In order to not miss the mandatory dance marathons, I requested my call center's boss for the time shift, and after getting his approval, I got my morning shift transferred to late evening for three days i.e. Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

Suhana, Danny, and Tejas's round fell on Sunday, so I was happy that I could at least get some rest for the major challenge. As for the fast food restaurant's job, I could manage it.

It was Friday, the first day of the four-day dance challenge by Sarthak Sir, and I was trying to finish off my work as fast as I could.

I was wiping the tables when I noticed a bunch of high-schoolers bustle inside the restaurant. Soon, a few tables were occupied and the noise level increased by hundred folds.

I looked at the teenagers in amusement, and one of them called for a server. My senior was busy, so I went to take their orders, and while suggesting them our new food items, I noticed a girl among the group staring at me with wide eyes.

"Bhoomi Didi?" that girl asked.

I recognised the voice. "Rahi?"

Akshay's younger sister, Rahi, looked unrecognisable. The shiny silver one-piece dress with matching heels and subtle makeup made Rahi look like a model. It was the first time I was seeing her like this.

"Didi, you work here?" Rahi asked curiously.

I nodded. "Just enjoy with your friends," I told her.

She looked hesitant and checked her appearance.

"Actually, Didi, these are my school friends," Rahi said and pointed at her friends. "I wasn't going to come but Suhana Di-"

"Chill, Rahi. Just tell me what you will like to eat," I interrupted her.

She smiled and her friends gave their orders. Within ten minutes, everyone got what they wanted, and I went to change my clothes as my shift had ended.

I noticed Rahi and her friends playing around, so I didn't disturb her and continued on my way. She stopped me before I exited the restaurant.

"Bhoomi Didi..." Rahi called.

I didn't miss the sad tone in her voice. Rahi kept glancing at her attire and adjusted her hair to cover her exposed shoulders.

"Rahi, you look really gorgeous in this dress," I said. "And the makeup suits you well too."

Rahi grinned. "Suhana Di pushed me to attend this party with my friends. This dress is also from her only, and she did my makeup too."

I smiled when Rahi enthusiastically showed me all the stuff Suhana had gifted her, but while doing so, she dropped her phone.

I quickly picked it up and furrowed my eyebrows when I saw the brand of the phone Rahi was carrying.

"This is yours?" I asked Rahi.

She nodded. "It is the latest iPhone model, Didi. Suhana Di insisted, so I accepted it from her."

"But there is a scratch on it now." I worriedly pointed at the small scratch on the screen.

Rahi shrugged. "No worries. Suhana Di will get me a new one if I tell her."

I didn't like what Rahi had said, but I also didn't want to spoil her mood. She, like the rest of her family, had become very close with Suhana, and Akshay's younger siblings demanded stuff from his girlfriend without any thought.

I was worried if this habit might end up becoming a bad thing. Still, I didn't say anything to Rahi as I reminded myself that I didn't need to poke my nose in Akshay's personal details. I already had my hands full.

I bid goodbye to Rahi and went to catch an auto. One hour later, I was at Sarthak's studio. The dance marathons were going to be really hard, so I just wished that I had enough energy left to do my shift at my call center job.

First, Udit Sir conducted his dance marathon, and it was all about balance. I didn't have much problem in it, but as everyone progressed into Rohit Sir's challenge, I started noticing how the difficulty level was increasing and our weaknesses were getting exposed.

I had thought that I would have no problem in these dance marathons except Tejas's, but I was looking for a moment to catch my breath after Rohit Sir grilled us thoroughly. I managed to pass in the fourth last round. The things only got worse and brutal from that point onward when Fatima ma'am started her challenge.

And she didn't spare the trainees she had her eyes on; I was one of them, so by the time her dance marathon finished, I was in the second last batch to pass.

Seeing my progress, I was worried if I was going to damage my performance chart. I was trying to conserve my energy for my part-time job, but when it was time to go to my workplace, I was feeling like my body was punctured in all places.

