22

The sole referee was Anjali. She was to decide after the final round! Both Khushi and Arnav were confident about their success. Anjali repented having come for the show! She was in a fix. She looked miserable. Shondeep kept glancing at her serious face. A few moments earlier, she was so happy watching the two magical shows! Now everything depended on her. Shondeep felt sorry for her. "Anjali, don't worry! You can always declare a tie between them!" he said.
"But that would be unfair! I have to declare the winner after the third and final round of both!" she said gravely. "But the problem is, I liked both!" she said in a small voice. Shondeep smiled. "hmm!" he sighed. 

Mummiji and Papaji were diagonally opposite. They did not even look at each other. Mr. Balwindar Shigh was busy talking to his fellow industrialists when someone clutched his hand tightly. He looked at the hand clutching his but before he could react, he was dragged backstage. He was shocked. The darkness in the corner of the green room blinded him.
Only five minutes were left. Papaji was nowhere to be seen. Shondeep felt his absence. He asked Raj. Raj had no idea where papaji was. Raj shrugged and ignored. But Shondeep was little restless. Mummiji was at the other end. She was busy with Raghu who had managed to squeeze some time to talk to his mentor! Mummiji was happy with the first two rounds. "Raghu, you did not let me down! I am happy!" she said with satisfaction. Someone pushed her wheelchair and before she could turn around to look who it was, she was at backstage in a dark corner of the green room! 

Shondeep looked around for Arnav. He was not to be seen. Shondeep went backstage, searching for Arnav. He was with his team and Lavanya was briefing him about the third round. "Arnav.." Shondeep placed his hand on Arnav's shoulder. "Where is Sir?" he asked. "Don't know!" said Arnav. "Why?" he was startled.

"I couldn't find him!" said Shondeep. "Must be around! He will appear once the show starts!" assured Arnav. The last round was crucial for both the teams!

The announcement was made... Shondeep and Anjali looked around. The crucial players had disappeared. There was something seriously wrong. The last minute back out was not possible.
Aakash came running... where is bhai?" he asked. They had no idea where ASR was.
Lavanya looked panic. "The show is about to begin and he has vanished. He is supposed to walk the ramp with me at the end!" she said. 

Raghu came hurriedly, asking about Madam.. "Madam? Who?" asked Shondeep. "Both!" he replied “Khushi and Madam Santosh Kaur!” he was irked.. at this dumb question. 

"The show is about to start!" he looked around and vanished. Shondeep, Anjali and Aakash were searching them frantically. "This is not how I wanted to eliminate the competition!" blurted Anjali. She wanted them to watch their achievements with pride. Not to vanish from the scene! 

*********** ***********

"Papaji, I am sorry!" said the soft voice of Khushi. He tried to focus in the direction in that darkness. She held his hand and said "Papaji... Please... let us not fall for this stupid competition! Please... please papaji!" she pleaded. "No way! Khushi! Just let me go! The show is about to begin!" he roared. Khushi shuddered. Two strong hands grabbed papaji muffling his voice clutching on his mouth. He struggled. 

Blinding torch lights were thrown on his face. Someone started touching up. Someone changed his attire. He was rendered powerless.

"Mummiji.. Please... please stop this... we cannot see you separated! Please stop this competition!" Arnav pleaded in darkness, going down on his knees and putting his hands on her laps. She tried to touch him in darkness. "Please Mummiji!" he pleaded. "We are extremely sorry for deciding to go independent... please forgive us!" he said in a soft voice. 

"No way, Puttar... there is no backing out now! This is make-or-break for me now!" she said with determination.

“ASR…” Regi stood behind…"Please... "His voice faded. Someone pushed Mummiji further in darkness. She was helpless and feeble!!

Someone started making her up! Changing her attire, throwing torch lights on her face, blinding her! 

***** ********* *********

The ramp was lit. The music and voice over reverberated. There was uproar from the crowd. Then it turned into pin drop silence. The ramp and the backdrops were transforming.... People were clapping... there were waves of cheers...! The credits were announced.... Someone was pushing papaji in darkness from the greenroom. He could not resist. He was pushed onto the ramp from the left wing...

Mummiji tried to resist feebly. Her wheel chair was pushed in the darkness. By the time she could assimilate the situation... she was pushed towards the ramp from the right wing ...
Meera and Tej were at centre of the backdrop, with their parents Raj and Elsa waiting for their parents who were pushed by Khushi and Arnav. 

"Papaji.. don't create a scene here... Just shut up and walk the ramp!" Khushi threatened him holding his hand tightly and bringing him near Mummiji.

"Mummiji, I am sorry! You left me with no choice.. Please walk the ramp!" Arnav almost ordered pushing her wheelchair. Papaji and Mummiji came face to face. Arnav turned Mummiji's wheelchair and Khushi pushed papaji a little. He caught hold of the handle of the wheel chair and looked at Khushi... She nodded with tearful eyes clasping her palms,,, pleading and thanking him…. 

