Fabulous!

Every move, every jump, every expression - everything was perfection. Hriaan was doing a great job leading his crew, and it was no surprise that their rivals were having a tough time keeping up with them.

Though both teams were giving each other a tough fight, the small differences between the skill levels and most importantly confidence were giving a winning edge to The Emperors. Even in their captain's absence, Hriaan and his teammates were having no trouble turning the battle in their favour.

My eyes were bouncing like ping-pongs; I wanted to jump on the stage and join them. The audience was so hyped that even when the match ended, the cheers were still echoing. As expected, The Emperors won.

Both teams greeted each other and left the stage. The Emperors joined their captain, and I thought that Tejas would be really happy to see his team win, but he had no special reaction. Since he was wearing a mask, I couldn't read his lips, but I knew he was telling something to his team as they were nodding.

By Tejas's body language, I knew he was tired as he hadn't moved at all since he arrived and his movements were also minimal. If he wasn't blinking, everyone would have thought that he was statue.

Once the host arrived on stage, he began announcing the next performance, but he got interrupted by the crowd.

"TJ, TJ! We want to see him perform!" the audience demanded.

"I came here only for him!" some guy shouted.

"We want to see TJ!" a girl screamed.

Like this, the host couldn't continue as the demands kept increasing.

"Everyone, TJ is tired and needs rest. We can ask him for a solo some other time," the host adviced.

The audience started murmuring, expressing their disappointment. Some of them kept repeating their earlier request, while others started leaving as they were not going to able to see Tejas dance.

After a few minutes, everyone froze in their spot when Tejas slowly got up from his seat and walked on the stage. Behind him, Hriaan shook his head and didn't look pleased with his captain's decision.

Tejas removed his mask and took the mike from host. "I will be glad to entertain you."

"You are awesome, TJ!" someone shouted.

With just one smile from Tejas, everyone was floored. I also had a hard time not staring at him like an idiot. Still, I was glad that I was not looking at him like a creep.

"Now finally, Bhoomi's wish to see her crush dance will be complete," Rehman commented.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

Rehman shot me an innocent look. "Am I lying?"

I pinched his cheek. "Stop spewing nonsense."

Rehman was unaffected. He only shut up when Vibhan gave him his deathly glare.

The host let the audience calm down and looked at Tejas mischievously. He glanced at the crowd and smirked.

"Where's the fun if TJ dances alone?" the host wondered.

Tejas smiled in amusement. He stood peacefully as the host talked in riddles. After making audience restless, the host turned to Tejas.

"Well, a lot of great dancers battled with each other today. Did you see anyone worth battling against?" the host asked Tejas.

Apart from a few murmurs, the whole arena fell silent. As Tejas scanned the area, I saw my crew and others holding their breaths. I also looked on curiously as whom Tejas was going to mention.

"What?! No one?" the host screeched when Tejas shook his head.

Everyone sighed in relief, and my friends commented how Tejas was so confident in himself.

Wow, even after watching so many great performances, Tejas didn't find anyone intersting? Why are his standards so high?

His standards are surely taller than you, so worry about yourself, dumbhead.

After watching Tejas's reaction, the host teased, "Come on, TJ, do you even consider someone your opponent? Well, I noticed you continuously checking the audience. Could it be possible that someone caught your eye? Is the person on your mind present here right now?"

The audience became curious after hearing what the host said. Everyone started looking at each other, and I also craned my neck to see who had caught Tejas's attention. If Tejas had found a person worthy of a battle, then that person must have been really impressive.

"Is there anyone...?" the host poked Tejas.

Tejas smirked. "Maybe..." he scanned the crowd, and his eyes stopped in my crew's direction.

I knew I was imagining it because it looked like he was staring at me directly. He must have looked at us for not more than three seconds, but it felt like I was in a danger zone. I sighed in relief when he removed his gaze.

I am an idiot. Why would he look at me when Akshay and Vibhan are here? They are sitting in front of me, so Tejas must be teasing them. I should stop overthinking. It is not good for my health.

"Maybe...?" the host provoked.

"Or, maybe not?" Tejas answered.

The crowd erupted in laughter when the host whined on getting no proper response from Tejas. Since The Emperors' captain had no one to challenge, the host asked the audience if anyone wanted to go against Tejas.

"You want to go, Akki?" Vibhan asked.

"Na," Akki shook his head. "We are here to relax and enjoy. Moreover, we have solo evaluations coming up. I don't wanna get hurt. TJ will butcher me on the stage. Why don't you try?"

