----Unedited----

It was 10 PM but Aman was still lost in his own imagination. His mind was still stuck at that smile. He came out of his thoughts only when his phone went off. Looking at the caller ID, he smilingly picked up the call. He told a "Hello" but he heard as much as 4 different replies in return.

One voice was of Kanishka's but wouldn't that be impossible? He never thought that she could also have a phone, he was trying to figure out what he heard was Kanishka indeed or someone else. As Tanu was greeted with a silence on Aman's behalf, she anxiously asked. "Bhaiya, are you there? Are you styling your hair even at night?"

Aman was about to reply but there came a reply in mocking tone making him go silent and cleared all his confusion "Jana hoga kisi bandariya se milne!"(He must be going to meet some monkey..!)"

This reply was enough for him to bring him out from his plethora of thoughts "Am I going crazy now? Am I really listening her voice? Am I hallucinating her voice now? Have I already become mad now? His alter ego which had become his biggest enemy at that moment, mocked him, the mental hospital is not too far!

Before he could converse with himself more, this reply of Kanishka confirmed him that she was on the call and he was not hallucinating anything. He let out a breath of relief "At least I'm doing fine and the expenditure of the mental treatment is saved."

He didn't know that he voiced out the last part too loud that it was not missed by his very own nemesis Kanishka who curiously asked "The expenditure of mental hospital? What rubbish are you talking?"

Aman bit his lip at his slip up and readily altered his words to cover up his stupidity he had displayed few moments ago. "Yes, I was thinking that our mental hospital's expenditure must be very high, isn't it? That's why due to not being affordable the doctors halted the treatment midway which left you as a demented piece."

Kanishka shouted seethingly "Tu pagal, tera pura khaandan pagal,BANDAR KI SHAKAL WALE INSAAN!!(You are mental, your whole family is mental, You monkey faced human)"

Aman frowned and replied "Oye mujhe bandar kehne wali? Kabhi khudki shakal mirror Mai dekhi hai kya? Tum kaunsa husn pari ho?

"NAI DEKHI, Tu dilade dekh lungi (I didn't see, You buy me one I will see then)" Kanishka replied.

"Bheek mangna bhi nai aata. Yeh koi tareeka hai bheekh mangne ka? (You do not even know how to beg. Is this a way to beg?)" Aman replied sardonically and pretentiously facepalmed himself as if he is truly dismayed on Kanishka's inability to beg, making Karan and Aditi break into fits of laughter. However, if they were only giggling previously, now they both cracked to loud laughter listening to Kanishka's reply,

"Nai aata, Main mandir puja karne jati hoon, Teri jaisi nai Hun (Yes, I don't know, I go Temple to pray unlike you)" her reply made Aman frown and think for a second, her comebacks always makes Aman go silent. Only person he can't argue with and win. Karan, Tanu and Aditi were laughing holding their stomachs, their laughter clearly audible.

Aman was about to tell something but Kanishka's laughter sound made him stop, his mouth clamped and a soft smile escaped his lips. He could listen her laugh, everyone's laughter echoing in his ear, his hands as if having their own minds traveled to the screen and unknowingly pressed the recording button. He sat silent, listening them laugh.

A smile not leaving his face, their laughter sounds was just like some melodious song played to him, he less cared that he got mocked and was happy instead. After some minutes, they stopped laughing, Aman quickly stopped the recording and spoke in an unamused manner "Whatever". Few chuckles followed his reply. "WHATEVER" Kanishka mimicked Aman's reply in the same cold rough tone that of his.

Tanu stopped them before continuing the call forever, "Okay, okay enough of you guys, I had called to tell good night, not good fight..? You understand...!?" Aman and Kanishka lightly chuckled. Karan wished the others a good night and his sweet gesture was reciprocated by Aditi and Tanu warmly. It was only Kanishka and Aman left to respond. Kanishka wished reluctantly, not really wanting her arch enemy to have a really good night. Instead, she wanted him to dream about grotesque aliens...about their intestines hanging all around and blood smeared on all their faces. But for now, she really can't tell all that as she did not want to freak out her other innocent friends about her dangerous creativity.

After seconds of silence, even Aman murmured a low goodnight. He was actually anticipating her of wishing him to dream about all those terrible creatures which would cause him a heart failure in the sleep itself.

The call got disconnected. After returning from his beloved sister's house, he had been thinking about that warm smile Kanishka gave him. But now, it seemed like that call was indeed a wake up call for him from his daydream. It ended all his confusions between him and Kanishka.

