So let's start without any delay....

Ping.

A notification popped up on Pakhi's phone screen as she sat in the dressing room of school applying makeup on her face for the dance competition that was about to start in a few minutes.

She picked up the phone and opened the message that read....

Sorry Sweetudi.....aaj exams ki wajah se tere school milne nahi aa payi....lekin mujhe pata hai tu sabse accha dance karegi aur apni family ko proud feel karayegi. All the best maari bebli. I love you😘❤️

It was from no one but Anupama, her mother, who had advised her to take part in the competition in the first place.

However, at that time, Pakhi considered the idea to be stupid and not helpful but with passing days, she had realised that it's better to take her mom's advice rather than sit and do nothing about the situation and her deteriorating image in school.

So, she signed up for a solo dance event in the upcoming cultural fest and practised day and night for winning it with the help of the dance trainers,who worked in her mom's academy, on a video call.

Finally, the day was here and she was doing her last minute touch up in the dressing room when the message popped up on her screen.

As she read the message, a wide smile made its way to her face thinking that at least someone from the family remembered to wish her luck on the important day.

Don't worry mummy. I know aapke exams important hai....aap chinta mat kariye....I will give my best in the dance competition and will also send you the pictures as soon as I reach home. Aapke exams ke liye All the best and Love you too🤗

She replied to Anupama's text and went back to doing her makeup.

A few minutes later, the door of the dressing room opened and a teacher by the name of Ms. Rita Awasthi entered.

Ms. Awasthi:- Pakhi.

She called and Pakhi immediately turned towards her.

Pakhi:- Yes mam.

She answered looking at her curiously.

Ms. Awasthi:- Your father is waiting outside in the corridor for you. Please go and meet him.

She informed and Pakhi was astounded hearing this.

Pakhi:- What is he doing here?

She asked in shock.

Stealing...

One of the girls in the dressing room commented and everyone else laughed making Pakhi feel more embarrassed than she already was by her father.

Ms. Awasthi:- Girls.

She looked at the girls sternly and they stopped laughing.

However, Pakhi could still hear their suppressed giggles and not being able to take it anymore, she walked out of the dressing room feeling infuriated.

As she reached the corridor, she found Vanraj pacing left and right waiting for her and she immediately walked up to him.

Pakhi:- Papa....aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?

She asked, feeling displeased by his arrival.

Vanraj:-Beta.....kya kar raha hoo....matalab.....aaj tera dance performance hai na......to tujhe support karne aaya hoo....aur socha isse pehle ki competition start ho jaaye.....tujhe all the best bol du.

He answered not being able to comprehend the reason behind her disappointment.

Pakhi:- Wo to aap ghar pe bhi bol sakte the na.....yaha aane ki kya zaroorat thi.

She stated in annoyance leaving Vanraj astonished.

He had come to visit her in school thinking that he will be back in her good books once she realises that no matter what her father will be there to cheer for her. He wanted to create an impression that Anupama wasn't there for her on such an important day but he was. However, his plan backfired as Pakhi wasn't happy to see him.

Vanraj:- Pakhi beta....mai to har baar aata hoo na tere school tujhe support karne.....pehle kabhi to tujhe koi problem nahi hui !!

He said and Pakhi was no longer able to control her anger.

Pakhi:- Haan kyuki....pehle aapki wajah se mujhe proud feel hota tha....aab mujhe aapki wajah se sirf embarrassment milti hai.

She snapped at him and Vanraj was shocked seeing the sudden change in her behaviour.

Vanraj:- Pakhi.....yeh kya tareeka hai baat karne ka?

He rebuked her for misbehaving with him but Pakhi wasn't done.

Pakhi:- Sorry papa.....kadwa hai but sach hai.....aapki wajah se sab yaha mujhe school me cheater, chor ki beti aur pata nahi kya kya bulate hai.....aur mai nahi chahti ki aaj mere dance competition ke din bhi kuch aisa ho.....

She complained in an irked tone wanting him to leave as soon as possible.

