❝ When my opponents act like lions in the ring, I prepare myself to be the ringmaster.

Coz, Even In The Dictionary Hardwork Precedes Success. And we all know that the Oxford Dictionary knows the best!

BELIEVE in Yourself!

I'm a BELIEVER, Are You? ❞

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MEERA'S POV

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Kush's face. It was the last thing that I would wish to see when I woke up in the morning. But I managed to smile. I don't know why we still were holding hands.

The last few hours I slept, were the most peaceful ones, the nightmares didn't torment me again.
Kush's face was so close to mine that his brown eyes were clearly visible in the morning sun. His eyes, they were be dazzling.

A loud unpleasant noise pulled me back into reality.
Before we both could move the entire gang stormed in. It included everyone along with Tara. Everyone looked extremely worried at first but then they were relieved.

" OMG! Look who is having a gala time when the entire universe is madly tormented about them. " Jenny spoke. Quickly, Kush helped me up. My ankles still hurt pretty badly.

Tara came and bundled me in a much needed tight hug.

" Mee, You have a mild fever. "
She spoke touching my forehead.

" Yeah! Actually yesterday night due to the rain water splashing in we both got wet and I think she caught flu. " Kush said.

" Ohhh! Let's get you home, you need to rest. I will pack your things. " Tara said.

Just then Ron rushed in.

" Look, I caught hold of the drunken watchman. Idiot. He was lying in the cabin snoring. Ass. He was so drunk that he didn't realise there were people working in here. Peice of junk. "

" Ron! Language. Anyways, these guys seemed to have a good time. " Jenny spoke.

" Just Shut Up Jenny. You don't know what was it like to be stuffed in here. There was no electricity and no means to contact you all... And no washro... "
I cut her up when I realised my bladder would burst at any moment and took a run to the washroom.

" Yeah! It's fine. Mee... Please go and rest. " I heard Addie say.

When I returned, I felt so much better.

" Do you want to see a Doc? " Jenny asked.

" I am okay. Kush, the sheets?" I asked to the energetic man who didn't look one bit tired.

" We will manage.. " He lipped. I nodded.

Tara grabbed my things and we were off. I saw Kush smile at me and I warmly returned the gesture. We shared a moment last night and things just felt normal and great.
I also happen to see Ron and Jenny talking with each other and apparently laughing. They seemed to have sorted things out.

Jenny looked at me and I gave her a wide smile.

" Mee, we are going to the Doctor. " Tara said as soon as we got in the car.

" No, Tara. I already said I'm okay. I am absolutely fine. " I was stubborn.

" You better agree or I am calling your Mom, right away."

I gave a glum look. Finally, we met the Doctor who stuffed me with antibiotics.

After the consultation we drove home and as soon as I went in my room I jumped on my bed, ofcourse after a short warm shower. I couldn't skip it no matter how hard I wanted to. Tara tiptoed in kept my things on the dressing table. The antibiotics had made me drowsy. Sleep came real quick.

🌟🌟🌟

Something ringing loudly woke me. The sun was still up. I think I slept through the entire morning. Its late afternoon. The cell phone kept on ringing. The tune was familiar but not mine. I looked over the table, it was put for charging. Tara's work. I got up and stretched, the cell stopped ringing.

Then, it came alive again.

Aaarggghhh....

Who was calling and whose cell was that?
It was definitely not mine. I rolled to the other side of the bed. I saw the caller Id, it was ' Darling Mom'. It was Kush's cell.

That was his Mom's call. I must pick it up, shouldn't I. He might have not spoken to her for a long time since yesterday we were not reachable.

" Thank God! You picked up. I thought you were dead..." She stopped for a laugh, maybe expecting something likely what Kush would say but he wasn't on the other side.

" Kush, where in the world were you lost yesterday? Are you there?"

" Uh-huh... Hi! Aunty. Actually, Kush is not around and I have his cell phone. I am his friend. " I spoke.

" Oh!! This is the last thing I expected from him. A girl picking up his phone and saying he is not around. " She scoffed and let a short laugh.

" Excuse me, Ma'am. You are happening to make wrong assumptions. I'm Meera. Kush and I have been working on a project together. Maybe, he must've told you about it. Actually, it so happened that our cell phones got exchanged. My friend packed my bags. It's just by mistake... I-I... "

" OMG! Girl! Relax. I was just messing with you, dear. It's alright. Kush can be careless most of the time. Are you the one who made the chocolate pudding?"

