ARJUN vs ZAHEER

[Greenwood]

Update 15

college ground – morning

subah ka time hota hai.

sports ground colour flags se sajaya gaya hota hai, loudspeaker pe energetic background music baj raha hota hai.

students apni tracksuits mein ground par warm-up kar rahe hote hain.

stage par principal sir aur nikhat ma’am khade hote hain — nikhat whistle neck pe latka kar students ko assemble hone ka signal deti hai.

near ground boundary

ammu aur shanu ek bench pe baithi hoti hain.

ammu ka face calm hota hai, lekin uski aankhon mein ek thandi si narazgi hoti hai.

wo crowd ki taraf dekhti hai, lekin clearly arjun se avoid kar rahi hoti hai.

principal (mic par)

"welcome to annual sports week! let’s bring out your best — on the track, and off it too!"

ground par sab students scattered — kuch stretching kar rahe hain, kuch apne groups mein laugh karte hue.

lekin kuch chehre… thode alag lag rahe hote hain.

arjun halka sa thaka hua, aankhon ke neeche fatigue visible.

zaheer track pants adjust karta hua casually bolta hai:

zaheer

aaj tu race mein nahi hai?

arjun (thoda blank expression mein)

nahi... bas help kar raha hoon organising mein.

zaheer

achha hai... sab har baar jeetne nahi aate. kisi ko sambhalne bhi padta hai.

arjun (half smile)

aur kisi ko bhagna hota hai.

dono thoda muskura ke aage badhte hain

near track

ammu apni bag lap pe rakh kar baithi hoti hai, aankhon mein mild thakaan.

shanu uske bag se sunglasses nikaalti hai aur casually bolti hai:

shanu

kya mood off hai tera? ya bas sunlight zyada lag rahi hai?

ammu (without eye contact)

bas... kuch calls miss ho gaye the. aur jawab nahi mila. ab zarurat bhi nahi hai.

shanu (lightly)

tu toh philosophical ho gayi suddenly.

ammu uska sunglasses silently le leti hai. dono ke beech ek chhoti si khamoshi.

phir mic se announcement:

"next up – 200 metre boys’ sprint. contestants line up."

zaheer shoes ki laces check karta hai.

arjun thoda side pe khada hota hai — uski aankhon ki nazar crowd mein kuch dhoondh rahi hoti hai, lekin usse kuch nahi milta.

zaheer ne uski taraf dekha, phir aankh chura li.

zaheer (focused tone)

let’s go.

montage – race sequence

whistle blast.

zaheer powerful strides mein bhaagta hai — steady, confident, completely focused.

audience ka cheer badhta jaata hai.

zaheer last second mein chest out karke finish line cross karta hai — clear winner.

announcer

“first place – zaheer qureshi!”

ext. girls’ bench

shanu excitement mein seat se uthti hai, haath clap karte hue.

shanu (to herself, whispering almost)

kya run tha... solid.

ammu uska reaction notice karti hai, phir crowd ki taraf dekhti hai, quietly smile karti hai — lekin kuch nahi kehti.

ext. medal podium

zaheer medal le raha hota hai.

uska expression composed, humble hota hai.

background mein principal aur nikhat khade hote hain — applause sab taraf.

arjun thoda door se dekh raha hota hai — uske chehre pe ek mix emotion:

khushi bhi... kuch guilt bhi.

ammu ne ek second ke liye arjun ki taraf dekha — direct aankhon mein nahi, bas us direction mein.

arjun ne bhi dekha… lekin dono ne kuch react nahi kiya.

college ground – post-race moment

zaheer medal neck mein daale slow pace mein girls’ seating zone ki taraf aata hai.

ammu bottle pakda deti hai, without much expression.

shanu seedha aankhon mein dekhti hai — smile thoda awkward, thoda real.

ammu (casually)

good run.

zaheer sirf head nod karta hai, breath control karta hua.

