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Sonakshi's POV

So the day ended and I lay flat on the bed of my room at Asha Apartments I didn't realise I had been missing it so much Tanvi and Jatin entered the room.

"Sonaaaa" They shouted in unison. I sat straight.

"Hey guys" I said a meek hi. I was exhausted it was the longest shoot of my life and good news? Jeevika and I have made it to the Mega Battle Rounds as the two challengers. Manvi was really upset about not being selected but then this is what the show is about someone has to win and someone has to loose.

"Di I missed you so much" Tanvi took me in a bone crushing hug.

"I didn't" Jatin said

"Rehne do ha Jattu Bhaiya ... Sona di he has missed you a lot in fact the most" Tanvi stated.

"Meanie" Jatin sticked his tongue out

"Gaaaawwwd meri billi and mujhi ko meow" Tanvi faked being offended

"Dadi amma dadi amma man jao" Jatin pulled her cheeks hard.

"You!!!" And Tanvi hurled a pillow at him.

I didn't realise how much I was missing my gang.

"May I come in?" Jeevika said while she entered the room.

"You are already inside" Jatin said

Jeevika slapped his arm.

"Manvi di's ok now?" Tanvi asked

Jeevika just nodded in a yes.

"Okay so now tell me all the gossip what all have I missed?" I said with my eyes sparkling in search of some 'gossip'.

"Nothing just Karan and Tanvi's budding romance" A male voice said from the threshhold of the door. Barun was standing there. Till the time I was here Barun wasn't a part of our gang but yes he was Jatin's room mate so maybe he would have bonded well with the rest. Jeevika didn't look much affected by his presence and she was comfortable with him so I also decided to act normal.

He adjusted himself on the sofa as if it was his own room and didn't even care to remove his shoes.

"Barun Bhaiya please na remove your shoes atleast!" Tanvi said

"Naa" and he closed his eyes.

The night went on with all of catching up with each other. ISS has given me a lot of assets and of it is this family like friends.
_____________________________________

"Speed up Sona" Jeevika knocked my door and screamed

"You move I'll join you in a bit" I replied from my room.

"Ok"

Everyone had left for their practices while was still busy drying my hair. It took me another two minutes to finish my task and after that I was all set to join the rest.

I stood in the hall and glanced at the door of Dev's team's practice area. Something was strange about it. Oh yes the violins hanging there were gone. I was always fascinated by those violins. I always had this gut feeling that those two instruments wanted to speak a story of their own. I moved my hands over the remnant marks the two violins had created on the wooden door. I rubbed my finger over their rough imprints. The vibes of the marks were tantalizing,dark and mysterious just like Dev had become these days.

"Ouch!" The door opened instantly and my finger poked into Dev's eye.

"I'm so sorry" I cupped his face and blew hot breaths into his injured eye.

"I'm... I'm ok" He tried stopping me by holding my hand but then my doctor instincts told me to hold on

"Your practice area is towards that side. Challenger Sonakshi" I stepped back with those words of his.

Since Jenny had no one in her team she was guiding the challengers while the 4 champions sticked to their original team. Mouni had quite venomously told Jenny "Your team is anyways empty you shouldn't mind spending your time in training the girls."

My eyes fell on a new design on the wall of the practice area. The dark blue wall that stood amidst all the rest white walls had a silver tree sprouting out of it. It was leaf less and somehow signified autumn to me. From two of its upper branches hung two violins.

"Can I have a look?" And I pushed Dev aside to observe it closely.

"Impressive" I said

"Hi Sona di" Tanvi left her practice and waved at me

"Tanvi focus on your work" Dev said

I gave him a dirty look.

"So? What's your fascination with violins?" I asked him

"None of your business"

"Then I'll find it out my way"

"Yeah you'll come up with a silly plan again. I'll tell you to quench your inquisitive nature otherwise you'll end up hurting someone again" He spoke in a monotonous voice with absolutely no emotions in it. Did he realise he was hurting me for no reason?

"Rehne do... I'll leave" I turned to go back.

"No wait." He held my wrist.

"What is this Dev? I am no toy. I am sorry but I had no idea what Neha's past was about. On top of it you are giving me such mixed signals. What do you want?" I felt irritated.

"Sit" He pointed towards a chair

"I have a practice session to attend ... I'll talk to you later" I turned again to go.

"Jenny will allow you inside later too" He pleaded.

"She will but if I stay here for a second my mind will not allow me to speak in a calm tone with you. I can see you drowning in guilt. You are hurting your own self and people around you and I don't wish to do anything that will add to your misery." I had to be the sensible one of us because he always chose to be the opposite.

"I'll be waiting" He said again in a low tone.

I walked out of his practice area.

He needs me. He needs someone who'll not judge him. He needs someone to bring him out of his misery.

I turned around. Something took over me and I went to give him one tight hug. He was absolutely shocked for once and when he didn't wrap his arms around me I felt how stupid it was of me to do this 'stunt' but then he stirred and wrapped his muscular arms around me. He slowly tightened his grip. Both of us were missing each other obviously and the longing could not be shown by whatever amount we strengthned our grip around each other.

