Heroine and her partner

Vineet walks in a hurry towards the interrogation room. He quickly opens the gate only to see Shyam, along with two other cops, investigating the mother of the girl G-one saved.

Shyam: So, where is your husband right now?

Mother: He is in the hospital. Doctors adviced him to stay in for a little longer.

Vineet: (walks in)

Shyam: Finally, my partner is here.

Vineet: Nice to meet you mam. Sorry for keeping you here.

Mother: It's ok. I am glad I could help.

Vineet: (sits beside Shyam)

Shyam: I am very grateful to God that your husband and daughter both are safe.

Mother: Me too. I was in a mess when my husband took off with my daughter, leaving me behind. I was so scared. He wasn't acting as himself.

Vineet: If I am sure, you said earlier that your husband hit you when you tried to stop him from going out, is that true?

Mother: (sad, lowers head) I don't know what came upon him all of a sudden. I just wanted to know where he was going with our daughter but he wouldn't say anything. When I tried to force him to talk, you know what happened after that.

Shyam: Let's not bring up the past traumas. Your husband wasn't in control of himself, this should be enough for you to forgive him. Well, we all already did.

Vineet: He apparently didn't do anything to us, so we are not in any position of forgiving anyone actually.

Shyam: For your information, he actually kidnapped his own daughter giving us one more burden. Take that in consideration.

Vineet: He actually brought his daughter back to his home, so there is no reason for condemning him.

Mother: It's not his father who brought her back actually.

Shyam: Actually, I was thinking the same thing, why would a father who kidnapped her own daughter bring her back by himself?

Vineet: He was actually not his father at the moment, so you can't exactly blame him for anything.

Shyam: Did you notice something?

Vineet: What actually?

Shyam: We are using actually too much actually?

Vineet: You should stop saying that then actually.

Shyam: You are the one who actually started that.

Vineet: You can actually stop that.

The cops behind giggle.

Mother: Excuse me, what did you call me here for actually? To play this game of actually?

Vineet and Shyam get serious.

Vineet: Well, mam, I will be direct here. You said someone else brought your daughter back, who was it?

Mother: He was a cop.

Vineet: Mam, this is not a joke. If a cop had found your daughter, your daughter would have been brought to station first before taking her back to home. That's how police works.

Mother: But it's true. He was a cop. Atleast he acted like one. And my daughter didn't seem afraid of him either.

Shyam: Was the person wearing police uniform?

Mother: No, he was in normal. He seemed like a college students. Almost same as around your age, if I am right.

Vineet: This is confusing mam. The person that brought your daughter back may as well be one of the terrorists.

Mother: This can't be. He seemed like a resident of the neighborhood.

Vineet: I heard your daughter had scars all over her body. Could you confirm how she got that?

Mother: Her father whipped her. She herself admitted that.

Vineet: How can you trust your daughter?

Mother: What are you talking about? She is my daughter. Why wouldn't I trust her?

Vineet: I didn't mean to offend you Mam. I just want to say, like your husband, your daughter might also be brainwashed.

Mother: No way, (confused) But she herself said that her father ...

Vineet: If I were to guess. The person who brought her back might be the one who brainwashed her to blame her father for all the scars.

Mother: But, why would he do that?

Vineet: To generate conflict between you and your husband. That's why.

Mother: But I don't even know him, why would he do that?

Vineet: Cause that's what terrorist do. They don't need a reason to destroy families. They just do it for the fun of it.

Mother: If that was his intention, why would he come with my daughter, show me his face? He could have left my daughter outside and run.

Vineet: Well, there is another possibility that he is not what we think. He could be a good person. But nothing is sure.

Mother: Well, I refuse to believe he was a terrorist. He had such a pure smile. Like he was genuinely relieved that my daughter has returned to me.

Shyam: Your beliefs don't justify any particular trait of that man. You need to understand here.

Mother: What do you want me to do then?

Shyam: We will need you to identify that person.

Mother: But I have never met him before. I might be able to recognise him if I see him again.

Vineet: That would be enough. Please, contact the station if you see that boy again. I hope you will co-operate with us.

Mother: I guess, I can do that.

Shyam: Then you can leave mam. I hope your husband gets well soon and your daughter stay safe.

Mother: Thankyou (walks out).