Vibhan twisted his lips. "My ankle is still hurting after this idiot Rehman fell on me while training. If I go against TJ now, I won't be able to participate in our upcoming underground battle."

Like Vibhan, the rest of our crew also didn't take up the challenge. The host asked again, and after a very long silence, a hand was raised from far back.

Slowly, that hand started moving forward, and a guy dressed in a dark blue t-shirt and black cargos came forward.

He adjusted his cap as everyone stared at him in shock. He was a b-boy, but he was not much popular. The people around him laughed and adviced him not to sacrifice himself, but he held his composure.

The host welcomed that b-boy on the stage and told him to introduce himself.

That guy took the mike. "Hello, I am Nishant aka Nuke. Nice to meet all of you."

The host told him to relax. While Nuke aka Nishant looked a bit nervous, Tejas was standing like an iceberg.

Wow, his nickname is Nuke? Such a cool stage name. And look at the fake name my friends came up with for me. Boomer.... Seriously!

"So, Nuke, you sure you want to challenge TJ?" the host asked.

Nuke nodded and forwarded his right hand towards Tejas. "I will be really glad to battle against you, TJ."

"Don't waste your time on him, TJ!" a fan-girl shouted.

"Go home, loser! You are no match for him!" some fanboy yelled.

I felt bad for Nuke when some idiots kept shouting at him to return. I also thought that Tejas wouldn't accept his challenge because he looked disinterested, but after observing Nuke, Tejas shook his hand.

"And the battle is on now!" the host announced and jumped off the stage.

As soon as the battle began, my ears rang with the cheers of "TJ, TJ!" at the highest volume. Everyone was betting on Tejas and booing the newcomer. A few of Nuke's friends were the only ones who were supporting him, but their voices were nothing in front of The Emperors' fans.

"TJ, show him who is the boss!" the crowd yelled.

Even after so much pressure, Nuke didn't let it ruin his mood. He continued showing his skills, and he was actually pretty good. Though, he was fumbling a lot. After watching the first round, I noticed that he started well, but due to the constant disapprovals from the crowd, he was losing his confidence and was not able to complete his stunts and tricks properly.

What is he doing? He is a good dancer. He should not listen to these people who are trying to make him feel inferior.

What can he do, Bhoomi? He is the one who challenged Tejas. And he is not going against just Tejas but his fans also. He is the only one who can prove all of them wrong.

But he is not able to give his hundred percent. I can see him go in with full force but not able to carry on with it till end.

So? What can you do? Your idol is Tejas, no? Why are you worrying about his opponent? Just do what you always do. Cheer for Tejas.

I looked between Tejas and Nuke. While Nuke was waiting for his turn, Tejas was doing some really cool new moves very calmly. Unlike his rival, Tejas was not sweating at all. I knew he was tired and not using all his energy, but it was really amazing to see the attitude difference.

"TJ, finish him!" a guy shouted.

Yup, Tejas can finish off the battle in a snap, but that doesn't mean Nuke can't prove himself. And anyways, everyone is already cheering for Tejas. If I do so too, he most probably won't like it.

I felt a familiarity with Nuke and even felt bad for him as the crowd was not even willing to give him a chance even though Tejas humbly accepted his request. I decided to cheer for Nuke because he only had a few friends as it is.

I moved forward and stood between Vibhan and Akshay. When the second round began, I swallowed my social anxiety and yelled at the top of my voice.

"Nuke, focus on yourself!"

Unfortunately, he fumbled opposite to what I was expecting. He looked at me when I cheered for him.

I raised my hands above. "Nuke, Nuke, you can do it!"

He stared at me in confusion for a few seconds and then continued with his performance. I kept yelling his name. Slowly, I could see the effect of my support. His moves were improving.

"Oye, Boom Boom Boomer, what's wrong with you?" Akki asked me. "Why are you acting weirdly and not cheering for your idol?"

"Because Nuke already has a few supporters," I replied, but Akki was not satisfied with my answer.

After watching the first round, I thought that Tejas would go easy on Nuke this time too, but suddenly, Tejas's demeanor changed. There was a different glint in his eyes as he looked at his opponent.

And when he began, it was all explosion. My jaw was hanging just like everyone else. That was awesome!

I looked at Nuke, and he looked very nervous.

No, we still have a chance. Even if Nuke can't win, he can't just give up like this.