He pressed his lips lightly on my forehead. That one touch, the most special part of our relationship, was enough to melt me down, to make my stomach do a back flip in excitement.

"Guys I am still here" Tanvi interveened and I reluctantly moved away from him.

He followed me till the door.

"You know na that you are weird" He said. I could see that old sparkle in his eyes.

"Aami Jaani" I said and finally joined Jenny.
______________________________________

Dev's POV

Piyu bole Piya bole
Kya ye bole jaanu na!

"Excuse me for a second Jenny." I bombarded into her practice area listening to Sona's voice.

"Yes sure" She said and got away from her piano.

"Are you going to make Sona sing Piya Bole?"

"Yes"

"Don't ... It is the MEGA BATTLE she'll be chewed raw by the contestants if she sings this. Give her something more powerful." I said

"Hmmm... Your suggestion is fantastic but Mr. Dixit Sona is not professionally trained and also she has been singing such numbers only. How will she cope up?" Jenny expressed her concerns.

"I totally understand Jenny but before anything I am her 'Guru' I trust her determination more than anything else and I give you my guarantee Sona can sing any genre she just needs to be explored."

"Ohk If you say so ... I trust you" Jenny smiled. How can someone be so down to Earth and accepting to new views like Jenny was. She is such an angel.

"I think Ghoomar from Padmavati would be just perfect for her. We can enhance her stage presence by those dancers Mouni has hired. Shreya Ghoshal's songs anyways suit her" I was so confident that my ideas can make Sona the highest scorer.

"Great then you guys sit and discuss I'll be back in a moment." Jenny said and left.

"Bada bharosa hai Guru ji" Sona said

"Guru ko hai Dev ko nahi" I made it clear that I trust her more as a teacher.

I quitely sat next to her facing in the opposite direction. Jenny's practice arena had a different vibe to it all together.

Mouni's was a lot more flashy. Mohit's was just too professional and so was his contestants too.

"Why?" She asked me "Why are you behaving like this?"

"I'm not a good person Sonakshi stay away. I could not be there for my own suffering sister. I'm a guilty mess. I know you want to help me get out of this. I understand your concern, I appreciate it but please Sona don't push me. I am not the right person for you maybe. I am not right for anyone. This guilt is so large that it has eaten me from inside. I am hollow, I am living with a void that will consume you too" I told her my POV clearly

"All you said was about you Dev. Where was I in this? There is no us in your decision and if you are being selfish enough to not let me share your problems then I'll be selfish to not give upon MY love for you." She was too adamant on her decision. The good part is she isn't giving up on me!

"You wanted to know about the violins right?" Something came over me and I decided to tell her about it.

She was all ears to hear what I had to say.

"My dad was a magician when it came to playing violin. He did magic with his music. Neha and I have learned to play it from him. We inherit these musical genes from Dad. He was a maestro. After Mom and Dad died and Neha was ... was raped ... She detached herself from things that gave her happiness totally. The second violin hanging is hers." I said

"She doesn't play now?"

"No. The only remnant of her musical past is the wallpaper in her kitchen. Its a white wall with a black violin painted."

"The one in practice area also signifies autumn somehow and Neha and my relationship keeps juggling between Autumn and Winter. Spring never seems to arrive" I continued.

I felt a hand over my shoulder. "If winter is here can spring be far behind?" She smiled through her statement.

"Why are you still sticking around Sona?" I said " The guy who couldn't protect his sister how can he be there for you. You are too good for a coward like me."

"Remember that Miley Cyrus song from Hannah Montana" She began saying "You are one in a million ... You are one in a million. We are equals. when you will fall apart I'll pull you back and this is what you have been doing with me all the while we have met"

"Why are you so good?" I said

"Because you are with me" She said.

What do I with this girl?

I got up to leave but she continued singing.

They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances to meet somebody like you
Are a million to one
I can't believe it
Woahh
You're one in a million.

______________________________________
I went back to my practice area. Tanvi had left. I slipped on my chair, covered my face with my hands. She is impossible! Ms. Bose tumi ekdom impossible!

When the days are cold and the cards all fold
And the saints we see are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail and the ones we hail
Are the worst of all and the blood's run stale

I want to hide the truth, I want to shelter you
But with the beast inside, there's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide
Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide

At the curtain's call is the last of all
When the lights fade out, all the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave and the masquerade
Will come calling out at the mess you made

I Don't want to let you down, but I am hell bound
Though this is all for you I don't want to hide the truth
No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come, this is my kingdom come

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide
Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide

They say it's what you make, I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul, I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright, I want to save their light
I can't escape this now, unless you show me how

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide
Don't get too close, it's dark inside
It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide

Help! Help!

Out of the following whom do you want to see in the Grand Finale add a +1 in front of your top 4

Sonakshi

Barun

Tanvi

Jatin

Jeevika

Rubina

PS- If you guys have loved the journey of DevAkshi through ISS go and vote for this book in the DevAkshi Awards (can be found in my reading list 'others'.)