Vineet: (leans back) Phew! What do you think?

Shyam: If he is a resident of this city, she will surely encounter him again.

Vineet: Not that.

Shyam: Then what?

Vineet: About him? He doesn't sound like a terrorist from what the lady told.

Shyam: We can't tell until we meet him ourselves.

Vineet: Well, what about the survey cameras? Did you find something?

Shyam: Hmm, we did get to know that the truck didn't explode by itself. There were people there but it's not clear on the screen.

Vineet: How so? Aren't the survey cameras supposed to have high megapixels?

Shyam: Only if it were that easy. You don't see movies, do you?

Vineet: You don't mean the camera malfunctioned at the right moment?

Shyam: You do watch movies.

Vineet: Shit, we are definitely dealing with supernatural here.

Shyam: The face camera of the supermarket also captured a lightning tail passing by the front of the market.

Vineet: Since when did lightning strikes began travelling by roads?

Shyam: I was surprised as well. It wasn't clear too.

Vineet: You didn't think you can see lightning strike, did you? Come on.

Shyam: I am sure now this case is supernatural. What do you think we should do?

Vineet: Waiting, is all that we can do right now. The culprits will soon be in our clutches by themselves.

Shyam: If only it were that easy.

Vineet: You are not starting the actually game again, this time with "if only it were that easy", phrase.

Shyam: We are superior officers. Will you act like one please?

Vineet: Hold your underwear first.

Shyam: (looks at his hips) The hell!

Vineet: It was a joke, a joke, idiot.

Shyam: We are superior officers, for god sakes.

The college became more than lively after the lifting of lockdown and ofcourse, due to the rescues as well. The students, after all the chaos, try to go back to their same college routines. The group was sitting chewing on their lunches. Nikita was staring at Piyush, making him anxious, interrupting his meal with her wicked smiles. Akash and Lily were engaged in their love talks, stealing food from each other's boxes. G-one was swiping through his phone showing Moon and Mia that he has installed insta and WhatsApp. Lavangi and Simar were whispering in their minds about the new plans that their mothers filled inside and how to properly excute them.

Lavangi: Hey, Piyush!

Piyush: Ye, yes?

Lavangi: You didn't reply me yesterday.

Piyush: Reply you on what exactly mam? (chews)

Lavangi: The question I asked you on insta.

Simar and Nikita look at Lavangi, surprised.

Simar: (thinks) She found him too. Must be Akash, I thought I was the only one who sent him friend request. But looks like she copied me again. Must be her mother, I can't imagine a bitch tail like her to come up with such an idea.

Nikita: (thinks) Cunniving witch, she is trying hard, isn't she? She barged into his social account as well. I think I will need to make her go silent for ever.

Piyush: Ya, I saw everything after following you back. So thankyou. And I asked you not to search for me on insta.

Nikita: (smiles, thinks) Well, I don't think I will need to slice her throat. Looks like Piyush is not very interested in her. Hah!

Lavangi: Oh come on, those are old pictures. I can always upload new ones. That suits your tastes, personally.

Piyush: (coughs, strikes his chest)

Lavangi: Piyush, what happened? Here, drink some water.

Piyush: I am good. Let it be.

Simar: (chewing, thinks) I won't say anything, or she will find out I have also asked the same thing of him. I can't believe I really said that (blushes).

Nikita: (thinks) What's this? Is she trying to seduce her? This bitch, I will pull him in my arms so tightly, that he won't stumble into someone else's seduction even by mistake.

Lavangi: Oh! Why not? I am giving you a golden opportunity here.

Piyush: I don't need that much gold, ok. I am fine with what I already have.

Lavangi: You already have some! What the? (looks at Nikita, angrily)

Piyush: (looks at Simar as she was not saying anything)

Simar: (thought that Piyush is looking at her for what she said yesterday on insta, blushes) Forget about it Piyush, I take it back.

Lavangi: (surprised by Simar) Huh!?

Piyush: (whispers) Why did you even say that when it's this embarrassing?

Lavangi: (thinks) Hold it! Was Piyush talking about Simar?

Nikita: (grinning, thinks) Piyush must be referring me as the gold he has. Wow! My darling.

Piyush: (thinks) Damn, Lavangi is hell bent on ruining my hard earned physique. I am not gonna loose my muscles this time. My gold, my diamond, I will never sell you out. Gotta eat properly.

