"What a surprise that I don't see Hriaan with you," Jyoti Aunty said. "You didn't ask him to help you this time?"

My lips twitched as I tried to keep my composure after hearing her taunts. I kept my smile on and didn't reply. She gave me a once-over and glanced around the restaurant.

"I want freshers to serve us today," she announced and sat on one of the seats located near the glass wall.

I ignored Ayzere's curious stare and turned to my manager.

"Sir, what should we do?" I asked.

He swiped the sweat off his forehead. "This isn't what I had expected, but we can't make the owner angry. Just do as she says. Don't worry. She is strict, but I believe in all of you. I will be here to handle if anyone messes up. You guys are freshers anyways."

That's not the problem. Jyoti Jaiswal will find a flaw in everything I do. What a bad day!

My manager huddled the freshers together and told us what Jaiswal Aunty liked and what she expected from her employees. When he was explaining us to take extra care about the food and plating presentation, I saw Tejas entering the restaurant.

He was talking on his phone and instantly went to sit with his mother and Ayzere.

So nice. Now I have two Jaiswals to point out the tiniest of my mistakes.

"Waiter, come here," Jaiswal Aunty called.

"Go, Bhoomi," my manager told me.

He gave me a thumbs-up, and I checked my uniform. After adjusting my skirt, I went towards my customers and stood like a statue.

While Jaiswal Aunty was showing the menu to Ayzere, Tejas was busy scrolling on his phone.

"Have you selected anything, ma'am?" I asked politely.

"Hamster?" Tejas asked and raised an eyebrow at me.

Why is he still calling me that?

I ignored him and didn't lose my composure. Ayzere put her hand on Tejas's arm and forwarded the menu in front of him.

"TJ, I want to order this. You will have the same, right?" Ayzere suggested happily.

"Of course, he will. Both of you have the same taste," Jyoti Aunty remarked and giggled.

Ayzere blushed, and I glanced at Tejas. He slowly removed Ayzere's hand from his arm and looked at me.

"When did you start working here?" he asked me.

"Tejas beta, you also saw her working at an event?" Jyoti Aunty asked in a curious tone.

Her son furrowed his eyebrows. "What event, Maa?"

"Sir, ma'am, are you ready to place your orders?" I interrupted.

My shift was going to end soon, and I had to leave for my next job too. I was not interested in their conversation, especially Tejas's mother trying to bring up my freelancing jobs in front of him; I knew she was again trying to show-off her status.

"I want a cheese burger, french fries, tacos, and a coke," Ayzere ordered. "Same for TJ also."

I started writing down on my notepad, but Tejas stopped me.

"I won't be eating any fast-food," Tejas said, making Ayzere pout.

"Take a break sometimes, kiddo," his mom complained. "Look at how sad Ayzere is. At least, eat something of her choice."

Ayzere's lips curled down more when Tejas refused. Jyoti Aunty stared at her son angrily, but Tejas was adamant on his decision.

"What are you waiting for? Go and get our orders. I will have the same as Ayzere," Jaiswal Aunty snapped at me.

For a second, I got scared. I quickly scribbled the orders on my notepad.

"Maa, please talk calmly. I know we are the owners, but we don't need to intimidate the employees like this," Tejas told his mother.

Jyoti Aunty rolled her eyes, and before she could target her rage towards me, I zipped out of there and went to place their orders at the front desk. My fellow male colleague, Tushar, forwarded the orders to the kitchen, and within a few minutes, my female colleague, Sonal, bought out the orders and placed it on the counter.

I took the huge tray, and slowly moved towards the customers' table. I was a professional server, but I always feared messing up whenever Jyoti Jaiswal's keen gaze was on me.

Chill, Bhoomi. Don't look at her and finish your task.

Just as I said that, I pursed my lips when the coke glasses shook. Before a blunder could happen, Tejas held the tray from the other side.

"Easy, Bhoomi," he adviced. "Give this to me."

"Tejas, why won't you let her do her job? Did you forget I am here for an inspection?" Jyoti Aunty scolded.

I refused to give the tray to him, but just like what had happened with Hriaan, Tejas easily snatched the food tray out of my hands and sat back on his chair.

"Who said we can't help our own employees during an inspection? I didn't know there was a rule like that," Tejas replied with a smile.

His mom scoffed. "You are just like your father - never listen to me."

I thought Tejas would get worried after hearing his mother complain, but he grinned and told her to eat.

