ARJUN vs ZAHEER

[Greenwood]

Update 12

sunset

bus gali ke kone pe rukti hai.

dono ghar singh aur qureshiapne apne gate pe khade.asma bhaag ke ammu ko hug karti hai,madhu shanu ka bag uthwa leti hai, pyaar se uska sir thapthapati hai.pratap door se bas dono girls ko dekh ke halki muskaan deta hai

“bachpan wapas aa gaya lagta hai.”

ammu bed pe bethi hoti hai, asma uske pair dabaa rahi hoti hai.

asma (excitedly)

didi! tum logon ne lake mein boat chalayi kya?

dj night bhi hua kya?

tumhara group photo kaha hai mujhe dikhana!

ammu (muskurate hue)

sab kuch hua...

thandi hawa, tent wali raat, fireflies...

ek raat toh nadi ke paas bas baithe rahe, kuch bola hi nahi... bas feel karte rahe.

asma (wide-eyed)

waah! tum kahin dream mein ho lagta hai.

ammu (grinning, holding it back)

shayad... par sapne mein bhi har baat kehni thodi hoti hai na.

asma confuse hoti hai, par ammu topic change kar deti hai.ammu apna dupatta thoda fold karte hue arjun ka naam ek baar bhi nahi leti

lekin uska chehra halka blush karta hai.

shanu mirror ke saamne apna backpack unpack kar rahi hoti hai.

madhu uske room mein chai le kar aati hai.

madhu

itni thak gayi lag rahi hai... acchi trip thi?

shanu (nodding, softly)

bahut acchi...

pehli baar laga ki main kisi aur duniya mein thi.

jahan log zyada… real the.

madhu

mere zamane mein bhi aise trips hote the.bas... log itne khul ke baat nahi karte the.tumhare chehre pe kuch badla badla sa hai.

shanu (biting smile)

shayad kuch lamhe wapas nahi jaayenge mere andar se

madhu uske baal side karti hai, masti se poochhti hai:

“koi crush toh nahi mil gaya?”

shanu (chhoti laugh)

nahi ma... bas thoda nature ka magic tha.

madhu chali jaati hai...

aur shanu mirror me apne reflection ko dekhti hai —chehre pe woh muskaan hoti hai jo kisi ne laayi ho… par uska naam lena abhi zaroori nahi.

ammu bed pe late hue dupatta ko cheek ke paas kheench leti hai, aankhen band kar leti hai…

par uske lips pe ek smile chhup nahi pati.

shanu diary likhti hai:

“woh chhup rehta hai... lekin kuch keh jaata hai aankhon se.”

zaheer apne kamre ke fan ko dekhte hue, nadi ke paani ki halki awaaz sunne lagta hai… khayalon mein khoya.

arjun apne room mein phone ghuma raha hota hai ammu ka message box open karta hai, phir close kar deta hai, aur neeche sirf likhta hai:

“aaj chhat pe yaad aayi thi tu.”

(lekin send nahi karta.)

early sunday morning

ammu ki aankh 11 baje ke aaspaas khulti hai. asma uske upar jhuki hoti hai, bolti hai,

"didi... tum kabhi trip se waapas aayi bhi ya wahi reh gayi?"

ammu sirf takiye mein muh chhupa leti hai.

shanu bathroom se towel leke nikalti hai. madhu table pe breakfast lagate hue chillati hai,

"subah ho gayi hai madam. sunday ka matlab ye nahi ki 12 baje uthoge."

shanu aankh me kaajal lagaate hue mirror me cheekhti hai, "toh kya friday ki yaadein hata dun?"

arjun balcony me baitha phone scroll kar raha hota hai, ek earphone me music chalu hai. pratap uske pass aake kehta hai,

ab toh aa gaya tu trip se, plate uthake kitchen me bhi le jaa."

arjun bolta hai, "haan papa, par thoda dil abhi tent me hi hai..."

zaheer apne room me baitha chappal pehen raha hota hai. niche se awaaz aati hai:

"beta... kapde fold kar lena. madam ammu thodi nahi hai jo har kaam karein."