"Kanishka and me friends? Nah... That's not gonna happen, We can never agree on a topic, We can't do anything without arguing, We will always be ridiculing and making fun of each other.. That's what suits us..! That's how we are.. That's how we will stay.. If we become friends as well, this is how we will behave..!" Aman thought smiling. He slept smiling not before muttering to himself "Your smile is contagious Kanishka".

---

"Shaanti see khane de"

"Shaanti see Kyu kha rahi hai..? Hath se kha na..?"

"Itne bekar ke joke lata kahan se laata hai"

"Address chahiye? Number de message kar dunga"

"Indirectly number maang Raha hai"

"Jis tarah tu indirectly bheekh mangti hai ?"

{ "Let me eat with silence"

"Why r u eating with silence, why don't you eat with your hands.."

"From where do you bring such lame jokes..?"

"You need address..? Give me your number I will message you"

"Indirectly you are asking my number"

"The way you beg indirectly?" }

"GUYS ENOUGHHH, How much more will you fight? Aren't you getting late for school? C'mon eat fast" told Tanu totally irritated with the bickering of Aman and Kanishka. Instead of paying attention to their food, they both were busy ridiculing each other much to the vex of the always sweet and polite Tanu. Though the intentions of the bickering couple was to irk one another, still they were unfazed rather the audience were being affected the most currently.

It was still a relief that they both were not fighting like those monarchs used to, still they were so unpredictable that, it would be no surprise that the next moment they will be ready to pull each others' hair. But for now, the little audience decided to chuck their worries away and enjoy the show.

"Tu bihari hai na? (You are bihari right?" Asked Kanishka all of a sudden to Aman. he literally did not expect that out of the blue she would ask him such an irrelevant question. Still, out of the minuscule store of courtesy he had, he answered "Yes. Why?"

"Nai bikhari jyada lagta hai na isliye pucha (U look like a beggar more that's why I asked) " Came Kanishka's next level mock to Aman. Aman cocked one of his eyebrow, his limited amount of patience was wearing off; he so wanted to snap at her but it seemed cat caught his tongue out of embarrassment.

Karan was eating and he couldn't control his laughter. As a result he ended up choking on his food. He started coughing vigorously. Aditi stood and ran to Karan, she started rubbing his back and asked for the water bottle. Tanu gave her the bottle and opening the cap she made Karan drink the water.

It was all of a sudden and Karan didn't realize who made him drink water placing the bottle near his mouth. His coughing stopped, he had not turned to his left yet where Aditi was sitting on her knees still rubbing his back. He thought it's Tanu who's doing it, he mouthed "Thank you, I'm fine".

As soon as he told that he saw Tanu sitting right in front of him, looking concerned. His eyes became thin thinking "two Tanus?", He was confused, he saw Kanishka and Aman with the same concerned look and suddenly his eyes widened having understood . He slowly turned his head left, mentally praying the person to not be Aditi. A lump forming in his throat, he turned and his eyes met with the concerned eyes of Aditi.

He choked again this time literally at nothing or maybe on air. Aditi started rubbing his back again but this time he felt the touch sensation, his heart beat fastened, She asked "You fine?". Karan replied in light voice "Yeah I am fine, Thank you". Aditi smiled replying "Anytime Karan".

She sat comfortably and started eating her lunch. Everyone started eating their lunch except Karan. He was embarrassed and was a bit nervous. Though there was no direct skin contact, still the sensation of her touch was still present making his skin prickle at the back of his neck.

He was looking at the bottle from which Aditi just made him drink water. All this didn't go unnoticed from Aman, he asked bringing Karan out of his imaginary world "Aur pani pina hai kya..? (You want to drink more water..?)"

An evil smirk was crept on his face indicating that he would not leave a stone unturned to make the whole situation for Karan more uncomfortable. The poor boy couldn't understand what his best friend meant, he looked up at him to justify himself but that evil smirk was enough for him to get it all. He glared at him, and started digging on his food to avoid his question.

Aman could not leave Karan just telling this! How could he even do so? He taunted him again smirking "Dhyan se kha, Pata chale phir se kuch atak gaya (Eat carefully, Otherwise who knows again something will get stuck)"

Karan eyed him and was about to open his mouth, but stopped listening to Kanishka's comment "Dhyan se nai, hath se khate hai, Chup chap kha (we don't eat with care, we eat with our hands, now eat with your mouth shut)" Aman's eyes narrowed at her reply, she used the same ideology what Aman had used earlier on her. Kanishka used his very own comment style on him. Karan thanked Kanishka mentally to save him from future taunts and queries.

