07-08-2025, 11:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2025, 11:15 AM by Greenwood. Edited 1 time in total. Edited 1 time in total.)
Update 72
Inter-College Championship – Debate Round Venue
Next Day – Late Morning
A large air-conditioned seminar hall in Delhi’s cultural academy building, jahan stage ke samne rows of neatly aligned audience chairs thi. Har team ke liye ek designated table tha – name tags ke saath. Spotlight stage pe thi jahan podium pe khada tha announcer, mic samhalte hue.
Announcer
Now, ladies and gentlemen, we move to the next round of the Inter-College Championship…
The Debate Round.
Each team will nominate one speaker.
The topic for today's debate is:
‘Women Safety in Today’s India – Myth or Reality?’
Poora hall ek dum silent ho gaya. Audience mein kuch halke gasps, kuch murmurs. Kyunki topic sensitive tha. Strong tha. Aur sab samajh gaye the – ye round kisi bhi team ka turning point ban sakta tha.
Usi waqt... Zaheer ka chehra tight ho gaya. Wo apne team table pe seedha baitha tha, magar jaise hi topic announce hua, uski aankhen sidha Shanu ko dhoondhne lagiin.
Aur jaise hi uski nazar Shanu tak pahuchi…
Shanu was already looking at him.
Jaise dono ek dusre ke dimaag padh sakte ho.
Shanu ka chehra composed tha. Calm. Lekin uski aankhon mein ek intense sparkle tha – ek aisi confidence jo sirf usme hi hoti thi jab mic uske samne ho… aur jab baat ho truth ki, injustice ke against bolne ki.
Zaheer ne halki si neck tilt ki, jaise silent approval de raha ho.
Shanu ne bas ek slow nod kiya.
No words. No signals. Just a look.
But both knew…
This was her battlefield. And she was ready.
Collage libarary mein baithi thi Ammu, jiske haath thode cold ho gaye the nervousness se… lekin Shanu ka stance dekh ke uska confidence wapas aaya. Priya ne halki si smile pass ki aur slowly whisper kiya:
Priya
Ab aayega maza. Shanu stage pe aayi toh dusre team waale to bas notes lete reh jayenge.
Team leader ki taraf se naam announce karne ka waqt aaya.
Jaipur Pink City College ne jab naam announce kiya, poora hall suddenly thoda alert ho gaya:
Moderator
From Jaipur pink city College, the speaker is…
Shanaya singh
Claps. Thoda loud. Thoda shocked.
Shanu slowly uthi, white and navy blazer pehene, baal ek loose bun me bandhe hue, uske kadam stage ki taraf jaise ek queen ki tarah chale. Har kadam me grace tha. Har expression me fire.
Zaheer ne uski movement ko dekha… aur ek halki si muskaan uske lips pe aayi.
Ye wahi ladki thi jise kal raat usne ek alag roop me dekha tha – vulnerable, honest, khuli hui…
Aur aaj…
Ek warrior jaise stage pe chadh rahi thi.
Zaheer
(under his breath, proud whisper)
Go show them, Shanu…
Delhi Debate Round
Venue: Cultural Academy Hall – On Stage
Live Broadcast Room: Jaipur Pink City College Library – Rajasthan
[Delhi – Debate Hall]
Moderator
Now we invite the final speaker from Jaipur Pink City College…
Miss Shanaya singh
A sharp round of applause. Shanu walked to the podium, holding her notes, though she barely glanced at them.
Camera pans to the timer. 4 minutes on the clock. The hall goes silent.
Shanu
In a country where * is worshipped, but * walking home after 7 p.m. is told to “cover up”...
We must ask ourselves — is women's safety a reality, or a ritualistic illusion?
Sharp, direct opening. The audience leans in.
[CUT TO – Jaipur Pink City College Library]
Library TV Room – students crowd around the television. Arjun, Ammu, Priya, Taz – sab front row mein baith ke dekh rahe hote hain. Background mein commentary aur debate ka live telecast chalu hai.
