Kailash

1.

She didn't know if she did it right, running away from home to pursue her dreams to become a singer. Her father protesting against her wish being a very conservative, reputed family in Delhi. Shehnaaz Ahluwalia, a 25 year old, ran away an year ago to her friends place in Mumbai. Still struggling to prove her talent but happy to give it a fight and doing something of her will. She is in touch with her family, keeping them updated daily of her struggles and achievements. They are her lifeline, her mother, brother, her grandparents and yes her dad as well, who do not talk to her but keeps himself updated about her.

"Korou... kya hain tu... aur kitni der lagayega, jaldi aana, maine bhi nahana hain" she said irritated by her friend with whom she is staying since an year. Korou, is her kindergarten school friend from Delhi, he is from Kathmandu but due his fathers job he was brought up in Delhi. He being a very timid and shy guy, became friend with his opposite, Shehnaaz, the most boisterous and mischievous classmate. Both of them were trained in signing with the same master in Delhi and he came to Mumbai with the opportunity to become a chorus singer in the film industry and also helped Shehnaaz to enact on her dreams. She was a chorus singer too and would be called by various music directors for background voice, to record music and earned a decent amount with that, though not enough but it served her with the basic necessities.

"Aa gaya meri Maa.. thoda sa bhi patience nahi hain tere main Naaz!" he said coming out of a small bathroom in a two bedroom apartment. He is a short guy, very skinny, pale skin and small tiny eyes, very prominent East Asian features.

"Kotthey, tu thees minute se ghussa hua hain, nahane gaya tha ya tiles ginn raha tha? Me being a girl take less than 15 minutes.. Pata nahi itni si body ko nahane main itna time kyun lagtha hain tuje!" Shehnaaz glared at him with both her hands on her waist carrying her clothes and towel.

"Ab late nahi ho raha tujhe? Jaldi kar le.. I don't want to get late to airport" Korou said walking towards his bedroom to sort his luggage for the trip to Delhi. He had planned to meet his family there who were going to Kathmandu and asked him if he can join and he obliged to them. Shehnaaz was tempted to go with him as it was an year that she has not seen her family and she missed them. They would always call her but she was adamant to prove to her father her worth and that she can survive on her own contrast to what he always said, "Gaana gayegi yeh aur nautanki karegi.. kuch nahi kar sakthi tu apne dum pe, Shehnaaz... kuch nahi.. ladki hain.. pada likha diya.. ab shaadi kar aur ghar sambhal.. bas.. jaayada na udne ki zaroorat nahin hain.. samjhi...."

His voice would resonate in her ear time to time but his crude words didn't deter her to be a singer and make a name in that. It actually triggered her to run away from him, to prove him that he is wrong and that she believed in her talent. She said to her mom that she will try for an year to see if she can survive in this world by herself, if she couldn't then she will be back and prove her dad right and would do whatever he says and it's been an year. She worked hard with great discipline and dedication she is standing up on her own feet, no help from her father and proved him wrong.

She is still a struggling singer, still working hard to be a lead singer and make a name, but she is happy, contented with where she is and that foundation of peace within her was enough to face her father. In the flight back home, she was excited to meet her mom, she missed her the most, she is her comrade who was always there to support her mentally whenever she felt dejected and low.

They reached Delhi airport to be received by Shehnaaz's brother Shehbaaz, her only sibling, younger to her, whom she adored and was very fond of. "Oye, mera Baazey... mera cuteuuu.. Kaise hain tu?" She ran into his arm to engulf him in her arms tight, with eyes getting wet seeing him after an year. Though she talked to him daily in video calls but seeing him in front of her eyes made her emotional.