I tried to incorporate what Randeep had stated about the award night in his recent video. But my story was written long back, even before his video came out. 

So I'm just proceeding with my version, with whatever little knowledge I have about award functions.

Here it is!

The award function started after the red carpet. Randeep was sitting with his friend Karishma, who was a part of Nazar team. While Ashi was accompanied by Karan, Donal and their friends. They were switching their seats in between too, as it generally happens in award functions, but they were shifting with their group of friends only.

There were various performances and acts happening, with some segments of awards in between as the performing actors would require time to change. Both Ashi and Randeep were waiting for the popular category they were nominated in. After waiting for long, the popular category was announced and they knew that they were not getting the awards as it is generally informed earlier. There were still many award categories and performances left, but Randeep thought to leave as he was feeling little unwell due to the cold Indore night and also there was no point in staying now.

Ashi decided to stay as they were waiting for the fashion segment where Karan was walking the ramp, which was about to happen soon. When that was over, all of them were just chilling and having fun.

Soon an event coordinator came to Ashi and informed, "Miss Ashi Singh. You are the winner of Best Jodi Award. So you can occupy the front row seats there in 5 minutes and the award will be given in 20 minutes." She said while pointing to the front rows.

Ashi couldn't believe at first what she had heard. She was just staring at the coordinator when she was shaken by Karan who was congratulating her excitedly. She tried to reconfirm with the coordinator as she didn't know if there was a 'Best Jodi' nomination too.

The coordinator asked her to come aside so as to avoid disturbance to others. "Yes, you've heard it correctly. You both are the winners", confirmed the coordinator. "By the way, do you know where I can find Mr. Randeep Rai? We were looking for him but we didn't see him." She asked.

Her question was another shock for Ashi. She recovered from it and politely said, "I am not very sure. But I saw him with the Nazar team there, you can ask them" she directed at a place.

"No, actually we have already checked with them. They said that he had left. Do you have any idea about it?" The coordinator asked while checking some things on the notepad in her hand.

Ashi was now stunned with this latest knowledge. She again humbly said that she has no idea where he is.

"Okay no problem. Our team is trying to contact him. Meanwhile, can you please occupy the seats? The award will be announced soon. But if you get any lead about Mr. Rai, please inform me. My name is Akanksha. I'll be there near the stage only." Saying this, she left in a hurry, talking to her team on the bluetooth.

The happiness of getting a 'Best Jodi' award didn't even stay for a few minutes with Ashi as it was overtaken by the news of absence of Randeep. She shared this with Karan and he said that he will accompany her to the seats.

Ashi and Karan occupied the seats while waiting for Randeep. But Ashi was restless, she couldn't concentrate on anything as the time for award was nearing. She had also tried to call him once but his phone was engaged and she thought that the event coordinators might be talking to him.

"Akanksha", Ashi spotted the girl walking from there, "Did you get in contact with Randeep?', she asked.

Akanksha came, "Oh Ashi. Yes, my teammates talked to him. He had left the premise long back and it would take him another 30 minutes to come. I need to inform this backstage, so that we can take a call on this. You please be seated." She left hurriedly for the backstage.

Few minutes passed by. But Ashi was still uneasy, which could be seen on her face. "Ashi relax. Randeep aa jayega jaldi. Don't worry." Karan tried to calm her down.

"Nahi Karan. Agar wo nahi aaya toh main kaise karungi? Award kabhibhi announce ho jayega." She said while shaking her legs in nervousness.

"Arey aisa kuchh nahi hoga. Jab tak woh aa nahi jaata, tab tak award announce nahi hoga", he just completed his sentence and they heard Aditya Narayan announcing for the guests to give the 'Best Jodi' award. They both were flabbergasted as there was no trace of Randeep and Ashi would need to walk alone to the stage now.

She was feeling too bad for Randeep, because this was such an important incident in both their lives. They were getting awarded for the 'Jodi' of Sameer and Naina, the characters so close to their heart, but Randeep wasn't there with her to receive this big award. She wanted him badly beside her... to calm her down, to bring her out from the nervousness and to give her confidence while going on the stage. Also she didn't want him to miss this opportunity as it was indeed a prestigious award and the whole world would watch it during the telecast.

As their names were announced, Karan patted on her back, to give her courage to go alone as even he could see her pale face. She walked the stairs of the stage with a smile trying not to show her traumatized state.

Seeing her coming alone, she was questioned by the guests as 'Aapke Jodidaar kaha hai?'

She replied with a smile, "Actually woh hame pata nahi tha ki hum iske liye nominated hai. Isliye shayad woh chale gaye."