Priya
(leaning forward)
Lo aa gayi hamari Rani… ab dusre college waale bas sunte reh jaayein.
Arjun ki aankhen screen pe fix hoti hain. Ammu ke haath me ek coffee mug hota hai, lekin uska dhyaan kahin aur nahi… bas Shanu pe.
Ammu
(slowly, soft pride in her tone)
She's… brilliant.
[BACK TO – Delhi Hall – Stage]
Shanu
They tell us not to wear short skirts.
I also belive that saree is purest dress for a woman but are you promise that woman in burkha will also safe They never ask — why is his gaze allowed to roam freely?
Crowd murmurs. Judges exchange glances.
Shanu
Is women's safety just a checkbox in political manifestos?
Or is it the truth that dies quietly every night on unlit roads?
Camera cuts to Zaheer. He’s still. Eyes locked on Shanu. Proud. Spellbound.
Shanu
Safety isn't about guards or gates.
It's about education that teaches consent,
Homes that raise sons with empathy,
Systems that act without delay.
Timer beeps — 30 seconds left. Shanu’s eyes lift from her notes. She speaks from the heart now. Voice firmer.
Shanu
And yet, amidst fear…
Women still dream. Still dare. Still speak.
Because even if safety is a myth…
We are the generation rewriting it into reality.
Drop mic moment.
Thunderous applause. Some of the students rise to their feet. Even rival teams nod in respect.
[CUT TO – Jaipur College Library – Live Viewing]
Taz punches the air. Priya claps loudly. Arjun leans back with a proud smirk. Ammu – she’s still staring at the screen, hands clenched together.
Priya
(in a whisper)
She didn’t speak like a participant…
She spoke like a revolution.
Sabke chehre par ek hi bhaav: goosebumps.
[BACK TO – Stage]
Shanu walks back to her seat. As she crosses Zaheer, their eyes meet. Zaheer gives her the faintest nod… a silent, heartfelt 'You did it.'
Shanu
(slight smirk, whispering without words)
Told you.
Lights slightly dim. Judges’ table pe final score sheets submit ho chuki hain. Moderator stage pe wapas aata hai, hand me ek folded paper leke. Hall mein ek curious silence chhaya hua hai.
Background mein teams apne respective benches pe anxious, kuch log fingers cross kiye hue, kuch halki nervous laughter ke saath wait kar rahe hain. Shanu, Zaheer, aur unki team ek dusre ki taraf calmly glance karte hain — confident, lekin silently hopeful.
Moderator (with an excited tone)
Ladies and gentlemen… what a phenomenal display of intellect, clarity, and courage.
Before I announce the finalists for tomorrow's Grand Finale Round, here’s a quick look at today’s Debate Scoreboard.
The LED screen behind him lights up with animated text:
? TOP SCORING TEAMS – SEMI-FINAL DEBATE ROUND ?
Jaipur Pink City College – 91.4 / 100
Miranda Hall – DU – 88.7 / 100
St. Xaviers, Kolkata – 86.2 / 100
Chandigarh Literature Institute – 84.9 / 100
Camera pans to Shanu's team — a ripple of smiles. Zaheer slowly exhales. Shanu leans back, her fingers tapping lightly on her thigh, controlled satisfaction in her posture.
Moderator (dramatic pause)
And now, the two teams progressing to the National Grand Finale to be held tomorrow evening are…
Crowd leans forward, drumroll in the background.
First Finalist…
JAIPUR PINK CITY COLLEGE!
The camera flashes wildly. A loud cheer erupts. Zaheer’s fist clenches in triumph. Shanu smiles deeply, holding back a louder reaction but her eyes shine with fire.
Second Finalist…
MIRANDA HALL – DELHI UNIVERSITY!
Another cheer from the other side of the hall. The DU girls group hug each other excitedly.
Moderator
These two incredible teams will face off tomorrow, 6:30 PM, on this very stage, in front of a live audience and national media partners. The theme for the finale will be revealed 10 minutes before the debate, to test improvisation and insight.
