It was the student exchange program at Shri College today, and they had been excited for this day since weeks. Why Because students from a university from Toronto, Canada were visiting India. It was a celebration, a gesture to welcome foreign students to India. Sarita Greywal, the event head sighed seeing everyone rushing and the staff were on toes for the welcome. Deciding to take a final look, she breathes and takes the right exit from stage and returns to the college back gate to find the exchange program students talking to her college mates and her eyes met a junior who's eyes screamed for help. "Excuse me gentlemen." Sarita intervenes putting a tight smile and blinking at Arya, the junior. "I'm the event head and you're not allowed in this area. Let me take you to where you're supposed to be." she smiles almost forcefully seeing their uninterested faces. "Okay." A guy almost her age said bored and said something in foreign language to his other two companions. "I'm Jess by the way. Half from here and half Canadian, and you're?" the guy with specs tried to initiate a conversation with Arya softly. "I'm- "Hindustani." Sarita cuts Arya off and meet's Jesss' eyes. "huh?" "We're Hindustani. And you're supposingly Half Hindustani." Sarita clarifies. "Same thing." Jess shrugs "It's respectful." she says with a tight smile but the eye glare couldn't be missed. Jess chuckled and raised his hands. "Okay Miss Hindustani, can we go now?" Sarita stared at him for a while and then started walking while rest followed. "Is she always hot headed?" Another guy asked Arya who shrugged. "She's interesting." Other guy patted Jess's shoulder. "She is." Jess agreed his eyes not leaving Sarita the whole event. After a 4 hour exchange event, they were supposed to leave to their hotel but at last moment an annoucment happened and everyone groaned too tired. "May I have your attention gentlemen and ladies." Jess looked and found Miss Hindustani on the stage and an amused smile on his lips. "Is that- "yeah. Let's see what she has to say." "Words are powerful but actions speak louder than words. Let me present you all with the last performance of this evening, and I hope this will forever stay in your hearts. Brace yourselves." With that a music began, and everyone focused on the stage where girls in huge garments wrapped around them walked and joined their hands together in respect. Hum Logo Ko... Samajh Sako To... Hum Logo Ko, Samajh Sako To, Samjho Dilbar Jaani Jitna Bhi Tum Samjhoge Utni Hogi Hairani Sarita's cocky eyes met Jess's eyes and he pressed his lips together. Hum Logo Ko, Samajh Sako To, Samjho Dilbar Jaani Jitna Bhi Tum Samjhoge Utni Hogi Hairani Sarita picks up an umbrella, opens it when she sees a child without an umbrella as the heavy rain pours and instantly gives it to him while she herself soaks in the rain. Apni Chatri Tum Ko De De Kabhi Jo Barse Paani Kabhi Naye Packet Mein Beche Tumko Cheez Purani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani "Miss Hindustani indeed." Jess chuckled. Thode Anadi Hai, Thode Khiladi Ruk Ruk Ke Chalti Hai Apni Gaadi The scene changes where Sarita rushes out of her house leaving her pursue behind and she rides the scooty arguing with someone on call, hits a car and runs away quickly and in between the ride stops and she stomps her scooter sitting on the road now, clueless what to do. Thode Anadi Hai, Thode Khiladi Ruk Ruk Ke Chalti Hai Apni Gaadi A woman approaches Sarita and smiles gifting her some snacks which she accepts gratefully and they converse where now Sarita demands some money to fix her scooty but promises to repay her as soon as possible. Hume Pyaar Chaahiye, Aur Kuch Paise Bhi Hum Aise Bhi Hai, Hum Hai Waise Bhi The scene changes where her scooty gets fixed and she is repaying the money to that same woman after a week, and now they're gossiping randomly like old age friends. Hum Logo Ko, Samajh Sako To, Samjho Dilbar Jaani Ulti Seedhi Jaisi Bhi Hai Apni Yahi Kahani The scene changes after the meet that Sarita did not return all the money, but left few coins to herself and enjoys herself a chai with samosa because she's a broke hostel student. Thodi Hum Me Hushiyari Hai Thodi Hai Naadani Thodi Hum Me Sacchai Hai Thodi Beimaani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani The screen goes blank for a while and soon another girl comes, a young student who's crying for not scoring well and felt like giving up when Sarita kneels in front of her and wipes her tears. Aankhon Mein Kuch Aasun Hai Kuch Sapne Hai Aasun Aur Sapne Dono Hi Apne Hai Aankhon Mein Kuch Aason Hai Kuch Sapne Hai Aason Aur Sapne Dono Hi Apne Hai Fast-forward 20 years later the girl is a successful lawyer and presents to thanks to her mentor - Sarita who's proud of her success. They together cry in happiness and embrace each other seeing they made it even after so much ups and downs in life. Dil Dukha Hai Lekin, Tuta To Nahin Hai Umeed Ka Daaman Chhuta To Nahin Hai This passes a message to everyone to have a hope, a little faith and believe in yourself because everything relies on you. There is hurt but that heart shouldn't be too broken to repair. And healing ourselves is our responsibility and keeping on hope we definitely succeed in life. There happens a flashback where all breakdowns were shown, but when one decides to not give up, and fights with people and things in life to achieve what one truly wants , in the end everything is worth is. Sarita explains through her actions, that people of this country are stubbborn, bound by constraints and compulsions but they're kind, loving, hardworking and more stubborn to follow their dreams and passions as well. They're complicated, messy, disorganized but in the end all they have is a kind sweet and good heart. Hum Logo Ko, Samajh Sako To, Samjho Dilbar Jaani Thodi Majburi Hai Lekin Thodi Hai Manmaani Thodi Tu Tu Main Main Hai Aur Thodi Kheecha Taani Humme Kaafi Baatein Hai Jo Lagti Hai Deewani The team dances with joy and respect and finally end the performance with "JAI HINDUSTAN" Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani The crowd burts into applause and Jess meets Sarita's eyes which were now a bit warm as before and he grins raising his hand and saluting her, she blinks and gives a small nod before dissapearing again in the crowd. At the college gate Jess was waiting for her, eager to see her once before he leaves but sighs when their teachers urge him to get inside the bus. "Jess get inside- "excuse me." Jess turns his head quickly and his lips curve at the sight of her standing before him. "We're getting late, last warning Jess." The teacher said and left them. "Miss Hin- "Sarita." she says "huh?" "Miss Sarita." she says with a playful smile. "Okay Miss Sarita." the honk comes and Jess's smile dissapear. "See you soon?" he says half heartedly knowing there are 0 chances for a reunion. "Soon." Sarita smiles and steps back while Jess groans getting inside the bus. He grabs the second last window seat and looks outside seeing her giggling and squints his eyes. She points at his bag, and the bus begins moving slowly. Jess sees the bag, a sticky note attached and his eyes widens. 79XXXXXXXX, text only Have a safe flight back home -Miss Hindustani He grinned staring back and waving at her. She waves back, a pure genuine smile this time on her lips. The exchange program was definitely successful. All Jess took from India was not just memories, but a sight breathtaking to his eyes and a connection he was sure to water and grow it for the future. And he left pieces of his heart at the auditorium too. he hopes, someone may just protect him. "dude." his friend nudges him asking what song they played at last "Phir bhi Dil hai Hindustani." Jess smiles plugging his earpods and listening to it all way back to home.
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