation had finally come to an end.
Yet the memories they had created together would remain with them for years to come.
Ram knew that once they returned home, promotions for Tejaa would soon begin, followed by its theatrical release.
New challenges, new opportunities, and perhaps even greater adventures awaited him.
But for now…
He closed his eyes with a peaceful smile.
The vacation had given him exactly what he needed.
A chance to simply be a child.
To be continued…..
Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading!
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