January 1999. Villa Vienna, Bandra.
The world was preparing for the end. The Y2K bug was the boogeyman in every newspaper, predicting planes falling from the sky and banks collapsing at the stroke of midnight on December 31st.
Aarav Pathak sat in his home office, surrounded by three massive CRT monitors. The room hummed with the sound of dial-up internet connecting—that screeching, static symphony of the digital age.
He wasn't looking at movie scripts. He was looking at a green terminal screen.
Script:Infosys Technologies.Price: ₹2,800.
"Buy," Aarav spoke into the phone.
"Sir," his broker, Mr. Gupta, sounded hyperventilating. "You already have ₹5 Crores in IT. The market is overheated. Everyone is saying it's a bubble. Ketan Parekh is pumping these stocks artificially!"
"Mr. Gupta," Aarav said, leaning back in his leather chair. "It is a bubble. I know it's a bubble. But bubbles are beautiful if you know when they pop."
He knew the history. The Dot Com boom would peak in early 2000. Infosys, Wipro, Satyam—they were about to go vertical. The "Harshad Mehta" era was over; this was the era of the "KP" (Ketan Parekh) bull run.
"Put another ₹2 Crores in Wipro," Aarav ordered. "And get me shares in Zee Telefilms."
He hung up.
In 2025, he had died with regrets about missed Bitcoins and overlooked startups. In 1999, he was playing god with the BSE Sensex.
[System Update][Financial Acumen: Level 85][Strategy: The Millennium Run][Current Net Worth: ₹30 Crores (Projected to hit ₹100 Crores by March 2000)]
He was becoming richer than the producers hiring him. This financial freedom gave him the ultimate power in Bollywood: The power to say "No."
March 1999. On the Set of Sangharsh.
The location was a grim, dimly lit set mimicking a high-security prison.
Aarav was playing Aman Varma, the brilliant but incarcerated criminal (a role originally played by Akshay Kumar, inspired by Hannibal Lecter).
Opposite him sat Preity Zinta, playing the rookie CBI officer.
She looked small in her oversized blazer, her curly hair pulled back. She was nervous. Not acting nervous—real nervous.
"Action!" Tanuja Chandra, the director, called out.
Aarav didn't blink. He sat perfectly still in his cell, his eyes tracking Preity like a predator.
"Tumhe dar lagta hai, Reet?" (Are you scared, Reet?) Aarav whispered. His voice was silky, terrifyingly calm.
Preity swallowed. She looked into his eyes and saw a depth that unsettled her.
"Main duty pe hoon," she replied, her voice trembling slightly.
"Duty..." Aarav smiled. It wasn't his usual charming Raj smile. It was a cold, jagged smile. "Duty is just a cage we build to feel safe from our own desires."
"Cut!"
The tension snapped. Aarav dropped the persona instantly. He rolled his neck, which was stiff from the posture.
"You okay?" he asked Preity, noticing she was still gripping the table.
She exhaled sharply. "You are scary, you know that? One minute you are the 'King of Romance', the next you look like you want to eat my liver."
Aarav laughed. "Only with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."
She looked confused. Silence of the Lambs wasn't a household reference in Bollywood yet.
"Never mind," Aarav stood up. "Come. Let's get chai."
They sat outside the studio, watching the sunset. This had become their ritual. The "Chai Break".
"You're different," Preity said, blowing on her tea. "Most stars talk about their cars, or their next schedule, or who is sleeping with whom. You talk about... ideas. Stocks. Books."
"Maybe I'm just an old soul," Aarav said, looking at her.
The System buzzed.
[Relationship Progress][Status: Intellectual Intimacy][Chemistry: 65%]
"I'm scared about this film," Preity admitted. "It's too dark. The audience wants you to sing in Switzerland. Will they accept this?"
"They might not," Aarav shrugged. "But I need to stretch. If I don't stretch, I'll snap."
He reached out and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. It was a reflexive, almost brotherly gesture, but her breath hitched.
"You're brave, Preity," he said softly. "Most actresses would have picked a saree-dance debut. You picked a serial killer movie. I like that."
She blushed, her dimples popping. "Don't charm me, Pathak. I know your reputation."
"My reputation is a myth," he winked. "I'm actually very boring."
October 1998 (Flashback/Concurrent). The Jodhpur Incident.
The schedule for Hum Saath Saath Hain was a traveling circus. The entire Barjatya cast—Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Karisma Kapoor—descended on Jodhpur.
Aarav was playing Prem, the shy, obedient middle brother (replacing Salman's original role). Salman Khan was playing Vinod, the energetic younger brother (replacing Saif). Mohnish Bahl remained the eldest.
It was a strange casting coup, but Aarav had insisted. He wanted to be the "Ideal Son" again to balance the darkness of Sangharsh.
The atmosphere in the hotel was party-like. Every night was a feast.
Then came the night of October 1.
Aarav was in his room, reading a book. There was a knock on the door.
It was Salman. He was wearing a black t-shirt and bandana, buzzing with energy.
"Pathak! Chalo!" Salman shouted. "We are going for a drive. Gypsy is ready. Saif... I mean, Vinod is coming. Tabu and Sonali too."
Aarav knew exactly what "drive" meant.
The Blackbuck.
This was the moment that would haunt Salman for decades. The court cases. The jail time. The "Being Human" redemption arc.
Aarav froze.
