09-08-2025, 02:30 PM
Update 73
Afternoon – Delhi Guest House (Finale Day Prep)
Time: Around 1:30 PM, sunlight blazing through the glass windows, lekin guest house ke drawing room mein AC ki thandak aur ek focused silence chhayi hui thi.
Drawing room ke center table par notes, highlighters, speech cue cards aur coffee mugs bikhre hue the. Sofa ke ek kone pe Shanu apne file se points revise kar rahi thi, uske paas Zaheer laptop screen pe last year ke winning teams ke speeches dekh raha tha.
Peeche wall pe ek laminated whiteboard laga tha jahan “Finale: 6 PM – Main Auditorium, Delhi College of Law” likha hua tha.
Shanu, blue shirt aur black jeans mein confident aur composed dikh rahi thi, lekin uske nazar kabhi kabhi Zaheer ke chehre pe chali jaati thi, jaise wo uska stress level read kar rahi ho.
Shanu
Tumhare notes revise ho gaye?
Zaheer
(sighs)
Haan… mostly. Lekin main thoda nervous hu
Shanu
(smiling)
Tum meri strength ho, Zaheer. Tumhare baad hi to meri baat perfect closure leti hai. Don’t forget, hum team hai.
Zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai. Thoda sa relaxed smile deta hai.
Itne mein ek knock hoti hai. Team Coordinator andar aata hai – clipboard le kar.
Coordinator
Team Pink City College – your rehearsal slot in the mini hall is in 20 minutes. Be ready.
Also, make sure you submit your cue cards to the AV team before 3.
Shanu
Thank you. Hum tayyar hain.
Coordinator jaata hai. Shanu kuch second ke liye chup rehti hai, phir Zaheer ke saamne khadi hoti hai, dono haath uske shoulders pe rakhte hue uska chehra dekhti hai.
Shanu
(softly)
Aaj raat sab kuch badal sakta hai.
Par hum wahi ke wahi rahenge, tum aur main… ek team. Stage ke upar bhi,uske baad bhi,puri life me...
Zaheer ke lips pe ek honest, peaceful smile aa jaati hai. Dono ke beech ka tension dissolve hota hai, aur ek calm determination jagta hai.
Itne mein, peeche table pe rakha Shanu ka phone vibrate karta hai. Ek message pop up hota hai:
"Finale will be streamed live at 6 PM. Best of luck!"
— Ammu ?
Shanu phone uthake dekhti hai aur muskurati hai. Zaheer side table se speech cards uthata hai aur uske haath mein de deta hai.
Zaheer
Chalo… finale likhne chalte hain.
Scene ends with both of them exiting the room with their files, door ke handle par Pink City College ka tag latakta rehta hai, hawa mein hilta hua.
Jaipur – Pratap House – 5:55 PM
Time: Evening, 5 minutes before the finale begins. Living room is perfectly set up. Curtains drawn, lights dimmed, aur center wall pe mounted TV pe Delhi ka finale livestream open hai – countdown chal raha hai: “Starting in 00:04:37”
Sofa pe Azhar thoda lean karke baitha hai, remote uske haath mein. Side table pe ek chhoti si chai ki tray aur biscuit ka plate. Uske baju mein Madhu — focused, shanu ki mummy jaisi chinta aur garv dono uski aankhon mein.
Arjun floor pe folded knees ke saath baitha hai, elbows apne thighs pe tikaye, aankhon mein silent tension.
Ammu thoda door ek chair pe baithi hai, lekin uska poora dhyaan TV ke countdown par nahi, Arjun ke face pe hai. Uska chehra soft hai, usme ek maturity aur ek samajh hai — jaise raat ki sari confusion dissolve ho chuki ho.
Asma excitement mein thodi aur badi ho gayi lag rahi thi. Couch ke armrest pe baith ke popcorn kha rahi thi.
Asma
Bhai! Dekho na Shanu di ka naam aayega pehle ya Zaheer bhai ka? Main to betting kar sakti hoon!
Madhu
(softly)
Asma… chup baith. Pehle dekh to lo stage pe kaun pehle aata hai.
Ammu, halka sa smile karti hai, aur Arjun ki taraf jhukti hai.
Ammu
(ab awaaz dhimi)
Tum kaafi serious ho aaj… jitna tournament ke din bhi nahi the.