zaheer under his breath: "madam ammu ka hi asar hai..."

afternoon – 3:00 pm

location: singh house living room

amma, shanu, arjun, ammu, aur zaheer — sab ek hi jagah hain. chhoti baithak mein ek takiye waala sofa, ek floor pe spread kiya gaya mattress, aur center table pe trip wali chai aur snacks.

sab log trip ke photos tv screen pe daal ke dekh rahe hain — ek dusre ke phones se share ki gayi pics slideshow pe chali ja rahi hain.

shanu (laugh kar)

arre yeh waali dekh... yahan main gir gayi thi tent ka zip kholte waqt!

arjun (pointing)

aur yeh... yeh toh legendary hai — zaheer ka chehra aisa jaise usne nadi mein future dekh liya ho.

zaheer (calmly)

kam se kam main kisi ka dupatta pakad ke nahi gira...

ammu (tauntingly)

haan... kisi ka haath zarur pakda tha. baar baar.

sab laugh karte hain. ek soft teasing chalu hoti hai.

asma (excitedly)

mujhe wo lake waali pics dikhao! didi wali!

didi ke baal ud rahe the usme!

arjun (suddenly quiet ho jaata hai)

...haan. wo waali main ne li thi.

ammu uski taraf dekhti hai. unki aankhon mein ek second ke liye wo tent wali raat flash ho jaati hai.

screen pe ek photo ruki rehti hai — ammu nadi ke kinare baithi hai, arjun thoda piche usse dekh raha hai. unka focus photo mein nahi hota — par us moment mein dono ek frame mein hote hain.

pratap (chhoti smile ke saath)

yeh photo kisi photographer ka kaam lagta hai.

shanu (slowly)

photo se zyada... timing ka kaam tha.

sab chup ho jaate hain ek second ke liye.zaheer screen ke corner se shanu ko dekhta hai, bas ek glance.

shanu bhi usi waqt uski taraf dekhti hai dono aankhon mein kuch tha, jo keh kar nahi... bas dekh kar samjha gaya.screen pe agli photo aati hai campfire ke aaspaas lights mein sabka shadow.

ammu quietly

yeh waala moment… kabhi wapas nahi aayega.

arjun (looking at her)

shayad nahi.

par... yaad rahega.

sab chhup hain... par kisi ke dil me silence nahi hai.sab normal dikh rahe hain... par kisi ka chehra normal nahi lag raha.ek photo... kabhi kabhi sab kuch bol jaati hai bina ek word kahe.

qureshi house – evening time

suryast ho raha hai. aasmaan narangi aur grey patches mein badal raha hai.gali mein cycle wale, doodh wale, aur kuch bachche cricket khel rahe hote hain.qureshi house ke gate pe shanu khadi hoti hai, haath mein ek small dabba.

shanu

(ammu ke liye excuse bana ke)

asma , ammu hai kya? usse recipe likhwani thi... notes mein reh gaya tha mera.

gate khulta hai. asma nahi hoti. andar se ammu hi nikalti hai, towel se haath ponchti hui.

ammu (knowing smile ke saath)

haan haan, aaja... waise bhi ab samajh mein aa gaya hai ki tujhe recipe se zyada meri chhat pasand hai.

shanu (lightly hitting her)

arre chup... itni jaldi mat pakad. thoda toh dignity bacha re!

dono haste hue seedhiyaan chadh jaate hain chhat ki taraf.

chhat pe kapde sukh rahe hain. dono ek kone mein railing ke paas baith jaati hain.ammu ek bottle se paani nikalti hai, thoda dono mein sharing hota hai.

ammu

ghar aake bhi trip dimaag se jaa hi nahi raha.

shanu

sab kuch alag tha wahan... sab log bhi.

jaise raat lambi thi, baatein gehri thi, aur waqt slow chalta tha.

ammu

haan... aur kisi ko takkar maar ke hasi chhupana bhi nahi padta tha.

dono chhoti chhoti baatein yaad karke hastaati hain.

