"No, ma'am the seats are full here, you can try above..." The conductor's response wasn't pleasing. It was a legendary bad day, first Kuhu slipped and sprained her leg disabling her from performing at the Utsav, then Badi Ma's blood pressure was high yet Mishti couldn't stay back because of commitment. She was the other main performer besides Kuhu, she couldn't bail out on the crew as well.

In bid to get her best friend to the hospital Mishti had already missed the bus booked for her group, and now this bus didn't have any space either. Alas, a person holding an instrument above gestured her to get up. The first thing her eyes fell on at the bus top was a camera in a traditionally dressed person's hand, to evade it Mishti lowered herself.

The engine roared to life, and the same person ended up losing balance. As Mishti steadied him, the people around teased them, "And the heroine entered to save the hero's life."

"It's nothing like that, if a person holds your hand with a good heart you let them."

Whoever the person behind her was delusional according to Mishti, and she decided to voice the same, "I only took your hand to help you... And anyways, when one's own leave your hand, it isn't easy to hold someone else's."

Alone.

She had pretty eyes, a beautiful voice, and was quite lonely at her heart. Maybe like himself because someone close left or betrayed, Abir mused. Shrugging off the unpleasant memories, he welcomed music with open arms... Literally. He danced to the traditional tunes of the wedding band, only to lose his balance again. The girl behind him jibed, "Some people never learn from their mistakes."

"I made one mistake," Abir retorted and returned to his dance.

A little while later the person even broke into a song, starting antakshari among everyone sitting around. The journey was so jovial that by the time the bus stopped at the Dhaba, Mishti and Abir's voices were leading the chorus, "Zindagi ek safar hai suhana..."

Smile gracing her lips.

Recently discharged from the hospital Kuhu was busy updating her five thousand followers with the newest tragedy in her life, "#Nicecar but drivers with black hearts. My leg sprained and he didn't even stop, let alone apologise #noIamsorry. But no problem #Kuhuiswarrior."

Habitual to tag her best friend in all her posts, Kuhu tagged her dming to reply and call as soon as possible. As sad as she was to haven't been able to become part of a performance Kuhu vigorously practiced for, staying in her bed with tubs of ice cream as company was not much. However, quite enough for her at the same time. She had to drink that concoction Jasmeet Chachi brewed in order to get it, and Kuhu could count her blessings.

Habitual, Kunal called for Abir Bhai as soon as he reached home in the evening. The sad faces to greet him were enough to give rise to his suspicions, yet he had been hoping his brother wouldn't leave behind his back again. Affirmation in the silence, extracted a sigh from him. Bhai...

The bus stopped jerking him forward, this time no stranger was sitting just behind him to hold Abir. He smiled at the small conversation they shared, and then shook his head to get off the bus. Moving towards the people holding his name in the bigger than necessary board, observed how much attention the special welcome and vehicle had garnered. No amount of assurance could deter the organisers, Abir wasn't attending the event for the first time. For the past three years, his NGO had coordinated with them to set up various shops at the carnival.

He had been setting up his paintings' exhibition for the same amount of time in the last two weeks of the Utsav, yet they refused to stop with their extravagant importance provided. Next time Abir would argue, they didn't let go of such welcomes because they didn't trust him to find his way around.

Mishti carried the load of her bag towards the location of the green room as messaged by her group. The frown on her forehead being the most prominent feature at the moment, for the next half of the trip she was able to find a seat inside the bus. Yet, her decision didn't turn out to be well. While those above had resumed their singing game, Mishti was stuck meditating amid a couple's fight. Glares and biting remarks had almost given her a headache.

Meanwhile, in a room of Maheswari house, Vishambhar was trying to placate his hyperventilating wife, "I understand your concerns regarding Mishti, she's my daughter as much as she is yours. But Shaurya ki Ma, your decision to-"

"I have made my mind Shaurya ke Bauji, I need to leave. That man-that man should never have been released from the prison. Now that he is, his presence in the same place as our Mishti..."

She shook her head in defiance, "I will give whatever he asks, we don't have any insufficiency of money, but Mishti is our daughter he can't hurt her."

Her blood pressure was high, and Vishambhar knew no matter what medication was provided his wife's worries would overrule its effects. Begrudgingly, he agreed, "Fine, but you can't go alone."

Rajshree agreed, "I won't, but I can't risk Mishti running into him."

It could be a completely futile concern, Kutch Rann Utsav was a huge event. Though at times the world did turn into a small place, she feared if it turned out to be one of those times.

***

Utsav- Celebration, here carnival

Antakshari- A game where people have to sing song starting from the letter on which the last song ended.

Shaurya ke Bauji- Shaurya's father

Shaurya ki Ma- Shaurya's mother

Ke- 'Of' while describing relationships, used to refer to plural or (like here) to show respect, gender neutral

Ki- 'Of' while describing relationships, used for women/girls

Ka- 'Of' while describing relationships, used for men/boys 

Zindagi ek safar hai suhana-

https://youtu.be/Dxz8W55r5po

First of all, I didn't find time to proof-read the above chapter but I couldn't sleep without updating something so...

Secondly, I am sorry if it was a bit small but I am really struggling with writing the characters of YRHPK, as if I need to be half asleep to find what way it would go even after drawing rough guideline.

Third thing was supposed to be the structuring of the chapter, it was all over the place when I wrote it but while typing it came out nicely and now I am happy about it.

The fourth thing is, second update of the week will be tomorrow at whatever time I wake up, beware, I have to write it out first.

Fifth, my pre-Boards are from Monday and unlike my Swasan fic, this one doesn't have any reserved written chapters. So, it's a bit dubious whether I would be able to find time to update it next week... Even tomorrow. *sigh*

Sixth, I might have just figured a way to fix Mishti and Kuhu's relationship perfectly in my fic and I am so sorry but I am taking an easy out for this one. I am already wondering about Meenakshi's thought process while planning to be the villain cum cupid and I don't want to write another such person. Also, I am terrified of writing a mean Kuhu since, she really could turn super mean easily and the figured emotional abuse in their on screen relationship does make me skeptical of going that way , in future... I might have some plans to show some bitterness between the two.

Seventh, please listen to Abir's Shayari (poetry), I mean I wouldn't leave a chance even without request but...

Eighth, where does it hold in comparison to the first episode of the actual show?

Ninth, I don't think I introduced their families properly and I do think they are going to be sidelined by me for a while. At least, until they return to Rajkot, now I do love to write from the unchartered perspectives of the family members from side and the conversation of Badi Ma and Bade Papa in this chapter is a result of it. Personally, I want to avoid turning to Rajkot until Mishbir are in Kutch but Kuku...

Tenth, so, it's fair to ask about Kuku at this point. What do you think of the two? I love writing romance, and they have lots of potential being Kuhu (chirpiness) and b/w Kunal (son of a King, I might be incorrect with Kunal).

Eleventh, I am fond of this number, let's end the long author's note turned into ranting with Valentine wishes to all of you out there, and even if you are single loving yourself is no sin.