Aadhya's POV
Now we're going to "The Hungry Warrior"—of course his restaurant. Not for eating (sadly), but for festival discussion. Great. Just what I needed… a meeting after all that chaos.
"Hey, make it soon," Vivaan snapped at me.
"Coming, coming!" I shot back and sat in the passenger seat. He was driving his new BMW X5 like the world would end if he slowed down for two seconds. This guy keeps changing cars. Does he carnap or maybe borrows from someone. Honestly, what is his problem? One minute he's dancing like a maniac, next minute he's back to his "don't talk to me or I'll destroy you" mode. Mood swings much? Periods?
"Why are you picking me up?Where's Nikansh?" I asked.
"I don't know. Am I supposed to find all the lost ones?" he snapped.
Wow. Such kindness. Truly inspiring. I just shut up after that. Not worth it.
We reached "The Hungry Warrior" and I went inside. Nikansh was already there, waiting. He smiled at me. Finally, a normal human being. I smiled back and went to the back where Avi was sitting like a king with fries, coke, and choco lava cake in front of him.
I sat down and reached for a fry.
He moved the plate.
Excuse me??
I stared at him. "Seriously?"
He grinned like an evil squirrel guarding his nuts. Wow. Friendship level: zero.
Meanwhile, Vivaan went to Nikansh, and my eyes wandered—and landed on Devit. He was working there in uniform, serving people. For a second, everything slowed. He's really trying… for Gracy and the baby. I hope things are okay between them. I should talk to them later.
"Okay, attention everyone!" Nikansh's voice pulled me back.
He was standing near a huge green board like some professor, chalk in hand. "We'll discuss the festival. First—participants. Second—assigned tasks."
Wow. Look at him. So serious. If only people knew this same guy was massaging my hand five minutes ago.
He started explaining, "First day is the parade. Other schools will be visiting. No contests on day one."
We all sat there like obedient students. Even Avi paused mid-chew. Miracles do happen.
Then he wrote down tasks. Vivaan stood up and walked over.
"Patrolling starts from 8 pm. Three shifts," he said in that calm but commanding tone. "First group—Neel, Samar, Devit, Mahi, Krish, and Romy till 11 pm."
He continued like some boss giving orders, "Second group—Dheeraj, Avi, Aadhya, Bhavik, Nikansh… and me. Till 3 am."
Oh wow. Night duty. Amazing. Exactly what my already dying body needed.
"The rest will take the third shift. Trash collection after programs end," he finished and sat down.
I blinked.
Information overload.
My brain literally said: error 404, system crashed.
I leaned back in my chair. "Wow… I came here for fries. Got a whole management meeting instead."
Avi leaned toward me, whispering, "You still didn't get fries."
I glared at him. "I will end you."
Nikansh started again, all serious like some event manager.
"Tuesday—Jashn-e-Naach. Do we have any representatives?" he asked, looking around.
Before anyone could even breathe—
Avi raised his hand.
No.
Not just raised.
He literally stood on the chair.
"Yes meee! Me, Samar, Neel, Bhavik, Dheeraj!" he said, counting on his fingers like he just solved world hunger and then sat down proudly.
I blinked.
Drama king.
Nikansh nodded like this was completely normal and wrote their names.
"Okay, dance contest done."
Wow. That easy? No auditions? No checking? Just Avi declaring himself and boom—entry confirmed.
Confidence level: illegal.
Talent level: questionable.
Next he wrote, "Wednesday—Band Blitz…"
Then he looked at Vivaan.
"....Shallwe..?"
We all looked at Vivaan.
There was a moment of silence.
I mean… I do want to see them perform.
Vivaan looked down for a second, thinking. Then he looked back up.
"We don't have any other representatives… just choose a song," he said.
Ohhh this is going to be interesting.can I request them a song?
Nikansh wrote their names down.
Then, "Voice Inferno—the ones who sing can come out."
Before the sentence even ended—
Avi jumped again. And started singing. Loudly. Off-key. Painfully.
Damnit.
He sings like a broken record.
No—worse.
Like someone scratching a spoon on a steel plate.
I immediately pulled him down.
"Sit DOWN," I whispered harshly, glaring at him.
"Sorry…" he said, like that would fix my ears.
And what's worse?
Others started praising him.
"Nice voice bro!"
"Full energy!"
" Our next Arijit!!"
Not him.
Excuse me??
Are we hearing the same thing??
This group will never recover.
Never. DAMIT NEXT ARIJIT NO.
Vivaan then looked at Nikansh. "...You… you sing, right?"
Nikansh froze for a second, then looked at me.
Why is he looking at me?
Then back at Vivaan.
"O-okay… me," he said and wrote his name.
Wait.He sings?? Since when??
I raised my hand.
"I have a question."
Everyone turned and looked at me like I just announced something groundbreaking.
Huh? Can't I ask something?
Nikansh and Vivaan both looked at me, waiting.
"Is it okay if someone participates in two contests?" I asked.
Because obviously—Mr. Multi-Talented Nikansh is everywhere.
Avi answered like he suddenly became a rulebook.
