[9]
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Only one day was left for Independence day.
"Shashwat come here and check the fitting of this dress. " Sharad said to Shashwat who was standing at stage and he nodded coming towards him.
"And Kanak have you brought the saree that you have to wear? Show me." Monica asked to Kanak and she went towards her bag taking out the saree.
"Did you order it from Flipkart?" Siya asked as Kanak showed the saree to Monica.
"Yes." Kanak said.
"What was the price?" Siya asked.
"2000" Kanak replied.
"Arre 2000 ka kyun liya? I have seen this same saree on Meesho only in 1500 and the quality was also good." Siya said.
"Really?? I also saw that one but then I thought quality na kharab ho." Kanak said.
"Ye log bas bewakoof banate hain. Rate alag rakh ke." Arushi said.
[They just fool us by keeping different rates.]
"But sometimes the qualities of cheap clothes are not good . " Richa said and Kanak nodded.
"Rare case me hota hai re." Siya said.
[Only in rare case.]
And everyone were looking at them with blank expressions.
"Panchayat ho gyi kya deviyon.... Rukavat ke liye khed hai par Devi ji wo kya hai na ki independence day kal hi hai na isliye hame beech me bol kar aap sab ki itni jaroori vishay par charcha ke beech me rukawat dalni padi. " Sharad said with a mocking smile making everyone laugh.
[ Sorry to interrupt you all but, it is Independence Day and that is why we have to speak in between and you have to interrupt the discussion on such an important issue for all of you]
"Haa what are you all doing?? We will do dance rehearsal fisrt . Arushi go and call other girls." Monica said and Arushi nodded going outside with Siya and Richa.
"Har jagah saath hi jana hai inn teeno ko." Monica said and shook her head.
[These three have to go everywhere together.]
"Siya wo flag kuch jada hi upar lag gaya. Thoda neeche kar de usko..I should check the board's decoration." Richa said and Siya nodded. Richa left from there and Siya tried to reach at the flag but failed .
[Siya that flag is placed at too much upper side.]
"How to fix this now!!" Siya said looking at the flag.
Here Shashwat was also present at assembly ground explaining some of his juniors about the debate and his eyes fell on Siya who trying to fix the flag on pillar but failed .
"Anything else?" He asked to his juniors and they nodded in negative.
"Ok then. Ask me if you need more help." He said and went towards Siya and a chuckle escaped from his mouth looking at her who was jumping like a kid trying to reach at the pillar.
"Need any help? " He asked making her startled by his sudden presence.
"Nahi.. Matlb haan. I have to fix that flag. Par ham pahoch hi nahi paa rahe hain. " She said keeping her hands on her waist looking at the flag.
[But I am enable to reach there.]
"Hato mai karta hun." He said and she moved back looking down .
He was fixing the flag and she was looking at him so affection like a priestess looks at her God.
Feeling her gaze on him his heartbeats started running in abnormal speed and a tint of redness spread on his cheeks.
He took a deep breath and looked at her who was still looking at him .
His amber eyes met with her chocolate brown orbes and froze there only.
[Move I will do it.]
"Ahmm Ahhmm!!" They both heard Richa's voice and Siya looked down closing her eyes in embarrassment and Shashwat also looked at other side blinking his eyes not understanding what happened to him .
"T..Thank you." Siya said looking everywhere but him and he nodded moving towards the other side of ground.
"Aankho hi aankho me baat ho rahi thi? But really the way bhaiya was looking at you was something else. He was looking all lost ." Richa said with mischievous smile making Siya blush.
[Talking with eyes and all??]
"Yaar I can't believe!! We had an eyelock for more than 1 minute!!!" Siya exclaimed hugging Richa from side.
"Let's tell this to Arushi." Siya said dragging Richa with her.
"Hey Arav." Arav heard a voice as he entered in his college. He looked at the person and found one of his schoolmate was there waving at him. He smiled at went to him.
"Hey Rishab. You are in this college??" Arav asked and he nodded.
"Yes..I am. By the way which course are you doing?" Rishab asked.
"BSC." He replied.
"Great man!! I am also doing same course. So where were you before? I never saw you before in class." He asked .
"Actually it's my first day here. Admission card nahi mila tha mujhe that's why ." Arav told him and he nodded.
"Come let's go to class." Rishab said and both of them went towards the class.
