Dedicated to jsnj_writes

My lucky 500th voter!! My story completed 500 votes last week! my first goal!

Hey guys m back again with another interesting update (sorry for the delay)!! Let's start with it then..

***

"Urrrggghhh" Abhishek groaned hitting the bench with his tightly closed fist.

"You aren't happy??" Asked his teammate aka his girlfriend touching his fist who pulled it away hastily.

"Happy?? Happy for what?? I was just one moment late and they got the chance to answer and even got it correct" he grit his teeth hitting the bench again.

"But that still went in our favor isn't it? Now no team can overtake us, their score is 5 so even though they get another answer correct, they will have maximum of 7 points and that means it will still be a draw!! We are 1st rank anyhow!" She spoke assuring him, who just curled his lips falling back on his chair, the word 'tie' somewhere nagging his mind.

Well aware of his attitude problems, she thought of advising him to stay calm and think properly before taking any risks on next question, she placed her hand on his shoulder calling him to listen to her who just gave an uninterested look, Before she could advise and make him understand that it's all fine, quiz master started speaking turning both of their attention back to him.

Woah woah woah now it's fun. Team C with that correct answer has climbed up to 5 points and the margin between them and team A is just 2 points now which can be obtained with another correct answer.

But will team A let that happen?? Will they just let team C come out of nowhere and take their position?? Will they be happy with a tie?

Abhishek grit his teeth and his eyes snapped at karan's direction listening this who seemed to look all relaxed speaking with his teammates and laughing as if they have nothing to fear for. He was angry much with himself losing one question to them and here the quiz master was speaking about a tie which was hurting his ego badly.

"Dude, I know what you are thinking, but I just wanna say don't take any unwanted risks, we are anyway first, we don't really have to do anything, we can just sit back and relax, but if u still wanna go for the question, make sure you hit the buzzer only when you are assured of the answer, don't hit it in a hurry"

Abhishek's face expressions were traced out by one of his other teammates and he tried making him understand, who just replied rudely

"I know what to do! I'm not a fool to take such risks!, I will not be going for the question most likely" his last words came out more of the form of a whisper, lacking self believe and his words were more of a self assuring statement to himself than to his teammate. Their attention turned back to quiz master who continued speaking.

Or will the team A confirm their sole stay on 1st by answering this question!? Or maybe we will we see some other team answering, spoiling the party for team C?? .. All the teams still contenders for those two spots! But which two will make it!? Will be decided by this question, so arrrreeeee youuuuu readyyyyyyy people???

"Yesssss"

The noise aired throughout the auditorium with the claps of anticipation. A new energy filled the entire auditorium. 'Guys' Karan called out to his teammates. As they all looked up to him, he spoke and his words took them by surprise.

"We will go for this answer!!"

"What?? Are you serious??" Asked Aman surprised.

"Yes I am serious, I am damn sure every other team will go for this question maybe not team A but everyone else will! Noone's gonna leave a chance to try their luck on this, and if any other team succeeds in this process then we are out, so we are ought to go for this, we might get the answer correct.

"And we might not as well!" Told Kanishka.

Yes of course, but we can't really bank on others to decide our fortunes right! We have to do what is in our hands, and leave the rest to others.

Kanishka was taken aback by his reply. He was not completely correct but be wasn't completely wrong too. It was a gamble, which could go either way and they had only two options, either take risk or do nothing letting other decide their fate in the competition.

Everyone exchanged looks, and attracting no further discussions Aman pulled the buzzer near to him keeping his hand close to it and everyone nodded. This didn't go unnoticed from Abhishek whose thoughts regarding his earlier decision of not going for this answer was slowly fluctuating now seeing them, his ego overtaking his consciousness.

All right then, Here comes the last question, listen to it carefully.

***

Oh my goodness!! Every team with the buzzer, now the question is who hit it first!?

He took a pause letting the audience guess who yelled "team A" whereas half of them yelled "team C", so some "team D". There was a confusion until a man ran to the quiz master seeing his hand gesture, and handing over him a chit went back.

Oooooooooooo...

The crowd went pin drop silence and all the discussion between teams stopped. Everyone's eyes fixed at the quiz master.