tabhi uski nazar organising team ki taraf jaati hai — jahan arjun thoda distance pe khada hota hai.

arjun zaheer ko dekh kar two-finger salute karta hai, aankhon se signal deta hai — “solid tha bhai.”

zaheer usse halki si chin-up nod deta hai — dono bhai bas gesture mein baat karte hain, jaise

shanu (side glance mein)

wo bottle hold karti hai aur bolti hai:

shanu (softly, ek awkward smile ke saath)

well... congratulations.

zaheer (aankhon mein warmth ke saath)

thanks.

shanu apna haath extend karti hai handshake ke liye.

zaheer thoda slow motion mein haath aage badhata hai.

dono ka haath milta hai — firm nahi, gentle touch.

lekin jaise hi unka palm touch hota hai, shanu ke andar ek halki si sensation jaagti hai —

ek second ke liye wo literally freeze kar jaati hai.

uske chehre pe halka sa change — aankhon mein confusion + blush mix hota hai.

shanu (under her breath, barely audible)

what was... that?

zaheer kuch nahi notice karta, ya kam se kam notice hone nahi deta.

woh bottle le kar pee leta hai, normal tarike se.

ammu quietly dono ko dekhti hai, phir wapas crowd ki taraf dekhti hai — as if kuch bhi unusual nahi hua.

background mein mic:

“next event in 15 minutes. all participants please gather near the red tent.”

zaheer waha se aage badh jaata hai.

shanu uske jaane ke baad apna haath dekhte hue halki si smile press kar leti hai —

ek chhupi si awkward electricity jo body mein goonj gayi thi.

college ground – tent ke side ka quiet kona – late afternoon

competition ke dusre event ke liye sab student ground ke beech mein busy hote hain.

par ek kona relatively quiet hota hai — jahan arjun ammu ko dekh leta hai, jo apna bag adjust kar rahi hoti hai.

arjun halki speed mein uske paas aata hai, phir ek kadam door ruk jaata hai.

arjun (softly, tone me guilt + masti mix)

tumhare 20 missed calls ki ginti ab tak yaad hai mujhe.

ammu uski taraf dekhti bhi nahi.

ek second ke liye pause hota hai.

phir ammu casually bolti hai:

ammu (without looking at him)

kyunki tumne ek bhi call ka jawab nahi diya... yaad toh rahega hi.

arjun (thoda sarcastic smile ke saath)

tumne kabhi missed call ka matlab suna hai?

it means... ‘i missed you’.

ammu aankhon mein halka sarcasm leke uski taraf dekhti hai.

ammu:

yeh line kisi whatsapp status se uthayi hai?

arjun (laughs softly)

nahi... dil se uthayi hai.

sorry bolne aaya hoon.

ammu bag band karti hai aur uski aankhon mein finally dekh kar kehti hai:

ammu (thoda soft)

tumhe lagta hai bas ‘sorry’ se sab sahi ho jaata hai?

arjun:

nahi... mujhe lagta hai bas tumse baat ho jaaye toh kaafi hota hai.

ammu uski baat sunke ek second ke liye serious ho jaati hai.

fir bas aankhon mein dekhti hai, kuch nahi bolti.

arjun dheere se apna haath samne karta hai — handshake ya peace ka signal.

arjun:

truce?

ammu ek second uska haath dekhti hai, phir slow motion mein apna haath uske haath par rakhti hai.

phir halki si tap deti hai — not quite a handshake, more like a soft thappad.

ammu (soft tone)

next time... 20 missed calls se ek bhi zyada hua, toh sorry ka bill milega.

arjun (relieved smile ke saath)

deal.

dono ek dusre ko dekhte hain — ek second ka calm moment hota hai.

na romantic, na awkward... bas ek comfort feel hota hai.

background mein dhol ki awaaz fir se start hoti hai.