Vanraj:- Tu logo ke baaton pe dhyaan kyu de rahi hai?....tujhe to pata hai na.....jo kuch bhi ho raha hai....usme meri koi galti nahi hai....jo bhi ho raha hai Kavya ki wajah se ho raha hai....sab uski galti hai.

He tried to shift the blame onto Kavya but Pakhi wasn't convinced.

Pakhi:- Agar sab unki galti hai.....to aap unka saath kyu de rahe ho?.....chod do unhe.....let her face the consequences.....kyu unki galtiyon ki saza hume de rahe ho aap?

She retorted and Vanraj was left speechless.

Vanraj:- Baccha.....she is my wife....please understand mai use aise nahi chod sakta.

He tried to explain but Pakhi interrupted him.

Pakhi:- Enough of your excuses papa.....mujhe aapse koi behas nahi karni hai.....aaj mere liye bahut important din hai......isse pehle ki yeh aapki wajah se spoil ho jaaye.....aap yaha se chale jaiye.

She declared and Vanraj was reminded of the words she said to someone else a few years earlier on the same line.

Mummy.....aap mujhe already itna embarass kar chuki hai sabke saamne.......isse pehle ki mai aur embarass hoo......aap please yaha se chale jaiye. Please.

These words that were once addressed to Anupama by Pakhi rang in his ears making him realise that he.....now.....holds the same place that Anupama used to in his daughter's life......the one which received no respect but all the taunts.....guess now that was his place.

Vanraj:- Pakhi....

He called feeling dejected but Pakhi was in no mood to listen.

Pakhi:- Please papa.....mere friends idhr hi aa rahe hai..... please don't embarass me....leave.

She stated looking at her classmates who were coming in her direction and insisted Vanraj to leave immediately.

Pakhi:- Please leave.

She said and Vanraj, who had no other choice left, disappeared from her sight.

As soon as Vanraj left, Pakhi's classmates arrived and stood encircling her.

Tina:- Pakhi.....looks like your dad was here.

One of them commented and Pakhi got anxious.

Pakhi:- Yeah.....h...h...he came to wish me all the best.

She stuttered in nervousness.

Ashish:- To wish you the best or to use his friendship with the principal to make you win?

Another guy remarked looking at Pakhi's anxious face.

Pakhi:- My father wouldn't ever do that.

She tried to defend her father and herself.

Priya:- Just like he didn't cheat on your mom or leaked his company's secrets.

The girl retorted and the colour drained from Pakhi's face.

She knew the people who are talking behind her back would say things to her face once her father was convicted but she didn't know that the day would come this soon.

She tried to gather her courage to take a stand for herself as Anupama taught her to whenever she was faced with such a situation but before she could, a guy named Taran spoke....

Taran:- Guys come on.....don't be so mean....can't you see?.....Papa ki pari ko bura lag raha hai....

He stated in a sarcastic tone and everyone laughed crushing Pakhi's courage.

Shanaya:- Are kyu nahi lagega....afterall iske papa fraud jo hai.

Shanaya added with a chuckle and Pakhi wasn't able to retort.

Tina:- Aur kya pata yeh bhi ho..... don't you guys remember kaise isne Miss Sheila ke saath kiye hue prank ka ilzaam bechari Pooja pe daal diya tha?

She alleged and Pakhi began to tear up.

Pakhi:- Maine koi prank nahi kiya tha.....even you guys know that.....tum logo ne mera support bhi to kiya tha.....how can you....

She spoke with a sob but was interrupted by Ashish.

Ashish:- Kya pata tune hi kiya ho....and instead humne galti se pooja ko culprit samajh liya.

He stated and everyone came in his support.

Taran:- Afterall....you are a daughter of a cheater.....dusro pe blame dalne me tu to expert hogi na?

Taran taunted and a pool of tears trickled down Pakhi's cheeks.

All of these people,who were now passing comments on her, used to be her closest friends and now they were behaving as if they were her biggest enemy.

This has left her devastated. She wanted to take a stand for herself but her lips refused to cooperate.

She stood there sobbing as everyone around threw allegations at her and her father.

Shanaya:- Guys.....I am sure isne aur iske dad ne ise dance competition jitane ke liye koi planning ki hai....

