"This is not possible..." I mumbled as I read the highlighted paragraphs in the contract.

I kept glancing at my current mentor, Suhas Sir, and there was no change in his expression since I mentioned about quitting the dance program.

"Bhoomi, the contract is not going to change even if you read it in your sleep. Why are you quitting like this? I don't get it. If it is some financial problem, then tell me," Suhas Sir said.

After I had come to meet him, he was not happy with my decision and scolded me that just like everyone else, I had also not read the contract properly. Sarthak's training program was completely free for all trainees, but it came with its terms and conditions.

According to the rules, unless any trainee had a serious medical condition or unavoidable emergency/situation, he/she were not allowed to leave the program until the time of completion/elimination. If anyone wanted to quit, they had to pay a fees. All of it was mentioned in the contract clearly, but since I had never thought of quitting, I never read it fully.

Suhas Sir adviced me to not take rash decisions and think carefully. I took my leave from his cabin, my eyes glued to the xerox copy of my contract.

How will I quit now? The fees to leave the program is too high. I can't afford it. Damn it!

While I was flipping through the pages, trying to find a solution, I didn't notice who was coming from the opposite direction.

I ended up crashing into a guy, and fortunately, it was not Tejas this time. Unfortunately, it was KD, and he didn't catch me; I landed on my butt.

"Nice landing, Bhoomi," KD snickered.

He gave me his hand, and I slapped his arm once I got up from the floor.

"What were you reading so seriously?" he asked and eyed the papers in my hands.

Before I could lie to him, he snatched those papers from me and glanced at me suspiciously.

"Why are you reading your contract now?" KD questioned and narrowed his eyes at the highlighted paragraphs.

"I was just checking it," I told him.

He stared at me in silence and flipped through the pages. He pointed at a section in bold letters and told me to read it.

"If you are planning on quitting, then this will help you," he said plainly. "But remember that leaving the training program won't be easy for you."

I blinked rapidly. "I am not quitting, and even if I do, why will it be difficult?"

KD grinned like a Cheshire cat. "I will leave that to your imagination."

I looked at him in confusion as he left, skipping in joy. Once he was out of my sight, I hurriedly read the contract portion he had shown me.

"The trainee will be suspended or cut off from the program due to following reasons: very low attendance, foul attitude, found guilty of abuse..." I read the whole page and found my solution.

I remembered how Sarthak had warned me that if I didn't improve my performance, he would himself throw me out. I knew he wasn't going to do so just because of that reason, so I had to do something to get kicked out; that way I would have been saved from paying the penalty fees for quitting the program.

I decided to put my plan into action from the next moment. I went to my practice room, and while my teammates were diligently discussing choreographies for our team, I didn't join them and started reading my textbook.

Jolina and Akshay called me, but I ignored them. I kept reading, so they asked me why I was studying when I had just started my new semester. I acted like I was really studious and told them to not bother me.

Interestingly, Tejas didn't scold me, so I repeated the same thing on the second day of my plan. I reached the studio very late after attending my college lectures and started doing timepass on my mobile.

My teammates got annoyed when I refused to join them; they complained to Tejas to talk to me, so he asked me why I was troubling others. I acted arrogant and told him that I wasn't going to listen to him or anyone else. I challenged him to do whatever he wanted.

He left me alone and told others to continue without me. Seeing my team being frustrated with me, I knew that my plan was finally going to work out soon.

So, just like earlier, the next day, I reached the studio even later, and when Michael told me to revise the previous meeting's notes, I refused and took out my papad making supplies from my bag.

I was wasting my time at the studio, so I decided to do some work to earn while doing so. I had called Eknath Uncle and got the supplies before coming to the studio.

I made myself comfortable in a corner and began making papads. I glanced at my team, and they were staring at me in disbelief; they scolded me, but I didn't listen. They went to Tejas to complain, and I grinned because I was ready for the scolding.

I knew how much seriously Tejas took team practices, and he never gave any special treatment to a particular team member. I was openly disturbing everyone for the last three days, so I was confident that Tejas was not going to tolerate my behaviour any longer.

I was rolling a papad on the chakla (rolling board) when I sensed Tejas come and stand in front of me.

"What are you doing, Bhoomi?" he asked.

I looked up at him with a smile. "Making papads."

Slowly, his eyebrows furrowed, and I prepared myself for him to blow off on me, but unlike how I had imagined, his frown dissolved into a peaceful expression.