Arjun uski taraf dekhta hai, lekin zyada kuch keh nahi paata. Sirf ek muskurahat, jisme guilt, nervousness aur ek undercurrent of protectiveness tha.
Arjun
(softly)
Shanu aur Zaheer dono wahan hain… aur hum yahaan… bas dekh rahe hain.
Kabhi kabhi kuch kar na paana sabse zyada bechaini deta hai.
Azhar ki awaaz unke conversation ke beech padti hai.
Azhar
(looking at Madhu)
Zaheer ne kaha tha… agar wo jeeta, to isbaar team trophy ghar laaye bina wapas nahi aayega.
Madhu
(half laughing)
Shanu bhi yahi keh ke gayi thi. Uska confidence to dekho… jaise trophy already uske shelf pe ho.
TV par crowd ka cheer bajta hai. Camera pan karta hai Delhi auditorium ke glittering stage par.
Background music – high-octane, suspenseful.
Anchor ki awaaz aati hai:
“Welcome to the Grand Finale of the National Inter-College Debate Championship 2025!”
“First up – from Jaipur Pink City College – please welcome Zaheer Qureshi and Shanaya singh
Living room mein sab ki aankhen ek saath screen ki taraf fix ho jaati hain.
Shanu aur Zaheer screen par appear hote hain — poised, confident, aur ek zabardast stage presence ke saath. Shanu ka suit elegant hai, aur Zaheer ka blazer perfect fit.
Arjun aankhen TV se hata kar ek pal ke liye Ammu ko dekhta hai — jaise usse batana chahta ho ki uski behen aur Ammu ka bhai… dono is waqt India ke best stage pe khade hain.
[i]Scene fades with screen full volume par… aur sab ki aankhen shanu ke bolne se pehle uske chehre ko dekhne mein uljhi hui hoti hain…[/i]
Bright lights flood the Delhi auditorium. The energy is high, tension coiled tight across the air as the Finale Round of the intercollegiate competition begins.
The format is different today — not a formal debate but a cross-question round, where finalist teams will challenge each other's ideologies and opinions. On the screen behind the stage, the theme flashes boldly:
Modern India vs Conservative India: The New Struggle
On one side of the stage, wearing navy blazers with a proud badge of Jaipur Pink City College, stand Shanaya Singh, Zaheer Qureshi,
posture.
The moderator steps up with a calm, firm voice.
Moderator
Today's round will test not just your opinions, but your conviction under pressure. Cross-questioning begins now. Each team gets three chances to raise a counter-question. The mic is live.
Miranda Halls begins.
Miranda Halls ki representative apna sawal padh rahi thi,
Miranda Team Lead
Aapke hisaab se modern India ka matlab sirf western dressing aur liberal lifestyle tak seemit kyun hai?
Zaheer ne ek pal ke liye aankhon mein mirchi jaisi tej roshni li, lekin uska jawaab... ek dam composed tha. Microphone ko thoda adjust karte hue usne apna jawab diya.
Zaheer
Modern India ka matlab sirf western attire nahi hota... aur na hi liberal hone ka matlab be-matlab boundaries tod dena hai. Aaj ka modern India woh hai jahan ladki apne sapno ka career chun sakti hai, jahan ek ladka khud apne emotions express kar sakta hai bina yeh soche ki usse ‘kamzor’ kaha jayega.
Hall mein ek halki si sarahna sunayi di. Zaheer ne ek baar Shanu ki taraf dekha, jise uski aankhon mein ek spark dikha. Shanu ke honth halke se curve hue—woh uske jawaab ko silently approve kar rahi thi.
Zaheer (continuing)
Aur conservative hone ka matlab hamesha backward hona nahi hota. Hamari sanskriti, hamare rivaayat... agar hum inka samman karte hain, toh woh humein jodte hain, humein jadh se banaye rakhte hain. Lekin agar hum usi tradition ke naam pe kisi aur ke decisions ko control karne lagte hain, toh woh modern society ke khilaaf hai.
Is baar claps thode aur zor se aaye. Moderator ne haath uthakar sabko shaant kiya.
Moderator
Thank you, Jaipur Pink City College. Miranda team, aapka pratikriya?