She declared in a loud voice that reached other students passing by the corridor and soon everyone started gathering around the scene.....most of whom....were Pakhi's classmates.

Priya:- Shanaya is right. In logo ne kuch to kiya hai.....otherwise iske dad us function me kyu aate jisme parents invited hi nahi hai.

Priya said in an accusing tone and everyone nodded in a yes.

Ashish:- Pakhi.....tell us now.....tumne kya kiya hai?....nahi to agar hume baad me pata chala ki tumne koi cheating ki hai....to remember hum me se koi bhi kabhi bhi class me apne group me shamil nahi karega.

He yelled in a threatening tone trying to elicit the desired response from Pakhi but she stood her ground.

Pakhi:- Ashish.....maine aisa kuch nahi kiya hai.

She asserted in a powerful yet sobbing tone.

Tina:- Agar kiya bhi hoga to yeh batayegi thodi na......guys.....I have a suggestion......Let us all drop our names from the competition as a protest against her participating in it....because agar isne participate kiya to.....hum kuch bhi kar le.....jeetne to yahi wali hai.....afterall principal sir iske papa ke friend jo hai.

She suggested in a voice that reached out to the crowd gathered there.

Pakhi:- Guys please meri baat to suno....

She tried to explain but no one standing there was in a mood to listen.

Shanaya:- Hume frauds and cheaters ki baat sunne me koi interest nahi hai.

Shanaya interrupted, irking Pakhi to the core.

Pakhi:- Shanaya.....stay in your limits....I am not a cheater.

She hollered, causing every friend around her to fume in anger.

Taran:- Ohh shut up. Everyone here knows you are a cheater.

Taran shouted back, shooting down her arguments and she backed off in fear.

Taran:-Don't you guys?

He asked aloud looking at the crowd gathered around them and they spoke in unison.

Crowd:- Yes...

They agreed at once.

Pakhi is a cheater.....cheater....

A person from the crowd started shouting and everyone followed suit.

Cheater....cheater....cheater...Pakhi is a cheater.....

The crowd chanted as it circled around her throwing allegations as well as whatever was there in their hands.....be it crumbled papers, pencils, ink.

Pakhi tried to escape the crowd but couldn't as they blocked her way.

Terrified by the crowd and the chants, Pakhi stood in the middle crying with closed eyes and her hands on her ears trying to block every sound coming her way but it didn't stop.....instead the chants intensified.....causing her body to shrink in the middle out of immense fear.

Meanwhile, on another end of the corridor, stood the principal and a few teachers of the school welcoming their chief guest for the day....the one and only Anuj Kapadia.....when the chants and slogans started and reached their ears.

All of them including Anuj turned around at once to see what's happening and saw around ten-twenty students gathered around someone and moving in circles chanting "Pakhi is a cheater".

The scene in front came as a shock to the principal and the teachers as it embarrassed them in front of the person who was not only the chief guest but also the trustee of the school.

Not wanting to let the situation go out of hand, the principal gestured two of the teachers to go and get it under control and they immediately followed his orders while he stayed back to divert Anuj's attention away from it.

Sir....

He began trying to engage Anuj in a conversation but he ignored it and made his way towards the crowd in curiosity leaving the principal no choice but to follow him.

Making his way through the crowd, Anuj along with the principal and teachers reached the middle and the entire crowd went silent seeing them.

However, the scene in front of them shocked Anuj to the core.

Pakhi....

The name escaped his lips as his eyes fell on the teen girl standing in the middle of the crowd with his eyes red with tears and ink stain all over her face and her dress.

Not wasting a second, he walked up to her and called out "Pakhi" but she didn't respond and kept looking at the ground with her head bowed down.

Seeing her condition, Anuj bent down to her level and called again.

Anuj:- Pakhi...

Hearing her name from his mouth, she lifted her head up and looked at him but couldn't recognise him as her vision was blurred due to the tears that lingered in her eyes.

Anuj:- Are you okay?

He asked gently keeping a hand on her head but she shivered out of fear and he immediately retracted his hand back.

Taking out a handkerchief from his pocket, he offered it to her, gesturing her to clean up and she took it.

