Pointing out faults
Baseless fights
Guilty feelings
End of relation?

Nimrit  stepped down from the bus on the final day of the centenary year celebration. Aarfa held her hand tightly and walked with her inside the  school. Nimrit was happy to find friends who supported her at a time she needed them.

Aashna put her arm on Nimrit's shoulder and boosted her morale saying, "Walk with pride, Nimrit. What happened yesterday was not your fault."

"I know. I just feel conscious with everyone  watching me." Nimrit shared the reason for her nervousness with the girls and they gave her an assuring smile that everything will eventually get settled.

Not all women fight for the crown. Some of them help each other to ensure that it stays intact and maintains its glory.

"Alright, girls wish me luck. It's the performance day and with the changing dynamics, I am so nervous." Nimrit and Nivedya were not in the best of their zones plus the pressure of show stopper performance was rising their anxiety levels.

"Nimrit, talk to Nivi. Avoiding him won't make any sense. He was only looking out for you. Ashwin has been going around spreading rumours you cannot even imagine. He deserves not one but two punches. Nivi is a great friend and he..." Aarna saw Nivedya coming there so she stopped talking. 

Nivedya was still mad about yesterday and he replied sharply,  "Go on. Convince her to talk to me. Tell her how foolish I am to land myself in trouble protecting my friends."

Nimrit also had her reasons to be annoyed so, she retorted curtly, "If friendship is true you don't count or account for the things you do for your friends. Above all, you don't disgrace them by using their secrets to judge their character."

"God! How old are you two? Five? And Nimrit, Nivi is right. He punched Ashwin for you else he would have continued with his cheap remarks." Collin sided with his best friend and two other boys of their class who were there nodded in agreement.

Aashna sided with Nimrit and said, "Nimrit is capable enough to take care of herself. She didn't require his protection."

A war of words began between the girls and the boys. The boys were hell-bent to prove Nivedya did the right thing whereas the girls argued on the fact that Nimrit or any girl does not require the protection of  boys.

"Guys! Guys! Please. Don't fight. The matter is between us and we will resolve it." Nivedya intervened to stop the discussion that was turning into a fight.

"Wait, Nivi. Look girls, we are not saying that you are weak or dumb but as boys, we understand the psyche of boys better and let's face it, physically we are stronger." Shawn who was the most quiet one out of the lot, gave his opinion fueling the fire. The girls disagreed and the debate continued.

Arun, a boy from their class came to punch Nimrit but Nivedya stopped him midway and pushed him onto the floor. Nimrit got scared and so did the other girls.

"Arun, what were you doing?" Nivedya questioned him in surprise and checked on Nimrit if  she was fine.

"Just proving the point bro. If you didn't stop me, maybe I would have attacked her. She wasn't vigilant enough. That's why they say "Be a Man!"." Arun got up the floor, dusted his clothes and smirked in victory. No one applauded him and Nimrit just went inside the green room assigned to her.

Nivedya raised his finger at Arun and explained to him, "Your way was wrong Arun, and so was your opinion. Absolutely wrong."

"Ashwin was right. Nivi, you are totally whipped by the beauty on wheels. Go check on her and apologise from my side." Arun whispered in Nivedya's ears and gave him a lop-sided grin which didn't last long because the girls charged on him. He was gifted with punches and kicks. The boys he thought would save him were laughing at his state. "You rascals save me from these... Aaoooo... Stop!" Arun's plea went unheard and only when he raised his hands in surrender did the girls stop.

The girls v/s boys battle looked like World War III and no one knew when and how it shall end.

"Nimrit, are you okay?" Nivedya asked very softly to Nimrit who was sitting with her hands folded in prayer and fear was written all over her face. He scouted to her level and said, "He wasn't going to hit you. That idiot just wanted to prove his point. Relax, please."

"If not today... he might hit me some other time," Nimrit murmured to herself and Nivedya found her words difficult comprehend.

"Nivi, here you are. I was looking for you." Nandini walked into the room to meet his son. "I am sorry I wasn't home to wish you luck. But I took special permission to meet you and wish you all the very best." Nandini hugged Nivedya and kissed his cheek. Nivedya was happy to see his mother but his face didn't reflect the same.