Miranda ki side se ek ladki uthi—confident, sharp—but zaheer ke baad uska jawab halka lag raha tha. Uske points factual the, lekin unme woh jazba nahi tha jo zaheer ke words me tha.
TV par sab dekh rahe the. Ammu, Madhu, Arjun, Azhar… sab ke chehre par garv tha. Ammu ke chehre pe ek aur hi glow tha.
Ammu (whispering to Arjun)
Ye mera bhai hai… aaj pure stage pe chhaa gaya.
Arjun ne muskurakar haan me sir hila diya,
Arjun
Aaj sabse pehle baar uski aankhon me kisi aur ke liye kuch tha… aur wo tha sirf tumhari Shanu ke liye.
Cut back to stage. Shanu ab next mic par ja chuki thi, Miranda se ek sharp aur well-phrased counter question puchne ke liye. Lekin camera us waqt zaheer ke chehre par zoom karta hai—uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si sukoon thi, jaise usne sirf competition nahi jeeta... balki apne andar ka ek war bhi khatam kiya ho.
Stage par ek pal ke liye spotlight jaise sirf Shanu par tik gaya ho. Uske haathon mein mic tha, aankhon mein intense clarity. Zaheer ne uske chair se peeche halki si taarif bhari nazar us par daali.
Moderator
Jaipur Pink City College, your turn to ask.
Shanu ne sida aankhon me aankhon daal kar Miranda team ki lead debater ko dekha. Uska sawaal seedha tha — lekin beneath that, ek challenge tha.
Shanu
Aapne kaha ki modern India ka matlab hai freedom of expression and choice. Mera sawaal hai — kya aap log apni family ke against jaake interfaith ya same-gender relationship support karenge... agar kal aapke ghar me aisa koi decision aaye? Kya aap apni ideology tab bhi utni hi fiercely defend karenge?
Hall ek pal ke liye bilkul chup ho gaya. Even moderator ki aankhon mein thoda interest aaya.
Miranda team lead — ek calm, composed ladki — mic le kar khadi hui. Usne ek second socha... fir boli.
Miranda Lead
Shayad mera jawaab aapko uncomfortable kare. Lekin sach yeh hai... ki freedom ka matlab hota hai honest hona.
Usne ek deep breath li.
Miranda Lead (continuing)
Main apne parents ke against nahi jaungi. Kyun? Kyunki unka sacrifice meri ideology se zyada important hai. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main apne beliefs chhod doongi. Modern India ka matlab hai — discussion, not destruction. Agar main kisi bhi relationship ko support karti hoon, toh main pehle apni family ko samjhaungi… unki insecurities ko samjhungi. Aur agar wo mujhe rok bhi dete hain… toh main protest nahi, patience choose karungi.
Hall stunned tha.
Zaheer ka body straighten hua. Shanu ka chehra neutral tha — lekin aankhon mein ek flicker… jaise respect jaisi cheez utthi ho.
Miranda Lead (final line)
Real revolution wahi hoti hai jo ghar ke andar shuru hoti hai… naara lagana asaan hota hai, lekin apno ko samjhana modern India ka asli courage hai.
Ek second ke liye silence. Fir taliyon ka ek flood.
Scoreboard screen par flash hota hai:
Jaipur Pink City College: 92/100
Miranda Halls, Delhi University: 92/100
Moderator (with smile)
It’s a tie, ladies and gentlemen! Final question round will be the tiebreaker — and the decider for the national championship trophy!
Living room mein ghanaghor sannata tha — sirf TV screen se aati commentary aur occasional background music sunai de raha tha. Do tray chai ke cups se bhare hue center table par rakhe the, lekin kisi ne unhe haath bhi nahi lagaya tha.
Pratap sofa ke beech me baithe the, dono haath Azhar ke haathon mein. Ek baap jiska beta ab sirf ek beta nahi, ek zimmedari ban chuka tha. Unki aankhon mein thakaan nahi thi, lekin jitna bhi sab kuch dekha tha zindagi mein, aaj kuch naya dekh rahe the — apne bachchon ko badalte hue, badlaav ke sath ladte hue.
Azhar ka chehra serious tha, lekin aankhon mein bharosa.
Azhar
(halke se muskurate hue)
Aaj kuch to badalne wala hai, Pratap bhai.