As she wiped her face with the handkerchief, Anuj stood straight and turned towards the crowd wanting a clear idea of the situation but before he could, the principal beat him to it.

Principal:- What is going on here?

He asked in a voice loud enough to hear for the entire crowd but no one responded.

Teacher:- Is this how you treat your fellow classmates? Have all of you lost your manners?

One of the teachers scolded them, pointing towards the condition of terrified Pakhi who they were harassing a few minutes earlier.

Ashish:- No mam....we haven't but Pakhi has.

He back answered the teachers, causing the principal to give him a death glare.

Principal:- Whatever it is. We can talk about it later. Now all of you....go and do your work.

He ordered in a stern tone wanting to save face in front of Anuj but the crowd especially the ones that started the whole scene didn't budge.

Shanaya:- Sorry sir.....but we can't discuss this later. It is urgent and about the dance competition.

She stated leaving the principal and the teachers more infuriated than they already were.

Teacher:- Shanaya.....principal sir said we will discuss this later means....we will discuss this later. Now all of you.....leave.

She asserted gesturing the entire crowd to leave but Anuj couldn't let go of this easily.

He wanted to get to the bottom of the matter not because it was Anupama's daughter Pakhi but it was a kid being harassed in a school which he is a trustee of. He couldn't let this behaviour pass by as if it was nothing.

Anuj:- No one is going anywhere.

He ordered and the principal and the teachers looked at him surprisingly.

Principal:- But sir....

He tried to interrupt but Anuj gave him a stern look that caused him to stop.

Turning towards Pakhi, Anuj tried to check if she was okay but she clearly wasn't.

However, she had stopped crying and now she could clearly recognise the person in front of him.....it was no one else but her mom's closest friend but also her father's biggest enemy as his father has been announcing these days in the house.....Anuj Kapadia.

Pakhi kept looking at him in shock when he asked again....

Anuj:- Pakhi, are you okay?

He raised his eyebrow in question and she was surprised that he knew her name.

Not being able to say anything, she just nodded and that was enough for Anuj.

He turned back towards the crowd and looked at Shanaya who had just voiced out her feelings a few seconds ago.

Anuj:- Shanaya.....is it?

He cross-checked.

Shanaya:- Yes sir.

She confirmed meekly.

Anuj:- You wanted to discuss an issue that required urgent attention. What is it?

He inquired looking at Shanaya and she looked at her friends for assurance.

Receiving a nod from them, she continued....

Shanaya:- Sir, we believe that Pakhi has done something to win this dance competition.

She tried to insinuate that she cheated and Anuj understood but he needed confirmation.

Anuj:- What do you mean by "something" ?

He questioned.

Ashish:- Something that isn't right. She has cheated.

He uttered clearly and Anuj looked at Pakhi who again had started sobbing and nodding in a no.

He gestured her to keep calm but she couldn't help it.

Teacher:- That is a very serious accusation Ashish.

One of the teachers stated in a stern tone wondering if this is some kind of mischief on part of the students but it wasn't.

Tina:- We know mam but we also know this time that she has cheated.

Tina cleared her doubts but Anuj had some of his own questions.

Anuj:- Cheated how?

He asked looking at the students who were throwing such accusations at Pakhi.

Taran:- We don't know sir but we are sure she has.

He asserted and Anuj was left baffled by his statement.

Anuj:- You don't know how she cheated or even if she has cheated or not and yet you guys are accusing her of it without any proof.

He stated in a stern tone questioning their judgement and the principal thought of backing him up since he was an important trustee of the school.

Principal:- Anuj sir is right. Do I have to remind you that the dance competition hasn't started yet and hence cheating or winning here is just out of question !!

He tried to bring some sense to the conversation before the situation escalated and made him look bad in front of Anuj.

Priya:- The dance competition might not have started yet but the results have already been declared. She is going to win it no matter how much better we are in the competition than her. Because she is a cheater.

Priya spoke leaving Anuj surprised.

Anuj:- And how did all of you reach this conclusion?

He asked in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear but no one responded as the principal and the teachers gave them a stern look.

Anuj sensed this and hence repeated himself.