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"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' -Thoughts

Chapter 6 - Decisions, decisions

Sanskar knew that Ragini sang beautifully. He also knew the entire crowd was rooting for her. He may get himself into trouble for being biased if he rejected her on trivial reasons. 'Think Sanskar think. You need to reject her somehow. There is no way you can let her participate until and unless she apologizes.'

He was about to speak, when Ragini slammed the mike on the table. "You can keep your list, you can have your seats! But don't think for a second that you can control me. Who are you to reject me!?"

Ragini looked him in the eye. "You think you will reject me? I myself refuse to join this corrupt auditions. Goodbye to you and your competition!" with that, Ragini got down from the stage and walked calmly towards Swara and Kriti.

The entire crowd remained wide eyed, but not as much as Sanskar himself.

Laksh and Mansi looked on with with open mouth at Ragini's departing figure. Sanskar was shocked speechless to do anything other than sputter.

"Di! That was awesome! You sang so beautifully!" Swara praised.

"And more awesome was how you answered to Sanskar. Hahaha... His face was priceless!" Kriti patted Vivek as she laughed. Poor guy was becoming her personal punching bag.

They heard the bell ring, but Ragini noted that it rang for a longer time. Ragini noticed the students moving out. However, instead of the classrooms, they were headed to the front of the academy.

Ragini looked at Swara in question.

"Di, this bell means that the Principal has an annoucement to make. We need to move to the hall."

Ragini nodded in understanding.

From the corner of her eyes, she noticed someone standing near Kriti. As she looked to him in question, the guy smiled and extended his hand. "Hi! I'm Vivek, Kriti's classmate."

Ragini shook his hand "I'm Ragini." Ragini felt Vivek's hand go still on hearing her name and saw his eyes widen."Is... Is something wrong?"

Vivek smiled at her. "N-no no. Its just that you...you sang so well, I did assume your name would be something related to singing."

Ragini found that comment odd, but she just gave him a smile.

By now, the auditorium was almost empty. Only a few students remained.

"Lets go! Otherwise, we might have to face the wrath of the Principal." Kriti exclaimed.

"Ragini?! Ragini listen please!" came a shout. They turned to see Laksh approach them. "Ragini, I'm really sorry for what Sanskar did. But I would really like you to participate. Swara, tell your sister please."

"I said no Laksh. And that's final!" she said in a no-nonsense tone. "He can have his prize to himself."

"Ragini please. Its no-"

"Laksh, Di said no. So don't try to force her." spoke Swara. She might like him, but she won't tolerate Ragini being disrespected.

Laksh looked at her shocked. He liked Swara, but he has never got the opportunity to talk to her individually. They smile at each other, and he indirectly passes comments on her looks, but they hadn't talked directly. 'Its the first time she talked to me directly, but I never imagined it would be this way. Neither did I want it to be this way. I didn't want her first words to me to be filled with hate. All because of Sanky!'

"Um....not to interrupt, but we're getting late" pointed out Kriti meekly.

"Lets go!" Swara moved forward, followed by Ragini, Kriti and Vivek.

Laksh looked at Swara go with sad and longing eyes.

They did not notice Saara smirking from her seat. She saw the entire exchange between Laksh and Swara 'Ragini is Swara's sister and Ragini seems to hate Sanskar. If I strike a friendship with Ragini and convince her that Laksh and Sanskar are the worst guys in college, she would no doubt keep Swara away from Laksh. And Swara seems completely devoted to her sister. She would listen to everything Ragini says. This is the perfect way to keep Laksh and Swara apart.'

As everyone moved out, no one noticed two figures sitting at the last row of chairs in the auditorium.

"Tell that Math teacher to give us the names all of those people with Ragini. Then take out their details." whispered one.

"Don't worry. I'll have every detail on them by tomorrow"

#After the Annoucement#

The Prinipal, Mr. Maheshwari, had gathered all the students to tell them that a group of international officals will be visiting the college and will be present for the College Fest. If the performers are able to impress them, then they will donate a hefty amount for the development of the academy. So, he told them to give their best in the Fest and only select the best of the performers.