"Is there a problem?" Nandini asked Nivedya but he looked at Nimrit and her disturbed state. Nandini followed his vision and observed Nimrit. She questioned  Nivedya through eyes and he narrated the entire incident in brief to Nandini.
She gave a hard glare to Nivedya before walking to Nimrit to comfort her.

"Hello, Nimrit." Nimrit looked up to see Nandini smiling at her.

"Hello, Aunty." Nimrit was disturbed but she still touched Nandini's feet to pay her respect.

"I came to wish good luck to both of you. I am sure you will rock it on the stage." Nandini tried her best to encourage Nimrit and even though she smiled in response, Nandini could see she was not her pleasant self.  "Alright, take care. Good luck." Nandini touched Nimrit's arm to assure her all will be well. She was leaving the room when Nimrit stopped her.

"Aunty, if you don't mind can I use your phone? I want to speak to my father, just once, before the performance."  Nandini immediately gave her phone to Nimrit but felt sad looking at her so bothered.

Nimrit dialled her father's number and he picked it up. "Hello, papa."

Amber got panicked hearing Nimrit's voice from an unknown number and asked her, "Nimrit, Where are you? Whose number is this? Are you in trouble?"

"I am fine, papa. This is Nandini aunty's number. I... I... just wanted to  speak to you before the performance. I love you, papa. You are my strength." Nimrit had a lump in her throat confessing her love to her father.

"Chinni-Nimi is my strong girl, right? You never get nervous but today you sound low. Why? Is it because it's the first time you are performing with a boy? Okay! As much as I hate sharing secrets let me share this one with you. Nimrit, Nivedya is not a bad boy. He won't trouble you and if Shakti is to be believed he will block all the troubles coming in the way of his friends. And... I am guessing you both are friends?" Amber's words calmed Nimirt. Though it wasn't the topic that bothered her but if her father had slight confidence in Nivedya then maybe he will not let anyone hit her.
"Nimrit can I speak to Mrs Singh?" Nimrit gave the phone to Nandini who looked confused before answering the phone.

"Hello, "

"Hello, Mrs Singh. This is Amber Khanna. Nimrit seems a bit nervous. She is otherwise a confident girl but I think the new and changed atmosphere is the reason. If... if it's not much to ask... can you please give her a small hug? From... her parents of course." Amber himself was anxious.  He was asking for a favour from a stranger and someone he was secretly investigating. But when it came to his daughter he kept everything aside.

"Sure, Mr Khanna. I will stay here. I took permission to meet Nivi, but I think I can extend it a little." Nandini assured Amber  and hung up the phone.

Nivedya was curious to know what Nimrit told her father, and what her father told his mother. Why was Nimrit so shaken by a not so very dangerous incident? His curiosity was killed by astonishment.

Nandini hugged Nimrit and said, "Your father and mother sent you hugs." Nandini felt very warm like she hugged someone  from her family. She waited till Nimrit wrapped her hands around her. Nimrit's grip tightened but her erratic heartbeats turned to normal.

"I need a hug too," Nivedya hugged his mother from behind wrapping his hands around her neck.

"Nivi! Stop behaving like a jealous child. Leave, you are suffocating me."  Nandini tried to push Nivedya behind but he didn't budge. Nimrit came out of the hug and smiled. She wanted the mother-son to have their time.

"Thank you, Aunty. Your gesture means a lot." Nimrit took Nandini's hand between her palms to make her believe how grateful she was.

"Anytime, sweetheart." Nandini caressed Nimrit's cheek with love. Nivedya watched Nimrit till she went inside the girls green room for changing her dress. He loved the little scene between his mother and the girl he felt possessive.

"Nivi, it's good to be protective about your friends but try not to be so reckless. Everyone is brought up differently and Nimrit is no exception. In fact, she is a little more different from you all, as I can see. What happened between your friends may be normal for you but not for her. Remember each person is fighting a battle unknown to the world. Now, go get ready. Your partner is very beautiful, my son should do at least something to match her." Nandini was not only a good  mother but also a very compassionate woman. She kissed Nivedya's forehead before leaving and he scratched his head to think about what his mother said.

"Nivi, you aren't ready yet? I know there is time for the performance but I was hoping you both could rehearse once before going on stage. You  haven't had a dress rehearsal too like other kids. Come on be quick. Where is Nimrit?" The skating teacher knocked at Nimrit's door after instructing Nivedya to hurry up.