What was she asking? And why? Did Kush tell her about it or did he whined complaining?

" Hmmm... Yes. I know your son didn't like it. "

" Is this what he said to you? " She laughed for a long time.

" Ya... " I was totally confused now.

" He was totally lying, Meera. Totally. Don't you get him wrong. He was messing with you. That day he was so rejoiced that he found your pudding to be the best. Better than mine, you know. He never, ever devours anyone's expect mine. "

" Oh!! But he said it tasted so bad. " I don't know whether I was disappointed that he lied or glad that he loved it. Apparently, coz his mother says so.

" Hahha... That is so Kush. He was surprised, more like in a trauma that someone can better than his Mom. Anyways, I'm so eager to taste it coz if Kush loved it than it surely must be something. " For someone talking to you first time, Kush's mother seemed extremely amiable.

" Sure. I will be privileged. I shall give your message to Kush and ask him to call you back. " I said.

" Yeah... Hoping to meet you and of course you pudding too. Bye Dear. "

" Bye. " I sigh a long relief. God! What a lady!

Both Mother and Son are weird.
What in the Earth did Kush say to Mom about me?
Tara!! I'm so pissed at her right now. How come she doesn't know which cell is mine.

" Mee, you awake. Come have some food. With whom were you talking? "

" To Kush's Mom. "

" Ohh! So, she called you to say thanks for taking care of his son? " She winked.

" No, she did not. But, all thanks to you that you brought Kush's cell instead of mine." I waved his phone.

" Oh Shit. I didn't realise that. "

" Of course you didn't. Idiot. Now I have to call him. "

" Good.. You got a reason to call him. "
She was smiling at me for a reason oblivious to me.

" I don't need any reasons to call anyone. " I shrugged.

" Is this upsetting you? Why are you getting red, Meera? " She was still laughing.

" Just Shut up man. Okay! You know me well enough I believe."

I punched her lightly and we both sat down to eat and watching some random American sitcom.

🌟🌟🌟

KUSH'S POV

I was so exhausted that I fell asleep as soon as my back touched the bed. I didn't even bother to shower.

I was woken up by a cell phone ringing. My room wasn't really a mess expect for the shirt and jacket which I had removed before zoning out, lying around on the floor.

The phone was still ringing. Obviously, it wasn't mine. The ringtone was some 90s tune. I had to get up now. It was almost 4 in the evening.

The sound was coming from my bag.
The cell phone was of Meera's. What the hell was it doing in my bag?
The caller Id read, ' Mummy'. Her mother but obvious. She must be worried.

" Meera! Why in the Earth are you not answering me? Is everything fine? " All mothers are the same, aren't they?

" Hi... Ma'am. Actually, I am Kush. Meera's friend. We are doing a project together. I think by mistake our phones might have got exchanged. Any messages? " I said in my softest voice or else I could really sound terrible just after my sleep.

" Wait up. Are you the one the who saved her the other day? " She sounded like a detective.

" Yeah! The very me. " I drank some water.

" Oh My! You really are an angel. I don't know how to thank you. I have been telling her to let me speak to you. But you might not know how adamant she is."

" Well, I know. She is the most stubborn independent person I have met. No offence." I said and Meera's mother said a heartiest laugh.

" It's hard not to agree you see. "

" There's one thing I want to tell you..." I don't know why but it just clicked in. I maybe be sounding like a 6 year old school boy trying to complain but I wasn't.

" I must tell you she cooks the best chocolate pudding, it won't be an exaggeration if I say in the world. Better than my Mom's. Are you the very angel who taught her? " I couldn't help not asking.

She chuckled.

" You're a charmer, aren't you?" She asked.

" Well, people say so and I like to believe so. But, seriously Ma'am. I'm not kidding or flattering. Meera's the last person one would dare flatter. " I laughed while she joined.

" I like you already. No wonder Meera gets pissed easily when I mention you. I won't take any undue credit. It's Meera's recipe. But, I think she got hold of her great grandma's recipe book somewhere. Meera can be secretive and discreet." She is such a easy person to talk to. We've been talking barely for 10 minutes and it's like we've been knowing each other since a long time.

