Dedicated to nardhura

They are very strict and mocking!

They are famous for pointing out smallest of small mistakes.

They even embarrass the contestant for the mistakes committed.

They are very strict and mocking!

They are famous for pointing out smallest of small mistakes

They even embarrass the contestant for the mistakes committed.

"Abe ooohhh..."

Aman broke karan's trance shaking him by his shoulder. From past 5 minutes he was observing him holding the spoon and instead of using it to feed himself he was busy drawing patterns with it on his plate and barely took a single bite.

Karan was taken by surprise, he blinked his eyes couple of times before averting his eyes back to his plate and shoving a spoon inside his mouth. The more he tried to forget and take every words of Abhishek easy the more he ended up remembering it.

"Are you okay??"

Asked Aditi looking at Karan from the other side of the table. As she was sat right in front of him she could see his expressions and could very well make out something was running in his mind. Karan nodded as yes smiling lightly at her not meeting her eyes, and keeping it fixed on his plate. They all exchanged confused looks. Kanishka spoke breaking the silence.

"There's nothing to worry!! The way we won 1st round, we will also win the 2nd round with ease!!"

"Yes till we all are with each other there's nothing to fear!" Aditi spoke, she was sure that something was playing in his mind which was nagging him, and also knew that it was somewhere related to his fear.

"Yes! Till Aman is here, No fear.." remarked Aman keeping his hand across karan's shoulder who finally smiled a little listening to him shaking his head lightly. Aditi rolled eyes but said nothing looking at Karan who smiled at it. Kanishka looked at him narrowing her eyes and could she just keep quiet listening to Aman boast himself?

Definitely not.

"Yes yes Karan don't fear, he will fight instead of you your stage fear"

Karan looked at Aman passing him a smirk who commented back "Can't you keep your mouth clamped for a while Ms. 'Unable to bear' ??"

He continued the word play, and so did kanishka replying in similar manner.

"I don't like you hear, Is that clear?"

"I don't care dear!!" Aman told looking at her for which she just raised her eyebrows which lowered in no second thinking of the comeback with the same wordplay. As she didn't reply for some second, considering himself as the winner he gave her a winning smirk passing his hands through his hair irritating her further, looking at which she replied irritated

"Believe me, I will fire up your hair!!"

"That didn't rhyme!" Aman remarked quick, with an evil smile. But before kanishka could reply to it Karan replied making Aman stare him from the corner of his eyes.

"Till they disappear??" Told Karan completing kanishka sentence by adding the wordplay, listening to which kanishka smiled wide pointing at Karan from her index finger saying "absolutely correct!" and then gave him a hi-five which Karan completed laughing.

Aman rolled eyes looking at them doing a hi-five, and gave Karan a confused questioning look asking ''whose friend exactly you are??"

"Yours of course" Karan told laughing extending his hand to pull his cheeks but before he could do that Aman understood his intention and moved himself aside not letting his hand touch his cheek but trying to do that he didn't realize he was sitting at the extreme corner of the bench.

He lost balance and fell off the bench landing right on his bum.

They bursted out laughing looking at Aman rubbing his palm over his hurt bum to ease the pain. Looking at them laugh, he pulled back his hand quickly stanidng and sitting with a red flushed face not matching anyone's eye. They were still laughing and this irritated him further.

He could not do anything, so he turned his head to give them a stare hoping they go silent looking at him but instead they laughed further looking at his red puffed cheeks. He frowned before turning his head the other direction.

He is laughing, he doesn't look scared at all

Remarked Abhishek's teammate Sam looking at Karan laughing, Abhishek smirked winking at him replying

Not for long buddy!! Wait and watch..

***

Hey guys, What's up??

Roof!!

Oh that was pretty lame!

So goes with your name..

Abhishek grit his teeth listening to this reply of Aditi, he came to converse with Karan but Aditi was not letting him succeed in his intention, he calmed his anger down replying as sincerely as he could

I'm here to wish you guys All the best!

No thanks! Instead go get some rest!

Abhishek was found void of any reply listening to this comment of Aditi whereas everyone else who were controlling their laughter so long started laughing on his flushed face.

He was trying his best to be sweet but this girl was getting on his nerves, he was getting mocked out and was being laughed over. He rolled his fist behind his back and realizing he can't speak to Karan with his teammates around, he understood it was not the correct moment to execute his plan.

Okay okay!! M leaving!!

