Chapter-13
Dimaag Ghuma Ke Rakh Diya!
In the shooting arena,
Au- (annoyed) Where were you Nisha? Have you seen the time? We have only a day left and you are busy somewhere else. Aria had been waiting for you since an hour. She went just a few minutes ago.
Ni- (looking down) Sorry Austin, I know I shouldn't have done like this. Actually I was talking with Kabir so...
Au- (interrupting) Nisha, this is enough. I won't stop you from talking to him since that doesn't really disturb me in any way but the matter is that this is a competition Nisha and you cannot mix up your professional life and personal life. This competition is not just a solo competition, it requires a team and what will the team members do without their leader.
Ni- Austin I know but Kabir and I talked a lot after days and that is why it took so long.
Au- Nisha, look I cannot interfere in your personal life but I am your PA and I also have some duty towards this academy of yours. And moreover if you say that you have talked to Kabir after long days don't forget he is from the rival team and sometimes you need to be practical. (irritated) Okay leave it! I will go and call Aria, you wait!
Nisha nodded. She realized that Austin is not wrong. He was thinking practically. She understood her fault. Aria came and Nisha practiced with her. After the day's practice Nisha went for dinner without calling Kabir. Kabir himself came and joined her.
Ka- Aaj mere bina hi shuru kar diya!
Ni- (not looking at him) Aisa nahi hai! Woh mujhe neend aa rahi hai. Mera ho gaya tu khaa le!
Nisha was about to leave when Kabir held her hand. Nisha stopped.
Ka- baat kya hai Nisha?
Ni- (not looking at him) Kuch nahi! Maine kaha na mujhe neend aa rahi hai!
She released her hand from his grip and left. Kabir was confused.
Ka- (monologue) Isse kya hua? Khana khaake jaata hoon.
He ate his dinner and then went to his room. He knocked at Nisha's door. Nisha came and opened the door.
Ni- (surprised) Kabir tu iss waqt?
Ka- Kya hua tujhe?
Ni- Told you I am sleepy.
Ka- So sleepy that you came after 2 knocks only and have no sleep in your eyes.
Ni- I was asleep. You wake me up. Now I really need to sleep. Goodnight!
Nisha closed the door. Kabir couldn't understand anything.
Ka- (monologue) Shayad sahi mein so rahi hon! I will talk to her tomorrow. Right now I will sleep.
He went to his room and slept. Nisha went ot the balcony of her room.
Ni- Kabir, I am sorry. I really can't talk much to you now. Austin is right. You are from my rival team and itni dosti karna galat hai. Moreover I can't just let all the efforts of my team go into ashes. We can't be friends anymore, to the least till the competition.
NEXT MORNING
Nisha was having her breakfast alone as she woke up early. Kabir got ready and was about to knock on her door but saw that it was locked. He reached the restaurant but couldn't find Nisha as she had already left.
Ka- (monologue) Yeh Nisha ko ho kya gaya hai? Why is acting weird? Why is she ignoring me?
Nisha reached the shooting arena. Austin was already there.
Au- Nisha I am sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you like that...
Ni- (interrupted) You are right Austin. I was wrong. I shouldn't waste my time in personal friendship to the least till the competition ends. This is not a solo effort game. All the team members have put in their efforts. I have to work for them.
Austin smiled. Aria came in. Nisha and aria practiced.
IN DANCE HALL
Kabir was dancing but his mind was somewhere else. It was the first time that he forgot a step. Priyal and Hardik went to him.
Pr- Kabir sir, is everything okay?
Kabir nodded.
Har- Sir because for the first time in our lives we have seen you forget any step. Sir do we need a break?
Ka- (sternly) No I am good. I'll start the music again and this time we won't do any mistake.
Kabir again forgot a step.
Pr- Sir please let's take a break. We won't be able to practice anything like this. We will continue after an hour.
Ka- No, I am okay!
Har- Sir but we aren't. we need a break. Bye!
They left. Kabir was alone in the rehearsal hall.
Ka- Nisha ko kya hogaya? Everything was fine till yesterday. Then what is the new problem?
After an hour he started dancing with Priyal and Hardik trying to concentrate on dance. He didn't forget any steps now but his heart was somewhere else. It was lunch time. Kabir went to the restaurant and saw Nisha having her lunch.
Ka- Hi Nisha!
Ni- Hi!
Kabir sat in front of her. Nisha got up and left without saying anything.
Ka- (monologue) Aaj toh jaankar hi rahoonga reason kya hai?
He went after her. She almost ran to her room. Kabir went to her room and knocked at the door.
Ka- (annoyed) Nisha! Open the door!
Ni- I need some rest Kabir. I will talk to you later.
Ka- That is the problem Nisha, you aren't talking to me and I need to know the reason.