An idea clicked Aman's mind which caused him to smile lightly. "De chup chap (Give chup chap)" He told forwarding his hand in front of Kanishka.

Kanishka couldn't understand, her eyes unintentionally narrowed trying to think what he actually means. She was done with her lunch, she closed her tiffin box blinking her eyes continuously still trying to understand. Karan and Aditi also closed their tiffins looking at Aman. Neither Kanishka nor they had any idea what he meant.

Aman shook his hand asking her again "dee... (Givee)".

"Kya dun..? (What to give..?)" asked Kanishka all clueless.

"Chup chap..! Tu hi toh boli na chup chap kha, toh de chup chap ( chup chap..! You told me to eat chup chap isn't it... So give it)" told Aman, his hands still hanging in air.

Kanishka's sullen gaze fell on Aman, her face expressions yelling 'lame'. Suddenly she thought of something and she bit her inner cheek trying hard not to smile on the idea.

Everyone chuckled while Kanishka started searching something inside her bag. Before Aman could guess what's running in her mind, she closed his fist keeping something in his hand.

"Khud kharid Lena (Buy yourself)" with this she hung her bag on her back and moved out of the room. Aditi and Tanu followed her behind not before laughing at Aman.

Aman couldn't understand what happened, it was all of a sudden and he was still processing her words in his mind. He opened his fist, his eyes went wide with the view in front of him.

There was a 5 Rs. Coin.

Yes, a Rs 5 Coin.

She kept the coin and before he could react she left the room. He recalled her words "Khud kharid lena" which made no sense to him back then was making all the sense now. He clenched his fist, his teeth gritting in frustration.

Karan patted his shoulder "Areee.. gussa mat Kar.. gusse mai coin mat tod dena.. chup chap kharidna hai usse (Do not get angry..; do not break the coin in your anger ..! You got to buy yourself a chup chap by that)"

Karan told eyeing at Aman's clenched fist, his fist tightly shut as if he was trying to crush that coin. Aman's face looked red, Karan pursed his lips trying hard not to laugh at his flushed red face.

Aman was hell angry, before he could show his gentle gesture to him with his punches, Karan ran through the door sensing his intentions. "Teriii toh... (Youuuu waittt ) "Aman tried catching Karan but his finger just brushed through his shirt and as usual Karan escaped from his hands.

Aman lost his balance trying to catch and was about to fall when he took support of wall preventing himself from kissing the floor.

In this process the coin slipped out from his hand, as he had to open his palm to save himself. He began searching the coin,he moved all the corners on his knees trying to find it, finally he spotted the coin, it was in front of door.

Before he could pick it up, Tanu walked in and stood looking at Aman, who was literally mopping the floor by his clothes, she stood near the door with the coin beneath her foot. Aman pouted seeing this and looked up to find Tanu who was looking at him in a 'what are you doing' kind of a look.

Aman quickly stood and dusted his pants which had mopped the entire dust of the floor. Tanu asked "Pochah laga rahe ho kya..? (Are you mopping the floor..?)" Aman rolled his eyes replying "I was searching something". Tanu mouthed 'oh' and Aman kept his tiffin in his bag and hanging his bag around his back started moving outside the door but he stopped listening to Tanu.

"Were you searching this..?" Tanu held the coin between her fingers, Aman turned and saw the coin. He bit his tongue and replied as quickly as possible the word "No". He was not ready to accept he was searching that but little did he knew that Tanu saw everything just he never noticed her standing at the door.

Tanu replied "Koi baat nai, Mai rakh leti hun (No problem, I keep it)" she was about to keep it in her pocket, Aman quickly snatched the coin from her hand and shoving it in his pocket replied "Tum itna bol rahi ho toh Mai rakh leta Hun (Since you are requesting so much, I will keep it for you)"

He grinned and not waiting for her reply ran towards Karan, Aditi and Kanishka who were talking about him and laughing. Tanu shook her head laughing and speaking to her own "You are unbelievable bhaiya". She grinned and closed the door entering inside.

Kanishka and Aditi were laughing looking at Karan, who was enacting Aman's flushed face and explaining how angry he looked after his comment.

Aman came and saw him mimicking him, he coughed in order to gain his attention towards him. As soon as Karan heard Aman cough, he changed his tone sarcastically and started telling in all seriousness "Yeah so what I was telling is No one will make fun of my brother again, I hope I am very clear".