Such a Waste of a human being!!

She muttered before his disappearing figure, making everyone laugh again.

"Could you do what you wanted to??"

"Nope, his teammates are surrounding him right now! But no worries, I have a better idea, let's go now, I will catch him later" Abhishek smirked turning back looking at Karan, an evil smirk playing on his lips.

***

As both the teams entered the auditorium, the crowd cheers and whistles circled the entire environment, the Host welcomed both the teams and asked them to occupy the front seats, as Karan took the first corner seat Abhishek ran and quickly occupied the seat next to him where Aditi was about to sit.

Looking at him being seated at her place, Aditi raised her eyebrows and feeling irritated she asked him

"Why don't you go and sit with your teammates!???"

"Once I sit, I don't get up! Why don't you find some another seat?"
Abhishek replied rudely making her more angry, she looked at Karan who was about to get up from his seat instead but before he could the host announcement ceased him from doing so.

"Please occupy the seats quickly teams!"

Stomping her foot she turned other side to check some available seat but to her bad luck she found all the places were occupied and the only place left was the opposite side's extreme corner. She groaned cursing him under her breathe and as she was about to leave she intentionally stamped Abhishek's shoe making him flinch out of the pain. But more than the pain what irritated him was his shiny black shoes got dirty.

He groaned and unable to see his shoe dirty and having no other option left he took out his handkerchief cleaning his shoes, as he cleaned his shoe with his handkerchief, Kanishka who was seated next to him saw this and tapped Aman shoulder who was looking somewhere else. He saw her slightly raising his eyebrows asking 'what?', she gestured from her fingers to come closer.

Aman neared his ear towards her who whispered slowly

"Your brother is as smart as you are!!"

Listening the initial part Aman felt like facepalming himself for actually going and listening to her even though he had idea it would be again something not important. But then slowly processing the complete statement he realized she is actually praising him and not actually embarrassing or taunting him again, only if he had any idea.

He smirked passing his hand through his hair commenting

"I'm more smarter, just you don't know me enough!"

"You sure??"

"Yes, 101%"

As soon as he uttered that Kanishka pointed her index finger towards Abhishek, Aman followed the direction to find Abhishek cleaning his shoe with his handkerchief.

"So you mean you are more smarter than him?"

Aman gave her a confused look, slowly processing her words in his brain. His confused eyes narrowed as the realisation dawned upon him. His confusion was long gone and was now replaced with a sullen gaze, he mentally hit himself for expecting it to be some sort of appreciation for him by her.

"Being more smarter you would have cleaned it with your tie or maybe by removing out your shirt, Right??"

Kanishka commented turning on a thinking posture, making him fall back on his chair shaking his head in negative.

"Your shoes are also dirty, why don't you clean it then!!?"

Asked Kanishka looking at Aman's shoes which weren't really dirty. Aman rolled eyes as he knew his shoes were clean but he thought to give it a look. He bend a little to see if his shoes were really dirty.

"I don't think so you can take your shirt out here, but you can surely use your tie, wait let me help you with it!!"

Saying that she pulled his tie a little making it go tighter around his neck and he choked because of the sudden pressure.

"Leave my tie you idiot!!" He half yelled pulling away his tie from her hand and instantly loosening it's hold around his neck, making her look at him with a shock and hurtful face.

"Are you insane?? What are you?? Are you trying to kill me??" He told breathing out a heavy sigh, still keeping his hand on his throat he questioned kanishka who replied naively frowning at his words.

"I was just trying to help you!!"

She replied with a cute innocence playing in her eyes which melted Aman big time, and he just wanted to laugh out that moment on her face pulling her cheeks but controlled his inner urge which could make him look like an absolute freak. Not forgetting what she just did he commented averting his gaze from her

"Nai chahiye aisi Jaan lewa madad! (I don't want such dangerous help!)"

Kanishka frowned folding her hands across her chest making a "humph" sound doing a quick left move from her lips she turned back to listen host speaking.

***

Let's put our hands together to welcome our 3 chief guests and the judges of the 2nd round!

One by one all the judges were introduced by the host, one among the three judges was a young stylish lady who had her specs on. She was looking very stern from her composure, Abhishek smirked as this is what he was looking for. It was the perfect to execute his plan.

"Do you know that lady!??"

Abhishek asked Karan nearing him who was already angry on him for misbehaving with Aditi, and hence he didn't respond to his question. But was Abhishek giving up!? He continued even though Karan was not interested in listening.