He motioned at our team, and one by one, everyone took their bags and sat around me in a circle.

"Teach us too then," Tejas said and sat across from me.

My eyes widened when everyone took out chakla belan from their bags and started stealing papad mixture from me.

"With everyone of us working together, the work will finish in a snap," Yukta said.

"And then... Bhoomi will be free to practice," Michael added.

I looked at them in shock. "What are you guys doing?"

"Working as a team, what else?" Jolina replied and high-fived with Akki.

I glanced at Tejas, and he was already rolling a papad like a professional. He told others to hurry up and scolded me that if I had taken up a job, I at least needed to do my best.

I looked in horror when my teammates started working seriously and half of the papad mixture even vanished before I could believe what was going on.

When the job was done, I tried to find another way to avoid my team. I began taking out my textbooks from the bag, but Tejas handed me a notebook and told me that he had made notes for the first two chapters of all subjects, so I didn't need to worry about my academics.

I thought of using foul language with him as it would have counted as a misconduct, but Tejas outsmarted me again.

"You can try to curse me, but I am sure you will fail with flying colours," he said confidently.

He provoked me to go ahead, but I accepted my defeat. He pulled my cheek, and I slumped down my shoulders.

"Give up already, Hamster. I can't see you failing in your plans like this," he teased.

He told me to join the discussion, so I followed him. There was only one hour left to leave; I didn't actively participate, but I ended up giving some suggestions regarding the dance theme for our performance.

I wanted to save money, so I had started walking to my event management company. It took me thirty minutes to reach there on foot, so I used to leave a bit early.

I was doing so for the past three days, but today, the sun set a bit earlier, signalling the beginning of the winter season. I left the studio alongside my peers, but just like that day, I sensed Tejas following me.

"Why are you coming with me?" I asked him.

He gave me a knowing look and snapped a picture of the sky.

"Just keep moving, or you will get late for your job," he replied.

I huffed because he was right. I kept walking and reached my workplace.

"Thank you for accompanying me, but you don't need to do it," I told Tejas.

"But I want to do it," he answered and waved me goodbye. "Work diligently."

I stared at him and sighed as he vanished after crossing the road. Just like this, for a few more days, Tejas spoiled all of my plans and always accompanied me to my workplace. He never listened to me and always had a witty reply ready.

After a week of getting defeated by him, I was working at an event and brainstorming about my next plan of action during the break.

How is Tejas ten steps ahead of me every time? How does he know in advance about my schemes? He is not scolding me even once! My teammates are also working in cahoots with him. What should I do? Even when I come late to the dance studio, no one says anything to me - not even my mentor.

Mentor... Oh... My team is outsmarting me and ignoring my arrogant attitude, but our mentors won't do so. My fellow trainees will tolerate me, but my teachers won't if I misbehave in front of them. Should I get in a fight with Suhas Sir? But he is very calm and knows that I am trying to quit. Then who? Jatin Sir won't do; he already looks as if the whole world's weight is on him. Rahul Sir is good at ignoring.

Okay, I will get killed, but Fatima ma'am is my only option. She will throw me out the moment I start a fight with her. I just need to keep my distance from her because the moment she catches me, I will be done for good.

Nodding to myself, I started imagining how I would start talking to Fatima ma'am and use her reactions to my advantage. I was liking the scenario in my mind so much that I didn't notice the guy in front of me.

Before I could crash into him, I was stopped, and I looked at him in confusion. My brain was already overworking, so it was taking me more time than necessary to retrieve the information about him.

"Don't tell me you forgot about me," that guy said in a hurtful voice.

Like lightning passing through my brain, his name flashed in front of my eyes, and I smiled in embarrassment.

"Nuke?" I asked in surprise.

He rolled his eyes. "You should work in a TV serial."

"I am sorry," I apologized. "I was thinking about something else, so I didn't recognise you. But what are you doing here?"

"I work here," he replied. "It is my first day, so I am here to observe. After seeing you here, I asked about you to my team lead, and he told me to learn from you."

"I never imagined to see you here," I said. "It's your first day, so let's not waste our time. We will talk later."

Nuke agreed, and since we were working, I had to use his real name. I was used to calling him by his stage name, so I always ended up mixing his names while teaching him.

When we finished our shifts, Nishant aka Nuke informed me that he was now going to stay in Mumbai for work. He stayed a few stations away, and since he had the same shift timings as me, I was happy to have someone as company.