Ni- Kabir, it is not like that. I am just too much preoccupied with some work and the competition.
Ka- This means you aren't going to open the door? (as if warning her)
Ni- Please Kabir I really need some rest.
Ka- Okay then take proper rest but don't talk to me after this. Do you understand!
He left to his room. They practiced but even after practice they didn't talk to each other and had their dinner separately. Austin and Nisha had dinner together discussing something for the next day. Nisha and Kabir went to their rooms and slept.
NEXT DAY
It was the last second round of the competition today. Nisha and Kabir gave their best in the performances against the other teams. Nisha's theme was women empowerment and they performed on the song MARDANI ANTHEM'. It was a brilliant performance. The face off was a nice one. The results were announced and Nisha's and Kabir's academies were in the top 4. Nisha's happiness knew no bounds and neither did Kabir's. But they controlled themselves. The owners were again called for a meeting. Nisha and Kabir sat in the opposite corners.
Laura and Andrew came in.
Laura- Congratulations everyone! (cheering them up) We have got our finalists! Yaay!
Everyone clapped.
Andrew- So today we are not going to drop the bomb so that you all can spend a day without any tensions.
Laura- For cheering you all up, we have planned a party tomorrow. We will have the 4 finalist teams and the world around us.
Andrew- There will be media and some very famous personalities, even Heroes and Heroines from bollywood and Hollywood. Excited?
Everyone clapped.
Laura- Stop clapping because the next news might actually need more energy for clapping! So wanna know is the guest of Honor?
Everyone was confused.
Andrew- Mr. Mayank Sharma! (Imagine VIVAN BHATENA as MAYANK SHARMA)
Everyone was surprised.
Laura- Yes, the famous businessman and the eligible bachelor. Girls hold your seats.
Nisha couldn't believe it. Her all the time crush would come tomorrow. She would meet him.
Andrew-So that's it for the announcements. Day after tomorrow we will have a meeting again in the morning to discuss the next round. You are free for now. Good night everyone!
Everyone was leaving except for Nisha. Kabir saw her. She looked shocked. He went to her.
Ka- You good Nisha?
Nisha jumped and hugged him in excitement.
Ni- (breaking the hug) Kabir I can't believe I will meet Mayank Sharma tomorrow, THE MAYANK SHARMA. (without breathing for a sec) You know he has always been my all time crush. Okay I need to breathe.
Ka- (smiling) Yes you need to.
Ni- (giggling) I can't believe Kabir I will meet him tomorrow. I mean the person I have been dreaming of since I was in college will be tomorrow in front of me. Is it happening?
Kabir nodded cutely.
Ni- Pinch me!
Ka- How can I?
Ni- I said pinch me!
He lightly pinched her.
Ni- I am not dreaming. Oh god!
She was damn excited and left in excitement forgetting that she left something burning behind. He was Kabir. Kabir was leaving for his room.
Ka- (monologue) Aisa kya hai uss Mayank Sharma mein? Okay he has got a lot of money and is a bit intelligent. But I am also good looking. Girls want to marry me! (attitude) Main bhi bahut handsome hoon. Height bhi theek thaak hai. I don't know what Nisha likes about that guy.
Kabir was in his room by now. He was about to change his clothes when he heard a knock on the door.
Ka- Who's there?
Ni- Me Kabir!
Kabir went and opened the door.
Ni -Tujhse thodi der baat kar loon?
Kabir invited her inside.
Ni- First of all Kabir I am sorry. Actually maine parso Austin se baat ki thi and...
She explained everything what Austin said, what she felt when she did so and how she realized that she was wrong because of Viraj after she called him.
Ka- (annoyed)But Nisha this is not fair. Tujhe jab baat karni hoti hai then you talk when you don't want to you don't. When you want to share something you call me and when you don't you forget me. When you want to be with me you be and when you don't you leave!
Nisha got upset remembering whatever happened in the past. Kabir realized what he said.
Ka- I am sorry!
Ni- (changing the topic) Matlab tune mujhe maaf kar diya. (not letting him speak) Chalo accha hai! Now I can talk a lot with you. Actually na main bahut confused hoon kal kya pehnoon after all I am going to meet Mr. Mayank Sharma, my lifelong crush so I have to look good na. tu meri madad karega?
Ka- (monologue) Not again?
Ka- Tu itna kya paagal ho rahi hai. He is just a businessman and has some money.
Ni -Oh hello! He is not just a businessman. He is THE MAYANK SHARMA. He is so tall and handsome and intelligent and...
Ka- (annoyed) Okay stop! Enough!
Ni- (Realized something) Wait! Are you jealous?
Ka- (hiding) No! Obviously not! Why will I be jealous of him? I have everything, money, fame and intelligence.
Ni- Haan you don't have any reason because I cannot compare you (looking down) to Mayank Sharma (showing her hand up indicating he is much better)
Ka- Nisha!