college ground – late afternoon – relay race ongoing

four boys relay chal raha hota hai — students cheer kar rahe hote hain,

background me whistle ki awaaz, boys ke sprint footsteps aur claps.

camera slowly pan karta hai corner mein baithe shanu pe —

jo ek umbrella share kar rahi hoti hai

zaheer ke saath (sun thoda tez ho gaya hota hai).

dono ek hi bench pe baith ke race dekh rahe hote hain.

ek second khamoshi hoti hai. sirf crowd ki awaaz aa rahi hoti hai.

phir shanu softly bolti hai:

shanu (side dekh kar)

aaj ki race... simple nahi thi.

tumne kaise itna steady pace maintain kiya?

zaheer (casual tone)

bas... har step pe yahi socha ki rukna nahi hai.

main speed ke liye nahi daudta, balance ke liye daudta hoon.

shanu thoda impressed si aankhon se dekhti hai.

phir apna bottle uske taraf badhati hai.

shanu (half-smile)

toh yeh bottle... ek winner ke liye. hydration for the balanced champ.

zaheer halki smile ke saath le leta hai.

zaheer:

thank you... par tumhare clap ka sound waise bhi kaafi tha.

shanu thoda sarcastic style mein aankhon se usse dekhti hai.

shanu:

mujhe laga... tum sirf race mein silent ho.

baaton mein bhi competition mat jeetna.

zaheer (light laugh)

nahi jeetna... bas kabhi kabhi samne wale ki tareef sunna achha lagta hai.

ek moment hota hai — dono race ki taraf phir se dekhte hain,

lekin ab unki expressions relaxed hote hain — no awkwardness, no extra emotion.

zaheer softly:

tumhare jese log ground mein nahi... balance banate hain life mein.

shanu kuch nahi kehti... sirf aankhon se thanks bolti hai, aur aankhon se race pe wapas focus kar leti hai.

college ground – back side tent – mid noon

subah se sports ka craze chalu hai, par iss side ka tent quiet hota hai.

nikhat clipboard le kar standee ke peeche shade me khadi hoti hai — clearly exhausted.

uske chehre pe thoda sweat, concentration aur hangry vibe hoti hai.

usne ab tak kuch khaya nahi hota — bas paani ki bottle leke khadi hoti hai.

arjun corner se aata hai — ek paper plate aur tissue me wrapped kuch nashta leke.

wo uske paas jaake rukta hai, aur casual tone me bolta hai:

arjun:

aapko notice nahi hoga, lekin subah 7 se aapne sirf bottle uthayi hai.

coach bhi human hote hain... kabhi kabhi nashta deserve karte hain.

nikhat uski taraf dekhti hai — pehle thoda suspicious expression hota hai.

nikhat:

aur tum morning monitor ban gaye ho sab ke meals track karne ke?

arjun (half-smile)

nahi... bas observe karta hoon.

aapka tone sharp tha... but energy drop aur aankhon ka focus down tha.

so... protein bar aur thoda sprouts laya hoon. sandwich rehne diya, ban nahi hota.

nikhat ek second ke liye kuch nahi bolti.

plate le leti hai, lekin awkwardly — jaise usse aadat nahi kisi ke thoughtful hone ki.

nikhat (softly)

thank you... but tum yeh kisi ko bataoge toh main tumhe ground ke 5 lap extra lagwaungi.

arjun (mischievous grin)

promise karta hoon... yeh secret, sirf aapke carbs aur mere respect ke beech rahega.

nikhat ek chhoti si smile daba leti hai.

nashta leke thoda corner ho jaati hai — clipboard ab side me.

arjun wapas chala jaata hai bina extra moment create kiye.

nikhat uski back dekh ke ek second sochti hai...

fir bas ek bite le leti hai aur clipboard dubara uthati hai.

shanu’s room – evening – soft yellow light

shanu mirror ke saamne baithi hoti hai.

college ka t-shirt half loose, bal thode bikhre huye — fresh nahake aayi hoti hai.