Zaheer looks at Shanu and whispers just loud enough for the team to hear.
Zaheer
Final round tak laayi ho… ab trophy bhi jeet lo.
Shanu grins.
Shanu
Trophy mere liye nahi… tumhare surname ke liye chahiye.
Team laughs softly, masking their excitement behind composed body language.
[CUT TO – OUTSIDE HALL – LOBBY]
Other colleges walk out with applause and goodbyes. Jaipur team stands together, receiving nods and subtle compliments from passing teams. One rival speaker even pats Zaheer’s shoulder.
Rival Speaker (to Zaheer)
Your teammate’s speech... man, that gave me chills.
Zaheer nods with pride, but doesn’t say much. He just glances at Shanu — who’s already busy sipping water calmly, almost as if this was routine.
INT. GUEST HOUSE – BALCONY – NIGHT]
Rain ki halki boonden abhi bhi hawa mein hain. Sheher ka skyline bhigaa bhigaa sa lag raha hai, kuch buildings pe lights flicker kar rahi hain. Guest house ke third floor balcony pe ek small garden chair aur table set hai. Table pe thermos, do ceramic cups aur ek half-eaten chocolate pastry box rakha hua hai.
Zaheer railing ke pass khada hai, ek mug haath mein, dusre haath se hair wet kar raha hai. Uska face calm hai, but eyes sharp — like he’s still holding the adrenaline of the day’s win.
Peeche se door quietly khulta hai, Shanu nikalti hai ek loose nightshirt mein, over her pajama. Her hair tied up messily. She walks towards him silently, slippers ki halki si chapp-chapp awaaz. Haath mein ek folded piece of paper.
Zaheer
(still looking out)
Coffee thandi ho gayi hogi…
Shanu
Mujhe coffee nahi chahiye thi. Mujhe yeh moment chahiye tha.
Zaheer turns. Shanu uske samne khadi hoti hai, uska face thoda flushed from the chill but expression confident. Uske haath mein wahi paper hai jo judges ne diya tha unki team ko — final round announcement.
Shanu
Kal trophy humare naam hone wali hai.
Zaheer
Mujhe already lag raha hai… jaise jeet gaye ho.
Shanu uske samne aake railing se lag jaati hai, dono haath us par tikaye. Thodi der dono bina kuch bole sheher ke taraf dekhte hain. Fir Shanu soft voice mein bolti hai—
Shanu
Kal stage pe tumhari aankhon mein woh fakhar tha…
Jaisa maine bachpan mein Baba ki aankhon ein dekha tha jab main first prize jeeti thi.
Zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai, slightly amused
Zaheer
Aur stage pe tum bilkul waisi thi jaise…
Main tumhe hamesha imagine karta hoon. Brave, radiant… aur meri.
Ek pause. Rain drops railing pe thak-thak kar rahi hoti hain.
Shanu slowly apne haath se uska mug le leti hai, sip leti hai aur zaheer ki aankhon mein dekh kar halki si muskurahat deti hai.
Shanu
Aaj raat sirf jeet ki nahi…
Apne hone ki feeling celebrate karni hai.
Zaheer
(to her, soft and serious)
Shanu… main kal raat ke baare mein…
Shanu interrupt karti hai, apna haath uske haath pe rakhte hue.
Shanu
Main janti hoon. Tum guilty feel kar rahe ho.
Par jo kuch bhi hua, wo bas ek ghalati nahi thi…
Wo humare pyaar ka ek sach tha.
Aur main chahti hoon… wo sach humesha zinda rahe.
Zaheer uski aankhon mein dekhta hai, aur ek faint, relieved smile uske lips par aati hai.
Zaheer
Matlab… tum ready ho… Qureshi house mein dulhan banke aane ke liye?
Shanu thoda neck tilt karti hai, as if teasing him.
Shanu
Sirf dulhan banke nahi…
Awaaz banke aane wali hoon main tumhare ghar mein.