After it, Ragini and the gang departed for home since there wasn't much to do. So did the rest of the students.

Sanskar too was about leave for his apartment where he lived on his own. He was about to get on his bike, when Laksh approached him. "Sanky, we have a problem."

Sanskar looked at him quizzically.

"Your father...I mean the Principal, aims to get that prize money for the college by any means. So he wants the best performers."

"So? Where's the problem?"  Sanskar asked, fixing his hair by looking into the mirror of his bike.

"Sanskar, you planned to perform a duet, didn't you?"

"Yea. But I haven't got the right singer to be my partner yet."

"About that." Laksh seemed hesitant to speak. "Um...your father wants the performer to be the best. So he has selected Saara."

Sanskar's movement stopped as he was utterly was shocked by the news Shock, which soon turned into anger. "There is absolutely no way that I would work with her! I would rather quit than perform with her."

"You can't quit. College heart-throb, Sanskar Maheshwari, quitting? Do you want to ruin your image. And you can't replace Saara either, as she is the best among the selected students."

"So what!? I'm just supposed to accept it as it is? My father is bent on ruining my happiness, isn't he!?" Sanskar kicked his bike in anger.

"Well..." Laksh contemplated whether to say or not. "There is a way Sanskar. Although I don't think you'll like it."

"Anything is better than working with Saara. Tell me your idea!"

"I....I think you should convinve Ragini to join. She's the only one that can replace Saara. After today's performance, I can say that Ragini can beat Saara."

Sanskar looked at him with indignation. "Are you crazy?! I'm not doing anything like that!" He punched his bike seat "Why does father always try to make my life difficult? He always take decisions as per his wishes, without thinking about others. That selfish guy!"

Laksh was getting irritated. "Sanky, stop behaving like a kid. Not everything is honky-dorry and rainbow nations! We all face tough decisions in life. You need to let go of petty arguments and look at the bigger picture. You rejected Ragini just because of your pride, and now...now I'm not even sure if she would agree to rejoin." he looked at Sanskar in the eye. "Either go get Ragini or get ready to work with Saara" with that, he stormed off.

To Sanskar, both decisions seemed impossible. There was no way he would go and ask Ragini to perform with him, as he knew she will probably insult him. On the other hand, he and his sister would probably end up killing each other if they work together or choke each other to death. 'Maybe they'll hurl insults at each other until one dies.' He thought in amusement. Nevertheless, he needed to choose.

Sanskar sighed in misery. He pulled his hair and screamed out in frustration.

"Wow! I knew that you were half-crack for leaving your rich and renown family. But I guess now you've lost the bit of sanity that you had left" came the sarcastic reply from Karan, as he opened the door of his car.

Sanskar glared at him "I'm fine!" 

Karan raised his hands in surrender "Peace bro, peace. I didn't kill your puppy or something for you to be angry at me."

"Get lost!"

"Princess seems pissed off. Did no one style her long hair into braids?"

"Karan!"

Karan smirked and got inside his car. With a salute towards Sanskar, he left.

Sanskar took a deep breath and calmed himself. 'Alright. Calm down. Anger will get me no where. I need to think with a clear mind. I'm Sanskar Maheshwari. There is no way I can let anyone can outsmart me!' he opened his eyes and got on his bike 'However, I can't think properly right now. I'll think of a solution tomorrow.' deciding his plans , he started his bike, humming to himself.

"Just call me beautiful, call me beautiful, call me b-e-a-uti-." He abruptly stopped his bike when he realized what he was humming 'Did...did I just hum the song that Ragini sang? What the heck! What is wrong with me!?'

#Elsewhere#

A man walked to a dark room and sat at the table. He switched on his table lamp and opened his diary. He had been given the job of killing another person. However, his boss didn't mail him the picture yet and had only told the name. Nevertheless, he had found what she looks like by himself.

He took a pen and started writing.

Date : 8th March, 2018

Target : Acquired.

Target name : Ragini Gadodia a.k.a Ragini Pratap.

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To be continued...

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Thanks! ~ 🌹 Mona 🌹