As they settled on the seat Arav saw Ritika who just entered inside with her friends.
"Ohh shit!! Agar isne mujhe dekh liya to sabke samne meri izzat ki dhajjiya udaa degi." He murmured to himself and hide his face from a book.
[If she will see me then definitely she will insult me.]
He sighed as she went to back bench but suddenly gets startled by her voice .
"Good morning Kanji ankh." She said in loud voice coming towards him and he kept his palm on his face as everyone laughed listening his nickname.
"Will you please shut up your mouth here? Don't talk to me." Arav said getting irritated.
"I am not dying to talk to you. Why do you behave so rude?? I just wished you na." She asked with a frown.
"Because I know your intention of wishing me. You wanted to insult me by taking these wierd names." Arab said and Ritika controlled hai smile. Ritika was going to reply him back they heard professor's voice.
"What's happening there?" He asked and they looked at him.
"Nothing sir. " Arav replied and Ritika smirked.
"Sir actually I was asking him to allow me to sit here because other seats are not empty and I can't able to study properly from last bench but ye maan hi nahi raha hai." She complained making a sad face and Arav was looking at her with wide eyes.
[But he is not agreeing.]
"What is this behaviour beta? Let her sit there." Professor said to Arav and he glared at Ritika shifting a little. She smirked to herself and sat beside him.
"What was the need of all this drama?" Arav asked her and she shrugged her shoulders while a smile and he sighed getting irritated by her.
"Did Kanak pick up the call?" Monica asked to Sharad who was calling Kanak and others were present there at 5 AM for last practice.
"Don't worry ma'am she will come." Sharad said and she nodded.
"Till then practice other scenes. Where is siya? She went to her class for bringing her water bottle but didn't came back. Shashwat please go and call her." Monica said to Shashwat and he nodded.
Shashwat went towards her class and checked inside the classroom.
"Where is she?" He asked to himself and then his eyes fell on last seat where Siya was sleeping keeping her head on bench.
"Ye to so gayi." He said to himself and went towards the seat. He hits on the bench two times for waking her.
[She is sleeping.]
"Ritika Didi let me sleep more na! Shashwat ke sapne aa rahe hain hame disturb mat karo.
Sapne me bhi kitne pyare lagte hain wo hayee.
" She blabbered in her sleep . His heart skipped a beat listening his name from her mouth.
His name never sounds this much beautiful before.
Shashwat tried to control his best but smile crept on his lips betraying his mind.
[I am dreaming about Shashwat. He is looking so cute hayyeee.]
"Ma'am is calling you. " He said again hitting on the table .
"Yes sir yes ma'am!!" Siya said opening her eyes looking at everywhere in class. She looked at Shashwat who was standing there folding his hands on his chest with a serious face.
"Aap?" She asked rubbing her eyes.
"Ma'am is calling you. Tum yahan water bottle lene aayi thi na?" He asked.
"Ohh haan. I didn't realised when I fell asleep." She said with a sheepish smile.
"Let's go." He said actioning her to walk first and she started walking.
"Vaise you have habit of blabbering in sleep." He said walking behind making her stop at her track with wide eyes. She gulped remembering the words she said few minutes before.
"What did I said? Aapne kuch suna to nahi?" She asked turning towards him .
"Kyun? Kuch aisa tha jo mujhe nahi sun na chahiye tha?" He asked raising his eyebrows as he came forward and stands beside her folding his hands on his chest. She looked down and nodded in negative. He started walking with a small smile and she walked behind him.
[Was there anything that I should not listen?]
"Thank God!!" She sighed.
As they reached at auditorium they saw that Everyone were sitting silently with tensed face except Akash Richa and Arushi. They were just controlling their grin.
"What happened?" Shashwat asked sensing the tensed situation?
"Beta Kanak is not well so she won't come today. Now what will we do? Sari mehnat bekar chali gayi ham sab ki." Sharad said keeping his palms on his face.
"Ma'am Siya can do the role of Diya. Isne practice karayi hai to isse dialogues to yaad hi honge and we all know that she acts so well." Arushi said coming towards them and Everyone looked at Siya hopefully who was standing there playing with her fingers.
[Give that role to Siya. She must have remembered the dialogues.]
"Siya did you remembered the dialogues?" Monica asked and she nodded.
"Perfect!! So Siya you will be the heroine now. Abhi practice kar lo dono. Come at stage ." She said and both went towards the stage.