I had predicted already that everyone would go for this answer, and hence had asked coordinators to keep a keen eye on all the teams so that no confusion regarding this can occur. And I have got the report which says..

He took a pause looking back at the audience and then to team C, and giving a zipped smile announced

Team A with the buzzer again!!! They are first, Team C second! tough luck, just by a second they missed it and are second! Team D the third,team E fourth and team B last!

Kanishka almost hit Aman's finger again, but this time he was aware and pulled his hand away on time. The way quiz master smiled at them, kanishka believed that they hit the buzzer first and her hand was tightly rolled lingering in air in anticipation awaiting for his confirmation to do a fist pump in air.

But that didn't happen as he turned suddenly towards team A declaring them first, her mouth hun open unable to believe what just happened and she frowned instantly hitting her tightly rolled fist on the table, she didn't notice Aman's hand and as her fist was about to land on his hand, he managed to pull it off at the very last moment.

"Bach Gaya(got saved)" he huffed a sigh holding his hand close to his mouth blowing air on his previously hurt fingers.

"I hate him" she frowned side hugging Aditi circling her hand around her stomach placing her head on her shoulder. Aditi giggled slightly patting her head, Karan smiled too. It was clear to everyone she told it for the quiz master, except Aman who asked like a stupid raising his eyebrows shrugging his shoulders gesturing 'What I did now?'

"Meeeee???"

She turned her head slightly looking at Aman and replied making Aman smile and then frown.

"I hate you tooo!, but I just hate him more right now! He is temporary, you are permanent, don't worry!!"

Listening this Aditi and Karan laughed, Aman shook his head mentally facepalming himself for not understanding it was not meant for him but quiz master. He mentally spoke to himself

"Chalo permanent toh bola(Anyways, at least she told me permanent)"

He doubted his own thoughts and asked himself murmuring in a small inaudible voice "What am I even thinking!!??".

"Now he will answer this too!!" frowned kanishka watching Abhishek stand to answer the question.

***

"Dude, listen!"

"Shut up! I'm about to answer, don't say anything and confuse me now!"

"It's not option (b).."

"It is option (b) moronnn!"

"Noo.. last night it.."

Before he could complete his sentence, Abhishek stood answering the question making him face palm.

"Option B"

Oooooooooooo....

The quiz master looked up to him who didn't look a bit scared or nervous, the quiz master looked back at his card which had the answer printed, he looked up to him but this time drammatically turning one of his eye smaller compated to other and he had a slight smirk on his face.

"He started again.. I never saw such a over dramatic person in my life.."

Kanishka told with a blank look on her face, Aman shook his head smiling a little, she turned to Aman and then what she spoke irritated him top to bottom.

"Wait no, I have seen one". Aman rolled eyes staring her from the corner of his eyes.

"Can't he just say he is correct!! Why so much of fuss!?" Kanishka shrugged her shoulders.

"He can't" Karan winked both of his eyes at her smiling and his body language clear that he was growing impatient over something which they could not understand. They exchanged looks asking each other from their eyes "what's wrong with him now?"

***

Do you read newspapers!?

Yes I do! Why?

Nothing! So what do you feel Is your answer correct!??

Absolutely!

Hmm... It's a wrong answer!!

Abhishek couldn't believe what he just heard, he couldn't help himself ask again

Sorry!?

It's a wrong answer, and you also lose 1 point!

Abhishek sat but yet his mind was not ready to accept the fact that it was a wrong answer, his teammate was about to say him something but ceased himself watching him hitting the bench hard in anger, at last he didn't want himself to be replaced with the poor bench.

So it's Team C's turn now! Golden opportunity this for team C, if they manage to get it correct they will be ranked 1st but a wrong answer will see them out of the competition. Team C there you go..

The crowd went berserk as they finally had a reason to as it was their own team who was excelling. The chants of school name could be heard.

"Wasn't this in one of the headlines of the newspaper today??" Asked Aditi recalling the newspaper news they read earlier in the morning.

"Yes, but I don't exactly remember the name, I remember only the surname Sinha so it might be option A" told Karan trying to recall the front name, but his memory ain't helping and so was the case with everyone.