uske haath mein wo cap hoti hai jo zaheer ne suggest ki thi.

wo cap apne haathon mein ghumate hue... aankhon mein ek thoughtful si halchal.

shanu (under breath, to herself)

pata nahi kyun...

jab usne race jeeti... toh mujhe khud se zyada uski jeet pe khushi hui.

cap ko halki si muskurahat ke saath dekhti hai.

shanu:

aur jab usne haath milaya...

bas ek normal handshake tha, right?

par...

ek second ke liye laga jaise kisi ne dil ke andar light jala di ho.

wo apne hairband utaar kar table pe rakhti hai... fir casually apna face rub karti hai jaise khud se pareshan ho.

shanu:

main... kyu itni conscious ho jaati hoon jab wo aas paas hota hai?

kyu har waqt sochti hoon ki...

uski good books mein kaise rahun?

jaise... uska cap choose karna ho, ya usse milne ke liye koi random bahana banana ho...

“main ammu se milne aayi hoon…” — seriously, kitni baar?”

phir khud hi halki si hansi nikalti hai — chhupi si.

phir ek thoda still moment hota hai — wo cap ko sirf apne paas rakhti hai.

uske chehre pe smile hoti hai — koi dreamy nahi, bas ek “achha lagta hai” wali.

shanu (last line, almost whispering)

sab kuch… suddenly achha lagne laga hai.

bas... samajh nahi aa raha ki kyun.

zaheer ke ghar ki chhat – early evening

sham ka waqt hai. hawa thodi thandi ho gayi hai.

lights abhi on nahi hui... but aasman orange-blue mix tone mein dhal raha hai.

chhat pe ek kona — thoda shaant, jahan ammu aur arjun dono rail pe baith ke dusri taraf ke view ko dekh rahe hain.

thodi der tak khamoshi hoti hai — bas aas paas se doodhwale ke cycle ki awaaz ya kabootaron ki flapping sunai deti hai.

arjun (softly)

main galat tha.

ammu uski taraf dekhti nahi — bas sun rahi hoti hai.

arjun (thoda guilt ke saath)

maine kabhi aise behave nahi kiya tha...

aur us din... jab tune mujhe rokne ki koshish ki — main sirf bura dost nahi, bura insaan bhi lag raha tha.

ammu ab bhi kuch nahi bolti.

bas apne dono haath apne pair ke aas paas band kar ke baithi hoti hai, slowly breathing.

arjun (aankhon me sachchai ke saath)

main chahta hoon ki tu mujh par trust kare...

aur main khud par phir se vishwas laaun...

tere wajah se hi toh thoda thoda sambhalta hoon main.

ammu uski taraf dheere se dekhti hai. aankhon mein softness hai, thoda thakaan bhi.

ammu (finally bolti hai)

tu galat tha...

lekin tu maafi maang raha hai.

aur... main teri baat sun rahi hoon — itna kaafi hai na?

arjun slowly sir hilata hai.

ek halka sa smile uske lips pe aata hai, lekin aankhon mein halka pani bhi jam gaya hota hai.

arjun (halki si hansi ke saath)

tu mujhe forgive karti hai... toh main thoda theek mehsoos karta hoon.

ammu uski taraf dekhti hai — ab aankhon mein woh purani dosti wali warmth hai.

ammu:

pyaar karne ke liye pehle insaan ko samajhna padta hai.

aur tu... ab thoda thoda samajh aa raha hai.

Arjun usko taraf dekhta hai or jab use lagta hai ki Ammu emotional ho rahi hai to wo topic change karta hai...

Arjun

Waise tune jo fenka tha use main kya ishara samjhu

Ammu ko uski baat samajh nahi aati hai or wo bas confuse sa chehra banati hai..

Arjun

Kya main yeh samjhu ki tu ready hai ??