I pushed myself to not faint, and was looking forward to the upcoming Sunday. Sunday was going to be the third day of the dance marathons, but the timings were set a bit late than the weekdays. In hopes of getting enough sleep, I worked extra hard on the second day of the dance challenges.

Unfortunately, my body was not supporting my aim. My right scapula had started hurting again, and I was feeling like my arm would fall off just after Suhas Sir's session began on Saturday morning.

I regretted the overconfidence I had shown before; when KD's turn came to mentor us, I realised what kind of skills he was hiding all along. All this time, he was showcasing just a small percentage of what he was capable of, and after barely passing through his round, I got nervous about what Suhana, Danny, and Tejas had in store for us.

Worrying about getting butchered on Sunday, I went to finish my shift at the call centre and dragged my feet towards my home once I reached my chawl. I was grateful that I didn't drop into a drain as I walked like a zombie through the narrow streets.

I got irritated when my phone rang. With half-closed eyes, I picked up the call without looking at the caller ID and just said 'yes' to everything Jiya was talking about. I didn't even cut the call and waited for her to hang up the call herself.

Once I reached home, I was so tired that I just dropped beside my sister and fell asleep within a split-second. I didn't even remember about dinner.

I was watching a very nice dream, and there was a big surprise going to be revealed, but my beauty sleep was broken by my mother's voice.

"Bhoomi, get up already. Aren't you getting late for Shlok's grihpooja (home ceremony)?" Mom pulled the blanket off me.

"What pooja?" I grumbled.

"Get up. Akshay had come to go with you, but I told him to leave by himself, so you could sleep some more. But if you keep sleeping like this, you will miss your dance sessions also."

Mom's words registered slowly in my brain, and I was planning on falling asleep again, but when I remembered everything, I felt a headache building up.

"Why did Shlok had to do his grihpooja today?" I complained.

"Why are you acting like you didn't know already?" Dhara Di asked me. "Shlok had sent the invitations on WhatsApp four days ago only. You didn't check?"

"He did?"

Dhara Di rolled her eyes. "Jiya had called you yesterday, didn't she? You didn't hear what she was saying?"

I tried to remember. I was so fatigued that I didn't even properly hear what Jiya was telling me. Mom told me that Shlok's mother had herself come yesterday afternoon to give out the invitation. As mom had to take care of Dhara Di and Dad was also not present, I was the only who could attend the grihpooja (home ceremony).

Even if I had woken up now, my body was still not willing to move. I thought of not going, but my sister reminded me that Shlok would have gotten angry with me; I hadn't even responded to his WhatsApp invitation.

Thinking about Shlok, I got up after checking the time. I had gotten only five hours of sleep - it was one hour more than other days, but it still felt insufficient.

I had to wear salwar kameez, so I didn't change in the bathroom as the clothes would have gotten wet. I was wearing my kameez (top) when Dhara Di told me to stop.

"What are those bruises, Bhoomi?" Dhara Di asked.

I looked at where she was pointing and narrowed my eyes when I saw some random purple bruises on my stomach and waist.

"What are these?" I mumbled.

"Did you get hurt at work?" Mom asked worriedly. "Are they making you work really hard, Bhoomi? Didn't you say you are working at a restaurant and call centre? Are you doing some hard labour without us knowing?"

I shook my head. "No, Maa, I won't lie to you. I also don't how I got hurt. I don't remember crashing or falling down. And these bruises were not present yesterday."

"Does it hurt?" my sister asked.

I touched the weird bruises on my stomach. "A little."

"Let's go to the doctor then," Mom said.

"Relax, Maa," I said. "It doesn't hurt much, so I will just apply some ointment. I am getting late. Please pack my bag for me."

Mom looked hesitant, but Dhara Di convinced her, and after fifteen minutes, I took my bag and left to attend Shlok's grihpooja.

My speed was really slow, and when I reached Shlok's new house, my head started throbbing like someone was hammering it.