We even took the same train, and Nishant got off after five stations. I was thankful that I was able to distract myself, but I had to continue with my plan.

The next day, I steeled myself when I entered Sarthak's studio. I directly went to the practice room where Fatima ma'am was mentoring KD's team, and I revised the dialogues I had prepared.

With heavy steps, I moved towards her and asked for her attention. Everyone looked at me in confusion when I pointed at Fatima ma'am.

"I don't like your teaching method," I said, my voice thinning out in the end.

I quickly moved my arm back before Fatima ma'am could flip me over. I waited in anticipation for Fatima ma'am to explode, but KD shook his head at me.

"What did you say?" Fatima ma'am asked me.

"I said I don't like your teaching method," I repeated.

"Glad to hear that," she replied.

I glanced around in confusion because no one was reacting like I had thought.

"Ma'am, did you hear what I said?" I asked Fatima ma'am and stepped back.

She took a deep breath and nodded sadly. "I know my teaching method is very tough, and I should be a bit lenient with you kids. I was thinking about it for the last few days, and now you confirmed it, Bhoomi. As your mentor, I will do my best to teach all of you and make changes in my teaching pattern. I will start today."

"What...?" I asked in surprise.

I flinched when Fatima ma'am moved towards me, but instead of getting beaten up, she patted my shoulder.

She left the practice room after instructing her team and informing that she would prepare a new training plan for them. Once she left, KD crushed me in his arms.

"Thank you for taking the bullet, Bhoomi," he said happily.

His whole team thanked me and expressed that they also wanted to discuss the same thing with Fatima ma'am but were unable to find the right timing. I looked at everyone in disbelief and left while wondering if what happened just earlier was real or not.

"Bhoomi, Sarthak Sir has called you in the conference room," one of my fellow trainees informed me.

My eyes lit up with hope. I rushed towards the conference room, and when I noticed Tejas and Suhas Sir there, I knew they must have complained about me.

I acted like I was really not guilty and stood in front of Sarthak's desk. He told me to take a seat, but I refused.

"Why was I summoned here?" I asked him in a complaining voice.

Just as I completed my question, Tejas chuckled and told me to don't mind him when I looked at him in suspicion.

"I heard you wanted to stay at the studio in the nights?" Sarthak asked me.

Why is he asking me about that now? Did he get to know that I was trying to hide in the studio? This can work in my favour then.

I nodded. "Yes."

"I am really happy to see your dedication, and keeping your wish in consideration, I had a discussion with everyone in the morning. My budget for the training program is fixed, but I got a very big sponsor, so the dorms will open up sooner than I planned," Sarthak informed.

At the mention of sponsor, I glanced at Tejas, and he acted oblivious.

"Happy now?" Sarthak asked me.

I pursed my lips. "That's it?"

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Do you have more ideas to suggest?"

Suhas Sir joined him. "You can tell what's on your mind, Bhoomi."

"I don't have anything to suggest. Thank you for the dorms," I said.

Sarthak smiled satisfactorily. "Now go and practice hard. I have high expectations from you."

I fisted my hands and left the conference room.

Why is nothing working according to my plans?

The moment that doubt crossed my mind, Tejas appeared beside me, and I grabbed his jacket.

"Is there anything you need, Hamster?" he asked innocently.

"I know you are the sponsor Sarthak Sir mentioned earlier," I said.

He shrugged. "So?"

I looked at him in accusation, but he smirked.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You think I did it for you?" he asked.

I didn't say anything. I left his jacket and continued towards our practice room.

What should I do with Tejas? He does not listen to me at all.

I left the studio early and ignored Tejas when he also came out of the studio after some time. On my way, I noticed a familiar figure coming in my direction, so I stopped.

Nishant greeted me and informed that he also used to walk to our workplace, so he would accompany me. He had spotted me just now and was surprised to see Tejas too.

"Aren't you Nuke?" Tejas asked him when he joined us.

Nishant nodded happily. "Yes, I am, and my real name is Nishant. Glad to see you again, TJ."

Tejas smiled, and a light bulb lit up in my mind.

"Tejas, Nishant and I work together and are going in the same direction, so you don't need to come with me any more," I told Tejas.

"That's nice," he said. "Nishant, how about we take my car?"

Nishant's eyes twinkled. "Really? That will be great. Thank you for your help."