Ammu apne shoulder shrugg karti hai jaise use koi fark nahi pad raha ki yeh kya bol raha hai or smile karke aasman me dekhne lagti hai

arjun bas uski taraf dekhta hai — bina kisi line ke, bina kisi move ke.

arjun (softly)

can we just... sit like this for a while?

ammu head nod karti hai — dono fir se view ki taraf dekhte hain.

piche se hawa balo ko hilaa rahi hoti hai. arjun apne haath se halki si wind se ammu ke baal hatata hai —

bina kisi romantic gesture ke, bas ek subtle care.

shaam ka waqt hai, light dheere dheere fade ho rahi hai.

gali mein thodi-thodi roshni aa rahi hai bulbs ki,

aur log apne ghar ke bahar baith ke chai pee rahe hain ya roz ki baatein kar rahe hote hain.

shanu ek plastic bag leke, nukkad ke kirane wale se dahi aur chips le ke nikal rahi hoti hai.

wo casually apna dupatta theek karte hue gali ke ek kone se turn leti hai.

zaheer samne se aa raha hota hai — ek mechanic ki dukaan se wrench aur thoda grease laga towel leke.

uska t-shirt thoda purana, par uski aankhon mein usual shaanti hoti hai.

dono ka face-to-face moment hota hai — dono ruk jaate hain.

shanu (surprised tone, soft)

oh... hey.

zaheer (calmly)

tum... yahaan?

shanu:

ammu ke ghar se chips maangne gayi thi... aur dahi mummy ne bola tha.

tum?

zaheer (light smile)

papa ka scooter thoda jam ho gaya tha. repair karne gaya tha.

ek awkward sa pause hota hai — lekin uncomfortable nahi.

shanu bag ko thoda aur pakadti hai, jaise kuch kehna chahti ho.

shanu (casually, thoda hichkichahat ke saath)

aaj... tumhari race... achhi thi.

tumne deserve kiya tha medal.

zaheer kuch nahi kehta ek second — phir sirf thank you kehta hai.

zaheer (light laugh)

main ground pe daud raha tha... aankhon ke corner se bas ek cap chamak rahi thi... shayad woh tum thi.

shanu thoda blush karti hai, par casual banaye rakhti hai.

shanu:

cap mujhe khud select karni aati hai... mujhe tumhari advice ki zarurat nahi thi.

zaheer (mischievous smile)

phir bhi tumne li thi.

shanu kuch nahi kehti — sirf halki si smile ke saath nikal jaati hai uske side se.

zaheer (peeche se soft tone mein)

dahi na gir jaaye... sambhaal ke le jao.

shanu bina palte, bas haath hilake signal karti hai "sun liya."

singh house – drawing room – night

ghar shaant hota hai... dinner ho chuka hota hai.

madhu sofa pe baithi hoti hai, remote ek side, aankhen tv par glued.

tv pe ek popular daily soap chal raha hota hai — ek soft music background me baj raha hota hai.

shanu chhup chaap darwaza khol ke andar aati hai — haath me kirane ka packet.

woh casually madhu ke paas aake side se chalti hai.

shanu:

main chips le aayi... dahi bhi fridge me rakh diya.

madhu kuch react nahi karti — uska dhyaan tv screen par hota hai.

shanu thoda smile karti hai, fir bag side table pe rakh ke jaane hi wali hoti hai...

tabhi uska nazar tv screen par padta hai.

tv scene – heroine akeli apne kamre me hoti hai, ek cap haath me hoti hai, aur uske lips pe ek blush wali muskurahat hoti hai

background voiceover:

"kabhi kabhi... bina kahe, bina chuye... koi dil ke itne kareeb aa jaata hai ki uski soch bhi chehra rang deti hai..."

shanu ka kadam ruk jaata hai.

woh slowly sofa ke armrest par baith jaati hai... aankhen screen pe chipak jaati hain.

screen me heroine blush karti hai, apne aap se muskurati hai — shanu ki aankhon me bhi wahi halki chamak.

