Aditi's POV :

"It would make more sense to have the paparazzi stand near Gate 3, where the celebrities will enter from."
"No, it would make more sense to have them stand near the stage." Jai argued back, matching my intensity. Vansh looked on with an amused expression as he let us figure it out. He had been convinced that we somehow worked well together after the successful meeting.

"No, that doesn't make sense because the standees with our logo will be near Gate 3.... you know as well as I do that we need the logo visible in all the photos."
"I know that... hence why I'm suggesting the space near the stage. The stage will have our logo in a bigger print, making it look more grand."
I let out an impatient noise before arguing my point again.
"The photos won't be able to capture the entire logo... the standees are small but also big enough to properly display the logos. If only you would stop thinking of ways to irritate me and instead focus on what would be better in the photos, you would realize I am right."
"Trust me, I'm not doing this to irritate you. I have better ways to irritate you, although now that you mention it , this is quite effective as well. " He smiled smugly.
"You are going off topic! Just agree that Gate 3 is the better option, and we'll be done with it." I let out exasperated.
"Fine, fine. You've made good points, so I agree."
"Oh, thank God."

"That.... was very entertaining." Vansh snickered, standing up.
"Okay, now that this has been finalized.... good job, both of you. You both are very efficient, minor distractions set aside. I'll go check on the progress the others have made. Mean while, I want you both to prepare a script for Class to Class PR."
"Ugh, but you just saw how we can not agree on anything. How do you expect us to agree on a whole script?" I asked, flabbergasted by the thought of working with Jai again.
"Your arguing led you to settle on the best result, I trust you will do a good job on this as well. Make a good, interactive script and keep it ready. I'll send over two other people who have finished their task. They can memorize it once you've finished making it. I won't listen to any complaints."

Without sparing us another glance, he walked away. Jai snorted at my expression, my furious gaze shutting him up the moment he met my eyes.

"So we'll start with this... 'Hey guys! I am Aditi, and this is Jai-"
"Hold up, hold up.... why are you introducing me? I can introduce myself."
"Ugh, fine. Just shut up for two seconds now."
"Why should I shut up? You make me shut up, and then I'll shut up." Rolling my eyes at his childish comment, I placed my hand on his lips, sealing his mouth. The slow exhale of warm breath tickled my hand, distracting me from what I was about to say. I looked at him as he looked at me with mirth in his eyes. Clearing my throat, I began again.

"Hey guys! I am Aditi. Then you can introduce yourself and then we can say the next line together. 'We are from team Kshitij.' You can start with what we are hosting and the timings, then I can finish it off with which celebrities will be coming and that we hope they'll come."
Jai moved his lips in an attempt to say something, but I just pressed my hand harder.
"Don't speak. It feels so nice without you objecting to everything I say, I'm really enjoying the silence." I teased. He glared at me before parting his lips and slightly licking my hand. I let out a shriek, not at all expecting this, and furiously wiped my hand on his t-shirt. 

"JAI! What the heck!"
He doubled over in laughter, shaking his head before finally calming down enough to speak.
"I couldn't just sit and do nothing while you gloated, and the funniest way to get you to remove your hand was this. Even you have to admit, it was pretty funny."
"Ughh nooo, it wasn't funny. Now, what do you think about the finalized script?"
"I think we should speak in hindi to make it more relatable and interactive."
"Hmmm.... I can't believe it."
"Huh? What can't you believe?"
"You said something actually useful.... I didn't know you had it in you."
He narrowed his eyes, leaning forward.
"You little-"

"How's it going, guys?" Puneet appeared out of nowhere, startling us as we leaned away.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"Of course not. There's nothing to interrupt here." I said, gesturing for him to sit with us.
"Okay then. I heard Vansh asked you to prepare the script. I know that it was supposed to be memorized in parts by 2 people, but since we still have work left, you two are the only ones who are going to the classes to spread the word. You'll have to memorize the whole script... and do your best, okay? I've asked people in some of the classes to take videos, so I know  how you perform."

This meant another chance to best him and prove myself to the heads. I nodded, turning towards the sheet of papers with the script.
We both made quick work of byhearting the script and asked Puneet to take the mocks.
"I bet I'll perform better than you." Jai whispered. I rolled my eyes, realizing that our bets were becoming a frequent habit.
"You do know, daydreaming isn't such a great trait. You should live a little more in reality and accept that I'm just naturally better at everything."
"Hah! It looks like you're the one daydreaming. You do know that delulu is not the solulu, no matter what instagram says."
"Smart-ass, just wait and watch."
With that, I stomped away from him and towards the lift.