She has come to our school before for judging some competition similar to this, and believe me she is damn strict, she enjoys troubling contestants and Do you even know what she did with one of the contestant who was stuttering because of the stage fear??

Abhishek took a slight pause noticing karan's face expressions to get an idea if his made up story was actually affecting him. He got a green signal when karan's uninterested looking face changed suddenly to that of a curious interested face to know more of the incident happened. He smirked watching his plan work and masked it before Karan could notice and with a genuine face continued

She asked if he actually knows where is he standing and that no drama is being played where he could perform however he wished.

Karan gulped down the lump formed in his throat listening to him, but kept his face straight not reacting to any of his words.

We have to be selective about what we speak and that we stay confident on the stage, and that's all it requires to clear this round. Simple right?

He looked at Karan who just nodded in affirmation. Abhishek could very well make out that he was scared and that he was just hiding his feelings by keeping a poker face on. Realizing his work was done, he didn't utter any other word turning back his head muttering to himself

"Fun is about to begin"

***

Welcome teams to the 2nd round! The skill round! This round will challenge your effective speaking skills but not as a team combined but by solo rounds. Each and every member of the team has to be on their top level to win this round. There will be four individual rounds between the teams. Each round will have one participant from both the teams competing against each other for the same topic.

The choice of the topic is completely dependent on the two contestants, they have to pick one chit from the bowl and out of the two picks if they agree on either of the one, well and good, otherwise judges will decide. Rules are simple, outplay your opponent in terms of your knowledge on the topic and speaking skills. Winning more individual rounds can see you crossing the winning line, But keep one thing in mind, judging won't be on these two criterion alone! It's not just limited to how you speak! More than your work your attitude defines you.

The word "Attitude" was heard by both Karan and Abhishek but the amazing part was that same word meant completely different to both of them whereas one understood it as to be more polite and humble the other understood it to be more aggressive and overbearing.

Isn't it too amazing that how can one single word pose two different meanings to two different people??

It certainly is!

***

"I will not sit next to her at any cost!!"

Aman exclaimed looking at the only place left in the bench which was next to kanishka. Everyone looked up to him and Karan couldn't hold his laughter and ended up chuckling hearing his words. Seeing him laugh Aman commented

"Really I'm not joking, I can't afford any risks here!! We are sitting at the extreme corner and on top of that there is no cover of wall here, what if she pushes me off the stage this time, No No Nooo I'm not taking such big risks"

Aman commented shaking his head and as well as his hand in negative. Kanishka rolled her eyes, softly speaking with a frown and then rolling her eyes

"That was not intentional Okay!! It happens, Don't be a cry baby now! I'll try my best to not push you off okay! Shut up and sit now"

She told shifting a little giving him space to sit, but her words I'll try my best didn't give Aman required satisfaction. And besides he was not done teasing her, he commented again

" 'Try my best' Wah! I will sit down instead!"

"Okay fine, You got an handkerchief??"

"What?? Why??"

"Can u show that to me?!"

Aman didn't understand but shoving his hand inside his pocket he took out his handkerchief showing it to her who took it away from his hand hastily. Opening it she spread it beside the bench, bending down in order to do it.

Aman gave her a confused look and then smirked looking at her commenting "Oh so you are shifting down!! That's so kind of you! But why my handkerchief?"

"I don't carry handkerchiefs!"

Aman made an 'o' shape from his lips half listening her words, which zipped in no second listening her further speak

"And why should I dirty my handkerchief for you?"

"I didn't get you!!" Aman gave her an confused look blinking his eyes in confusion at her.

"It's you who is sitting down, so why should I use my handkerchief!? I'm just helping you out here!"

"What??" Aman raised his eyebrows narrowing his eyes at her comment.

"Yeah!! Can't you just say a thank you!"

"I didn't mean it when I said, I'm not gonna sit down at any cost!"

"Ohhhhhhhh... get lost then!!"

Karan and Aditi laughed at Aman's flushed face, who rubbed his temple a while and then picking up his handkerchief flicking the dust off it in irritation sat with a slight embarrassed red face. He was irritated would be an understatement.

***

Teams are you ready to know your opponents for this round!!

The host who was standing at the corner announced looking at both the teams seated at the corner of the stage who were waiting for it from quite some time now.