Pratap
(dheere se sir hilaate hue)
Chahe trophy aaye ya na aaye… lekin aaj hamare bachchon ne apne liye naam jeet liya hai.
Madhu ek kone mein bethi thi, jahan Asma ne apna haath unke kandhe par rakh rakha tha. Dono ki aankhen screen se chipki hui thi — Madhu ki aankhon mein maa ka dar tha, aur Asma ke chehre pe woh khushi jo sirf apne bhai behen ko stage par dekhkar milti hai.
TV screen par competition ka intro chal raha tha — lights, judges, final scoreboard.
Arjun ek chair ke kinare pe bitha tha, dono elbows ghutnon pe, haath jode hue — jaise kisi mandir me baitha ho. Uski aankhen TV pe chipki hui thi, par andar kuch aur chal raha tha. Pura dhyaan Shanu aur Zaheer par — lekin sirf ek bhai ke roop me nahi. Usme guilt bhi tha, pride bhi.
Ammu uske paas wali chair par bethi thi, thoda jhuki hui. Pehle toh uski aankhen screen pe thi, lekin jab usne Arjun ke haath ki tight grip dekhi, uska stare — usne dheere se uske kandhe ko chhoo kar kaha
Ammu
(softly)
Bharosa rakho. Dono jeet ke hi lautenge.
Arjun ne uski taraf dekha — ek halki si smile aayi, jisme shukriya tha… aur relief bhi. Usne chai ka cup uthaya, lekin peete waqt haath thoda kaap gaya. Ammu ne turant uska cup neeche rakh diya.
Background me TV se awaaz aayi:
TV Announcer
Final round begins in five minutes. This is going to be the most exciting face-off in the competition's history.
Sab ki nazar screen par chipak gayi.
Pratap aur Azhar ab bhi ek dusre ka haath pakde hue the. Arjun aur Ammu ek hi rhythm me saans le rahe the. Madhu aur Asma ki aankhon me emotion tha, lekin lips pe ek silent dua.
Ek pal ka silence. Fir screen par flare aata hai:
FINAL ROUND: TIEBREAKER QUESTION. ONE QUESTION. ONE ANSWER. ONE WINNER.
Afternoon – Delhi Guest House (Finale Day Prep)
Time: Around 1:30 PM, sunlight blazing through the glass windows, lekin guest house ke drawing room mein AC ki thandak aur ek focused silence chhayi hui thi.
Drawing room ke center table par notes, highlighters, speech cue cards aur coffee mugs bikhre hue the. Sofa ke ek kone pe Shanu apne file se points revise kar rahi thi, uske paas Zaheer laptop screen pe last year ke winning teams ke speeches dekh raha tha.
Peeche wall pe ek laminated whiteboard laga tha jahan “Finale: 6 PM – Main Auditorium, Delhi College of Law” likha hua tha.
Shanu, blue shirt aur black jeans mein confident aur composed dikh rahi thi, lekin uske nazar kabhi kabhi Zaheer ke chehre pe chali jaati thi, jaise wo uska stress level read kar rahi ho.
Shanu
Tumhare notes revise ho gaye?
Zaheer
(sighs)
Haan… mostly. Lekin main thoda nervous hu
Shanu
(smiling)
Tum meri strength ho, Zaheer. Tumhare baad hi to meri baat perfect closure leti hai. Don’t forget, hum team hai.
Zaheer uski taraf dekhta hai. Thoda sa relaxed smile deta hai.
Itne mein ek knock hoti hai. Team Coordinator andar aata hai – clipboard le kar.
Coordinator
Team Pink City College – your rehearsal slot in the mini hall is in 20 minutes. Be ready.
Also, make sure you submit your cue cards to the AV team before 3.
Shanu
Thank you. Hum tayyar hain.
Coordinator jaata hai. Shanu kuch second ke liye chup rehti hai, phir Zaheer ke saamne khadi hoti hai, dono haath uske shoulders pe rakhte hue uska chehra dekhti hai.
Shanu
(softly)
Aaj raat sab kuch badal sakta hai.
Par hum wahi ke wahi rahenge, tum aur main… ek team. Stage ke upar bhi,uske baad bhi,puri life me...
Zaheer ke lips pe ek honest, peaceful smile aa jaati hai. Dono ke beech ka tension dissolve hota hai, aur ek calm determination jagta hai.