And the girls have the wrong idea what gold Piyush is referring to here.

G-one: Hey, Akash I can't find Mia on insta.

Akash: Huh! Mia, are you on insta?

Mia: Well, I think so. I have registered myself on FB, but I don't use it very much.

Akash: You are not mental, are you? FB and insta are different platforms. You gotta register on it separately.

Moon: This means I am not on insta as well.

Akash: Get a smartphone first, fantasy princess.

G-one: Don't worry Moon, you can always use my phone.

Moon: Then I will be on insta too.

G-one: Yes.

Moon: Wait, what do I have to do on insta again?

G-one: Upload your photos, see photos of your friends, etc stuffs.

Moon: Oh! I see. Then can I see anyone's photos.

G-one: I guess. As long as you are friends with each other.

Mia: We can use text messaging on it too, I think.

Moon: Then we can chat on it late nights, like Akash and Lily.

Akash: Hey, don't announce it.

Lily: (swats Akash) Don't admit it, stupid.

G-one: (giggles at them) Well, you can always chat on whatsapp. I don't think you need insta for that.

Moon: Is that so? Then why didn't I ever try it?

G-one: You know how to use virtual keyboard.

Moon: I have seen you using it. It has the same key arrangements as your laptop keyboards, right?

G-one: Yes, you noticed.

Moon: I can use it. Let's chat late at night then, shall we Mia?

Mia: (smiles) Yes, ofcourse. But, I want you to create an insta account for me too.

G-one: But you got WhatsApp.

Mia: I heard Lavangi say, that there are some stuff that you can do only on insta. And since everyone is using it, I shall too.

G-one: But, most of the things you can do on whats....

Moon: Do it, what's the big deal? If she wants then do it, stupid. Is it gonna cost money?

G-one: No.

Moon: Then make it for her. I will chat her on insta, I am not gonna use whatsapp. Now, do it.

G-one: Okay! I will, geez. Don't get so bouncy.

Nikita: (happy) I think, I should head back to my class now (walks away).

G-one: Looks like her stomach is ticklish.

Lavangi: Freeloading good for nothing. Her stomach should be happy after having free meals like this everyday.

G-one: She doesn't eat that much, does she?

Lavangi: She picks the good ones and finishes them off first. The hell matters if she doesn't eat much.

G-one: Then we will have to write and stick it on our boxes lids, "Caution on eating the good stuff, it can cost you". This might stop her from Freeloading then I guess.

Akash: Damn, better mention the price then too.

Everyone laughs.

Simar was still red and couldn't look Piyush straight to the face. Piyush gave no mind to her anyway. Lavangi, realises that something was off after seeing Simar so flushed.

Lily: I will be going too then (stands).

Moon: Already?

Lily: I should get together with my classmates for the next class.

Akash: I shall come with you too then. Anyone else coming?

G-one: (still busy on phone) Nah! Enjoy your time.

Akash: What time, termite?

G-one: You will make me say it then, alone time with your heroine.

Akash: Oh that! You know everything.

Piyush: You asked on purpose knowing that we won't go, didn't you?

Akash: Ok, let's go, my heroine.

Lily: Well, I am not leaving you for that.

Akash: Oh come on, you didn't have to say that.

G-one: (giggles) Get going already, before we decide to go too.

Moon: Well, I think I should accompany her back to her class, if it that's too much of a trouble.

Akash: Easy, princess. I am enough to escort her there.

Lily: I don't need a escort. I am just going back to my class.

Moon: Well,

G-one: Well, you look here. I am done with creating Mia's account.

Moon: Ah ha!

Mia: (waves her hand indicating Akash and Lily to go already).

Akash: (pushes Lily) Move it, heroine. Go.

Moon: Hey Lily, be my friend on insta, ok.

Lily: (being pushed) Ok, see you in the grounds then.

Mia: Search your ID on it G-one.

G-one: Hmm! Let me see.

Lavangi: You are very eager to befriend G-one on insta.

Mia: (blushes) No, Moon said she would be using his ID, so...

Moon: Ya, right. I will chat with her using this.

G-one: What do you mean? If it were specifically my ID, you wouldn't take me as friend?

Mia: I didn't say that.

