Chapter 24: Dual Champions- Virtual vs. Reality

NOTE:

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I have recently changed the format in which I write stories. The dialogues were in normal font, the actions were in italics.

A reader suggested that I dont do that as it was getting confusing to read. Let me know if this works out for you!!!

If you have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. ❤️

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A few days later,

At Naina's apartment:

(The apartment was alive with the sounds of buttons being furiously clicked and animated shouts as Kiaan and Kiara battled it out in a racing video game.

The console, recently set up by Kiaan, had transformed the living room into a mini gaming arena.

The screen flashed with intense colors as their motorcycles zoomed through a virtual racetrack.

Kiaan sat forward, completely focused, his controller moving in quick, precise motions.

Kiara, on the other hand, leaned back with a confident smirk, matching his every move.)

Kiara: (mocking) Kiaan, tum har baar, first lap mein hi spin kyun kar lete ho? tumhe toh driving license ka sapna chod hi dena chahiye!!

Kiaan: (not looking at her) Haan, haan, bol lo. End mein race toh main hi jeetne wala hoon.

Kiara: (rolling her eyes) Sapne dekhne mein, time mat waste karo. Tumhe haraane ke liye toh main hi kaafi hoon.

(Kiaan's motorcycle suddenly swerved, narrowly avoiding a crash.)

Kiaan: (shouting) Oh no! Yeh kya tha? Tum ne kuch kiya na!!!

Kiara: (laughing) Main kya karoon agar tum screen pe dekhne ki jagah, buttons pe concentrate kar rahe ho? Multitasking seekh lo, bhaai!!!

(Kiara pressed a few buttons, her motorcycle overtook Kiaan's on a sharp turn.)

Kiara: (grinning) Anddd... main aage hoon! Tum bas peeche se, meri tail lights enjoy karo!!

Kiaan: (determined) Main, peeche nahi rehne wala!!! Watch this!

(He pressed the boost button, his motorcycle zoomed ahead of hers. Kiara's jaw dropped.)

Kiara: What the—! What the hell did you do?? (she narrows her eyes) Ab toh tum gaye.... Ab toh Full attack mode on hi karna padega!!!!

(Her motorcycle bumped into his, pushing him off the track slightly.)

Kiaan: (yelling) Arrey! Cheating toh mat karo!

Kiara: (innocently) Cheating? Mujhe toh fair play lag raha hai. Collision toh game ka part hai!

(The finish line approached rapidly, their motorcycles neck-and-neck.

Both were yelling commands to themselves as if it would make a difference.

And finally...... The screen flashed, declaring Kiaan's motorcycle: 1st Place.)

Kiaan: (jumping up in victory) Yes! Yes! Main champion hoon! Accept it, Kiara. Tum mujhse better nahi hai!!!

Kiara: (throwing a pillow at him) Tumhe toh sirf show off hi karna aata hai!!!! real life mein, race karo mere saath kabhi.... Phir dekhna!!!! real life mein toh tum itne slow ho... ki tumse tez toh mera phone charge ho jaata hai!!!

Kiaan: oye!!! Don't you dare mix both the worlds!!! Virtual racing ka toh main hi champion hoon!!!!

(Both dissolved into laughter, already preparing for the next round.)

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In the kitchen:

(Naina stood by the counter, slicing the carrot and the cucumber for the salad, while Sunita, sautéed some sabzi in the kadhai and stirred the chicken curry that was simmering in the pot.

She glanced toward the living room and smiled.)

Sunita: (fondly) Bacchon ke aate hi ghar mein jaan aa jaati hai, madam ji.

Naina: (smiling, eyes soft) Haan, Sunita. Bacche, ghar ki jaan hote hain, har kone ko apni hasi se zinda kar dete hain.

Just then,

(The doorbell interrupted their conversation. Naina wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and took off her apron.)

Naina: main dekhti hoon. Vikram ji aaye honge. Aap, chawal ko ek casserole mein nikal do aur yeh salad ki bhi acche se plating kar do.

Sunita: Ji didi.

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At the main door:

(Naina walked to the door, her heels clicking softly on the tiled floor. When she opened it, Vikram stood there, his usual composed self, with a faint smile tugging at his lips.)

Vikram: Hi.

(Before she could respond, he leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against her lips, his eyes darting briefly toward the living room to ensure the kids didn't see.)

Naina: (whispering, a little flustered) Jaan! Bacche hain yahaan...

Vikram: (grinning mischievously) Aur woh toh game mein busy hain... I don't think they even noticed.

(He stepped inside, his eyes landing on the twins sprawled on the carpet in front of the TV.)

Vikram: (raising an eyebrow) Toh aaj din bhar bas game kheloge? Aur kuch kaam, karoge ya nahi?? yahaan aaye ho, swimming hi kar lete... ya koi activity hi join kar lete?