~~
"Ye kya kar rahi he tu?" Vansh asked, barely holding in his laughter as he pointed at the screen.
"Wo... meri dost thi uss class me. Pata nai ishare se kuch bol rahi thi mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha. Isliye itne ajeeb expressions banaye mene." I explained, embarrassed as the video continued.
(That... my friend was in that class. She was trying to tell me something with her gestures but I couldn't understand. That's why I made those weird expressions.)

"Are budhu, ladki ko ghur raha he kya? Zara ache expressions ke sath bola kar." Puneet told Jai as he watched his video.
(You idiot, are you staring at a girl? At least speak with expressions.)
"Kya bhaiya! Ladki ko kyu ghurunga main? Woh toh bas thoda sa nervous ho gaya tha isliye esa saddu muh he."
(What, brother! Why would I stare at girls? I was just a little nervous, that's why I look like a killjoy.)
"Wese bhi saddu hi lagta he tu." I commented lightly. (You always look like a killjoy.)

Both Vansh and Puneet burst into laughter while Jai crossed his arms, feeling betrayed at their burst of laughter.
"Aap dono Hass kyu rahe ho? Joke of the century thodi bola he? Aur tu... me kab saddu lagta hu?"
(Why are you both laughing? It's not like she has told the joke of the century. And you... when have I ever looked like a killjoy?)
"Abhi hi toh lag raha he. Ye dekh kitne wrinkles he idhar." I said, reaching my index finger to smoothen the wrinkles  between his eyebrows. He looked stunned before quickly gathering himself and clearing his throat, gesturing at Puneet and Vansh to continue speaking.
(You look like it right now. Look at this. There are so many wrinkles here.)

"Overall, not a bad performance, but there is always room for improvement." Vansh said.
"Haa, dono ne  acha kaam kiya. Well done." Puneet agreed.
(Yes, both of you have done a good job.)
"Are par better kon tha?" Jai asked impatiently.
(But who was better?)
"Better kya he isme. Dono ache the. There is something you should know now. We've looked over all the work everyone has done so far, and I'm happy to tell tell you that you both are the top contenders for first CM. Good job." Puneet informed us, instantly making us forget about winning the bet.
(What is better in this? Both of you were good.)
~~

"He said I'm a top contender!!!" I told Aisha excitedly, unable to forget the conversation.
"I know, I know. You've told me that 10 times already! But I'm proud of you... " She looped her arm in mine as we walked to the station.
"I just... I feel great. Like the time and effort I put into it is paying off. Now all I need to do is beat Jai, and the position is mine!" I said in glee.

~~

"Guys, you've done a great job of pre-event working... we're really proud of you. Now, in the event, we don't have as much work. Just make sure the space near the stage is crowded when the celebrities are performing. The artist should feel appreciated, okay? You are free to enjoy the event now!"
Puneet walked away as we all cheered.
"Aditi, come here for a second." Vansh called me to his side.
"Where's Jai?"
"I don't know... he might be running late."
"Looks like you're right. Anyways, just because we said that you both are the top contenders does not mean you will fight all the time. I hope you both will get along as well."
I nodded, not telling him that us getting along was a ship that had long sailed.

I turned around and came face to face with Jai. He was wearing a dark blue kurta on theme for the festival. His hair was a disheveled mess, but he made it work. My eyes trailed over the way his arms flexed as he folded them, the veins visible, giving me flashbacks of the time I thought he looked like a sexy businessman like in the novels. If he looked like a sexy businessman then, today he looked like every Indian girl's dream guy in a Kurta. I startled myself by the direction my thoughts had taken.... I wasn't supposed to be thinking this way about him. He was my competitor. We weren't supposed to be staring at each other like this, and definitely not be thinking that he looked like a dream guy. I coughed, breaking him out of his trance. His eyes had been transfixed on me. He looked away, a blush creeping up his throat.

"Excuse me," I said in a small voice before turning away. I felt a hand grab mine, twisting me towards him, before crashing into a solid chest. I looked up to find Jai staring at me, his expression unreadable.
He gently lifted his hand, bringing it to my hair. He picked up a leaf and threw it to the ground. It was such a simple gesture, yet my heart was beating wildly in my chest. I was afraid he would feel it immediately, given our close proximity. I stepped back, clearing my throat as he awkwardly looked away.

"Thank you..." I said, unsure of what to say next.
"Aditi!! Come quick!" Aisha came running, grabbing my hand as she led me toward the stage. I turned back to look at Jai, only to find him already looking at me.