itne mein ek awaaz aati hai — samne wali chhat se:

taz

arre ooo... trip queens! finally wapas aayi ho?

shanu (dekhti hai)

arre taz? tu yahin tha?

taz (smirking)

main toh wahi hoon... tum log foreign se aayi lag rahi ho.

ammu (flat)

tu phir dekh raha hai? kitni baar bola... binocular lele, kam se kam thoda style toh aayega.

taz

style ki tension mat le...

main toh bas dekh raha tha ki tum log wapas aaye ho ya nadi mein hi reh gaye.

shanu (laughing)

arre hum toh bach gaye... lekin tu abhi bhi chhat se neeche nahi gaya?

taz (grinning)

tum log chhat pe aa jaate ho... main neeche kyun jaun?

ammu aur shanu dono ek doosre ki taraf dekhte hain aur hass kar thoda apni jagah badal lete hain railing se thoda door.

ammu

bachpan mein bhi yehi karta tha... mummy ki mehndi dekhne ke bahane chhat pe chadh jaata tha.

taz (holding hands up)

theek hai behno, jaa raha hoon. peace and photos!wo chale jaata hai

aur dono ek shaant sigh ke saath baith jaati hain.

shanu (smiling)

tumhare gali ke log bhi trip ke logon se kam nahi...

ammu (laughing)

haan... bus yeh log tent le kar nahi aate.dono chhup ho jaati hain... shaam ki 

roshni dheere dheere kam ho rahi hoti hai.

shanu bag leke seedhi ja rahi hoti hai, jaise kisi kaam ke liye nikli ho.

gate ke paas aate hi samne se zaheer nikalta hai casual tee aur slippers mein. dono ek dusre ko dekhte hain.zaheer ka ek side glance hota hai  halki si nazar milti hai shanu se.shanu ek second ke liye rukti hai, aankhon mein ek soft sa greet  wohi jaane-pehchaane comfort jaisa.

zaheer halki si neck tilt karta hai, ek soft “hello” jaisa expression deta hai.

shanu (smiling softly)

“hi…”

bus itna hi hota hai. koi rukta nahi, koi kuch extra nahi bolta.

lekin woh chhoti si aankhon ki baat ho chuki hoti hai.peeche se ammu chhat se neeche aati hai — haath mein phone, baal thode bikhre hue.

ammu

arre shanu... ruk—

shanu uski taraf palat kar bas ek light smile ke saath bolti hai:

shanu

bye… kal milti hoon.

aur seedha nikal jaati hai.

ammu uske jaane ki direction mein thoda confused dekh kar ruk jaati hai.peeche se zaheer aata hai aur ek haath casually ammu ke kandhe ke aaspaas daal deta hai, doosre haath se usse kitchen ki taraf kheechta hai.

zaheer (teasingly)

aaja meri behen… aaj to tandoori khila de.trip ke baad asli swaad ghar ka chahiye mujhe.

ammu (resisting lightly)

arre abhi nahi... thodi thak gayi hoon zaheer...

zaheer use khinchta jaata hai, aur dono kitchen ki taraf chale jaate hain.ammu ke bahane, zaheer ki muskurahat, aur unki awaaz dheere dheere door hoti jaati hai…

audio fade out

"arre ruk na..."

"chup kar, tu aaj masala mix karegi!"

"zaheerrr..."

shaam ka sukoon ab subah ki halla-gulla mein badal chuka hai.

gali mein college van ki horn, doodh wale ki cycle, aur chhat pe kapde phadphadate dikhte hain.ghar ke andar dono ladkiyon ka apna apna routine chalu hai ek naye din ka energy, lekin mann abhi bhi trip ke kuch tukdon mein atka hua.

madhu kitchen mein awaaz lagati hai:

“shanu, jaldi kar! breakfast thanda ho raha hai!”

andar shanu dressing table ke saamne khadi hoti hai.aaj college ke liye normal tee aur denims pehne hain. baal loosely bandhe hue hain.