Meera and Tej led the ramp followed by Raj and Elsa followed by Papaji pushing mummiji's wheel chair. Meera in a fairy dress and Taj like a prince with miniature turban and Shir pech! Elsa and Raj in Western dress, Elsa with Black gown with uncut stone studded brooch and feathers in her head gear! Raj looked like a Hollywood Hero with his black tuxedo! 

Khushi and Arnav stood at the backdrop. Khushi with Red fitting silk gown specially designed by Regi with uncut stone jewelry, straw hat with red flowers and a net covering her face! Arnav with his blue business suit specially designed by Raghu!

Papaji went upto the edge and stopped. He came around, and kneeling down on the ramp held out his hand. Mummiji took it in hers and slowly got up from the wheel chair. She walked the retreat ramp with the help of her husband holding his hand. Arnav and Khushi came forward and took them to the backdrop. They all walked the runway again together, holding each other's hands bowing to the crowd. The crowd erupted in cheers! Indeed it was a circle of life... With a STYLE !!! Symbol of love and togetherness!! 

Khushi and Arnav walked the ramp hand in hand to conclude their combined third round together bowing to the crowd and amongst the applaud and clapping of the crowd !!!
Aakash couldn’t stop himself from hugging his wife Payal in that crowd!!

Anjali and Shondeep were left flabbergasted and even forgot to clap. When they came back to senses they cheered holding each other's hands in excitement!! 

****** ****** ********

Everyone was making fun of papaji and Mummiji. They kept glancing at each other sheepishly. Even Aakash had joined the party. They were all gathered in the hall of the Mansion after the show. No one was in a mood to take rest or sleep. They were all discussing the show animatedly. 

Payal had entered the Mansion for the first time. She was awed by its grandeur! "Khushi, you stayed in this palace?" she asked mesmerized. Khushi nodded. Shondeep was the special invitee. Papaji had declared a celebration party to everyone from both the teams after the valedictory function of the Fashion Week. Mr. Balwindar Singh was the guest of honor for the concluding ceremony!! 

Khushi was restless. She was waiting for someone or something. She dialed the number several times. It was almost eleven in the night. She went to her room dialing the number. No one paid attention to her. Everyone was in celebration mood! "Uncle, what is this? I had told you to give me by today evening!" she raised her voice. "What do you mean I was not there? Someone was there at home, you could have kept it with the butler chacha!" she was visibly angry. "Nothing doing, uncle.. I want it ASAP! Promise me you will send it tomorrow morning!" she said. Uncle promised. "Thank you Uncle Das!" said Khushi smiling. 

"Khuki…...!" came a stern voice from the other end. "Sorry! Uncle ... Dasgupta!" she said giggling!

"Khushi, Arnav, hats off to you! I mean... I thought one divorce is for sure.. may be two!" said Shondeep grinning, sipping his drink. 

"Shh! Don't say that!" snapped Anjali. She shuddered with the idea of divorce. Shondeep suddenly became serious! 

"He was just joking Di!" said Arnav. 

"So, papaji... back to pavilion to still in study?" asked Khushi winking. Papaji looked at his wify…. She blushed among laughter. 

"How did you manage?" asked Shondeep.

"There was a deep planning.. You see! It was not easy! 'Shateer dimag' of Arnav Singh Raizada!" said Khushi mimicking Arnav. 

"These two hijacked us!" exclaimed Mummiji!

"Yeah we had to!" retorted Arnav. "You two left us with no option!" He said.

"Thank God! Biwi never entered business world. She would have taken over my empire long back! I would have been on the road by now!" said papaji looking at her fondly!! 

"Beware, my dear husband, I can do that now also!" she threatened!
"Mom.. please don't start over again! We have had a hard time clearing up this mess!" said Raj suddenly getting up! 

"Relax Raj, they are inseparable!" said Shondeep!

They all laughed and enjoyed the drinks, lying down topsy-turvy till morning!! The butler woke them up. Arnav and Aakash got up and went to get ready. They were scheduled for the meeting with prospective client. Shondeep went back home. Khushi still had curled up on sofa. 

"Khushi...!" Payal tried to wake her up. "Don't, puttar!" stopped papaji. "Let her have some rest. We have given her enough trouble!" he said putting his hand on Khushi's head. Khushi turned in her sleep muttering "I will not spare you papaji!" 

"See?" papaji laughed and went away. 

***** ********* *******

They were at the party arranged by Mr. Balwindar Singh! Every member from both the teams was present. They were enjoying. Khushi looked little restless. She was clutching her bag. She wanted to talk to her papaji. He was busy talking to the youngsters in the group.

"Papaji..." she clutched  his hand. 

"What?" he asked her.

"I want to make an announcement!" she said clutching his wrist.

"What announcement?" he asked looking at her suspiciously.

"I won't tell you that" she said.

"I won't allow you to make any announcement unless you tell me what it is!" he said sternly.

"Then forget it! I will manage on my own!" she said angrily and went away.

"Khushi, remember its my party!" he shouted at her back.

"Now what is she up to?" wondered Papaji.