"What are you doing? Fold it from that side." Siya said to Arushi and Richa who were making her wear the saree inside washroom.
"Tu hi kar le!! Khud aata nahi hai to chup chap se khadi reh." Arushi said making her plates and Richa fixed her pallu with safety pin.
[Do it yourself. If you don't know than keep quiet.]
"Done." They both said.
[I am looking werid.]
"You can ask us directly that how am I looking!! Ye sab tricks use kar ke tareef karvane ki zarurat nahi hai." Richa said and Siya hits on her shoulder.
[Don't try these tricks for listening your praises.]
"Now let us do your makeup." Arushi said .
"Here?" She asked.
"So? Where will you find mirror except washrooms? Shut up and let us do your makeup." Arushi said and Siya nodded.
"Oyee hoye..Mast lag rahi ho ." Richa said looking at her from head to toe after applying her makeup.
"So true!! Stand there I will click one photo." Arushi said .
"Arre who clicks picture inside washroom? Let's go outside." Siya said and they went outside.
After clicking pictures they went towards the backstage.
"Siya you are looking so pretty." Monica said coming towards her and she smiled.
"Come and sit here." She said and they started walking towards the chairs.
"Yaar I am not able to walk properly!!" Siya said to herself walking slowly.
"Siya Dii OMG!! You are looking so pretty." Darsh said coming towards her and she smiled at him.
"Thank you Dar....." Before she could say further her toes stucked in saree and she lost her balance.
She accidentally pushed Shashwat who was standing near her facing his back to her.
"Arre!!" Akash holds Shashwat before he could fell .
They turned back and found Siya laying on floor. Arushi and Richa tried their best to control their laugh and went towards her.
"Uth kyun nahi rahi hai ye!! Mar gayi kya?" Arushi said tapping Siya's shoulder.
"Get up Siya." Richa said and they both helped her in getting up.
"Are you fine beta?" Monica asked to siya and she nodded.
"Go and sit there carefully." Sharad said and she went towards the chairs.
"Baal kharab ho gaye tere bhutni kahin ki!!." Arushi said taking out the comb from her bag.
[Your hairs are ruined.]
"Can't you walk carefully? Tune kya bhaiya ke samne bejati karvane ka contract liya hua hai?" Richa asked checking her feet.
[Have you signed any contract to embarrass yourself infront of bhaiya?]
"Your ruined the whole impression. Tune to bhaiya ko bhi dhakka de diya tha. Thank God Akash bhaiya saved him from falling." Arushi said making her hairs.
[You even pushed Shashwat bhaiya.]
"Matlab Ham to dubenge sanam tujhe bhi le dubenge." Richa said and they both burst out laughing.
"Yaar Shut Up !! I am already feeling embarrassed and you both are making me feel more. Hey kanha hamare sath hi aisa kyun hota hai?" Siya said whining.
"I am feeling hungry now." Arushi Said after setting her hairs properly.
"I have brought sandwiches." Richa said.
"So why are you telling us? Take it out." Siya said.
"My bag is inside the classroom actually. Wait I am coming with my bag." Richa said and went towards her classroom.
She entered inside the classroom and takes her bag but get startled suddenly hearing someone's voice.
"Someone is looking gorgeous." She turned back and found Akash standing there leaning against the door folding his hands on chest.
"I have already warned you not to flirt with me." She said glaring at him.
"But who said I am talking about you? I said 'Someone' and there are so many girls in school." He said shrugging his shoulders.
"Accha? Kiski baat kar rahe the?" She asked coming towards him with her bag.
"Ummm..I was talking about Sneha. You know that one girl in my class who has crush on me." He said and she fisted her palms.
"So go and flirt near her only!" She said in loud voice.
"Someone is looking jealous too." He said with a mischievous smile.
"In your dreams." She said giving him a tight lip smile and walked. But suddenly her breath hitched as she felt her saree's pallu got stucked.
"Wh..what are you doing? Leave my pallu." She said stammering.
Akash frowned and looked at her pallu which was stucked on a bench. Understanding her misunderstanding he chuckled .
"I said.." Richa stopped as she saw her pallu which was stucked on a bench. She looked down embarrassed realising that she misunderstood the situation.
Akash freed her pallu and went towards her.