uska mind flash kar jaata hai — zaheer ki race... uska handshake... uska "tum jaise log balance banate hain..."

uska haath subconsciously apne lap me rakh ke tight hold karta hai — jaise koi feeling handle karne ki koshish kar rahi ho.

chehra dheere dheere soften hota hai... aankhon me ek glow, lips pe ek smile —

wo smile jo khud bhi notice nahi karti, bas nikal aati hai.

ek second tak uska chehra full on blush mode me hota hai.

phir wo khud hi halki si hansi me jhuk jaati hai — jaise usse samajh aa gaya ho.

tv background line:

"shayad... yeh hi toh pyaar hai."

shanu bas ek lamha ke liye madhu ki taraf dekhti hai —

jo ab bhi tv me lost hoti hai —

fir shanu screen ki taraf palat ke chehra takiye me daba leti hai...

Shanu (thinking )

Oh my goddd... Oh my goddd... Oh myyyy goddd... Kya yahi pyaar hai... Kya mujhe... Kya mujhe pyaar ho gaya hai... Lekin kaise, matlab... Kyu...  Or kab.... Wo bhi zaheer se... Shittt... Lekin wo to... Ek minute... Agar aisa hai to... Kya wo bhi yahi sochta hai... Oh god ... Yeh kaisi confusion hai... Lekin mujhe kaise pyaar ... Wo bhi usse... Usne to Aaj Tak dhang se bhi baat nahi ki hai mujhse...

ek ladki, ek tv soap, ek ek ladki, ek tv soap, ek lamha... aur ek mehsoos jo ab naam pa gaya.... aur ek feeling jo ab naam pa gaya.

qureshi house – ammu ka room – night

kamre me dim yellow light chal rahi hoti hai.

ammu bed pe lete hue apna phone scroll kar rahi hoti hai — insta reels, college ki pics, ek do baar arjun ki profile open karke... phir close kar leti hai.

uske chehre pe thodi confusion bhi hoti hai, jaise kisi baat ka jawab dhoondh rahi ho.

tabhi asma room me enter karti hai, haath me ek hairbrush aur towel hota hai, fresh bath leke aayi hoti hai.

asma (casual tone):

ammu... tu ne mera wo black wala bra dekha hai kya?

jo net wali strap ka tha... kal se dhoondh rahi hoon, mil hi nahi raha.

ammu ka haath jhatke se ruk jaata hai.

phone ka screen freeze hota hai uske aankhon ke saamne.

uske dimaag me turant flash hota hai — arjun ka woh awkward se hint dena, uski aankhon ka sharmaana...

ammu (slowly, almost whispering):

oh god... woh isi ke baare mein baat kar raha tha?

ek second ke liye woh literally apna sir dono haathon se pakad leti hai.

chehra red ho jaata hai... embarrassment, shock, aur frustration sab ek saath.

par woh turant apne expression normal karne ki koshish karti hai, jaise kuch samjha hi nahi.

ammu (casually, aankhon contact avoid karte hue):

nahi... maine nahi dekha.

aur waise bhi... apni cheezein sambhal ke rakha kar asma, har baar mujhse mat poocha kar.

asma (shrug karte hue):

haan theek hai... mil jaayega kahi.

mujhe laga tu laundry area se utha ke le gayi hogi.

asma fir apne kapde wardrobe me check karne lagti hai.

ammu bed pe baithi rehti hai — lekin ab phone ek side rakh chuki hoti hai.

woh aankhon me "yeh kya ho gaya" wala expression leke, chhat ki taraf dekh kar deep sa sigh leti hai.

ammu (under breath):

main arjun ko maar dalungi... seriously.

next day – late morning

college ka time hai. students idhar-udhar ja rahe hote hain, sports week ke posters sab jagah lage hote hain.

canteen se sandwich ki smell aa rahi hoti hai, aur ground se seeti ki awaaz.