"Thank you, Sir," I told Tejas.

He tilted his head at me. "Don't call me 'Sir'. And haven't I already told you to not thank me? You forgot about the punishment?"

I pulled my lips in as I remembered him pulling my cheeks that day. Before everyone witnessed the supernatural phenomena of me shape-shifting into a tomato, I nodded and ran back to the front desk.

For whole ten minutes, I kept my head low, avoiding looking at Tejas. Once I confirmed that I was not going to turn into a geyser, I glanced at the clock and prayed for the time to speed up so I could get out of here as soon as possible.

Thanks to our bad luck, Jyoti Aunty didn't let any of the freshers leave even when our shift timings had ended and kept ordering new items.

She didn't listen to Tejas when he told her to not eat so much fast-food in one go. As predicted, she pointed out a lot of mistakes of all the freshers and told the manager to train us properly.

After hearing so many taunts, I checked my ears to see if they had fallen down or not, but I found them still attached to my head.

After an hour, Jyoti Aunty finally decided to leave, and I was shocked to hear that she was going to inspect another shop in the complex.

A senior told us that the Jaiswal family owned the whole shopping complex, and I dropped the idea of finding a job in other shops incase I got kicked.

I was getting late for my next job, so I controlled my curiousity about what Tejas and Ayzere were arguing about and went to change my clothes. Within five minutes, I was done and running out like a racer.

"Bhoomi, wait!"

"I can't." I shook my head at Tejas, and surprisingly, I didn't see Ayzere with him.

He pulled me back by my bag. "You are going home, right?"

I think he will leave me if I say yes. I can't waste more time.

"Yes, I am going home," I replied and started moving.

He pulled me back again. "Cool then. I am going to meet your crew, so I will drop you home."

What? I shouldn't have lied!

"I am not going home actually," I confessed.

Tejas blinked rapidly. "You are contradicting your words, Hamster."

I should just tell him that I am going for my another part-time job. Why am I lying to him?

"I am getting late for my part-time job," I told him.

"Another one?" Tejas asked in confusion. "Why are you working so many jobs one after another? Aren't you worried about your health?"

Shit, I should have just lied.

"I am fine, so..." I shrugged.

"Okay, I will drop you off to your workplace then," Tejas suggested.

I vigorously shook my head. "No! My workplace is in the completely opposite direction. I will go by myself."

"Stop making excuses, Bhoomi," Tejas said, his demeanor turning icy.

"Your mom and Ayzere are waiting for you," I reminded him to save myself.

"My mom knows that I am going to meet Vibhan and the rest of the guys, so don't use her name to lie."

Seeing no other option, I pointed at my manager's cabin. "Look, the manager is calling you. It must be something really important."

Tejas didn't react at all. "Come on, Hamster. You really think I am going to fall for that trick? Just tell me that you don't want to come with me. Why are you continuously lying?"

I am running out of ideas now! And I think I have managed to piss off Tejas also.

"Tejas, I know how busy you are. That's why I don't want to disturb you. I can go by myself," I explained.

Tejas let go of my bag. "You are getting late, so I won't hold you back."

As soon as he said that, I thanked him for offering his help and dashed out of the restaurant. On my way, I almost crashed into Ayzere. I said a quick 'sorry' and continued on my way to catch an auto.

I got late for my call centre job, but the boss was really nice, so he didn't scold me. I worked extra hours to make up for the lost time as I didn't have any event jobs to do.

Because of rains, I returned very late to my chawl and was going towards my home in a half-asleep state. Behind me, I heard a guy howling, and soon, a sports bike stopped beside me.

"Oye, Bhoomi, are you dead?" Rehman slapped me behind the head.

I didn't even have strength to hit him back. He grinned and pulled me to check out Akshay's new bike. Rehman was sitting on the pillion seat and whistling as he got a ride from Akshay.

"You like it?" Akki asked.

I slowly roamed my eyes on his expensive bike that was shining in our dimly lit chawl streets. I knew it was also a gift from Suhana.

"It is good," I replied.

"It is not good, idiot. It is awesome!" Rehman remarked.

"You want to join for a ride?" Akki asked me.

I just want to sleep.

"No, please go ahead without me. I am going home," I said.

Rehman pulled my hair. "Why are you refusing? You don't even come to the dance station nowadays. What are you so busy with? Did you get a boyfriend or what? Is this why you are coming home so late? Who is the guy? You have to introduce him to us before you even think about getting married."