Jab bhi koi behas hogi… main jeetne wali hoon.
Dono hans padte hain. Fir Zaheer uska haath pakad ke kiss karta hai gently — palm par, respectfully.
[i]Background mein rain ka rhythm aur distant traffic ki lights. Yeh moment quiet hai, private, romantic in the most sincere way.[/i]
[i]Night – Ammu's Room[/i]
Time: Post dinner, lights dim, moonlight filtering through the curtains.
Ammu apne bed par baithe kuch diary ke pages palat rahi thi. Room ki light soft thi, aur khidki se thandi hawa andar aa rahi thi. Uske chehre par aaj ek ajeeb si shaanti thi, jaise kuch samajh aaya ho, jaise ek bojh halka hua ho.
Tabhi uske room ka darwaza dheere se khulta hai. Arjun andar aata hai – aankhon ke neeche halki thakaan, chehra thoda guilt se bhara hua. Uske haath khali the, lekin mann bhar bhar ke aaya tha.
Arjun
(low voice)
Tu theek hai?
Ammu diary band karte hue uski taraf dekhti hai. Ek second ke liye kuch nahi bolti… phir halki si muskurahat uske chehre pe aa jaati hai.
Ammu
(softly teasing)
Itni udaasi lekar kyun aaya hai? Lag raha jaise viva fail ho gaya ho tera.
Arjun thoda surprise hota hai uski tone se. Usne expect nahi kiya tha ki Ammu muskura rahi hogi. Usne aankhen jhuka li
Arjun
Main soch raha tha... tujhe samjhaun… tujhe sahara doon.
Tu… subah thodi tense lag rahi thi. Mujhe laga...
Ammu
(smiling, interrupting)
Ki main pregnant ho gayi hoon
Arjun ki aankhen uski taraf jhatak ke dekhti hain. Ammu thoda hans padti hai.
Ammu
pregnancy myths, safe days, aur kya kya
Main itni stressed thi… Priya ne meri class lagayi aaj college mein.
Arjun ka face thoda confuse hua, but strength se aankhen dekha.
Arju
Priya…
Amm
Haan. Jaise hi library mein pata chala ki main nind… stress me hu… test bag me rakh ke waste karne wali hu... toh Priya nikali.
(She snorts, playfully)
Bolti hai... “Ek raat me pregnant nahi hoti beta! Tum test se pehle TV dekhna band karo.
Arjun ke muscles loosen hue, ek chhoti si smile unke lips tak pahunchi.
Arjun
(somewhat chuckling)
Aur
Ammu
Usne mujhe detail pe jaake science samjhaya. Cycle timing, hormone levels, stress... I mean… sab clear kar diya.
And look at me now — tension gone. Bas tum se hi baaki hai.
Arjun ki chehre par pehle shock, phir relief, phir ek awkward laugh aata hai.
Arjun
Tu pagal hai… pure din mujhe bhi darate rahi. Main to mentally baby names tak pahuch gaya tha.
Ammu
(blushing)
Main bhi… thoda over ho gayi thi shayad
Dono ek dusre ki taraf dekhte hain. Arjun bed ke edge pe baith jata hai. Ammu uske kareeb khisakti hai, apna haath uske haath pe rakhte hue.
Ammu
Agar kabhi future mein kuch bhi hota hai…
I know, tu mere sath hoga. Bas yeh yaad rakhna…
Hum dono ki duniya ek dusre se shuru hoti hai, aur wahan hi khatam.
Arju
(taking her hand, softly)
Tu meri poori duniya hai, Ammu.
Aur aaj se… main tujhse kuch nahi chhupaaunga. Na darr. Na guilt. Na pyaar.
Woh uska haath apne labon se laga leta hai.
Ammu uske shoulder pe apna sir rakh deti hai. Window ke baahar ka chaand un dono ke beech ke pyaar ki tarah – pura, narm, aur roshan tha.
[i]Scene fades out.[/i]
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