Nisha started running up and down bed and sofa and throwing at Kabir who was chasing. Finally Kabir caught her and pinned her to the wall. Nisha was shocked.
Ni -Kabir!
Ka- Ab bol! Who's better, me or that Mayank Sharma? (teasing tone) Ab toh saare features bhi defined dikh rahe honge.
Nisha was blushing and looked down.
Ni- (stern look) Mayank Sharma!
Ka- Acha!
He went a little more closer if that was even possible. She could feel his breadth on her cheeks. Her heart was racing. Nisha wanted to push him back but she was feelings weak. Just then her phone rang.
Ni- Kabir please!
Kabir left her. It was video call from Viraj. She got her breath back and went to the balcony, then picked up the call.
Ni- Haan Viraj!
Vi- Haan Viraj? Hi toh bol pehle!
Ni- Hi Viraj!
Vi- Better!
Viraj was about to speak something when Kj came from behind.
Kj- (enthusiastically) Hi Mb!
Ni- (Smiles) Hi Kj! How's my boy doing?
Kj- I am perfect Mb. You know today I got my marksheet for the first assessments.
Ni- My Kj would have topped I am sure.
Kj- Wow Mb! Did papa tell you?
Ni- No! he doesn't tell me anything specially in the recent past. I will come and deal with him.
Kaira- Kairaj let us also talk. Go and pack you pags for tomorrow. (Kj leaves) What happened today Nisha? What were the results?
Ni- We are amongst the top 4.
Kaira was literally dancing out of happiness. Kabir came from behind.
Ka- hi Viraj!
Nisha shared the screen with him.
Vi- Hi Kabir! (teasing tone) You two are in the same room?
Ka- Shut up Viraj! Nisha aur main baat kar rahe the. (looked at Kaira dancing) Hi Kaira!
Kaira stopped dancing.
Kaira- Hi Kabir! What was your result?
Ka- Promise me you won't start dancing again.
They all laughed whereas Kaira frowned.
Kaira- (frowning face) Congratulations both of you!
Ni & ka- (cutely) Thanks Kaira!
Ni- you know guys I have a bigger news. Tomorrow there will be a party for us and guess who's the chief guest!
Nisha said in a very excited tone. Kaira and Viraj couldn't understand.
Ni- (Excited tone) the chief guest will be Mr. Mayank Mehta!
Kaira- What are you talking?
Ni- Really Kaira! He will be here tomorrow.
Kaira- Can I come there please, please?
Ni- I was going to tell you this. Family members are allowed. Tum logon ko aana hai kal. I have to call Gaurav also.
Viraj- Usse main baat kar loonga.
Kaira- Nisha, Kabir, why don't you come tomorrow in the morning and then we will go to the party tomorrow?
Kabir and Nisha looked at each other as if the same thing was going on in their minds.
Ka- Actually Kaira we are not sure if they are going to allow us to leave the hotel since only the last round is left.
Ni- Haan Kaira! Kabir is right. They will not allow us.
Vi- I can talk if you want me to. Vaise Gaurav ke connections hai. I will ask him to talk. Usko bhi bula lenge kal subah.
Ni- Okay! Vaise bhi I haven't talked with Shanaya bhabhi since long.
Kaira- Okay then you are coming tomorrow in the morning. You should be here by 10. Usse pehle bhi aa sakte ho.
Kabir and Nisha smiled.
Ni & Ka (together)- JI MADAM!
They laughed but Kaira frowned.
Kaira- Main jaa rahi hoon muhe neend aa rahi hai.
Ka- Good night guys! I think it is actually late.
Ni- Good night!
Vi- Good night!
They hanged the call. Nisha and Kabir looked at each other and started laguhign. They didn't even know why. But they were laughing out loud for no reason.
Ni- (while laughing) TU kyun hass raha hai?
Ka- (while laughing) Tu kyun?
They controlled their laughter session nad finally laid on the bed with their legs on the floor (guttery mind na chale isiliye poora batana padhta hai)
Ka- Yaar Nisha! I can't believe it. Hum log firse vaise hi saath mein hai! Everything feels like back to normal.
Ni- (smiling) Kabir, this is even better than being Normal.
Ka- You are right Nisha. This feels like mine. This moment, it feels so complete.
They let their silence talk now. Everything felt so beautiful. Was it happening again? As soon as this thought came to Nisha's mind she got up with a jerk. Kabir also got up after her. Nisha showed expressions of shock.
Ka- Kya hua?
Ni- Nothing, (hiding) its late! We should get some sleep.
Before Kabir could say anything she almost ran out. Kabir couldn't understand what was happening. He thought that Nisha might actually be sleepy. He slept on the bed turning off lights and his detective brain.
Cricket
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