"Ek ghanta ho gaya yaar!!(It's been one hour goddamn it!!)" Kanishka groaned feeling tired of waiting falling back on the chair tired of waiting for it to be announced. Aditi and Karan also hummed doing the same. But had Aman got any chill? He commented making all of them look at him in irritation.

"Par mere ghadi ke hisab se toh sirf 5 minute hi huye hai!!(But according to my watch it's been just 5 minutes!)" Aman told looking at his watch, finding them all looking at him from the corner of his eyes he feared of them quickly covering up his earlier statement saying

"Areee.. Meri ghadi hi kharab hogi!!(Areee..My watch is only at fault, nevermind!)" He told giving them a nervous smile, he knew maddening them or specially kanishka is not very safe for his health as he could be pushed off the bench and as such off the stage if he doesn't stay alert.

Everyone else rolled their eyes where as Aditi eyes were fixed at a point, she tapped karan's shoulder lightly calling him, turning his attention to her. Following her gaze his eyes skimmed through the screen depicting the different individual rounds.

1st round: Karan(C) v/s Abhishek(C)
2nd round: Aman v/s Raman
3rd round: Aditi v/s Jenny
4th round: Kanishka v/s Vijay

"Karan you are first!!" told Aditi looking at Karan who just nodded a little averting his eyes from her and closing it cursing his fate, he was expecting his name to come last, and here it was first.

It would be an understatement to say he was tensed. He was nervous at first hand and now going first was adding more to his fears.

Giving an eye to the judges, his eyes examined the lady Abhishek briefed about, she seemed bit strict and commanding, but not exactly a person who will be 'on someone's back'.

He had no idea if Abhishek really knew her and was really warning him, or he was just lying playing a dirty game with him. He had thought he will figure it out himself from her behavior, if Abhishek was just messing up with him, but that was not possible now as he had no chance to figure out being the first one to go.

"What if she is really how Abhishek told? Will she really embarrass me badly in front of everyone for small mistake?!"

His face expressions changing with every question playing in his mind, his eyes staring nothing in particular. He was looking blank void of any other emotion except one- 'fear'.

So ladies and gentlemen the time has arrived!!! Two captains against each other in the very first round!! What can be more exciting than this?? So are you ready guys to witness the 1st round??

The crowd screamed and hooted listening to the host, a lot of cheering for the two teams could be heard all around the large Auditorium, but Karan could hear none. He was caught up with his fears, Aditi saw him sitting blankly without expressions, she could make out from his expressions he was nervous and had idea of what he was going through.

Keeping her hand over his hand she lightly pressed it bringing him back to reality. He looked at her hand over his hand and then slowly raised his eyes to meet with that of her, his eyes speaking his fears to her.

"Don't worry, You can do it!! Just stay confident, you have practiced a lot, I know you will do well!!" She blinked both of her eyes slowly, smiling at him giving him confidence and bringing about a slight smile on his face. He nodded understandingly, turning his face to Aman he saw him smiling at him.

As Aman saw Karan looking at him,he asked him to have a smile on his face by gesturing from his fingers. By taking his right hand near his face, and joining his thumb and index finger he stretched it across his lips. As he gestured this from his hand, he smiled at him making Karan smile.

"All the best!! Be confident, you will be victorious for sure!"

Kanishka spoke giving him a wide smile, Aditi nodded smiling at her and then at Karan encouraging him. Karan nodded blinking his eyes, his confidence slowly retracing its way back to him.

Captains I request you to come on stage and pick your respective chits from the bowl.

Listening to the judge, Karan stood and taking a deep breathe as gestured by Aditi, he started taking steps towards the centre of the stage where the shiny glass bowl was placed on the wooden table.

"Be confident!!"

As he walked, his legs froze for some seconds listening to Aman's words. He felt a strong urge to look back at him smiling but he knew he won't look back at him if he turns back. So grinning wide at his words, he made his way towards the table with a bright smile on his face.

He didn't expect Aman to say a word as he never does so, but listening to him actually, made him really feel happy and thereby shooing away his fears which was enveloping him back again. But for how long will this last? Is something to look forward for.

***

Hello everyone!!

How was the update!? Sorry for the delay but exam got over just this Wednesday!

What do you think Will Karan be able to manage his stage fear!?

Do you think Abhishek is done! Or he has something more up his sleeves!?

To know,stay tuned! Believe me I will be back very very soon!

Meet you all very soon, till then

<Bye,Tc💞>