The day of the competition was here. At first, Shreya got too nervous as they stepped on the stage but then Kartik whispered in her ear and asked her to relax and focus on him.

After that, it was only him and her. All the while they held each other's gazes. Mansi was so excited and clapping like a little girl when the two danced.

Rohit, sat beside her with a smile. Seeing her with that childlike excitement made him smile wholeheartedly.

The results were to be announced after the speeches. Kartik and Shreya waited backstage with the other participants.

The girl who challenged them wasn't even looking their way knowing that she had lost her challenge terribly. 

“Mai washroom hokr aati hu.”

Mansi whispered to Rohit who nodded and got up to escort her safely because the place was too crowded.

“I'll wait here.”

He said and she rushed inside not wanting to make him wait too much. She came out within 5 minutes and they started walking towards the competition hall.

Just then the announcement rang that the results were going to be announced now. Rohit and Mansi started rushing but the speaker said that he'll start from the last prize first.

He announced the 2nd runner ups, that is the third place and Mansi and Rohit stopped. They looked at each other.

Did they hear it right. The announcement was repeated and both of them yayyed happily. Their best friends have won the third prize. Nothing else mattered.

Mansi jumped in happiness in the corridor itself and hugged Rohit tightly. He froze. He looked at her hugging his torso with a huge smile on her face. Her cheek was plastered against his chest because of their height.

“They won!”

“They did.”

He whispered trying to calm his heart down. She hugged him again and then frowned at him.

“Your heartbeat’s too fast. Are you ok?”

“I…umm…”

He looked away feeling flustered and this time, unlike the theatre, the lights were also not dimmed to save his red cheeks.

“Rohit? You're all red!”

She whispered and bit her lip thinking that it was her effect.

Shreya, on the other hand, stood frozen when she heard their names. She couldn't believe it. She felt two arms wrap around her. She cried in Kartik's chest and he rubbed her back.

“We did it! You did it!”

He whispered and kissed her head. He held her hand and they went to the stage. They did a thankful bow and stood besides each other waiting for the other winners.

Shreya learned two things that day. One, she could do anything. And two, even if you think you're too good at something, there's always a lot to learn.

The girl who challenged them got overconfident and hence, didn't win anything. Just like they say, confidence is the most beautiful thing someone could wear, but overconfidence is ugly.

“I knew you could do it! I'm so happy!”

Mansi jumped on Shreya as soon as the two came out. Shreya laughed and hugged Mansi back. She was her biggest support system. And Shreya now felt too guilty for feeling all that she was for Kartik.

She had to get some more guts and talk to Mansi and also to Rohit.

“Kaha hai wo bitch? Bada udd rhi thi na!”

Mansi looked around but Shreya held her hand.

“Chhod na! Let's enjoy ourselves.”

Mansi nodded with a big grin and the four of them went to a cafe and enjoyed their time together.

Shreya's driver was there to get her. She gave a lift to Mansi too. Rohit and Kartik went their way.

When Mansi and Shreya were alone in her car, she cleared her throat and carefully started the topic.

“Umm…Mansi?”

Mansi hummed while making her story to post for the day. She showed it to Shreya who nodded in approval. 

“Are you and Kartik serious? I mean tune kaha tha ki tum sirf try kr rhe ho and you were not serious earlier. What about now?”

Shreya asked and crossed her fingers hoping for a negative answer. Mansi turned her face to look at Shreya who got nervous and looked around avoiding eye contact.

“Why are you asking this suddenly?”

“Nhi mai toh aise hi-”

“Shreya!”

Shreya bit her lip listening to Mansi no nonsense tone and lowered her head.

“I think I…I kind of have feelings for Kartik…I didn't do it deliberately. Bas pata nhi kaise par aisa lagta hai jaise it was Kartik all along. Tujhe yaad hai maine tujhe bataya tha ki merko Rohit ne message kiye the…wo flirty texts and all…Kartik se baat krke aisa lagta tha jaise ki maine Rohit se nhi Kartik se baat kri ho. He's just too similar to that texts wala Rohit. I didn't want to betray you lekin mujhe samajh nhi aa raha kya ho raha hai. When I look at him I can't look away. I'm sorry Mansi.”

She whispered with a guilty tone looking down all the while while a grin was slowly forming on Mansi's lips. Their plan was getting successful.

“Really? You like Kartik?”

She asked and her tone might have given away her excitement because Shreya looked at her with a frown. Mansi toned down her excitement and grin and said.

“I mean, surprising but I understand. Besides mai aur Kartik toh kabhi serious the hi nhi. So, chill scene!”

“Pakka na! Mera dil rakhne ke liye toh nhi keh rhi na?”

“Arre haan baba! Sach mai. Usne aur maine toh aaj tak haath bhi nhi padka dating ke naam pr. Besides even I think he's interested in you. Lately, wo jaise tere around behave krta hai na, chance hai Shreya.”

Mansi said playfully while nudging her side making her blush and bite her lip. Then her smile slowly fell and she looked at Mansi who frowned seeing her crestfallen expression.

“Kya hua ab?”

“Rohit! Usko kya bolungi mai?”

Mansi bit the inside of her cheek and looked ahead for a moment.

She knew that Shreya and Rohit were never serious because Shreya discussed every single detail with her to make sure whatever she did or whatever happened was correct.

“I think you should clarify it with him directly. Maybe usse ek baar hurt hoga but he deserves to know. You can't keep him in an unwanted relationship, right? That too after knowing ki tu uske best friend ko like krti hai.”

Shreya nodded but started thinking about his reaction.