I'm glad I spoke to her. No wonder who is Meera like. Maybe she takes after her father. Coz, her mom is definitely not like her. In better words, she isn't like her mother at all. Our first meeting was a disaster.

" But, Kush I am really gald you were there for her that night. Thank you again."

" You're embarrassing me now. Even I'm glad I was there." I genuinely was despite the fight we had.

" I apologize for all the complains made by Meera." I said after a moment.

" Don't be at all. But, since we've had a brief chat, I surely warn you not to trouble her more than you already you." Well, that was a warning followed by a short laugh.

" Surely. I am definitely scared and I'll be watching out. Don't worry."

" Kush, it was really nice talking to you. Meera maybe be rough but there's more than just her rude self. "

" I know that. " I replied. I always knew she isn't what she pretends to be.

" Do me a favour. Ask her to call back. Her father worries for her."

" Yes! I definitely will. Bye. Take care. "

" You too dear. " She hung up.

Weird as it may sound but sometimes strangers don't really feel like strangers. She's a sweet lady. I made a mental note that Meera has to be like her Dad.
I was laughing alone, all by myself now. Anyone who saw me will take me as a lunatic for sure. Life's pretty amazing and we might as well meet weird people.

After a nice warm shower and some eggs I called Meera. I typed my number and dialled. It displayed, Kush. Simple and cute as it is.

" Hey Meera, I think saving my number as Kush-slash-Idiot is extremely rude and immature. " Technically I didn't wait for her to even reply with a Hello.

" What rubbish! I didn't do any shit like that. But, your calling details surely display your maturity. I wouldn't feel bad at calling you moron or childish for saving mine as Ms. Meera Arrogance. It's quite a saintly divine gesture." She said all of it quickly. She's bad strong after the recovery and always spontaneous.

" Hey! I was just joking. " I said.

" But I am not. You really did save my number like that, Kush? " I couldn't make whether she was disappointed or furious at me.

" I won't say I'm sorry to be me, but I do like to be creative things. So, it's totally fine by me. Like you said, I like to keep my child in me alive. " I laughed.

" Whatever... Why did you take the pain to call me at all? I know I have your cell phone. I will return it tomorrow. I don't eat metal and glass of you just wanted to know. "

" Well, I don't trust you. " I couldn't help not pulling her leg. It's fun to make her fret. " Anyways, I had a nice chat with your mom. Why can't you be like her, really? " I said.

" Wow. What a coincidence. I had one with yours and surprisingly I think the same thing. Also, I deduced another new things about you. "

" Why do I get a feeling its not a pleasant one? " I said. She speaking to my mom wasn't something I'd like knowing what she is like.

" Nothing about you can be pleasant, Kush. You of all people should know that."

" What did she say? " I was getting worried now.

" Ah-uh... Chuck it. Its not important." My mind was in a conflict whether she should tell me or not. She decided not. Two reasons, A) She think its a petty thing that doesn't matter or B) She wants to avoid me once for all. Maybe there's even a third one C) She thinks we're not really friends and she doesn't hold me answerable to my actions towards her.

" Kush! You there?"

Gosh! Did I just zone out like a paranoid? That's insane. I am never like this. Drawing out assumptions and possibilities is never my thing.

" Fine. You must rest. I will come by your house to return your belongings and collect mine. " I pulled myself.

" But Kush we've work, lots of it. The event is in 3 days. " The matter was definitely concerning but it's not like I am dead.

" We can manage. You rehearse your part well. Bye. " By 'We' I meant 'I'. I think she knew that as well.

Which really didn't matter coz I doubt if she even sees me as friend now.
Saying so he hung up.

🌟🌟🌟

MEERA'S POV

Tara didn't even allow me to work from my room, going outside was out of the question. The event is tomorrow and Kush hasn't been in touch. I am pretty well now but it's scaring the shit out of me because I'm not prepared.

I heard some voice out.

" Welcome Kush! Pleasure to have you here. " Why is Tara so nice to me?

" Same here. Where's my partner." He asked in his cheery voice.

" Depressed and resting. " I heard her saying so to Kush.

" Meera... Look I have completed the work. Let's rehearse and then we're perfectly ready for tomorrow. I hate losing. " He shouted.