"Bhoomi!" Rehman jumped on me.

"Get off me!" I yelled.

He punched me on the back. "You didn't get your beauty sleep or what?"

I opened my mouth to argue but felt it not worth the effort. Rehman pushed me towards our friends, but I wanted to be alone.

I stood with my friends, and they were gossiping and laughing about random stuff, while Shlok's family was getting the things prepared.

"Bhoomi, how do you like the house?" Shlok asked me after he came out from the house.

I glanced at his new home. I had entered the main lawn, but my eyes were trying to keep themselves open, so I didn't get time to notice Shlok's house.

"It is beautiful," I told him.

"Isn't it?" Shlok grinned. "Now I have a room for myself. Mom can also do gardening, and Dad can hold his morning yoga in the lawn. Aaji Aajoba (Grandma Grandpa) are also very happy."

I smiled at Shlok, but somehow, I was feeling a bit sad after hearing the good news from Shlok.

"What's with the dull reaction?" Rehman asked me.

"Shut up," I scolded.

Vibhan told Rehman to not fight with me, and I thanked Vibhan or else I would have ended up beating up Rehman.

"TJ!" Rehman screamed like a kid and dashed off towards the gates.

Rehman hugged Tejas, and like always, Tejas was amused by Rehman's enthusiasm. After him, his whole team entered one by one, followed by Suhana and Mahreen. Akshay instantly went to receive Suhana, and Mahreen started making a vlog about Shlok's house.

"You invited them too?" I asked Shlok.

Shlok nodded. "Of course. Why do you look so surprised?"

My friends joined The Emperors, and within seconds, everyone got mixed with each other. The sound of the chattering increased, and the more I observed my friends mingling with Tejas and his group, I felt a weird feeling bubbling up.

All of them look so happy... as if there are no worries in their lives.

Isn't that a good thing, Bhoomi?

I guess it is.

I found a chair for myself and sat down.

I just want to sleep. This headache is killing me. It is Sunday, and I had planned on resting as I don't want to fail in the dance marathons today, especially Tejas's. His is the last of the day, and in my current state, I don't think I will even be able to make it through Suhana's dance sessions. All of the energy boosters and supplements are finished too. How will I manage?

If I had checked Shlok's invitation before, I could have made any excuse to not come. But I would have been a bad friend then, right?

I roamed my eyes around the house.

Why am I not feeling happy? My friend has bought a new home, so why am I not able to celebrate his happiness like others? What's wrong with me?

"Bhoomi, what are you doing here?" Rehman asked and pushed my chair.

I looked at him in frustration. "What's your problem, Rehman? Leave me alone."

He pushed my chair again. "Are you an old lady? Why are you sitting here when everyone is enjoying outside? The pooja is yet to start, so let's go. Didn't you see who has arrived? The Emperors are here; your crush is here, idiot."

"Whose crush is here?" Tejas asked as he walked towards us.

I glared at Rehman when he opened his mouth.

"Crush? What's that?" Rehman fumbled.

Tejas glanced between Rehman and me. "Are you talking about something secretive?"

"Of course not. I was just telling Bhoomi to-"

I stepped on Rehman's foot, and he stopped blabbering. He laughed and told Tejas that he was just joking around. Tejas glanced at me, but I looked away.

"Rehman, Vibhan is calling you," I told him.

Rehman looked at me in confusion, and I signalled him to leave and take Tejas along with him. He twisted his face at me but understood what I meant. He started talking nonsense with Tejas, and I sighed in relief when both guys left.

I looked at my friends and others and noticed how much their bonding had increased. Even Arushi, an awkward social potato was chatting with Suhana and some guys from The Emperors.

Everything looks so nice. It feels like my crew and Tejas's crew are not different but one. All of them are talking to each other like they have been friends for ages.

And what's the problem in that, Bhoomi?

Aren't Unix and The Emperors rivals? I mean both crew are different and compete against each other. Also, did you forget about that dance battle where my crew had cheated, and such a huge problem was created? The Emperors were so pissed off, but look at them now being so friendly with Unix.