Moon: Send everyone your friend request. Give it here, (snatches G-one's phone). I see Lavangi here.

Lavangi: Oh yeah baby, send me. I will accept right away.

Moon: Well, how should I do it again?

Lavangi: Come on!

Lily and Akash walk through the corridor.

Lily: Why would you say that before everyone?

Akash: Say what?

Lily: That, you and me having alone time.

Akash: Why! I told what I came here to do. And they all already know that.

Lily: Idiot, it's embarrassing.

Akash: What! Spending time with me is embarrassing.

Lily: Not that, announcing it like that to everyone.

Akash: There is nothing to be embarrassed about between our own. The outsiders are the one we should be wary of. Cause they can make up anything, while our people know what we are upto. So, chill.

As they turn at the intersection, Lily's hyper hearing kicks in, making her able to listen to conversation of Vinay and his group, coming down the stairs. She grabs Akash's hand and pulls him towards the field.

Akash: (being pulled) Oye! What happened heroine? Easy.

They reach outside, and catch their breath.

Akash: Oh my! I didn't know you were this excited to get intimate, my heroine.

Lily: (blushes) No, idiot. You are restricted from going into our department. Did you forget?

Akash: Oh! I did. When I am with you, such restrictions are just snaps of my fingers.

Lily: You will cause faculty war again. Geez!

Akash: So you are worried about faculty war.

Lily: No stupid, I am worried about you. I just don't want you to be the reason for such a meaningless fight. I don't want you to engage in such activities.

Akash: Oww! Is that it?

Lily: And (flushed), I was thinking, it was way too early to go back to class, so, I thought we should stay here for a bit.

Akash: (stunned) You look so cute right now, oh my god, (pulls her under a tree shade) come here, let's see the game from here and get some natural air on our faces.

They sit on the ground, looking at the students playing.

Akash: So, the mood is perfect, I am waiting.

Lily: Waiting!

Akash: For my mouth to mouth, won't you breath life into me?

Lily: (swats) You are already breathing like a lion, don't even joke like that.

Akash: It was such a great moment. When will you grant me my wish (sad)?

Lily: (pulls his head on her lap) Instead of that, how about this? Feeling comfy?

Akash: Wow! my dream pillow. They are so soft, don't tell me you came tying cushions around your thighs?

Lily: (slaps gently, frowning) Idiot, how would I do that?

Akash: (laughs) Joke, sweetheart, it's a joke. You should have understood, when I said that it means your thighs are like heavenly clouds.

Lily: (giggles) Enough with the flattery. they are not that soft. And don't fall asleep. I have to go back to class in a bit.

Akash: Are you mad? We are gonna talk, that's why I brought you out here.

Lily: Excuse me, I dragged you here.

Akash: Excuse me, you dragged me there, I brought you under this tree shade, here.

Lily: (laughs) Ya, that's true.

Akash: Hey, what soap did you use today? (sniffs) You smell good.

Lily: The regular one, and don't sniff like that it tickles (chuckles,), stop.

Akash: (stills sniffing) Hmm! I will have to get this smell registered in my database.

Lily: (tries to push him back gently, giggling) Enough.

Akash: (gets up and grabs her waist tickling her) Holy moly, you are so sensitive. It's fun.

Akash continues to tickle her. Vinay notices them from a window, enjoying their time.

Boy 1: The prohibition didn't seem to have any affect on them. It was pointless.

Vinay: Gotta find another way then. I won't let a science freak flirt with a girl of our department.

Boy 2: Is that the real reason, or you just want to fuck him up?

Vinay: Ya, that too.

Everyone laughs.

Lily: (falls flat, laughing) Stop it, Akash. My stomach hurts by laughing so much.

Akash: (keeps touching) You are soft, soft, soft here as well, Ah! (a football to his head, sends him flying away from Lily).

Lily: (rises, surprised) Akash!

Player: (comes, smiling nervously) Sorry man, that was a hard kick. Can I have my ball back?

Akash: (stands with furious eyes, holding ball in his hand) Bastard, you did that on purpose, didn't you? You couldn't stand seeing a couple having some quality time.

Player: (sweats) Excuse me, what?

Lily: Easy Akash!