uska haath ek drawer tak jaata hai —

andar se ek dusty olive green cap nikalti hai…woh cap jo zaheer ne trip ke ek din casually suggest ki thi:

“yeh tujhe suit karegi… thoda hatke lagegi.”

shanu thodi der cap ko dekhti hai,

fir softly smile karti hai… jaise kuch yaad aa gaya ho.ek halki si khayal dil mein ubharti hai:

"main uske kehne pe kyun tayar ho rahi hoon?"

phir mirror me apne aap ko dekhti hai. cap pehenti hai…aur jaise ek second ke liye confident version ban jaati hai khud ka.

ammu bhi mirror ke saamne khadi hoti hai.plain white kurti aur blue dupatta pehna hai — simple aur neat.niche table pe ek box rakha hota hai.box kholti hai toh andar woh glass ki chudiya hoti hain jo arjun ne trip ke ek local shop se maze mein leke di thi:

“yeh le... college fashion week ke liye.”

ammu un chudiyon ko dekhti hai… haath me pehenti hai...aur mirror me apni wrist ko ek baar ghuma kar dekhti hai.uski aankhon mein ek halki si twinkle…nafrat nahi, mohabbat bhi nahi... lekin ek ajnabee si excitement.

"dekhte hain... kya bolta hai aaj."

college ka front gate usual hustle mein hota hai rickshaw se utarte students, parking mein horn, watchman ki whistle,aur entrance ke paas woh purana juice wala stall jahan kuch log already jam gaye hain.trip ke baad ka pehla din hai… lekin sabke chehre pe kuch alag glow, kuch alag sukoon hai.jaise har kisi ne ek kahani jee li ho, jiska climax abhi tak dil mein chal raha ho.

zaheer college gate se andar aata hai light blue shirt, bag ek side latka hua, aur aankhon mein woh usual calmness.wo bina kisi ke saath chalte hue, apne typical seat ke corner ki taraf badhta hai.tabhi samne se shanu aati hai cap pehene,thoda confident sa expression.don’t care vibe mein chal rahi hoti hai, lekin jaise hi zaheer uski aankhon ke range mein aata hai…uska pace halkasa slow ho jaata hai.zaheer side se casually guzarta hai…ek normal glance deta hai… kuch bola nahi jaata.shanu ki aankhon mein ek second ke liye sparkle… fir usne bas cap adjust ki aur seedha nikal gayi.

ammu canteen ke side wale pillar ke paas khadi hoti hai,phone check karte hue, lekin aankhen baar baar crowd ko scan karti hain.tabhi arjun entry karta hai black tee, backpack sirf ek strap pe, usual messy baal.

wo dosti se pehle aankhon se greeting deta hai seedha ammu ko dekhkar thoda smile karta hai.

ammu bas ek halki si chudiya khanakti hai… uska haath casually uske kaan ke paas jata hai,

jaise earrings adjust kar rahi ho… lekin wo us smile ko chhupate chhupate muskura padti hai.

arjun paas aakar bolta hai:

arjun (casual)

yeh chudiya… mujhe pehchaan lag rahi hai.

ammu (straight face)

haan… thodi tight hai, par chal jaayegi.

arjun (grin karta hai)

waise pehni kis ke liye hai?

ammu (mock thinking)

...for fashion. tum kya soch rahe ho?

arjun (hands up)

main toh kuch bhi nahi sochta… main toh sirf observe karta hoon.

dono side mein baith jaate hain.

pehli baar, koi awkwardness nahi hoti bus ek easy sa comfort… jaise kuch settle ho gaya ho trip ke baad.

shanu ek seat choose karti hai… cap ab bhi uske sir pe tight hai.wo window se bahar dekh rahi hoti hai, jab ek halka reflection dikhta hai zaheer ka ....wo kuch students ke saath side wale bench pe baitha hota hai.dono ki nazar nahi milti… lekin ek presence mehsoos hoti hai.

aur ek chhoti si smile aati hai shanu ke lips pe… bina wajah ke.