"It's probably okay… not mentioned."
Oh wow. He can think. Impressive.
I nodded.
"Last day—Friday," Nikansh continued.
He wrote slowly.
"Miss Elegance."
And then—
MY NAME.
Of course.
Because I'm the only girl.
Wow. No competition. Straight entry. Love that for me.
I wanted to disappear.
He announced it.
Everyone cheered.
WHY??
What are you celebrating??My downfall??
Krish looked at me. "Do you have anything prepared? Like sayings or talent?"
"Huh?" I blinked. "There's talent too??"
He nodded.
Great.
Perfect.
Exactly what I needed.
More stress.
Before I could think—
Avi leaned forward like a proud judge.
"I have a talent suggestion!"
Oh no.
Here we go.
"She can eat 10 plates of pani puri in 5 minutes."
I stared at him.
"THAT is not a talent, that's SURVIVAL SKILL ," I snapped.
Everyone burst out laughing.
Avi again, unstoppable as always—
"Talent: Fighting. She can beat all of us on stage."
I leaned closer.
"I can demonstrate right now if you want."
He immediately leaned back.
Coward.
Bhavik added, "Title—Queen of Chaos."
Neel: "No no—Miss Attitude."
Samar: "Miss 'I'll slap you if you talk too much'."
I cracked my knuckles.
Keep going. I'm memorizing faces.
"Say that again and I WILL slap you," I glared.
Dj smirked, "Or emotional speech—'How to survive with idiots' by Aadhya."
I picked up a plate and threw it at him.
"Very funny."
They were all laughing like maniacs.
Testing my patience.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
I crossed my arms.
"You all are dead. Just wait."
They laughed even more.
Avi again—
"Or or—she can lift people by collar when angry."
Bhavik added, "Yes! Live stunt—'How to scare boys 101'."
Neel: "Special effect—background thunder sound when she walks."
Samar: "Audience warning: keep safe distance."
I buried my face in my hands for a second.
Why me.
Why this group.
I looked up slowly.
Avi grinned. "But you'll still win."
Dj nodded. "Yeah. Judges will be too scared to say no."
More laughter.
Samar smirked. "Talent round—she can fight all contestants and win Miss Elegance by default."
Neel nodded seriously, "Yeah, no need for ramp walk. Just beat everyone and take crown."
I sighed, shaking my head.
They don't even treat me like a girl.
Just… one of them.
And honestly?
…I don't even know if I hate it.
The meeting ended—with everyone laughing at me, of course. Very nice. Very respectful. I'll remember this betrayal.
Now Nikansh was dropping me home. I was just looking outside when I saw a departmental store.
Ice cream.
Yes. That's what I need. Emotional support ice cream.
"Stop...." I said suddenly.
He stopped without questioning. Good.
"Can you wait for two minutes?" I asked while getting out.
He smiled and nodded. "Take your time."
Wow. Polite. Unlike some people.
I walked straight to the freezer. So many options.
Vanilla… strawberry… boring.
Chocobar.
Yes. Safe choice. Loyal choice.
I picked one, then paused.
Should I take one for Nikansh?
I don't even know if he likes ice cream. What if he doesn't? What if he's one of those "I don't eat sweets" people? Tragic.
I stood there thinking like this was some life decision.
Then suddenly—
Someone bumped into me.
I looked up. A middle-aged man.
"I'm sorry," I said immediately.
He didn't respond. Just… stared at me.
That was weird.
Then he spoke slowly, "You're…Aadhya, right?"
My brows frowned.
I nodded hesitantly.
How does he know me?
"Do you remember me?" he asked.
I shook my head.
No.
And something felt… wrong.
Very wrong.
"I was your mother's husband…" he said.
My body froze.
What?
I didn't understand. But my body did.
My chest tightened. My hands felt cold.
"I wanted to apologiseto you..." he continued, voice low. "I'm married now… I have two kids. Your age."
I just stared at him.
I don't know why… but I felt like stepping back.
So I did.
"I… whenever I was angry at Yami… I took it out on you…" he said, regret in his voice.
My heart skipped.
Took it out on me?
What does that even mean?
Why don't I remember this?
Why does my body feel like it does?
He stepped closer.
My breath hitched.
He raised his hand—like he was about to touch my shoulder.
And that's it.
I backed away.
And ran.
I didn't think.
I just ran.
Out of the store.
My heart was pounding so fast it hurt. My vision blurred. Tears started forming without permission.
What was that?
Why do I feel like this?
Why does it feel like something is wrong… but I don't remember anything?
I stopped outside, trying to breathe.
But I couldn't.
Then suddenly—
"Aadhya!"
Nikansh.
He came rushing toward me.
"Hey… what happened? Are youokay?" he asked, worried, gently holding my face.
I shook my head.
I couldn't speak.
My vision blurred more.
And then—
Tears just… fell.
I didn't even realise when I started crying.
He immediately pulled me into a hug.
"It's okay… everything's fine," he said softly, his hand on my head. "Don't be scared." But I am scared.
I don't even know why. I don't remember anything.
But my body does.
And that's the scariest part.