Not too long ago, speculations were rife about how the love story has been a fairly bitter experience for Priyanka as it was said to be just a temporary relationship for Shahid. But things seemed to have changed now. If sources are to be believed, the couple is happy to be back together again. But will it last the second time around?

A few weeks back, when they were shooting in Bangkok, they finally got back together. Shahid was there for a Yash Raj film directed by Parmeet Sethi while Priyanka was shooting with Ranbir Kapoor for Sajid Nadiadwala’s ‘Anjana Anjani’.

The first few days were rather difficult for both the stars. They were staying in the same hotel and deliberately kept avoiding each other. In fact, news got around that Shahid was showering all his attention on his co-star Anushka Sharma instead. And that wasn’t something that surprised people back home considering he had been linked with her a while ago.

According to a close source, it was Priyanka who initiated having a conversation with Shahid and that’s how they finally ironed out their differences. “Priyanka was going through a tough time after their split,” says a friend of the actress. “She didn’t know how to react when Shahid decided to end their relationship. They hadn’t come out in the open to the public but within their group of friends, it was a known fact that they were a couple.

They had made appearances together at Shah Rukh’s parties in Mannat and had even jointly hosted the party for Hollywood star Gerard Butler when he was in Mumbai. So it became increasingly difficult for her to make everyone understand what had really gone wrong between them. That’s what took a toll her on. She fell ill; she went into isolation and she totally disconnected from the outside world.

What caused the split is open to speculation but sources close to the couple insist that commitment was a major issue between them. “Shahid is still very wary after his last relationship (with Kareena Kapoor) ended badly,” says an insider. “He has tried to keep a cool composure but he’s not completely over it as yet. That’s why he wants to be more careful this time around when he goes public with a relationship.”

Apparently, this was also one of the reasons why his close bonding with Vidya Balan ended on a sour note. Shahid and Vidya shared sparks when they were shooting for ‘Kismat Konnection’. At that time, he was just healing from the break-up with Kareena and Vidya just happened to be there for him. For a while, they went around but when the actress demanded a commitment from Shahid, he didn’t know how to react. That’s when he backed out of the relationship and Vidya was heartbroken. She still hasn’t forgiven him for the way he behaved.

Thereafter, there have been numerous reports linking Shahid with other women. But all that ended when the Priyanka chapter in his life took off. Now that they are together again, things seem to be rosy on the surface. But according to those in the know, this could just be the calm before the storm erupts once more.

“With Shahid back in her life, Priyanka is genuinely happy,” says the friend. But nothing much has changed really. Priyanka has done enough work and she’s looking for a stabilizing factor in her life. She finds that in Shahid for now. But he’s also very clear that he doesn’t want to be in a committed relationship at this point. Their reunion is still fresh so it’s not affecting PC right now but once realisation dawns on her, there will be trouble again.”

That’s also one of the reasons why Priyanka’s family isn’t happy with this new development either. After the split with Shahid, they have seen her go through the trauma over the actor. Obviously, they don’t want a repeat act. “When they got to know that she was back with Shahid, they warned her and advised her against it,” says our informer. “But she was adamant. She argued that this was her decision and it made her happy. Even after she came back to Mumbai, they tried telling her to think over it again. But she’s firm about her choice and she’s willing to take the risk.”

Although one can’t really blame Shahid for taking his own time. Besides the emotional issues of the past, he’s also gearing up for a flourishing career. The industry has taken note of his star status and along with Ranbir Kapoor; he is heralded as the future superstar.

A director-friend of the actor says, “He’s taken a long time to get here. He doesn’t want to lose his focus now. The next five years are going to be the most important years in his career. In Priyanka’s case, she’s already at her peak. She’s worked with the biggest of actors and the biggest of banners already. There is nothing left for her to conquer now. For Shahid, the good times have just begun and he wants to make the best of it. A commitment of any kind, at this stage, would divert his attention and he knows that.”