break ke baad ka waqt hai. students thode lazy, thode bored.corridor mein thoda shor hai, lockers band ho rahe hain, kuch log canteen ki taraf nikal rahe hain.arjun aur zaheer dono apni usual taunting-mode mein ek saath walk karte hue dikhte hain.

ek dusre se random nonsense baat karte hue…

arjun (stretching)

bhai… trip ke baad na lagta hai college ko thoda Goa shift kar dena chahiye.

zaheer (laughing)

tu Goa shift ho ja… college yahin theek hai.

arjun ek wall ke paas ruk jaata hai aur water cooler se thoda paani pita hai.tabhi unke saamne ek naya poster chipka hota hai

bada sa red-blue font:

“sports week – begins monday!

with our new sports coach ms. nikhat siddiqui.”

zaheer (staring at poster)

ms. nikhat siddiqui?

arjun (squinting at name)

nikhat? bhai sun... naam sunke toh lagta hai ya toh yeh cricket mein out kar degi...ya mess mein line mein khada kar degi.

zaheer

nikhat siddiqui sounds like... ek aisi moti aunty jiske haath mein whistle hoti hai aur voice pe default echo.

arjun (acting)

“line mein lag jao bacchon… warm-up se pehle dua padho!

zaheer (laughing)

aur har ladka jo race mein hilega… uske piche danda leke bhaagegi.

arjun

aur sab ladkiyon ko bolegi “beta, tumhare pair delicate hain… kho-kho nahi, harmonium bajao.”

zaheer (smirking)

waise sach mein... ladkiyon ke bas ka hota hi kaha hai yeh javelin-shavelin.dande sirf college ke group chat mein chala sakti hain.

arjun (mock offended)

arre bhai tu toh puri misogyny ka pitara leke chal pada...

but ya... sports week is about to get spicy.

tabhi peechhe se anwar ma’am walk karte hue nikal jaati hain ek stern look deti hain dono ko jaise unka sarcasm sun liya ho.

zaheer (slow whisper)

ms. nikhat siddiqui kahin anwar ma’am ki cousin na ho?

arjun (mock horror)

bhagwan na kare... warna sports week ki jagah yoga camp karva degi!

zaheer

“beta, pehle inner peace... fir outer kabaddi.”

dono chhup hoke corner se nikal jaate hain, par poster ki taraf dekhte hue ab bhi hansi daba rahe hote hain.

poster pe zoom hota hai…

"ms. nikhat siddiqui" ke naam ke neeche chhoti si ek passport photo chipki hoti hai –

lekin photo blur hai. suspense barkaraar.

shaam dhalk rahi hai. gali mein ek purani purani sukoon wali thakan.

halka sa traffic, bachche cricket band kar rahe hain, aur ek dog kahin door bhaukta hai.

qureshi house ke gate pe knock hoti hai.

ammuuuu,darwaza asma kholti hai

ek chhoti si smile ke saath...

asma

arre shanu didi! ammu upar hai, bulaun?

shanu (smiling)

haan... bol de, recipe mein confusion ho gaya tha. bas wohi poochhne aayi thi.

ammu seedhi chhat se neeche aati hai.usse dekhte hi shanu thoda casually cap adjust karti hai —wahi olive green wali, jo trip ke baad se uska favourite ban gayi hai…par sabse important baat zaheer ne ab tak us cap ki tareef nahi ki.

ammu (downstairs aate hi)

arre madam! cap bhi pehni hai, recipe bhi leke aayi ho?

shanu (acting cool)

cap toh bas... hawa zyada chal rahi thi na, baal ud rahe the.

Ammu

Matlab...