Akash: You know, playing basketball made my hands strong and I got a better grip on any ball. So, I am gonna pass this ball to you, don't blame me if it makes a hole through your boobless chest.

Player: (afraid, slowly steps back) Well, I think I should get another ball from the sports room (runs).

Akash: (chases him with the ball in his hand) No, you will be taking this ball. This is a gift, I am adding another ball to your collection of pairs hanging down there. Next time, you will be thinking by your balls to determine your shot direction.

Player: (running) Mummy!

Lily: (laughs) Akash! Come back.

Time flies,

Piyush was returning from his PE class with Mia engaged in regular chatting.

Mia: I don't know, don't ask me.

Piyush: Why! You are supposed to be their best friend.

Mia: Maybe, but it doesn't mean I know why they are this crazy. It just comes to them naturally when they are with each other.

Piyush: Hmm! Their bond is the issue here. This explains why they are so in sync.

Mia: Get used to it, it has just started. I am saying it with experience, (smiles) but you will enjoy it.

Piyush: (pouts) Ya, enjoying is what I am doing.

Suddenly a football player meets them in their way.

Ritesh: Hey, Piyush (low five).

Piyush: (low five) Yo, on your way to the sports room?

Ritesh: Where else. Wanna come with me?

Piyush: I, umm (looks at Mia).

Mia: You go ahead. We will have to go separate ways anyway.

Ritesh: Sorry, for my rudeness.

Mia: No, it's ok.

Piyush: Well, we got separate sports room, so, see you on the ground then.

Mia: Yup, bye (walks away).

Ritesh: I didn't interrupt anything, did I?

Piyush: Mia, nah, she is just a very good friend. So, where are Subhan and the others? You all go together, right?

Ritesh: Yeah, those bastards skipped the last class and are on the field already.

Piyush: What can you do? Subhan is crazy about football.

Ritesh: Mia, she is fierce on the field. She almost gives equal fight to our striker Subhan too.

Piyush: Don't go crazy, she has been playing football for a long time as well. She loves it too. Very much if I should say. I don't know the reason though.

Ritesh: Who cares about the reason, she is very good at it, that's what matters. But, a girl to be that good, isn't that a bit cringey.

Piyush: I don't think so, it just shows that girls are not less than men in anything if they tried or given the chance.

Ritesh: You think so? Well she can't match up to the men's skills at football, that's for sure. I see most of her shoots are intercepted. But Subhan hits 9 out of 10 through the net.

Piyush: It's not because she is bad, the goalkeeper is crazy good.

Ritesh: Ya, whatever, say anything.

Piyush: You don't believe me. Why don't we arrange a friendly match between boys and girls? You take your best and they take theirs.

Ritesh: Others will be delighted to hear about this. Let me blow this news in their ears. I am perfectly sure about this match. Consider it sanctioned.

Piyush: Ya, ya, this will be interesting (suddenly catches a glimpse of two familiar figures dashing behind the corner). You go on ahead, Ritesh. I remembered something.

Ritesh: Ok, be quick then.

G-one was traveling through the hallway with his IT group. Akash was furious.

G-one: Damn, it must have been fun.

Akash: Like hell it was, my brain was shaken up termite. I flew from my place, damn it.

They laugh more loudly.

Moon: Now you will act more crazy than usual.

Akash: Is that what you are worried about? This is your friendship Moon? This is your love?

Lily: Ya, we will be going this way now.

Akash: (follows Moon and Lily) Ya, let's go.

G-one: Hey!

Lily: Where! You?

Akash: With you ofcourse.

Moon: His brain has slipped, for sure.

Lily: Are you planning to change in the girl's sports room?

Akash: Not a bad idea. It would be a fine change of scenery. I was tired of those male scents and sweats, hairy chests and..

G-one: Oye!

Akash: And you can understand the rest by yourself.

Lily: (twists his ears)

Akash: Oww, Oww, Oww.

Lily: Vanish from here or I will bite you.

Akash: (kisses her on the cheek and runs away) See ya, heroine.

G-one: (laughs and chases behind Akash).

Lily: (flushed, caressing her cheek)

Moon: (smiles) He is a monkey, let's go now.

Lavangi pushes Simar onto the wall, gently lifts her chin and stares in her eyes.

Simar: (red) Wh..what are you doing Lavangi?