"Just come, Boom Boom Boomer. It has been so long since we all had fun together," Akshay said.

Before I could protest, Rehman pulled me to sit between him and Akshay, and till we reached Vibhan's dance studio, Rehman chewed my head by speculating about my non-existent boyfriend.

At the studio, everyone was having a blast, and Suhana was also there. Along with her gifting the new bike to her boyfriend, Vibhan was celebrating the expansion of his dance studio. He had managed to convince his father and bought the neighbouring shops.

"Bhoomi, where's your phone? I called you so many times," Jiya complained.

"I must not have heard it," I said and yawned.

"You know Shlok's family bought a new house!" she squealed.

"Really?" I asked in surprise.

She smiled proudly. "Yup. He has applied for a loan, but I am sure he will pay it off quickly too."

"That's great."

"And guess what? Pratik and Yasir are planning on opening a shop together. There is so much good news that a celebration was a must."

I nodded. "I am happy to hear that."

Are you really happy, Bhoomi?

Why won't I be?

Jiya joined Shlok after giving me the updates about how everyone was progressing in their lives, and I was the only one who wasn't keeping in touch. Jiya herself had won a local DJ competition, and Shlok was thinking of throwing a big party for her, but she told him not to spend so much when he had just bought a house.

Everyone was dancing and announcing how much happy they were. My crew was getting a lot of opportunities to perform at various events and dance battles, and they were earning quite good. If possible, I would have also joined them.

"Bhoomi, why are you standing like a statue?" Rehman scolded and pulled me in the group to dance.

I danced slowly for a few minutes and excused myself. Rehman got angry, but I told him not to bother me.

"You okay, Bhoomi?" Ritvik Bhaiyya asked.

"Just sleepy," I said.

"I will drop you home," he offered.

"No, I will just rest for some time. You enjoy."

I didn't want to waste his time, so I decided to stay there for a bit; my friends would have also gotten suspicious if I had left early.

I put my bag on the floor and laid down. I tried to keep myself awake, but after a few minutes, darkness engulfed me. I heard the music and my friends' laughter, but all of it faded away like fog.

"Bhoomi, wake up!"

I pushed my head under the blanket. "Maa, five minutes more."

"You will get late for your job."

Job? What job? I only want to sleep.

I didn't wake up even when my mother shook me. I refused to get up, but when I heard her mumbling about how I could lose my job easily, my eyes snapped open.

Oh, right, I really have a part-time job!

I almost tripped on my feet while getting out of my mattress. Srishti giggled and threw my towel towards me.

"Hurry up, maasi (aunt)!" Srishti yelled.

I cursed myself for oversleeping. When I got out of the bathroom, I asked Dhara Di how I got home as I remembered falling asleep in Vibhan's studio.

"Ritvik dropped you home," Dhara Di replied with a smile.

"Why didn't you directly come home?" Mom scolded me.

"You should be praising me," I complained and glanced at my sister. "Because of me, Ritvik Bhaiyya came to our house, and someone's mood is good too."

While Dhara Di blushed, Mom glared at me.

"Bhoomi," she warned.

"Come on, Maa, I am just joking," I quickly toned down the tension that was building up.

"Don't joke like that again," Mom threatened and gave me my lunchbox.

"Okay," I replied and winked at my sister when Mom wasn't looking.

Dhara Di smiled back, and before our mother could catch us signalling each other, I rushed out my house. As expected, I got late by five minutes, and as per rules, one strike was registered against me. If I had gotten two more strikes, I would have lost one day worth of salary.

My manager didn't want to be so strict, but thanks to the biometric system, we couldn't cheat. I took that as a lesson and decided to try my best to not get late again.

After finishing off my first part-time job, I went to the call centre to complete my shift there. And after that, I went to Sarthak's studio to get the latest team evaluation results.

Unlike the results being announced on the notice board like usual, all of us were gathered in the auditorium this time.

To save myself from getting scolded by Sarthak Sir, I sat down in the back rows and messaged Akshay about the same. He was sitting in one of the front rows along with Suhana.

I hid my face when Tejas entered the auditorium along with KD. He scanned the whole area and instantly snapped his head in my direction.

"What's the use of hiding like this?" Tejas asked and sat down beside me.

"Why are you sitting here?" I complained.

"Why can't we?" KD replied instead and sat down beside his best friend. "The view is actually nice from here."

"What happened to your hand?" Tejas asked and grabbed my wrist.