Shanu (avoiding eye contact)

tu recipe la na. aate time asma se sun liya... tandoori ban raha hai?

ammu kuch bolne hi wali hoti hai, tabhi zaheer kitchen se nikalta hai  haath mein ek tray, jisme uncooked chicken marinated pada hai.zaheer shanu ko dekh kar casually head nod karta hai.

shanu thoda hope se zaheer ki taraf dekhti hai  cap pe comment? compliment? kuch?

zaheer (absentmindedly)

hmm... accha laga tujhe trip waala tandoori? main aaj fir wohi try kar raha hoon.

shanu ek chhoti si sigh leti hai… aur cap ke edge ko thoda adjust karti hai.uski aankhon mein thoda disappointment, lekin uske chehre pe smile ab bhi hai.

zaheer (andar se chillate hue)

ammu, aana... yeh tray heavy ho rahi hai!

shanu wahi living room mein baith jaati hai, cap utarti nahi…aur uske dimaag mein bas ek hi thought goonjta hai:

"ek baar bol de... bas ek baar bol de ki suit kar raha hai yeh."

zaheer aur ammu kitchen mein busy hain ek taraf grill setup ho raha hai, dusri taraf onions cut ho rahe hain.shanu door ke paas table ke kinare baithi hoti hai, ek spoon se thali mein chutney ghuma rahi hai

lekin uska dhyan sirf ek cheez pe hai: zaheer.

woh casually cap pe finger ghumaati hai, kabhi adjust karti hai, kabhi kuch bolne ka wait karti hai.

but zaheer... as usual busy, unaware.

zaheer (teasing tone)

ammu, tu mirch daal rahi hai ya koi revenge le rahi hai sab se

ammu (laughs)

main toh bas spice level zaheer standard pe la rahi hoon — meaning: boring.

zaheer (mock offended)

achha ji. mere khilaaf conspiracy chalu hai.

shanu (finally speaking)

mirch kam hai, lekin drama zyada... classic zaheer recipe.

zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai… phir finally pause karta hai.

zaheer

waise…

yeh cap achhi lag rahi hai tujhe.

maine bola tha na, tujhe suit karegi.

shanu (trying to act casual)

hmm?

cap pe haath ghumaati hai

haan… bas mil gayi thi… sochha pehen lu.

zaheer (slight smile)

achha kiya… cap achhi lag rahi hai.

aaj pehli baar mujhe lag raha hai kisi ne mere fashion advice follow ki.

shanu (halki si awkward smile ke saath)

fashion advice nahi thi… suggestion tha.

zaheer (teasing)

suggestion hi hota hai… bas tujhe samajhne mein time lag gaya.

ammu dono ki baat sunte hue smile chhupa rahi hoti hai, aur onion chop karte karte halki se whistle maarne lagti hai.

zaheer apne haath saaf karta hai aur tray leke andar chala jaata hai.

shanu uske jaane ke baad ek chhoti si smile karti hai,

aur cap thoda aur tight karke rakhti hai — jaise ab uski value badh gayi ho.

college canteen – morning

canteen ke bahar ka hamesha wala hungama —

ek taraf bread pakode ke liye line, dusri taraf chai ki steam,

aur beech mein ek known chaos ka source — taz.

taz canteen wale se bhid raha hota hai:

taz (chillaate hue)

arre bhaiya, yeh butter toast hai ya cardboard ka tukda?

main khau ya shoe polish karun?

canteen guy (irritated)

arre bhai le lo paisa wapas, roz ka drama mat karo.

taz paas ke 3-4 ladko ko crowd bana ke bolta hai:

taz

dekh lo bhai log! yeh hai hamare sapno ka college —

yahan breakfast mein insult free milta hai!

thoda door, ek kone mein zaheer, arjun, ammu, aur shanu khade hain.

sab apna apna tea le rahe hote hain, lekin taz ka hungama sunai de raha hota hai.

shanu (half rolling her eyes)

yeh taz har subah college ka news bulletin ban jaata hai.

arjun (smirking)

yeh banda ek din canteen ko reality show mein convert kar dega.