I was in my PJs and I saw Kush flaunting the sheets and blueprints which he had completed, submitted and had them approved already two days ago. So, the day I was snoring he was already done with smacking Alan right on his face with perfection.

A smiles appeared on my face. He was definitely competent and responsible.

" Kush...You... I-I... "

" It's fine. I know I am an angel. Treat me with the movie later. Whichever you like. You owe thrice now. " He smirked and then winked.

Tara couldn't control her laughter.

" How adorable!" She commented. " I'll make us coffee. Kush, really appreciate your concern and efforts. Great Job. " She did him a thumbs up.

Kush took a bow.

" Well, I heard that a Samar Kapoor's movie is going to be released. I am sure that will be Mee's pick. Please take me with you too. " Tara said aloud through the kitchen.

" Ya!! Sure. If Kush likes his then. " I don't know his choices and opinions, right?

" I love him and his movies, of course. " He promted quickly.

" So, finally I see something in common, you guys... " We all were laughing when she returned after brewing the coffee.

" Mee, is Samar Kapoor coming for the event? You may get a chance to meet him. "

" Actually he is busy. " Kush answered before I could respond.

" How do you know? " The two of said in a chorus.

" Uh-hmmm...Actually, a friend of mine works in his firm. He said he has to do some promotions so might not be able to come. "

" Also, I saw the list. " He added.

" Hmm... It's fine. It's not like that I am some crazy fan, am I? " I was disappointed but then I never really had hopes.

" True Mee..." Tara mimicked.

Later we rehearsed for our sand art performance and brushed ourselves with our opening lines.

For the nth time I wondered why was i even doing all this but then whatever it was, it was fun and something new on my already overflowing plate.

🌟🌟🌟

The big day arrives soon.

It was all noisy and somewhat chaotic around. Then event is suppose to begin in an hour and the guests have begun arriving. I saw Kush running with Leo and Alan to make sure there weren't like last minute hitches and malfunctions. I was waiting for Kush to accompany me along with others. Everyone was tensed for it was definitely a big event getting a lot of media coverage and publicity.

Nervousness creeped in as the event started with a bang and people performanced. It started with dances and then a award function to felicitate new young talent and then its showcase.

" It's gonna be a blast." Kush held my end as we climbed on the magnificent stage in front of thousands of people. The light was blinding us from the audience and the cheer was encouraging yet my heart beats were audible to my ear. They just announced our first names and our designation as we walked towards our set up. Ours was the last one.

The remarkable performances of other guys made me conscious and a part of me was scared to make mistakes. But, Kush's firm hand kept me going. Once he began his magic everything fell in place in a perfect flow. Within minutes we were surrounded by loud cheers and applauds. A smile prevailed strong on my face until we left the stage.

Winning didn't matter anymore coz for me it was perfect and I was satisfied.

There were lot of renowned people and their appreciation did matter as a fact. We were backstage but appreciation can travel fast sometimes.

All of us were waiting for the results now but the best part of this venture was the friends I made and the fun we had. It wasn't all goody but it wasn't that bad after all. Jenny and Ron did get close to each other and surprisingly Kush and I didn't have to execute the plan we made. So, technically a part of my prediction did come true. They both surrendered sooner than expected.

" C'mon guys, they're announcing the results for the talent show." Adam rushed in.

I wasn't nervousness anymore.

" We're winning it." Kush whispered softy in my ear, his lips touching my skin and my heart skipped a beat.

Was it his confidence or his closeness I'm not sure. All of us stood together, Kush interwined his hand with mine. My heart was definitely pumping, it always does when it comes to the results. The host announced the results of a couple of other events and then it was our turn.

" Winner is..." A much anticipated pause for creating the suspense.

"... Kush and Meera." The people around seemed more happy than us in a moment's time I was taken in a long hug by the group.

My ears nearly survived absolute deafness and their enthusiasm was inexplicable. I was definitely happy. It was a huge victory. The prize money wasn't a huge amount but it was a decent token of appreciation and acknowledgement.

In an hour people started packing up. Kush came towards me when we were finally alone.

" Told ya.." He smiled and in a second hugged me.

I did not see that coming.

But, I returned the gesture.

_____________________________

Hey! Guys...

Things are going pretty well for our lead Duo here.

Yet, lots more to come.

Thank you for your constant support and love.

Next Chapter 🔜

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Luv... ♥️
Vruksha.