I also looked in confusion when I saw a small purple bruise on my forearm.

When did I get hit?

"Hamster, what is this?" Tejas asked and rubbed the bruise.

I felt my body freezing, so I snatched my hand away.

"It is nothing," I replied. "I must have hit something in the train."

"Why can't you be more self conscious?" Tejas scolded.

I covered my chin when he raised his hand; I thought I was going to get flicked again, but when he booped my nose, I thought I was finally going to turn into a poodle of red sauce.

Why is he being like this?

I tried to read the invisible sign above his head, and the needle was malfunctioning. It was neither showing 'Hot, nor 'Cold', nor 'Confusing'.

What is this? I don't have time to think about Tejas's behaviour? Is he trying to provoke me or something? He wants me to fight him and get defeated as expected? Wait, that sounds so absurd.

I covered my whole face with my palms. I didn't want to go to the washroom again. Tejas was smiling like he was playing with his pet, and KD told us to focus on what the host was saying.

I thanked KD for distracting Tejas and prepared myself to get my results. As expected, the team results were great, and Tejas teased KD when he topped the individual results. As for me, I dug myself deeper into my seat when my result was announced. I was still in the lower ranks.

"Where is Bhoomi?" Sarthak Sir boomed in the mike.

I placed my bag in front of me, but Tejas raised my left hand.

"She is here!" he yelled.

The spotlight shone on me, and KD chuckled like a villain when Sarthak Sir told me to stand up.

I glared at KD and Tejas because they ruined my plan. Begrudgingly, I got up and steeled myself to receive the lecture.

"Sit down," Sarthak Sir told me. "I was just making sure that you hadn't run away."

The whole auditorium erupted in laughter, and I sat back on my seat in embarrassment.

"Here," Tejas gave me a chocolate. "Congratulations on getting your wonderful result."

I looked at him flatly. "Are you taunting me?"

"Does it sound like that to you?" he faked surprise. "Maybe if you concentrate on your training, you won't get grilled by Sarthak again."

"I am trying my best," I mumbled.

"By the way, you didn't tell me why you are doing multiple part-time jobs. And my mom also mentioned about some event. What was that about?" he queried.

"Don't bother," I mumbled again.

"What did you say?" Tejas narrowed his eyes. "Don't bother? Really?"

"Guys, focus," KD scolded us.

Tejas elbowed KD in the stomach, and all of the auditorium went silent when Sarthak Sir took the stage. As expected, he gave a long lecture about our results and performance. I was waiting for him to announce the date of eliminations because I could no longer handle the suspense.

"The eliminations won't happen so soon," Sarthak Sir announced, making some trainees cheer in joy, while others like me were still anxious. I knew Sir had something up his sleeves.

Sarthak Sir continued. "There will be a dance marathon for four days, and all of the trainees will get a chance to improve their scores before the eliminations."

Dance marathon?

I glanced at my neighbours, and both guys looked excited.

"I will give out the details now, so listen carefully," Sarthak Sir said. "This dance marathon will be for four days, and on each day, there will be three dance sessions taken by your mentors and the top performers of the training program, except the last day when I will myself take a special dance class. On the first day, your mentors i.e. Udit Sir, Rohit Sir, and Fatima Ma'am will take a session each and whoever lasts till the end will score points accordingly.

"On the second day, your Suhas Sir, Jatin Sir, and one of the top dancers, Kshitij, will be your mentors. And on the third day, Suhana, Danny, and Tejas will conduct the sessions. After this, on the fourth day, you all will face me. These are not just marathons but a challenge to all of you. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir!" everyone cheered.

"No..." I grumbled.

Why is my luck turning bad day by day? My schedule is already tight. How will I manage these dance sessions? I am hardly getting time to even study for my exams. Will I fail in both my college exams and these dance marathons? Ganapati Bappa, what is this?

"Why do you look so scared?" Tejas asked me. "I thought you loved challenges like these."

I slumped my shoulders. "I am tired now."

He placed his right palm forward. "Promise me you won't refuse this challenge. I am looking forward to an exciting battle."

I stared at his palm. "Why do you want to battle me so much?"

"Because I know it will be fun."

When I looked at him again, he was beaming with joy. He took my hand and placed it in his palm.

"It is a deal then," he said.

I stared at our hands. I was confident about excelling the dance sessions that were going to be held by our mentors and the rest of the top trainees, but I knew I was going to get eliminated in Tejas's round for sure.