After fifteen minutes Nimrit came out in a black coloured ruffled short skirt with transparent stockings and black full sleeves top. Her hair was tied in a French braid and her lips were tinted with pink gloss. Her natural rosy cheeks were blushed in similar colour and big round eyes were lined with kohl.

  "I hope you perform as beautiful as you look." The skating teacher appreciated Nimrit and she smiled nervously. "Till Nivi gets ready come let's rehearse the steps."

Nimrit was wearing her skates when a tall boy wearing black tight pants and a black shirt with a broad collar looking absolutely stunning, caught her attention. She forgot to exhale the breath she inhaled.

"Hurry up, Nivi. We don't have time." The skating teacher clapped his hands and gestured Nivedya to join Nimrit. But he didn't move an inch. His legs were stoned and his eyes didn't blink. The heart inside his rib cage was threatening to come out while his brain was neither receiving nor sending signals.

Nimrit reciprocated his gaze with equally fervent emotions. She was motionless too for a  few seconds but she recovered when the constant ranting of the teacher vibrated in her ears.

"Nivi, that is no way to look at a girl. I will not tolerate it." The teacher whisper shouted and Nivedya lowered his gaze.

"Sorry, Sir. It won't happen again." Nivedya apologised and the teacher nodded accepting his apology.

The music they were supposed to dance to was played but before they could begin, a service staff came to call the teacher. He was asked to inspect the rink before the final performance which was about to begin. "Hell! You both practise. I won't be able to stay here. Be good. Do well." The teacher jogged to the rink leaving Nimrit and Nivedya alone.

Nimrit turned on the music to practise one last time before they go on stage. Nivedya joined her on his cue and without saying a single word they kept  doing the steps. They didn't see each other because in their hearts they both knew there will be severe repercussions.

"Nimrit, Nivi... Oh! My God! You both were... Spectacular together. This dance indeed deserves to be the star performance of the event. There is only one problem, you need to look at each other when you dance and why don't you hold hands when you twirl? Don't get me wrong, I am not teasing you but honestly, that is the only odd thing in an otherwise mind-blowing  performance." Raghav who was secretly watching their dance shared his opinion. His walkie-talkie buzzed and the coordinator asked him to get Nimrit and Nivedya on the stage. The trio walked to the stage and Raghav left them backstage.

The guests and parents were escorted to the skating rink and since the area was not as big as the school garden there were two big screens set up which would help the parents sitting behind see the performance easily.

Nandini and Reet decided to sit together to cheer their kids so Rudra and Amber accompanied them. Nandini assured Amber and Reet that only after Nimrit was fine she left. They thanked her numerous times for helping out their daughter.
Rudra could feel Amber observing him intently. No one could make Rudra conscious but somehow Amber managed to do so.

Rudra wanted to ease the invisible tension building up so he asked, "Mr Khanna, if I may ask, what do you do?"

"I work for Hawk-Eye Services," Amber replied and Rudra's expressions changed for a split second. "In the accounts department. I am not a spy.  You don't need to worry." Amber let out a small laugh at his introduction.

"I am not worried just intrigued because Hawk-Eye has been trying to find something against the royals of Swarnbhoomi for years but they have not been successful in doing so. I wonder it still exists? You see, there isn't anything that the Indian government should really be worried about." Rudra put forward his perspective stressing on the word worried. 

"I know but I think they have a lead against Randeep Raichand the head of defence of Swarnbhoomi. Uh! I hope I can trust you with the secret." Amber pretended that he accidentally blurted out a secret and tried to trap Rudra but Rudra was too smart a fish, to fall for the bait. He smiled inwardly at Amber's childish attempt and acted like his lips were zipped.

"Randeep Raichand, was also a close acquaintance of the Queen. So says the grapevine." Rudra knew how to play the game. He was a shark who left small marine creatures for fishes to feed. Amber was brilliant at his job but that day he realised Swarnbhoomi will be his toughest project.

When Rudra and Amber were playing mind games, the apples of their eye were playing a game that had no rules or regulations.

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Dear Readers
What made Nimrit shiver with fear when Arun fake attacked her? Is there something she is hiding just like her father?
Next up... The romance on wheels or the hatred paces on wheels?

Find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love