Itne mein, peeche table pe rakha Shanu ka phone vibrate karta hai. Ek message pop up hota hai:
"Finale will be streamed live at 6 PM. Best of luck!"
— Ammu ?
Shanu phone uthake dekhti hai aur muskurati hai. Zaheer side table se speech cards uthata hai aur uske haath mein de deta hai.
Zaheer
Chalo… finale likhne chalte hain.
Scene ends with both of them exiting the room with their files, door ke handle par Pink City College ka tag latakta rehta hai, hawa mein hilta hua.
Jaipur – Pratap House – 5:55 PM
Time: Evening, 5 minutes before the finale begins. Living room is perfectly set up. Curtains drawn, lights dimmed, aur center wall pe mounted TV pe Delhi ka finale livestream open hai – countdown chal raha hai: “Starting in 00:04:37”
Sofa pe Azhar thoda lean karke baitha hai, remote uske haath mein. Side table pe ek chhoti si chai ki tray aur biscuit ka plate. Uske baju mein Madhu — focused, shanu ki mummy jaisi chinta aur garv dono uski aankhon mein.
Arjun floor pe folded knees ke saath baitha hai, elbows apne thighs pe tikaye, aankhon mein silent tension.
Ammu thoda door ek chair pe baithi hai, lekin uska poora dhyaan TV ke countdown par nahi, Arjun ke face pe hai. Uska chehra soft hai, usme ek maturity aur ek samajh hai — jaise raat ki sari confusion dissolve ho chuki ho.
Asma excitement mein thodi aur badi ho gayi lag rahi thi. Couch ke armrest pe baith ke popcorn kha rahi thi.
Asma
Bhai! Dekho na Shanu di ka naam aayega pehle ya Zaheer bhai ka? Main to betting kar sakti hoon!
Madhu
(softly)
Asma… chup baith. Pehle dekh to lo stage pe kaun pehle aata hai.
Ammu, halka sa smile karti hai, aur Arjun ki taraf jhukti hai.
Ammu
(ab awaaz dhimi)
Tum kaafi serious ho aaj… jitna tournament ke din bhi nahi the.
Arjun uski taraf dekhta hai, lekin zyada kuch keh nahi paata. Sirf ek muskurahat, jisme guilt, nervousness aur ek undercurrent of protectiveness tha.
Arjun
(softly)
Shanu aur Zaheer dono wahan hain… aur hum yahaan… bas dekh rahe hain.
Kabhi kabhi kuch kar na paana sabse zyada bechaini deta hai.
Azhar ki awaaz unke conversation ke beech padti hai.
Azhar
(looking at Madhu)
Zaheer ne kaha tha… agar wo jeeta, to isbaar team trophy ghar laaye bina wapas nahi aayega.
Madhu
(half laughing)
Shanu bhi yahi keh ke gayi thi. Uska confidence to dekho… jaise trophy already uske shelf pe ho.
TV par crowd ka cheer bajta hai. Camera pan karta hai Delhi auditorium ke glittering stage par.
Background music – high-octane, suspenseful.
Anchor ki awaaz aati hai:
“Welcome to the Grand Finale of the National Inter-College Debate Championship 2025!”
“First up – from Jaipur Pink City College – please welcome Zaheer Qureshi and Shanaya singh
Living room mein sab ki aankhen ek saath screen ki taraf fix ho jaati hain.
Shanu aur Zaheer screen par appear hote hain — poised, confident, aur ek zabardast stage presence ke saath. Shanu ka suit elegant hai, aur Zaheer ka blazer perfect fit.
Arjun aankhen TV se hata kar ek pal ke liye Ammu ko dekhta hai — jaise usse batana chahta ho ki uski behen aur Ammu ka bhai… dono is waqt India ke best stage pe khade hain.
[i]Scene fades with screen full volume par… aur sab ki aankhen shanu ke bolne se pehle uske chehre ko dekhne mein uljhi hui hoti hain…[/i]
Bright lights flood the Delhi auditorium. The energy is high, tension coiled tight across the air as the Finale Round of the intercollegiate competition begins.