ammu apne notes sambhalte hue staircase se neeche aa rahi hoti hai.

uska expression normal hota hai... lekin andar se alert — jaise kisi ka face dekhte hi phategi.

tabhi samne se arjun aa jaata hai — casual smile ke saath, ek hand pocket me, dusra bal set karte hue.

arjun (light teasing tone mein):

arre... tumhara laundry department kaafi strong hai, haan?

ammu ka kadam ek second ke liye rukta hai — fir aankhon se seedha ghoorti hai arjun ko, bina kuch bole.

arjun uske reaction ka wait kar raha hota hai — sochta hai shayad ammu hans degi ya kuch bol degi.

lekin ammu sirf ek side step leti hai... pass nikalte waqt shoulder se halka sa touch karte hue uske kaan ke paas softly kehti hai:

ammu (low but sharp tone):

next time agar tu koi bhi "kapde" wali baat karega na...

Toh tujhe public me laafa padega — vo bhi bina washing.

arjun thoda awkwardly hansi rokta hai, phir peeche mud kar kehta hai:

arjun (halki muskurahat ke saath):

laundry wali aankhen bhi badi dangerous hoti hain.

ammu usse mud kar dekhti bhi nahi — bas apne notebook ko tight pakad ke seedha classroom ki taraf chali jaati hai.

lekin jaate jaate ek baar uske lips thoda curl karte hain — jaise andar hi andar khud bhi hasi rok rahi ho.

cut to – arjun staircase par ruk ke khud se kehta hai:

arjun (softly):

yeh ladki mujhe ya to sudhaaregi... ya seedha bhagwaan ke paas bhej degi.

– ek choti si aankhon ki dhamki, ek warning with swag, aur ek love story jo thodi tight jeans jaisi fit ho gayi hai.

college sports ground – afternoon

dhoop halki hai, lekin ground ka mahol energetic.

students race tracks pe ready hain, kuch practice kar rahe hain.

organising team ek taraf whiteboard pe scores likh rahi hoti hai.

nikhat track ke corner pe standing stance me hoti hai — sporty tee aur cargo trackpants pehne hue, haath me stopwatch.

uske chehre pe wohi intense focus hota hai, jaise sab kuch precisely chalna chahiye.

arjun, clipboard aur notes leke uske paas aata hai — thoda dust laga hota hai kapdon pe, par aankhon me usual chill vibe.

arjun:

coach… matlab nikhat ma’am, team three ke captain ne bola hai ki woh kal second round skip karega, uske tuition classes hain.

nikhat (straight tone):

yeh competition hai, tuition nahi.

uske naam ke saamne “absent” likh do. simple.

arjun thoda smile kar deta hai — use maza aata hai nikhat ke us no-nonsense attitude me.

arjun:

noted. waise aapki coaching me thoda humour bhi ho to log kam bhaagen.

nikhat (mock glare):

main coach hoon, stand-up comedian nahi.

arjun (casual tone, lekin thoda personal):

haan, par kabhi kabhi aap smile karti ho to lagta hai stopwatch bhi ruk jaye.

nikhat ek second uski taraf dekhti hai — serious expression, lekin aankhon me halka amusement.

nikhat:

tu flirt karta hai ya kaam?

arjun (grinning):

dono. multitasking mera strength hai.

nikhat thoda laugh suppress karti hai, fir stopwatch uske haath me de deti hai.

nikhat:

count kar le 30 sec mein kaun lap complete karta hai.

aur agar kisi ne galti ki toh tu extra lap lega.

arjun:

main? kis capacity me?

nikhat:

punishment capacity me.

arjun clipboard side me rakhta hai, stopwatch start karta hai —

phir thoda soft tone me kehta hai:

arjun:

aapko pata bhi nahi chalta... aap ke saath waqt kaise nikal jaata hai.