[Critical Decision Point][Event: The Blackbuck Poaching Incident][Choice A: Go with them. (Risk being implicated)][Choice B: Stop them. (Alter history significantly)][Choice C: Stay behind. (Preserve your timeline, let fate play out)]
If he stopped them, he saves Salman. But if he saves Salman, does Salman learn the lessons that made him the massive cult figure later? Or does he remain the wild brat? And more importantly, if Aarav interferes with a major legal event, the System might penalize him for "Timeline Disruption".
"I'm not feeling well, Bhai," Aarav lied, clutching his stomach. "Ate something bad at lunch. You guys go."
Salman frowned. "Arre yaar, come na. It's just a night safari. We'll see some deer."
"No, really," Aarav groaned convincingly. "I need the bathroom. Go. Enjoy."
Salman shrugged. "Your loss, saint boy."
He left.
Aarav locked the door. He walked to the window and watched the white Gypsy drive away into the desert darkness.
He felt a pang of guilt. He could have stopped a crime. He could have saved the innocent animals.
"I am an observer," he whispered to himself. "I am here to rule the industry, not fix the world."
The next morning, the hotel was swarming with Forest Officers. The news broke. Salman and the others were detained.
Aarav was the only male lead not named in the FIR.
The media narrative shifted instantly: "WHILE OTHERS HUNTED, AARAV SLEPT: The 'Ideal Son' proves he is disciplined off-screen too."
It was a massive PR win, born from a moment of calculated cowardice. Aarav accepted the praise, but he avoided looking Salman in the eye for the rest of the schedule.
December 1999. The Millennium Offer.
The year was ending. The world hadn't ended.
Aarav was at a New Year's Eve party at the Oberoi.
He was wearing a silver jacket (because 1999 fashion was terrible).
Rakesh Roshan, the veteran filmmaker, cornered him near the buffet. Rakesh looked stressed. He had a son, Hrithik, who was training to be an actor.
"Aarav," Rakesh said, holding a glass of scotch. "I have a problem."
"Tell me, Rakesh ji."
"I have written a script. Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. It's a double role. A launch vehicle for my son, Duggu (Hrithik)."
Aarav nodded. "I know Duggu. Hardworking boy. Green eyes."
"Yes," Rakesh sighed. "But the distributors... they are refusing to back a solo launch. They say the market is volatile. They want a Star. They want you."
Aarav's heart skipped.
In the original timeline, Rakesh Roshan bet on his son and created history. But in this timeline, Aarav's dominance was so suffocating that distributors were terrified of non-Aarav films.
"They want me to play the lead?" Aarav asked.
"They said if you are in the film, they will give me an open budget," Rakesh admitted. "Ideally, I wanted Duggu. But I can't risk my house on a debut if no one buys the tickets."
Aarav looked across the room. He saw Hrithik Roshan standing in a corner, young, unknown, looking hopeful. Hrithik was the only one who could challenge Aarav's throne in terms of dancing and looks.
If Aarav took this movie, he would crush Hrithik's debut. Hrithik might never become a star. Or he might debut later, in a smaller film, and fizzle out.
[System Quest: The Monopoly][Target: 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai'][Reward: Absolute Dominance (No Rivals)][Consequence: Guilt.]
Aarav looked at Rakesh.
"I'll do it," Aarav said.
Rakesh Roshan looked relieved, but also a bit sad for his son. "Okay. But Duggu... maybe he can play your friend? Or the brother?"
"No," Aarav said ruthlessly. "If I do it, I am the focus. Let Duggu assist you. His time will come." (A lie).
"Okay," Rakesh shook his hand. "We start in January. Double role. Rohit and Raj."
Aarav walked away. He felt dirty. Stealing from Shah Rukh was fun; SRK was a giant. Stealing from a debutant felt like bullying.
But the System was clear: The King eats first.
December 31, 1999. 11:55 PM.
The party was raging. Balle Balle from Daler Mehndi was blasting.
Aarav found Preity on the balcony. She was wearing a red dress, looking at the Mumbai skyline.
"Thinking about the apocalypse?" Aarav asked, standing next to her.
"Thinking about the future," she said. "Everyone says 2000 changes everything."
"It's just a number," Aarav said.
"Is it?" She turned to him. "Aarav, you have everything. Hits. Money. Fame. What do you want from 2000?"
Aarav looked at her. The fireworks started going off in the distance. Colored sparks illuminating her face.
"I want something real," he said.
He moved closer. The System didn't prompt him this time. There was no [Romance Option]. This was just him.
He reached for her hand. She didn't pull away. She interlaced her fingers with his.
"Happy New Year, Aarav," she whispered.
"Happy New Year, Preity."
He leaned in. It wasn't a movie kiss. It was tentative, soft, smelling of champagne and sea salt.
As their lips met, the clock struck 12:00.
The crowd inside screamed "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
The Millennium had arrived.
And Aarav Pathak, the Emperor of Bollywood, the owner of Villa Vienna, and the man who just stole Hrithik Roshan's destiny, was holding the girl he actually loved.
But in the back of his mind, the System pinged.
[Warning: Timeline Deviation High][Anomaly Detected: Hrithik Roshan's destiny has been displaced.][Prediction: The Universe seeks balance. A new rival will emerge from the shadows.]
Aarav broke the kiss, frowning.
"What's wrong?" Preity asked.
"Nothing," Aarav smiled, pulling her close. "Just... a thought."
[End of Chapter 11]