The format is different today — not a formal debate but a cross-question round, where finalist teams will challenge each other's ideologies and opinions. On the screen behind the stage, the theme flashes boldly:
Modern India vs Conservative India: The New Struggle
On one side of the stage, wearing navy blazers with a proud badge of Jaipur Pink City College, stand Shanaya Singh, Zaheer Qureshi,
posture.
The moderator steps up with a calm, firm voice.
Moderator
Today's round will test not just your opinions, but your conviction under pressure. Cross-questioning begins now. Each team gets three chances to raise a counter-question. The mic is live.
Miranda Halls begins.
Miranda Halls ki representative apna sawal padh rahi thi,
Miranda Team Lead
Aapke hisaab se modern India ka matlab sirf western dressing aur liberal lifestyle tak seemit kyun hai?
Zaheer ne ek pal ke liye aankhon mein mirchi jaisi tej roshni li, lekin uska jawaab... ek dam composed tha. Microphone ko thoda adjust karte hue usne apna jawab diya.
Zaheer
Modern India ka matlab sirf western attire nahi hota... aur na hi liberal hone ka matlab be-matlab boundaries tod dena hai. Aaj ka modern India woh hai jahan ladki apne sapno ka career chun sakti hai, jahan ek ladka khud apne emotions express kar sakta hai bina yeh soche ki usse ‘kamzor’ kaha jayega.
Hall mein ek halki si sarahna sunayi di. Zaheer ne ek baar Shanu ki taraf dekha, jise uski aankhon mein ek spark dikha. Shanu ke honth halke se curve hue—woh uske jawaab ko silently approve kar rahi thi.
Zaheer (continuing)
Aur conservative hone ka matlab hamesha backward hona nahi hota. Hamari sanskriti, hamare rivaayat... agar hum inka samman karte hain, toh woh humein jodte hain, humein jadh se banaye rakhte hain. Lekin agar hum usi tradition ke naam pe kisi aur ke decisions ko control karne lagte hain, toh woh modern society ke khilaaf hai.
Is baar claps thode aur zor se aaye. Moderator ne haath uthakar sabko shaant kiya.
Moderator
Thank you, Jaipur Pink City College. Miranda team, aapka pratikriya?
Miranda ki side se ek ladki uthi—confident, sharp—but zaheer ke baad uska jawab halka lag raha tha. Uske points factual the, lekin unme woh jazba nahi tha jo zaheer ke words me tha.
TV par sab dekh rahe the. Ammu, Madhu, Arjun, Azhar… sab ke chehre par garv tha. Ammu ke chehre pe ek aur hi glow tha.
Ammu (whispering to Arjun)
Ye mera bhai hai… aaj pure stage pe chhaa gaya.
Arjun ne muskurakar haan me sir hila diya,
Arjun
Aaj sabse pehle baar uski aankhon me kisi aur ke liye kuch tha… aur wo tha sirf tumhari Shanu ke liye.
Cut back to stage. Shanu ab next mic par ja chuki thi, Miranda se ek sharp aur well-phrased counter question puchne ke liye. Lekin camera us waqt zaheer ke chehre par zoom karta hai—uski aankhon me ek ajeeb si sukoon thi, jaise usne sirf competition nahi jeeta... balki apne andar ka ek war bhi khatam kiya ho.
Stage par ek pal ke liye spotlight jaise sirf Shanu par tik gaya ho. Uske haathon mein mic tha, aankhon mein intense clarity. Zaheer ne uske chair se peeche halki si taarif bhari nazar us par daali.
Moderator
Jaipur Pink City College, your turn to ask.
Shanu ne sida aankhon me aankhon daal kar Miranda team ki lead debater ko dekha. Uska sawaal seedha tha — lekin beneath that, ek challenge tha.
Shanu
Aapne kaha ki modern India ka matlab hai freedom of expression and choice. Mera sawaal hai — kya aap log apni family ke against jaake interfaith ya same-gender relationship support karenge... agar kal aapke ghar me aisa koi decision aaye? Kya aap apni ideology tab bhi utni hi fiercely defend karenge?
Hall ek pal ke liye bilkul chup ho gaya. Even moderator ki aankhon mein thoda interest aaya.
Miranda team lead — ek calm, composed ladki — mic le kar khadi hui. Usne ek second socha... fir boli.
Miranda Lead
Shayad mera jawaab aapko uncomfortable kare. Lekin sach yeh hai... ki freedom ka matlab hota hai honest hona.
