SS: The Synchronizing Forces (Chp 6)

“What the-” Arnav exclaimed. He was about to shout her name, but immediately gave up the idea. It was pointless shouting in such a big hall filled with people.

“Where did you go, Varsha?” he thought to himself and made his way once again into the hall.

*~*

         Khushi was completely shattered. She wasn’t able to comprehend what she was experiencing. She had a bad feeling about whatever it was. She wanted to be alone.

         “Mehul, just leave me alone!” Khushi yelled and ran back to her room.

         “Khushi!” Mehul tried calling her but was interrupted by a call.

         “Leave her alone for some time, Mehul. Now, we need to be more careful. Think of a new plan” said the voice from the other end of the phone.

         Mehul nodded a simple ‘Yes’ to a pair of eyes at a distance which was witness everything from the beginning.

*~*

         Khushi came back to her room and sat on her chair in front of the make-up mirror. Covering her face with her hands she was sobbing silently. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Mehul, I said leave me alone, please! I want to be alo-” Khushi was cut off.

         “I’m not Mehul, Khushi.”

         

Khushi turned back to see the source of the familiar yet unknown voice.

         “Remember me? Or did you forget this Puri Kumari?”

         Khushi couldn’t believe her eyes. She was the happiest person on the Earth.

         “Varsha!” she shouted and hugged her tightly. “OMG! I can’t believe this! You? Here? And I shouldn’t forget to mention this changeover!” said an over-excited Khushi who was trying to recover from the happiest moment of her life.

         “You’re looking awesome, just like always. How am I?” she was gesturing with her hands pointing herself.

         “Well, I must say one thing” said Khushi “You’re no longer ‘Puri Kumari’”

         “Then, what am I now?” asked a curious Varsha.

         “How about Pizza Kumari?” asked Khushi raising an eyebrow.

“Wow! That sounds cool!” said Varsha hugging Khushi again. Tears of happiness flooded her eyes. “You have no idea how much I’ve been missing you, Khush! It’s so good to have you back again.” said Varsha pulling back.

“Well, now that we’re together back again, we can stop worrying, Ms Pizza Kumari!” said Khushi wiping the tears off Varsha’s face.

They both had a hearty laugh. The spirit of reunion was still in the air.

“So, have you found a new best friend?” asked Khushi “You know, after we parted ways...”

“Yeah. In fact he’s the reason behind my changeover.” Said Varsha “But you’ll always be my bestest friend”

“I know that… It’s a He, huh?” nudged Khushi, giving naughty glances to Varsha.

“No, it isn’t like that. We’re just friends. So, have you found new friends?” asked Varsha.

“No… I’ve got no one. It’s just Mehul. She’s kind of a mentor to me. She’s really nice. Sometimes she treats me just like a best friend. I think you would have got a bad impression about my skill after today’s performance… I was terrible wasn’t I?” asked Khushi, who became really sad now. Twisting the veil in her hand, she was in deep thought.

“Actually, I was not fortunate enough to see your performance. But as far as I’ve heard they said it was mind blowing. I wish I too saw you perform.”

“You’re sorta lucky that you didn’t get to see it. I screwed up. It was all because of him.” said Khushi making faces as soon as she said ‘him’.

“Who him?” asked Varsha who was extremely curious now. She was getting a bit happy that her plan was actually working. Khushi would be the most perfect one for him.

“That Laad Governor! Sitting in the front row, I couldn’t concentrate at all with him seeing me!” Khushi pouted.

“Laad Governor? What the…and you couldn’t perform well because of me?” shouted Arnav who just entered the room “And you,” he said pointing to Varsha “how dare you leave me when I was talking to you?”

“Varsh, you know him? I bet he’s not your friend. Such a khadoos!” said Khushi crossing her arms.

“Don’t you dare call me a khadoos again. And Varsha, I need to tell you, I’ve never seen a manner less girl like her!” yelled Arnav in response.

“Hey hey hey guys! Cool down! Can you tell me what’s going on? And before that, I need to tell one more thing. Khushi, this is Arnav, the friend I’ve been mentioning to you. We work together too. And Arnav, this is Khushi, my most best friend. I’ve been telling you about my childhood buddy, right? This is her. Now can you tell me why you both are bickering here?” asked Varsha who was taken aback at their outburst.

“It’s just nothing. I don’t want to waste my time discussing silly people. Do you want to talk with her? I’m leaving. Text me our next venue for the ambassador hunt. I’m surely not going to select her”

“What? You are talking about selecting me? What nonsense. I decided long back that I’m not going to be your ambassador. You know for having someone like YOU around I prefer to be a ‘nobody’” said Khushi arrogantly turning her back to him.

“Have you both finished? Can I talk now?” asked Varsha, who was shocked at their behaviour.

“I need to tell you both. Arnav. You. Are.  Selecting.  Her. Period. And Khushi, you’re no way turning this down.  Am I clear here?” Varsha said authoritatively.

“What the…. No way. What are you saying? I’m not going to change my decision-”

“Oh. You’re not going to change your decision? Fine. Alright then. Forget me, Arnav. You can find a new partner.” said Varsha starting to walk away.

 “Varsha, where are you going? Don’t go…” pleaded Khushi, going behind her.

“Fine. I’m selecting her. I can’t believe I’m doing this.” muttered Arnav. That stopped Varsha.

“Anyways, I’m not going to accept this-” told Khushi.

“You are accepting this if you still think me as a friend.”  Varsha said Khushi. “Won’t you do at least this for a best friend?” asked Varsha making a puppy face.

“Okay…” said Khushi hesitantly.

‘Yay! Good job, Varsha!’ yelled Varsha’s mind. Just then Varsha’s phone buzzed. It was Anjali. ‘Perfect timing, di’ she thought and excused herself to attend the call.

“Di, I’ve got the greatest news!” shouted an excited Varsha who was now out of the room.

*~*