Lavangi: This is what you wanted, didn't you? (gets closer for a kiss but doesn't kiss).

Simar: (shuts her eye peeping through one) How did you know?

Lavangi: Cause this is what I want too, you should have already known that.

Simar: It's because of our contradicting mothers, isn't it?

Lavangi: (grabs her chest) You are wrong.

Simar: (flushed) Ahh! Your hand!

Lavangi: It's because of how similar our mothers are.

Simar: No, they are not.

Piyush was hiding behind the corner, peeping at them, quickly steps back and shuts his mouth with both hands to supress his scream. He runs away from the scene.

Piyush: (running) They are crazy, I knew they were very close. What is this acting about getting my attention? What do their mothers have to do with their girl love? Are they teaching them that? Holy shit, I gotta get away. I can't see anymore.

Lavangi: (grabs her face) Huh! Then say how do they give the same ideas to us?

Simar: Your mother asked you to follow him on insta also?

Lavangi: Pretty sharp, are we? So, you wanted this from Piyush, didn't you?

Simar: You too wanted it, then what's this assertion about?

Lavangi: (steps back, sighs) So, how did you do on your advances? You made an impression on him, huh?

Simar: I think I made the situation more worse. He seemed to have an expression of annoyance than romance.

Lavangi: You must be joking. Then what is that gold he was referring to? Isn't that you?

Simar: You kidding, who will be considered gold after revoking the offer she made. I couldn't handle that much hot stuff.

Lavangi: Hot stuff? What hot stuff?

Simar: Doing whatever he asked of me. That's pretty high for me. The pressure! So I pulled back my words.

Lavangi: (shocked) Whaaat!

Simar: I don't know how mummy could ask me to do something like that.

Lavangi: (whispers biting her nail) She should have been my mother. And here my mother asked me to refrain from sending any picture revealing too much of my skin. Damn, and her mother just skipped everything, to serve her daughter as sweet before a low sugar patient (imagines Simar mother's face laughing deviously). She is formidable, I gotta be wary of her. But she is (looks at Simar who was thinking something, sighs) just a dork. She ruined her mother's top notch strategy with just a few words because she couldn't do it. She won't be able to win Piyush at this rate.

Simar: Wait a minute, if Piyush was neither calling you gold, nor me. Then, who was he referring to?

Lavangi: Huh!

Simar: It means,

Lavangi: (catches on) Nikita!

They both run towards the field to find where the two were. Both were missing from their respective grounds.

Lavangi: Where is she?

Simar: Where is he?

Lavangi and Simar: Don't tell me they are together again (imagine Piyush and Nikita kissing each other, squeal in their heads, until they hear a name).

G-one: Why the hell are you still rubbing your ball, panda? It's clean already.

Player 3: You know how that sounded G-one (laughs).

Player 2: Like he his rubbing his own balls.

Piyush: (stops cleaning the basketball and returns to court) Shut the fuck up, crazy shits. Who hide the ball behind the air pump? Looks like it hasn't been on the court for a long time. And why the fuck did you refer it my ball? Are you not gonna play with it, scumbag?

G-one: I am not gonna play with your ball, it is not big enough to be considered basketball. Hand me over the basketball.

Piyush: Bastard, like your balls are football.

Player 3: They might be out of air, I guess.

Everyone laughs.

Player 4: Hey, shut up, Ana is here.

Lavangi: (slaps her forehead)

Simar: He is here, then she must have not come to the grounds yet. Phew!

They head back to the girl's sports room to get changed. Nikita, with a football in her hands, tossing it in the air momentarily, walks towards the goal.

Moon: What caught Lavangi and Simar?

Mia: Must be going crazy somewhere.

Lily: Tell them to get crazy on the ground from next time.

Nikita: (throws the ball towards Lily) Better be careful, you shot the ball all the way to the end of the volleyball court.

Moon: Sorry about that.

Mia: Try to aim for her, you need to penetrate her seal.

Lily: What!

Nikita: Excuse me (flinches her eyebrows in annoyance with a twisted smile on her face).

Mia: I was talking about the area she is sealing.

Lily: Could have said break the seal, no that sounds more kinky, whatever, just forget it.

Moon: Don't worry, I will penetrate her seal this time, she is right where I want her.

Lily: (flushed) Will you not say that please?