The guests, Aditya and some backstage coordinators looked at each other as how to proceed with only one person for a 'Jodi' award. Also the award was one of the important ones among all, because it is given only sometimes and not every year. A mismanagement was clearly visible on the stage and after certain talks, they asked Ashi to go back to her seat and told her that they may re-announce the award.

Ashi took a breath of great relief and went down again to her seat to join Karan on the couch.

"Thank god... shayad woh log award re-announce karne wale hain", Ashi said with a smile on her face.

"That's good. Chalo ab toh chill karo thoda sa. Kabse yeh chehre pe tension lekar ghum rahi ho." Karan tried to lighten the situation, but Ashi could only put a momentary smile on her face.

In the next 5 minutes, the coordinator Akanksha came to them, "Hey Ashi. Sorry for the inconvenience. Actually I had conveyed the message but the tele-prompter wasn't updated by that time. By the way, the re-announcement of your award will take time now. Coz some of the performances have been scheduled now. And I guess Mr. Rai will also be available by that time. You can remain seated here if you want to, since most of the awards have been covered. Will get back to you soon." She finished all at once and left.

Karan hoped Ashi would be relaxed at least after hearing this. But she was still restless. "Arey ab toh saans le lo. Relax Ashi", he said.

"Nahi Karan. Jab tak Randeep nahi aa jata tab tak mujhe chain nahi aayega", she said while sneaking at the open area at the left, where people were coming from.

She thought for a while, "achchha mai ek kaam karti hun. Main gate tak jaake dekhke aati hun. Wahi pe wait kar lungi uska. Tum please yahi baithe raho."

"Achchha baba thik hain. Lekin pehle usko ek bar call karke toh puchhlo woh kaha hai, nahi toh khamakha wait karna padega tumhe." Karan had reckoned that she wouldn't listen to anyone now until Randeep comes.

"Woh main raaste mein kar lungi usse call. Pakka." She assured him.

"Achchha ruko phir 2 minutes." He said and went towards some event coordinators and requested for a security guard for Ashi as she was going alone. When they assigned one guard to him, he came to her along with the guard.

"Ashi, inke saath hi jaana. Yeh tumhe le jayenge gate tak. Bhaiya, inke saath hi rehna please. Aur dekhna jyada bheed na ho jaye." He turned to Ashi and the guard one by one, instructing them.

Ashi left with the guard and as she walked past the barricades that were placed to mark the end of the seats on the left side, she dialed Randeep's number.

"Haan baba aa raha hun, bass paanch minutes. Raaste mein hi hun." She heard Randeep's voice before she could speak anything.

"Achchha suno, main gate tak aa rahi hun. Tum kahan se aa rahe ho?" She asked.

"Ashi, tumhe bahar nikalne ki kya zaroorat thi? Achchha main gate no. 4 ke taraf se aa raha hun. Wahan jyada bheed nahi hain", he informed.

"Thik hai main wahi aati hun." Saying this, she disconnected the call and told the guard to take her to gate no. 4.

As Randeep had taken a hotel car, she wasn't aware of the car he was in. Also there were several vehicles coming in and going out through the gate. But the open area was still less crowded as compared to the other gates as this gate was reserved only for VIP entries.

A car entered from the gate, got parked in an available space and Randeep stepped out from it. It didn't take him much time to spot Ashi at a certain distance. She was constantly checking the time in her phone, and then rotating it in her hand, the moves showing signs of her anxiety. She was looking at every car that was coming from the gate, but probably she didn't notice his car. He instructed the driver to wait there and that he would leave to the hotel by the same car.

He walked a few steps towards her but then stopped midway... Just to admire her. How beautiful she was looking! Just like a princess. It wasn't like he was seeing her for the first time during that night, but when they had seen each other after the Red Carpet, they had just shared a 'hi', that too from a distance. Now was the time when he got a chance to adore his lead costar, whom he had won the 'Best Jodi' award with.

When Randeep had gotten a call from the event coordinators informing about the award, he was in his hotel room relaxing, as he was tired due to the exhaustion. He had already missed two calls when he was in the washroom and also because he generally doesn't pick calls from unknown numbers. But when he had received a call from Karishma, telling him that the event coordinators were looking for him, he had immediately connected the call which was waiting on line. Firstly he didn't believe the news at all, but the urgency in the coordinator's voice asking him to come as soon as possible, had made him believe it. He had panicked as he wanted to reach at the earliest. He was in a state of dilemma, of whether he should celebrate for winning an award or curse himself for leaving early. He had also thought of calling Ashi, but due to the continuous calls from different coordinators, he had to rush it. Thankfully he hadn't changed and removed the makeup. After a little touch-up, he left his room. It had taken time for him at the reception as he couldn't get a car for himself, but somehow he managed one. He had just left for the venue, when he got to know from Karishma that the announcement of the award had happened and he utterly regretted his 'eager to leave early' habit. He had received another call within five minutes, and his sadness was overtaken by excitement when he was informed that the award would be re-announced. But when there was a call from Ashi, and he learnt that she was waiting for him, he had somehow felt so pleased.