He eyed Aman innocently as if he just noticed him coming, Aman hit a light punch on his shoulder irritated. Karan rubbed his shoulder, Aman told with an unamused face, his fingers passing through his hair "Han Han dekha Maine, kitna clearly explain Kar raha tha (yeah yeah I saw how clearly you were explaining them)". A chuckle left Karan's mouth as soon as Aman told this.

Kanishka and Aditi laughed, soon Aman smiled and started laughing at Karan's silly behavior. After a few minutes of riding the bicycles, they reached school and directly went to the auditorium to start practicing. Karan was asked to go on the stage first. He nodded and went on stage.

Karan's practice in front of mirror the earlier day had helped him to make eye contact and speak. He was looking more confident on stage, but his heartbeats kept accelerating whenever he went onstage. Stage fear was again victimising him.

He tried his best to not get scared and act normal, but he just couldn't. He stuttered most of his words-he took pauses as he tried to calm his heart down taking heavy breaths.

He looked nervous on the stage, his body language was screaming a lack of self confidence and fright . He knew it exactly that his performance was taking a downturn, he felt weaker and he walked down the stage and sat on his seat covering his face by both of his palms. He needed a confidence boost which was rightly provided by Aman this time.

He told in a rough manner "Karan, do not behave like a coward.. What has happened to you.. you are not the Karan I know, he never gives up.. and you are giving up already ... What's wrong..!?"

"Stage Fear" Karan replied looking at Aman.

"What's stage fear dude!? You do not have any stage fear, the problem is that you are just assuming it and therefore believing in a fallacy that you are weak. Why are you becoming so foolish that and piteously lamenting that you are a victim of stage fright? All your capability is there. You just need to accept it. You can do it and you will! Believe in yourself, If you keep getting scared, you won't get any better..! Believe me you can do it. It's nothing. I know you more." He finished his tone soft and gentle.

Kanishka had listened to the speech Aman has just told, and she would be lying to herself is she mentioned that she was not impressed. She did not even imagine that even in her wildest dreams that Aman who acts impulsively most of the times, would console his friend and boost up his confidence like that.

"Yes Karan. You need to believe on yourself. Also, you must keep on practicing." She added.

Karan nodded smiling at them, "Thank you guys, I will practice.. I will do it no matter what" he told, his voice which held newfound confidence.

"I have an idea, Karan since you are scared of stages why not you practice in front of us first and once you excel in it, you can start practicing on stage" Aditi suggested to Karan.

Kanishka replied "Yeah Karan, it's a good idea.. Who not make teams and practice, by this we can help each other, there won't be a problem of stage and we can compete with each other as well, this will be a great practice for the competition"

Aman replied "Yes good idea" Kanishka saw him in disbelief, Aman agreeing to her idea and appreciating it is indeed a rare sight, Aman couldn't take that look he replied quickly "Not yours, Aditi's idea." He can't be nice sweet guy and ruin his image, can he? Kanishka shook her head and muttered to herself "Back to his old self"

Aditi chuckled and told "Stop it Aman..! We all know whom you told and as far as this team idea is concerned it's really good..! Now how to make the team..!? Any ideas about that"

Everyone started thinking, An idea popped up in Karan's mind and he snapped his fingers to make it look more catchy but he failed miserably. He doesn't know how to snap but still he tried..!

Everyone saw and started laughing, Aditi told laughing "Karan, if you do not know to snap, it's fine.. you need not do it".

Karan looked flushed, the fact that Aditi told it he frowned more. Everyone saw him and started laughing louder.

Aman told "Snap karna bhi nai aata..? (You don't even know how to snap..!)", Aman knew the fact that Karan doesn't know how to snap but he acted as if he didn't knew and was trying to ridicule him further.

Karan eyed him replying "Snap aae na aae, idea toh aata hai, tujhe toh wo bhi nai aata (I may not know to snap, but I get ideas, which you don't get)" Aman smiled telling his signature reply to any mock statement which comes towards him "Jaa na (go to hell)". Karan shook his head smiling at his reply.

***

Hello everyone..!!!

I know it's been decades I updated, but I actually didn't got enough time, my college schedule's really tight..! I hate that but I wish I could do anything to help it!

Anyway, How was the update..??

What should be done to select the team? Any ideas?

Do tell me your views guys..!! I will be eagerly waiting for your comments..!! And do hit the star!

Meet you all in the next chapter.. till then..

<Bye,Tc💖>