Usne ek deep breath li.
Miranda Lead (continuing)
Main apne parents ke against nahi jaungi. Kyun? Kyunki unka sacrifice meri ideology se zyada important hai. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki main apne beliefs chhod doongi. Modern India ka matlab hai — discussion, not destruction. Agar main kisi bhi relationship ko support karti hoon, toh main pehle apni family ko samjhaungi… unki insecurities ko samjhungi. Aur agar wo mujhe rok bhi dete hain… toh main protest nahi, patience choose karungi.
Hall stunned tha.
Zaheer ka body straighten hua. Shanu ka chehra neutral tha — lekin aankhon mein ek flicker… jaise respect jaisi cheez utthi ho.
Miranda Lead (final line)
Real revolution wahi hoti hai jo ghar ke andar shuru hoti hai… naara lagana asaan hota hai, lekin apno ko samjhana modern India ka asli courage hai.
Ek second ke liye silence. Fir taliyon ka ek flood.
Scoreboard screen par flash hota hai:
Jaipur Pink City College: 92/100
Miranda Halls, Delhi University: 92/100
Moderator (with smile)
It’s a tie, ladies and gentlemen! Final question round will be the tiebreaker — and the decider for the national championship trophy!
Living room mein ghanaghor sannata tha — sirf TV screen se aati commentary aur occasional background music sunai de raha tha. Do tray chai ke cups se bhare hue center table par rakhe the, lekin kisi ne unhe haath bhi nahi lagaya tha.
Pratap sofa ke beech me baithe the, dono haath Azhar ke haathon mein. Ek baap jiska beta ab sirf ek beta nahi, ek zimmedari ban chuka tha. Unki aankhon mein thakaan nahi thi, lekin jitna bhi sab kuch dekha tha zindagi mein, aaj kuch naya dekh rahe the — apne bachchon ko badalte hue, badlaav ke sath ladte hue.
Azhar ka chehra serious tha, lekin aankhon mein bharosa.
Azhar
(halke se muskurate hue)
Aaj kuch to badalne wala hai, Pratap bhai.
Pratap
(dheere se sir hilaate hue)
Chahe trophy aaye ya na aaye… lekin aaj hamare bachchon ne apne liye naam jeet liya hai.
Madhu ek kone mein bethi thi, jahan Asma ne apna haath unke kandhe par rakh rakha tha. Dono ki aankhen screen se chipki hui thi — Madhu ki aankhon mein maa ka dar tha, aur Asma ke chehre pe woh khushi jo sirf apne bhai behen ko stage par dekhkar milti hai.
TV screen par competition ka intro chal raha tha — lights, judges, final scoreboard.
Arjun ek chair ke kinare pe bitha tha, dono elbows ghutnon pe, haath jode hue — jaise kisi mandir me baitha ho. Uski aankhen TV pe chipki hui thi, par andar kuch aur chal raha tha. Pura dhyaan Shanu aur Zaheer par — lekin sirf ek bhai ke roop me nahi. Usme guilt bhi tha, pride bhi.
Ammu uske paas wali chair par bethi thi, thoda jhuki hui. Pehle toh uski aankhen screen pe thi, lekin jab usne Arjun ke haath ki tight grip dekhi, uska stare — usne dheere se uske kandhe ko chhoo kar kaha
Ammu
(softly)
Bharosa rakho. Dono jeet ke hi lautenge.
Arjun ne uski taraf dekha — ek halki si smile aayi, jisme shukriya tha… aur relief bhi. Usne chai ka cup uthaya, lekin peete waqt haath thoda kaap gaya. Ammu ne turant uska cup neeche rakh diya.
Background me TV se awaaz aayi:
TV Announcer
Final round begins in five minutes. This is going to be the most exciting face-off in the competition's history.
Sab ki nazar screen par chipak gayi.
Pratap aur Azhar ab bhi ek dusre ka haath pakde hue the. Arjun aur Ammu ek hi rhythm me saans le rahe the. Madhu aur Asma ki aankhon me emotion tha, lekin lips pe ek silent dua.
Ek pal ka silence. Fir screen par flare aata hai:
FINAL ROUND: TIEBREAKER QUESTION. ONE QUESTION. ONE ANSWER. ONE WINNER.
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