He kept staring at her for a few seconds more. He was probably enjoying the tensed expressions on her face. How could he even think that he means nothing to her. Of course, he does mean a lot to her. He did. Always. He thought he was so stupid to let down this innocent girl, be it in any regard then. The girl who was waiting for him... who had walked all that distance in that heavy gown only for him... who wasn't scared of the darkness of the night due to the lack of focus lights... who wasn't worried about the crowd, while she generally gets a little nervous seeing it... who wasn't thinking at all if she was being noticed by the people in her surrounding... For all of which, he would've given a thought at least once.

He saw her doing something on her phone and her number flashed on his mobile screen within seconds. First he thought of declining the call and go to her directly, but then he decided to make it a little filmy. He answered the call with just a long 'hmmmmm'.

"Kya hmmmm? Kahan ho? Paanch minutes kab ke ho gaye." She said impatiently.

"Tumhare right mein dekho." He said with a smile on his face, rather it was a blush.

She turned towards her right and found him at a distance, waving his phone to her. She disconnected the call and when she saw him walking towards her, she folded her arms in anger and turned slightly.

He knew it wasn't a big task for him to cheer her up. He walked to her in confidence and greeted 'hi' as if meeting a stranger.

She looked at him in anger, "tum...", she paused. And before letting him speak something, she started hitting his left arm multiple times with both her hands, somehow managing the phone in one.

"Arey arey arey... maar kyun rahi ho?" He was surprised by her moves and tried to move away a little from her sudden attack.

She said furiously, "tum... tum aise chale kyun gaye the? Tumhe hamesha itni jaldi kyun rahti hai jaane ki. Set pe bhi jab dekho tab packup ki jaldi rahti thi. Aur yahan bhi. Thodasa ruk jaate toh kya jaata tumhara. Mujhe waha akele jaana pada stage pe. Pata hai mujhe kitna darr lag raha tha waha, kitni nervous ho gayi thi main. Lekin tumhe uska kya. Tum kyun sochoge na mere baare mein."

He was standing there like a child who was probably getting scolded by his teacher for not doing the homework. He had his both hands in his pockets and was just adoring her... Smiling at her... How many days... no... months had passed when he had seen Ashi in her true self. She used to be like this bubbly girl long back, at least in front of him. He was so happy seeing her like this. He didn't mind her anger at all, rather he felt privileged to find himself at the receiving end.

When she finally stopped scolding, he asked sweetly, leaning a bit towards her, "daant ke ho gaya?"

"Haan", she replied while folding her arms again and avoiding the eye-contact.

"Gussa shant ho gaya?", he asked again with a smile.

"Nahi", she said while faking the anger, and refraining herself from smiling.

"Aur daantna hai?", he pursed his lips as if to control laughter.

"Nahi", she said while lowering her voice. Her anger had already melted by now.

"Hmm. Good. Toh Miss Ashi Singh. Aap jeeti hai 'Best Jodi' award, THE RANDEEP RAI ke saath", he said while holding his collar in filmy style and forwarded his hand.

She was seeing his filmy avatar after long, she chuckled and clasped his hand with hers. But as soon as they shook hands once, he pulled her to him into a tight hug. The happiness of winning a big award together was reflecting on both their faces. They had won awards for being Sameer and Naina before. As Ashi had won 'Best Debut' in Kalakaar Awards at the start of the year, Randeep had won 'Best Actor' in Stardom Awards just a couple of days back. But coincidentally, both had missed to witness each other receiving an award on stage. But tonight was different. It was appreciation for their 'Jodi', them together. They both were aware of the fans' love for their jodi. They had seen innumerable edits, VMs, posts etc of them. They knew they were always appreciated by the people, and now it was time for a big renowned platform to recognize their work and popularity. The show had gone off-air almost two and half months back, but receiving an award for that even now was like giving it a beautiful tribute.

While sharing the warmest hug, Randeep had circled his arms on her back, while Ashi was holding his shoulders by looping her arms from below. It wasn't their usual posture and Randeep was feeling something odd today. Because, whenever they hugged on-screen or even generally, her head used to lie on his chest or a little above that and then he would rest his chin on her head. That always gave a feeling of a perfect hug, credit to their perfect height difference. But something was different today, as her head was much above his shoulders and it was coming to the level of his cheeks.