"Don't worry..Jab tak tum mujhe wo haq nahi deti tab tak mai aisa kuch nahi karne vala." He said with a smile and left from there.
[I won't do such things until you give me those rights.]
"Siya it's time for your entry. All the best." Monica said to Siya and she smiled moving towards the stage.
[A soldier does not have the right to give importance to his love before his country. You try to understand my responsibility for my country.]
"Kyun Dev kya mera pyar tumhare liye kafi nhi hai....agar tumhe kuch ho gaya to mera kya hoga kabhi socha hai tumne? Mai bhi to tumhari hi zimmedari hun na Dev.... tumhare liye yuddh par jana itna jaroori kyun hai...! Kya tum mujhse aur mere pyar se oob gaye ho?" She said.
[Why Dev, is my love not enough for you... Have you ever thought what would happen to me if you were to die? I am also responsible for you, Dev.... Why is it so important for you to go to war...! "Are you tired of me and my love?]
"Tumhara pyar meri takat hai Diya..... aur abhi hamare desh ko iss takat ki sabse jada jaroorat hai.
...kismat valon ko hi mauka milta hai apne desh ke liye kuch karne ka.
Mujhe rok kar mujhse meri taqdeer mat cheeno Diya.
Aur ek sainik to paida bhi isliye hota hai ki ek din wo apne desh ke li" He said and came forward looking directly into her eyes and said the further lines.
[Your love is my strength Diya... and now our country needs this strength the most... only the lucky ones get the chance to fight for their country. Please don't snatch my fate by stopping me. And a soldier is born only to die for his country.]
"Mujhe nhi pata Diya ki mai laut ke vapas aaunga bhi nhi. Bhale hi in aankho ke naseeb me ab tumhara deedar naa likha ho,Par jab tak mera dil dhadkega uski dhadhkan me bas ek hi naam hoga..'Diya'." He said and take a step towards her.
[I don't know Diya that I will return to you or not. Even though my eyes fate is not lucky enough to see you after this but till my heart will beat it will say only one name 'Diya']
"Izazat do mujhe, bada hi mushkil safar tay karna hai mujhe. Apne desh ki salamti ke liye iss rooh ko jism se juda karna hai mujhe."
[Give me permission. I have to travel a very difficult journey . For my country's wellness I have to die for my country's wellness.]
She move towards him "Tumhare bina mujhe salamat nhi rehna.
Rakh ho jaungi mai iss judai ki aag me jab tumhare pyaar ka saaya mujhse door ho jayega.
Nahi qubool mujhe aisi zindagi jisme tumhara ehsas nhi.
Tumhe jana hai toh jao....par jaane se phle mujhe iss duniya se jaane ki izazat dete jana.
" She said pouring all emotions in those lines.
[I don't want to live without you Dev. I will burn in the fire of this seperation if the shadow of your love will not be there with me. I don't want this life without your presence. If you want you can go but before that give me permission to leave the world behind you."]
Shashwat and Siya went back and others came on stage .
"Shashwat lie down inside this box." Sharad said pointing towards a wooden box and he nodded.
"Maa bhaiya ki achanak se bahot yaad aa rahi hai." Arushi said coming towards Richa.
[I am worried for bhaiya.]
"Sher beta hai hamara usse kuch ho sakta hai kya." Akash said and just then four boys entered at the stage with a tricolour box.
[Our son is strong. Nothing would happen to him.]
"Ye kya hai?" Richa asked moving towards the box.
"Dev sir." One of them replied.
"K..kya keh rahe ho? Ye Dev kaise ho sakta hai?" Richa asked in cracked voice.
[What are you saying? This couldn't be Dev.]
"He closed his eyes forever; he achieved martyrdom. Captain Dev Mishra succumbed to his bullet injuries." He replied looking down.
"Though my heart is heavy with loss, I am immensely proud of my child's sacrifice for a cause greater than themselves. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us to uphold the values they believed in." Akash said with a proud face.
They all went back and Siya came towards stage sitting down holding a photo frame .
" Janti hun tum laotoge nhi Phir bhi tumhare aane ka intezar karti hun... wada kiya tha maine tumse ki sari umar hi kyun na nikal Jaye tumhara intezar karungi." Siya said and hides her face with palms crying.
[I know you will not return but still I am waiting for you. I have promised you that I will wait for you forever.]
Whole auditorium echoed with applause.