Ammu

bas na... mujhe aaj kuch ajeeb feel ho raha hai.

taz tabhi un sab ki taraf dekh leta hai…

ek second ko ammu pe uski nazar ruk jaati hai.uska expression badal jaata hai thoda teasing, thoda off.

taz (zara uncha bolta hai, crowd ko sunate hue)

Taz

Kyu chacha??? Chachi de nahi Rahi kya Aaj kal... Wese bhi Mausam mastana hai... Bolo to manforce la du

Or paas ke sab log hasne lagte hai... Taz aakhiri line ammu ko dekh kar bolta hai...

arjun ka haath tight ho jaata hai, uska face stiff hota hai — ready to react.lekin uske react karne se pehle,ammu quietly apna chai ka cup neeche rakhti hai…aur arjun ka haath softly pakad leti hai.

uski grip calm hoti hai jaise keh rahi ho “main handle karungi”.

ammu aankhon se taz ki taraf dekhti hai, bina kuch bole.

ek silence chhata hai — taz thoda rukta hai,

aur fir ek badi, loud si hansi nikalta hai:

taz

arre chill maaro sab log… main toh masti kar raha tha!... Chacha ko to desi pasand hai nirodhhh...

fir sab crowd ko hathaata hai:

taz

chalo chalo, chai lo aur class bhago sab… hero banne ka waqt gaya.

bheed thoda thoda hatt jaata hai, aur taz corner se nikal jaata hai.

arjun ammu ki taraf dekhta hai:

arjun (softly)

tu sure thi… main toh chhodta nahi usse.

ammu (steady voice)

aur main sure thi… mujhe zarurat nahi hai kisi ke peeche chhupne ki.

college auditorium – mid morning

auditorium ka hall light se bhara hota hai.stage pe white cloth banner already lag chuka hota hai – thoda tilted, thoda creased, lekin effort dikh raha hota hai:

“sports week 2025 – push your limits!”

chairs set ho chuki hain. front row mein teachers, peeche monitors, aur volunteers sab busy hote hain.

zaheer, arjun, shanu, ammu alag-alag groups mein, but aankhon se ek dusre ka presence catch kar rahe hote hain.anwar ma’am clipboard leke idhar-udhar walk kar rahi hoti hain volunteers ko instructions dete hue.tabhi hall ke main door se principal chauhan sir enter karte hain.sab thoda straight baith jaate hain jaise energy suddenly formal ho gayi ho.

principal chauhan (mic pe aakar)

good morning students. i know trip se wapas aate hi tum log relax mode mein ho…but it’s time to get back to momentum.

students thoda laugh karte hain softly.

principal (continues)

this monday, we will begin our annual sports week.

aur iss baar, kaafi cheezein alag hongi.hall mein halki si whispering shuru ho jaati hai. arjun aur zaheer dono ek dusre ko dekhte hain jaise "kya hone wala hai?"

principal

new format. new teams. and yes… a new coach.

hall suddenly quiet ho jaata hai.

principal

she’ll join from tomorrow. naam yaad rakhna — ms. nikhat siddiqui.

strict bhi hain… aur thoda unpredictable bhi.

zaheer (leaning to arjun)

abey... naam suna suna lag raha hai.

arjun (whispers)

mujhe toh pehle se hi darr lag raha hai. siddiqui sunte hi aisa lagta hai ki whistle pocket mein hoti hogi permanently.

shanu (overhearing)

tum dono ki running form dekh ke lagta hai koi bhi coach strict lagegi.

ammu (laughs softly)

hope so... warna tumhare jaise players ko pehle bench pe daalegi.

principal

lists will be out on the notice board by evening.

and let’s keep this clean, fair, and exciting. remember — discipline first.

anwar ma’am ek final clipboard tap karti hain aur stage ke edge pe aake bold tone mein bolti hain:

anwar ma’am

jo bhi students team mein selected honge, wo kal subah 7:30 sharp ground pe report karenge.

no excuses. no late entries. samjhe?

hall se bahar nikalte hue crowd

zaheer (to arjun)

nikhat siddiqui… naam mein hi weight hai.

arjun (grinning)

yaar yeh toh kisi web series ka villain lag raha hai.

“coach nikhat – season 1: pain begins”

shanu (teasing)

tum dono ka reaction dekh ke lagta hai, kal se PT shoes ke saath bandage bhi le aana chahiye.

notice board ke paas bheed, students apna naam dekhte hue… aur ek unknown thrill hawa mein ghoomti hui