'Oh! She is wearing high heels today', he suddenly realized. Nevermind. He could still rest his cheek on hers.

As soon as Ashi felt that he was about to lean on her head, she suddenly moved back from the hug. "Nahi. Tum hamesha mere baal bigaad dete ho. Aaj bahut mehnat lagi hai hairstyle banane mein", she said with all the cuteness in the world.

They both remembered how after their every on-screen hug, her hair used to get disturbed because of his stubble and then her stylist had to set it again before the next scene. They were often being teased for the same by Yogesh, Pushkar and crew members stating 'Ashi ke baal hamesha proof rahte hai ki bade achchhe se hug kiya hai donone'.

They both laughed after recollecting the fond memories of their shoot days. He couldn't resist himself after seeing her chubby cheeks and pulled her left cheek softly, aware of her makeup.

"By the way, you're looking beautiful Ashi", he complimented her genuinely.

"Thank you", she replied sweetly, "aur tum bhi."

"Arey, achchhe se kaho na. Tareef karne me kya kanjoosi." He said as he wanted to hear more from her.

She grinned, "haan haan. Handsome lag rahe ho. Hamesha ki tarah."

He was satisfied now. But soon his mind got diverted to people around. They were standing at a place which wouldn't be easily noticed, but still there was a rush of all the VIP people and vehicles constantly.

"Ashi, tum akeli kyun aai yahan pe? Kya zaroorat thi? Main aa jata na." He asked in concern.

"Akeli nahi aayi hun. Security guard ke saath aayi hun. Woh wahan khade hai", she pointed at a guard who was standing at a distance from them.

Seeing the guard's eyes fixed on them only, his eyes widened in surprised. "Ashi tum... tumne bataya kyun nahi tum guard ke sath aayi ho?", he asked.

"Haan toh... mujhe sapna thodi na aaya tha ki tum aise hug karoge. Jaane do na. Unhe thodi na kuchh farak padta hai. Woh toh bass meri safety ke liye aaye hain." She tried to relax him.

"Hmmm... anyways. Chalein ab?", he checked the time in his mobile.

They left for the event premise, with the guard following them at a distance. As they walked a few metres, Ashi stumbled due to the uneven ground and Randeep immediately caught her hand.

"Oh hello Madam. Yeh ghagra sambhal ke chalo. Nahi toh gir jaogi waha stage pe." He laughed, making fun of her.

She swatted again on his arm. "Ghagra dikhta yeh hai tumhe?"

She walked holding Randeep's hand but it seemed difficult. "Ruko", they stopped again. "Haath mat pakdo mera. Mai khud sambhal lungi," she said.

He left her hand and saw her lifting her gown with both her hands. They soon reached the premise of the event and went towards the front row seats where Karan was sitting. Karan congratulated Randeep too as they reached. Randeep spotted Karishma at her place and informed her in signs that he would be sitting there. Ashi grabbed her seat on the right side of Karan and Randeep was about to sit on his next but Karan suddenly stopped him.

"Aa aa aa. Yahan nahi Randeep. Arey aaj toh tum dono 'Best Jodi' ke winners ho. Toh saath baithna toh banta hai na. Nahi toh woh cameramen dekh rahe ho?", he showed them two cameramen standing right in front of them near the stage. "Woh dono bichare kisko shoot karenge?"

Both Ashi and Randeep knew that he was pulling their leg. He made Randeep sit next to Ashi and sat beside him.

Within two minutes, one of the event coordinators came there. "Mr. Rai. You finally came. Well the re-announcement of your award may take time now. Probably another 30-40 minutes. But please be seated." He informed and left.

Meanwhile, they both texted their respective family members informing them about winning an award. Randeep soon got a conference call from Mrinal and his parents. His family members congratulated him but it wasn't possible to talk on a phone call due to the loud noise of performances. Ashi received a call from Kashish but she too couldn't talk for more time.

Watching all this by sitting next to an award winning couple, Karan found it boring. When they both got free from their calls, he said "Kya yaar... Kitne boring hai yeh performances... aur tum dono bhi... Yaar tum dono 'Best Jodi' ke winners ho. Thoda toh 'jodi' jaisa behave karo." He teased them.

Both Ashi and Randeep looked at each other. It was still kind of new for them... Winning a Jodi award... They had been nominated for the 'Jodi' category in a few award functions, during the actual run of the show, but they had never won. Probably they were still sinking in with the feeling, still overwhelmed and shaken at the same time by whatever had happened in the last one hour. They were lost in each other's eyes, until a voice jerked them.

*************

Thank you for such a lovely response to this story guys...

I'm absolutely overwhelmed.

Do share your thoughts on this.

n We will be concluding the story in the next one...  :)