"But Sinha is there in option C as well" pointed out kanishka, Karan looked at the screen, hiss eyes went wide and he bit his tongue.

"What to do now?? A or C"

"Which is sounding more weird??" asked Kanishka reading aloud both the names.

"What??" Asked Aman not getting her words.

"Areeeeeeee... I mean which name is sounding weird.. the one which does is not the answer!" She spoke with utter belief in her logic even though it actually made no sense. Aman moved his hand on his face wiping it in disbelief.

"Rehne de tu!(You leave it!)" Aman told trying to recall the name, he was getting reminded of some fading images of it. Kanishka rolled eyes making a 'humph' sound moving her lips to one corner and then bringing it back looking elsewhere.

Team C what's your answer?

Having no time left Karan spoke fast "guys guys guys just one option fast!"

"C"

"C"

"A.. A"

Aman was the only one to go for A and he looked bit confident but at the same time his face expressions could be understood by merely 3 words and those were "not so sure"

Karan held the mic and stood, he was caught in a situation where he had to choose between his and Aman's choice or Aditi and Kanishka's choice.

So your answer is?

Option A

Karan uttered shutting his eyes tight scared of looking at the crowd as it could very well go wrong and disappoint them who were cheering for them, Aman being the sole reason behind his choice.

You sure??

Asked the quiz master zipping his mouth tight. Karan heart felt numb, he couldn't collect enough strength to say a proper yes, he replied looking down not meeting his eyes.

Yeah...

It was a mere whisper, he was scared to say it aloud, his one hand on the mic and the other tightly cross fingered hidden behind his back. Everyone's eyes fix on quiz master who was increasing the anticipation with his facial expressions, as masked as it can be, hardly giving anyone any clue.

This question can take you to top, you realize!?

"Nai nai Malum hi nai tha hamko, idea hi nai tha, hamko laga niche le jaega!(No no we didn't know this at all,we had no idea, we thought it will take us to bottom)" commented kanishka facepalming, Aditi silenced her to not speak so loud who folded her hands looking at other direction.

Your answer is..

He took a pause looking at Karan, who had his head down caring the least about the result. He had made up his mind already that the answer was wrong, he was much disappointed with himself and his fingers which were crossed earlier praying that the result be in his favor now formed into a fist which eventually loosened it's grip listening to quiz master.

Absolutely correct!!!!!!

A thin line formed on karan's temple as he slowly processed the word he just heard. He clearly didn't expect this, a thunderous wave of claps circled the auditorium, which made him slowly open his eyes and look at the crowd who were hooting and whistling for them. He was awestruck at the view, his heart heavily pounding inside.

With these 2 points, team C break into the 1st position and team A slip down to 2nd position. A big round of applause guys for team C. They have turned the tables completely in this bonus round, storming from the bottom of the table to top of the table.

Karan stood motionless for some seconds spectating the cheering crowd, trying to gulp in everything happening which was simply unbelievable, it was a complete turnaround of emotions for him. It was such a quick journey of him being in a situation where things could go wrong because of his one bad choice resulting in their elimination and from that situation to actually qualifying for 2nd round, that too by securing 1st position was incredible.

He looked at his teammates who had similar look on their faces, he grinned looking at Aman who returned his smile with a wider one. A non verbal communication took place amidst their eyes which could be traced without much efforts "We did it!"

All of a sudden Karan eyes widened and he stretched his hands to stop the happening, which he couldn't and he closed his eyes as a result expecting a yell and that came as expected and he couldn't control his laughter as he heard that.

"Aaahhhhhhh...."

Aditi and Aman half yelled together as they both received an unintentional punch from Kanishka. Aman almost fell to the other side as he got pushed off by Kanishka's elbow but somehow managed to not fall, all thanks to the wall supporting their back and his timely grab of the bench to avoid collision.

It was a victory celebrating cheer of kanishka with hand stretching up both the sides fist pumping air which pushed Aman off other side and hit Aditi on her head lightly.

Kanishka realized what she actually did she instantly pulled her hands back and looked down not meeting anyone's eye mentally facepalming herself for not realizing where she actually was and acting as if she's in some open field. She bit her tongue between her teeth out of embarrassment lightly hitting her head.