You want them to fight then? What are you going on about?

Actually, isn't it weird? I have thought about this earlier also, but I can't forget about it no matter how much I try to ignore it. When Unix had cheated in that dance battle finale with The Emperors, I had cosplayed as Boomer. The Emperors were really angry when they found out about the cheating, but after talking with them, Tejas and Hriaan calmed their crew down and said that they were over that issue now.

I and my friends were still worried, but The Emperors showed that they were not lying and both crews started interacting with each other a lot, and since the beginning, Tejas and his team has been really nice with my friends. Rehman treats Tejas like his older brother, and Tejas has no problem with it. The Emperors come over to Vibhan's dance station any time, and my captain had even invited them to that bonfire party.

Also, The Emperors gave free tickets to my whole crew for that high-class dance battle where they were performing. And Hriaan had also invited everyone to his party and keeps doing so frequently.

After Boomer's secret was out, Tejas didn't even spare me a glance, but he had no problem befriending Akshay. Akki and I both had battled against Hriaan and Tejas that day, but Hriaan and Tejas showed no rivalry against Akshay. Even Vibhan and other guys had also battled against them, but The Emperors didn't give them the cold shoulder.

I wasn't the only one who had cheated. My whole crew was involved in it, so why did only I get that kind of treatment? Why was I the only one made to feel like a criminal? Tejas even told me not to call him TJ. I thought it must be because he doesn't like me, but he had said that after Boomer's identity was revealed. Before that he had no problem. Why only me then?

All of my crew cheated, so why do they still get to call him TJ? Why am I an exception? What exactly did I do to receive such biased treatment?

Also, everyone else is progressing in their lives: Shlok has bought a new home, Akshay has got a girlfriend and his whole lifestyle has changed, Yasir and Pratik are increasing their shops, Vibhan has expanded his studio, and Rehman is doing very well in our crew.

Everyone has a good news to share or something to celebrate, but me?

Apart from getting a spot in the Sarthak Pawar's dream team, nothing good has happened since my crew clashed with The Emperors. And that pathetic ex-husband of my sister. He has made everything worse. Right now I should be working, but still I am here, watching everyone else being happy and carefree.

Are you jealous of your own friends, Bhoomi?

I don't know! I just want to go home and sleep! My body is aching so much that I feel like if I move even one finger, I will die. I am tired... I just want to have a moment of rest and peace. Ganapati Bappa, what sins have I committed that me and my family are going through so much?

"Hamster, you okay?" Tejas asked.

I looked at him in confusion. "Why do you call me that?"

"Because you are a hamster," he replied as a matter of fact. "Right now also you look like one."

"Don't call me that again," I told him.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like it."

He moved his hand towards me, but I shifted my chair away.

"Are you really okay, Bhoomi?" he asked.

Why does he look so worried? Is he trying to act in front of our friends?

"Can you please drop your 'nice' act?" I complained.

"You are really not okay," Tejas said. "You didn't get proper sleep, right?"

I fisted my hands. His good behaviour was irking me. I wondered for how long his 'nice act' was going to last before he went back to giving me a cold shoulder again.

"Bhoomi, are you not taking your health supplements?" Tejas asked with a concerned expression.

I can't afford them.

"Don't bother," I replied.

I got up and went inside the house. The grihpooja (home ceremony) had started, so I stood in a corner where I could get some peace.

I noticed Tejas enter the house along with our friends, and he looked at me with a curious expression once he spotted me.

Beside him, Rehman, Yasir, Pratik, and Vibhan were helping others to sit and doing their best to make Tejas and his team feel comfortable.

All of them look so good together. None of them have any problem with each other. But as soon as my topic comes up, everyone's mood and attitude changes. The Emperors treat me as if I am some alien species, and my own friends leave no chance to embarrass me.

After this home ceremony, I have those dance marathons also. What will I do? Why am I suffering so much?