Kiara: papa, painting class mein join karne ki, ab hamaari age nahi rahi!!!

Kiaan: (without looking up, intent on the game) and waise bhi, Papa.... yeh kaam hi toh hai. Concentration aur strategy ka kaam!

Kiara: (laughing) Haan, papa, ek dum productive activity hai!

Vikram: (shaking his head, amused) Tum dono ke excuses na.... har baar naye- naye dhoond ke laate ho!!!

(He ruffled Kiaan's hair on his way to the kitchen, where Sunita greeted him with a polite nod.)

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In the kitchen:

Vikram: Naina, kuch kaam hai kya? Main koi help kar doon?

Naina: (placing bowls on the counter) Nahi Vikram ji. Sab ban gaya hai. Main toh bas table set kar rahi thi.

Vikram: I'll do that!!!

(He moved toward the crockery cabinet and began pulling out mats, plates, and glasses.

Naina watched him for a moment. Her heart, warmed at the sight of his easy involvement in the little tasks of their home.)

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At the dining table:

(As Vikram laid the table, Naina brought out the food, setting it carefully on the dining table. She called out to the twins.)

Naina: Kiaan, Kiara, jaldi aajao! Khaana lag gaya hai.

Kiaan: (groaning, frantically pressing buttons on the controller) Bas ek minute, mumma!!!!

Naina: jaldi!!!!

(Sunita wiped her hands on the napkin and took her apron out.)

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At the main door:

Sunita: accha didi. Main chalti hoon.

Naina: (nodding warmly) Haan, Sunita. Thank you. aaj shaam mein aane ki zaroorat nahi hai. aap seedha kal subah hi aajaana.

Sunita: (with a polite nod) Ji didi

(Naina walked Sunita to the main door, opening it for her.

She waited until the cook disappeared down the hallway before closing the door behind her.

Letting out a small sigh of relief, she turned back toward the dining area.)

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At the dining table:

(Vikram was already seated at the table, adjusting a glass that seemed slightly out of place.

As Naina walked over, she glanced toward the living room, where the twins were still immersed in their video game.

She placed her hands on her hips and raised her voice slightly.)

Naina: Kiaan, Kiara! Game bandh karo aur table pe aao. lunch is ready!

(The sound of frantic button-mashing filled the air as Kiaan groaned loudly.)

Kiaan: Mumma, ek minute! Game save karna hai!

Kiara: (shouting back) Almost done! Hum bas aa rahe hain!

Naina: (sighing) Mujhe nahi pata, bas do minute mein table pe ho tum dono!

(As she sat down next to Vikram, she glanced at him with a mix of amusement and exasperation.)

Naina: yeh dono kiss angle se 12th class ke students lagte hain!!??

(They shared a small laugh before the sound of hurried footsteps signaled the twins were finally on their way to the table.)

Naina: Jaldi khana khalo. Phir tumhe, airport ke liye nikalna hai. Tanvi bhua, phuphaji, aur Kabir aa rahe hain naa!!!

Kiara: (eyes lighting up) Wow!!! Kabir bhi aa raha hai? Yes! Ek aur gaming partner mil gaya!

Kiaan: (grinning) Sahi hai! Kabir ke aane se toh mazaa hi double ho jaayega.

(Vikram shook his head at the twins, a faint smile on his lips.)

Vikram: Tum dono ke dimaag, sirf games mein hi hote hain!!!

Naina: (smiling) Aur kya! Bacchon ke liye, holidays ka matlab hi masti aur games hai.

(Kiara reached for a piece of roti, then looked up at Naina with a sly grin.)

Kiara: Waise dinner toh aaj bhi ek dum mast hone waala hai. Meghna ki boneless chicken biryani... uff, mouth-watering!

Kiaan: (excitedly adding) Aur woh ghee cake! Oh man, too good! Mujhe toh, abhi se muh mein taste aa raha hai!!

(Vikram leaned back in his chair, looking amused.)

Vikram: Tum dono, khaane ke baare mein kitni baatein karte ho!!!! Ek alag level ka passion hai, seriously.

Kiara: (cheekily) Papa, passion hona chahiye har cheez mein. Chahe woh khaana ho ya games!

Kiaan: (grinning) Exactly! Life mein priorities toh clear honi chahiye, right?

(Naina laughed softly, shaking her head.)

Naina: Bas, dono kha lo jaldi. Kabir ke saath phir gaming aur khaane ki planning kar lena.

(The twins shared a conspiratorial smile, already envisioning the fun awaiting them with their cousin. The adults exchanged amused glances, their laughter adding to the warm, lively atmosphere of the meal.)

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