Tejas glanced at me. "Let's go."

When I refused, Nishant asked my why I was rejecting the help. Seeing him trying to convince me, I told him that if he wanted, he could come with Tejas in his car, but I would go by myself.

On hearing that, Tejas's face sported an annoyed expression, but he didn't say anything to me. He apologized to Nishant for cancelling the plan of using his car and suggested going by foot while chatting.

Nishant looked at me in confusion but agreed with Tejas. I walked in front, while the guys chatted. Suddenly, my phone rang up, and when I checked the caller ID, I quickly glanced around me.

I started walking fast to increase the distance between me and the guys. I picked up the call and asked Shailesh why he was calling me out of the blue. I had already deposited my last salaries in his account, so he had no topic to discuss.

"My dear Bhoomi, if you say something with confidence, then you gotta prove it with your actions," Shailesh said.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"Didn't you say you have nothing to do with Jyoti Jaiswal's son? Why is he with you then?"

"You are here?!"

"I am everywhere, Bhoomi. Don't forget what I had told you. If you are not going to use Tejas Jaiswal, then I will be happy to carry out my plan by myself. The choice is yours."

Before I could interrogate him, he hung up the call. I looked around me in panic, but I couldn't understand from where Shailesh was spying on me.

I glanced at Tejas, and he was busy conversing with Nishant. He always used to leave alone after dropping me off to my workplace, and today was going to be the same also. His safety was in danger.

I stopped him and told him to go back. He refused and complained that he wasn't disturbing me, so I couldn't tell him to leave.

"Tejas, why are you being stubborn? Nishant and I can go by ourselves. I don't need you to act as my bodyguard," I scolded.

"Why should I listen to you when you don't listen to me?" he retorted.

"Tejas..." I said sternly.

He huffed. "I know what you are going to say: you are just my fan, and I should stop helping you because you never ask for my help yourself. You are very capable and don't want me to misunderstand anything. You want to maintain the boundaries between us, and don't want me to bother with you because you have already rejected me. And, you are not going to change your decision. Did I miss anything?"

"You rejected TJ?" Nishant asked and looked at me as if he was watching a Crime Patrol episode.

"When you know all that, then why do you still trouble yourself over me?" I questioned Tejas.

"Because I want to," he replied firmly.

"Stop doing it from now on. It makes me feel guilty."

When Tejas didn't say anything for a long time, I worried if he was going to refuse again. My heart was already aching for pushing him away like this, but I had to do it. When he opened his mouth, I was ready to scold him again, but he didn't give me that chance.

"Okay. I will do as you say," he said. "But since it is established now that you are just my fan, wouldn't I be a bad idol if I don't give any fan service? Am I right, Nishant?"

Nishant nodded. "I am also a very big fan of yours, TJ, and I will love to have your fan service."

"Would you like a hug?" Tejas asked him.

Nishant nodded again and beamed like a small kid when Tejas hugged him. After that, Tejas turned to me.

"Your turn, one of my biggest fans," he said.

I could have refused, but I didn't. He had agreed to leave, and even if it seemed unreal, he had accepted what I was telling him all this time - my heartache increased, so I decided to leave quickly after getting the hug. I just wished that I wouldn't end up glueing myself to him.

Slowly, Tejas wrapped his arms around me, and I almost melted in his warmth. I controlled my expressions when he patted my back.

"As a fan, if you have any wish, I will happily complete it," he said.

I shook my head. "This hug is enough."

He broke the hug and smiled at me. "But it is not enough for me. I am really happy with the love you have shown for me as my 'fan', so this special fan service is only for you."

Special fan service?

Again, I was slow to predict what Tejas had in his mind. I had never watched a snowfall in real, but when Tejas moved towards me, I realised it would be just as beautiful as him.

He cupped my face in his palms, and
I felt the time slowing down when he planted a long kiss on my cheek. I wished to get frozen in that moment.

He patted my head. "I won't bother you again."

With that, he said goodbye to Nishant and turned around to leave. Step by step, he got farther and farther away. I wanted to run after him, but I reminded myself why I couldn't.

"Bhoomi, let's go," Nishant nudged me.

I nodded and continued on our way to our workplace. I was walking absentmindedly. I could hear Nishant talking to me, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.

Everything around me felt like it was spinning in a circle, and then like I had only seen in movies and cartoons, I banged into a light pole - I deserved it.