nikhat uski taraf briefly dekhti hai — serious banaye rakhti hai, lekin andar se usse bhi woh comfort feel hone lagta hai

lekin us waqt ammu door se whiteboard ki taraf dekh rahi hoti hai, aur arjun aur nikhat ki baat usse dikhayi nahi deti.

nikhat (soft but firm):

kaam pe focus kar arjun... aur stopwatch ghoor ke kya milega?

arjun:

aapke expressions… woh bhi limited edition lagte hain.

nikhat ek chalk uske taraf fake kar deti hai — arjun dodge kar ke hansi rokta hai.

college canteen – late morning

canteen ka mahol usual se zyada busy hai.

zaheer ek corner table pe khada hota hai — uske aas-paas students ka small crowd, sab usse congratulations bol rahe hote hain.

kisi ne uske liye ek samosa bhi extra le liya hota hai.

kisi ka dialogue: “bhai tu toh legend nikla re!”

zaheer modest smile ke saath har kisi ka shukriya kar raha hota hai —

ek haath me bottle, dusre me tray… thoda awkward bhi lag raha hota hai itni attention se.

tabhi anwar madam canteen ke andar aati hain — wo bhi zaheer ke group ke paas ruk jaati hain.

anwar madam:

well done, zaheer. aisa discipline har student me hona chahiye.

tumhare jaise ladke sports week ki backbone hote hain.

zaheer politely head nod karta hai.

zaheer:

thank you ma’am... aap logon ne support kiya tabhi ho paya.

tabhi ek aur entry hoti hai — shanu ki.

shanu canteen ke gate pe rukti hai… ek second ke liye uski nazar seedha zaheer pe jaati hai.

uska chehra soft ho jaata hai.

aaj wo thoda aur ready lagti hai, thoda extra effort kiya hua, par casual.

aur uski aankhon me ek clarity hoti hai — jo kal tak confusion thi, aaj woh name le chuki hai: pyaar.

woh dheere dheere group ke paas aati hai — anwar madam use dekh kar smile karti hain.

anwar madam:

arre shanu… tumhare friend ne toh kamaal kar diya.

tumhe proud feel ho raha hoga, hai na?

shanu anwar madam ki taraf ek short smile deti hai, fir zaheer ki taraf dekhti hai —

ek second ke liye dono ki aankhon ka milna hota hai — normal sa hi lagta hai, lekin andar se kuch badal chuka hota hai.

shanu:

haan ma’am…

zaheer ke jaise log kam hote hain — balance banate hain.

zaheer thoda confused si smile deta hai — kyunki shanu usually aise deep baatein nahi karti thi.

par kuch bolta nahi.

ek ladka zaheer ke side se kehta hai:

shanu… tu lucky hai, tere friend circle me ek champ hai.

shanu halka sa laugh kar ke kehti hai:

shanu:

haan… friend circle hi toh hai.

uski voice me halka sarcasm aur halka affection hota hai — woh subtle tha, par zaheer ne feel kiya.

zaheer (softly):

tum kuch logon ko friend ke naam pe underestimate kar deti ho.

shanu uski taraf dekh ke halki si aankhon me muskurahat deti hai —

jaise usne yeh baat already accept kar li ho.

phir wo uske tray me se ek samosa uthati hai:

[b]shanu:[/b]

celebration ho raha hai, toh main bhi share karungi.

champion ka samosa sabka hota hai.

zaheer (smiling):

next saal jeeta toh poori plate tumhare naam.

shanu (low tone):

haan… aur agar haar gaye toh bhi main wahi rahungi.

zaheer uske expression ko thoda samajhne ki koshish karta hai,

lekin us waqt koi aur student aa jaata hai usse wish karne

shanu thoda side ho jaati hai — par uska chehra relaxed, light, aur bright hota hai.

wo andar hi andar ek naye comfort zone me enter kar chuki hoti hai — [b]pyaar jisme dikhawa nahi, par peace hota hai.[/b]