"Oye, idiot, why are you losing spirit so soon?" I shouted at Nuke.

He snapped his head at me and pointed at himself in doubt.

"Yes, I said that to you. Why are you so nervous? It was your decision to come here, so don't give up so soon."

Nuke looked at me flabbergasted. The crowd around me laughed, and my friends also looked at me weirdly. But I ignored all of them.

"I will cheer for you, so don't disappoint me," I told Nuke.

He blinked rapidly as I knew he was shocked to hear a random person scold him. When the third round began, he took a deep breath. He glanced at me once before he started.

"Yes, keep your balance! Don't bend your body so much during the flip! What the hell are you doing?! Adjust your timing on landing. Your right foot should come in contact before your left foot lands!"

I kept shouting in-between as I saw Nuke lacking the finishing in his moves due to minute details. I knew he was listening to me even if he was focused on his dance.

"Don't keep doing handstands continuosly! Your hands will get hurt. Blend some easy moves with hard ones. It is okay if you fall, don't lose your confidence."

Nuke seemed to get a boost. His performance wasn't on par with Tejas but he had improved. Even though he lost after that round, there was a content smile on his face.

I was also happy as Nuke was able to perform his best. He thanked Tejas, and though Tejas won, he didn't look much pleased. He was smiling but...

No, I won't go into details. Tejas was already tired and only came up on the stage to grant his fans' request. Does he need to jump around to show that he won? Let's focus on something else.

After the battle ended, all of us took our seats. I saw Tejas leaving the arena, and before my friends could pull my leg again, I turned my attention back to other artists doing freestyle.

"Are you really okay?" Shlok asked me.

"Yup." I grinned.

"You are acting suspicious, Bhoomi. What's going on with you? Did you get into a fight with Tejas?"

I gave him a flat look. "Why would he waste his time fighting me? Also, stop thinking too much, and let me be."

"She was surely rejected," Rehman said. "Just look at her trying to avoid Tejas's topic all the time."

Shlok agreed. "Yeah. She didn't even cheer for him when he was right in front of her. She tore our ears before by yapping his name even in her sleep, and now look at her acting so indifferent."

"No need to feel heartbroken, Bhoomi. You can share your feelings with us. We are your friends; we won't make fun of you," Rehman consoled.

After hearing them, Akki and Pratik also started interrogating me. I wanted to lie to them but I let them talk over each other. Thanks to their stupidity, they started fighting among themselves regarding my behaviour. Meanwhile, Vibhan was looking at me with a piercing gaze.

"Still not going to tell us the truth?" Vibhan asked me.

"When have I lied?" I shrugged.

Vibhan pursed his lips and let me off the hook. When a female artist was announced to perform, my friends stopped their quarrel and paid full attention on the stage.

I joined them, but soon, my stomach grumbled loudly.

Damn it, the show is amazing, but I really need to take a dump right now.

I got up and left after informing my crew. I sighed in relief when I answered the nature's call. Feeling light, I washed my hands and hopped out of the washroom.

I was in a rush to catch the remaining performances when someone appeared in front of me.

I applied brakes to myself and looked at the guy adjusting his cap nervously. He was Nuke. Behind him, his friends also arrived.

"Hi," Nuke said with a small smile. "Thank you for cheering for me earlier. I really appreciate it."

I nodded. "It is okay. You don't need to thank me."

"Actually..." Nuke scratched his neck, "I wanted to thank you for guiding me between the battle. Your tips were really useful. You are also in a crew?"

I grinned proudly. "Yup. My crew is Unix."

Nuke's friends were shocked. One of them commented that he knew about the battle between Unix and The Emperors.

They talked about that for some time before Nuke told them to shut up.

"May I know your name?" he asked.

"Sure. My name is Bhoomi Devarkar," I replied.

I flinched when Nuke suddenly moved his right hand forward and stopped beside my left ear.

"What...are you..." I began to question but stopped when I heard him snap his fingers beside me.

As he moved his hand back, I saw his friends chuckle. My eyes widened when Nuke placed a beautiful red rose in front of me.

He just did a magic trick. Wow!

"Please accept this as my thanks," Nuke said politely.

I stared at the rose in his hand. Really? This is the first time I am getting a flower from someone.

Take it, Bhoomi. You know you will never experience this again.

Sometimes, I don't understand my own conscience. Is it against me or with me? Whatever, I will enjoy this moment no matter what. Red rose... So beautiful!