Cordially, Yours!

-7-

A new day woke up with a sleepy yawn, it was rainy but the sun shone high too. The problems and weariness of yesterday were washed by the rain and a bright day shined ahead. Cabir and Navya woke up early at their apartment in o go to college and see things back at place. They had a hope to see Fab 5 back together, but both of them knew that get Nandini on back might be hard. Navya on her own terms felt guilty for not sticking by Nandini's side yesterday after that fight. She was bogged down herself, but she felt she could at least be there physically. Cabir hoped Manik solved stuff with Dhruv and even if it took time, he went back to sort out Nandini. Like Manik, he knew Nyonika was the spark behind this fire, but he also realized what Nandini was doing. But if the later realization was too late, he was worried on that part. They got ready and after a hearty-meal thanks to Navya's pregnancy cravings and Cabir's ever-so-foodie persona, they made their way to college.

Mukti and Aliya had spent the rest of the night chatting after a heavy discussion and saw a late night movie to lighten the mood. Well, when finally slept reached their heads around 4 AM, neither the beauty-queen's ever-so important sleep nor the Mukti's lethargy got them to college before 11. Dhruv was neutral, with all duck's in the row, according to his spearked-ego, he made his way to go college as usual. What was exciting was, Manik's response. After Nyonika's incidence yesterday, he had made a few late-night calls that earned him some mental-peace and a smirk on his face. He eagerly waited for the morning and reached college as early as he could- well, that was a part of the plan, a part of his excitement , and a part of him that eagerly wanted to catch hold of Nandini all alone. 

--Space College--

The excitement was at another level today for the college today. The Talent Hunt winners and their special prize was to be announced. People were betting between the close competition between Fab 5, NH4 and other few college bands. Fab 5 being the ever-so-best since years continued their rage in the hearts of the audience. 

Nyonika had just made it to college and had a long list of public events going on in head. But, today, Manik topped her list. She wouldn't let him go so easily today. Her car hadn't even parked when a mob of media people gathered her and burried her with questions about the Talent Hunt. She wasn't expecting them to be so excited but, she should have afterall yesterday she had managed to politely turn them down with a few of her politically-suited white lies to reach Manik. 

"Mrs. Malhotra, what have you planned for the winners?" 

"The competition seems tough this year, ma'am. What if neither of your bands makes it through?"

"Are there any developments in the rumors of the split in Fab 5?"

"Ma'am, every year Fab 5 wins, don't you think they are overshadowing the rest of Space? Is there more to Space than Fab5"

The reporters were swarming her with questions all over. She knew she couldn't turn them today, afterall that would be just bad for the college's reputation. Having no other visible choice, she plastered a smile on her face and answered each of their questions. Manik saw her up-do from her office- "The game's on Mrs. Malhotra."

It was after 2 hours in the scorching heat of Mumbai that Nyonika was done with the media. She was 2 hours late and irritated for everything. As she made her way into the college, the Principal came running to her. 

"Ma'am, the students are out of control. They are very eager to know the results for Talent Hunt and all the logistics about it. " he exclaimed in all worry, young teenagers and him weren't a good combination ever. 

"Tum se aapni aadhi umar ke baache nahi sambhal sakte - toh phir ho kyun yah par! Get out!" she screamed. 

"But ma'am.." the Principal tried to continue but couldn't make it to the end. She had only announced that everything related to the Talent Hunt would announce 8AM in the morning and she was the one to hold back the raging crowd till 11AM. Did she ever made sense? The Principal thought to himself and left Nyonika alone to deal with it. 

"Good morning, students!" Nyonika took to the stage in an ultra-polite manner, of course she had, there were visiting Delegates, Professors, bands and students, and of course the good-old Space crowd. "I deeply apologize for the delay. So, let's begin with the winners of the Talent Hunt!" The crowd eagerly looked towards Nyonika as she continued "So the bands who made it to the next rounds are: Sunburst band, The dark souls, Chai, coffee and Music....  " and the list continued and ended with the names of Fab 5 and NH4. These weren't in any particular order of mention, so Space didn't take anything by heart. They believed that Fab 5 was on the top, but Nyonika being kind called the home-college out in the last. Nyonika continued with her special mentions and formalities for the further contests and was about to close the event when the students started to ask her about the special opportunities she was going to give to the winners. Having no idea about anything like this, Nyonika fell silent and eyed the Principal. He whispered back, "Ma'am I have nothing to do with this. But, since morning there has been a very strong rumor that the winners would be signing a music contract with the famous company- Stardust". 

"What nonsense, they wouldn't ever do so even if I hush the matter for now. Who would ever take newbies who have no professional background." she hissed back to the Principal. In any other situation, she would have easily swayed the crowd but for signing a deal with the world-famous band Stardust. That was impossible! Her abilities to reach out of them wasn't a problem, the problem was- they hated cheaters, politics, lies and  anything that fell under "give and takes". In all, she was screwed here. Seeing the whispering on the stage, the crowd got confused, they heard it in the news, it was all over the internet and trending on the charts, then why is Nyonika hesitant towards it? 

"I apologize students, but we have changed the logistics of a bit seeing the competition was getting so close. With so many of you with great voices and skills, we thought why wait until the best of the best to work ahead with Stardust. I hope you understand and work hard for this opportunity. As a compensation for this last minute rule change, I promise, Malhotra industries would be sponsoring albums."Nyonika skillfully tackled the situation, she knew this would buy her time to get a hold at Stardust and also, be somewhat a beneficial for the face of Malhotra Industries. 

"Well played, Nyonika! But how long?" Manik smirked as he looked over the event from the third's floor corridor. 

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How's that? Sorry for super childish band-names, couldn't think of sassier ones! 

Anyways, is this getting cheesy? Let me know! 

Love, 

HF