Karan saw Aditi who was rubbing her head, he asked her if she's okay to which she nodded saying she is fine. They both laughed their heart out as they turned to look at Aman who was gasping with one of his hand placed on his heart acting as if he just survived a big accident.

He was killing kanishka with his eyes who wasn't even looking up to him, only if eyes could kill she would have been long dead. She could feel the intense gaze on her, she slowly looked up to him from the corner of his eyes muttering a sorry giving him her cutest puppy look slowly raising her head.

He wasn't melting away this easy and was about to scold her but her gesture ceased him from doing anything smoothing his ruffled feathers.

He couldn't help but look at her blankly when she stretched some hair strands behind her ear which made their way on her face when she bend her head.

As he didn't say anything and turned his head other side, she smiled widely counting it as her victory and turned to Karan asking what was running in her mind from so long

"How did you select option A?" She asked, Aditi looked at Karan too wanting to know the answer. Aman turned his head too, Karan saw Aman and just smiled at him who understood the reason behind it.

Sometimes we don't need to express feelings from words, eyes are enough to convey the message to the person you want to.

"Option C sounded weird to me so, I went with option A,simple!!" Karan told smiling at kanishka, who returned the smile saying

"I knew, This idea always works!" told kanishka.

"Yeah yeah yeah definitely, anything else may work or may not but your ideas and hands always works!!" Aman remarked about her hand movements making her look at him with a sullen gaze from the corner of her eyes making him and everyone laugh.

***

Abhishek hurted his hand as he punched the bench listening to the quiz master.

So we have our top two qualifying teams Team C and team A. Team A with a blunder slipped down from 1st to 2nd rank! Anyways congratulations to both the teams, team C and team A they performed their best and outplayed other 3 teams and now will face off each other in Skill round which will begin after lunch session. Thank you to all the teams who participated.

Abhishek groaned further gritting his teeth when Aditi smirked at him, gesturing 'walk' from her hand movements reminding him his earlier words "Walk in the park".

His teammates were somewhere angry on him but they could do nothing about it now. As other teams left for lunch he and his teammates left for lunch too. As they sat having this lunch his girlfriend saw the little cut on his hand and tried getting a hold of it who just absentmindedly jerked off her hand roughly.

"Dude, at least behave with her properly! Otherwise you will loose her too just like you lost this round!" his teammate warned him and as he told that his collar was grabbed by Abhishek who was all fuming with anger.

"Shut up!! You won't like the result of running into my nerves!!! So keep your mouth shut and eat! We have second round and we will win it!!"

"Leave him Abhi!! Cool down everyone! What has happened is happened.. keep your heads cool, we have to win second round!!"

Abhishek left his collar listening to her and left from there. As he entered the washroom, he saw Karan standing in front of mirror and speaking to himself. It didn't take him long to figure out from his body language to guess that he had stage fear problem and he was practicing in front of mirror. An evil smile played on his lips as he moved near him.

"Stage fear huh??"

Abhishek asked as he stood beside him washing his hands to which Karan replied not so interested

"Nope, just practicing!"

"Good, good, practice, practice, by the way have you heard the recent rumor regarding judges!!?"

"Noo, what is it??" Karan asked fixing his collar and adjusting his tie.

"They are very strict and mocking!!! They are famous for pointing out smallest of small mistakes and not only that they even make jokes on it embarrassing the contestant!!"

Karan looked at him once and averting his eyes quickly he spoke acting unaffected by his words "Oh, That's good!"

"Yupp, Since u don't have any stage fear you can manage it! Cool, Meet you in the 2nd round then!! All the best" Abhishek smiled an evil smile which didn't reach karan's eye as he left saying this. He looked back to find Karan bit tensed than before, watching his intention succeeding he left muttering

"It's gonna be fun!"

***

Hello everyone..!!

How was the update!?

What do you feel about Abhishek? Will he succeed in his plan!?

Will Karan be able to overcome his fear!!?? Or will stage fear get over his nerves on stage!?

To know stay tuned.. my exams are from 10th Feb.. I worked hard these 2 days to complete this update so I don't keep you guys waiting for a longer period! So once my exam's over, I will start writing the update and will be back soon!

Till then..

<Bye,Tc♥️>