1.1|Baano • (◠‿◕)

With her Dadi's stick in her hands, Baano was heading to the Sarpanch's house.

"How dare that Sarpanch's idiot son talk rubbish about me. I am not gonna leave him today."

As the villagers saw her holding her Dadi's stick, they understood someone is going to be admitted to the newly opened government hospital in their village.

Baani Ahluwalia, usually called Baano, was a 23-year old angry young woman. She was a fierce tigress who was always ready to pounce over her prey.

Many boys had a phobia of hers.

Once in the ninth standard, a classmate of hers dared to propose to her. She especially borrowed a ruler from her strict maths teacher to beat that boy.

During her bachelor's, a guy tried to flirt with her. She hit him with her Punjabi jutti in front of the whole campus.

So the conclusion is BBB.

Boys, Beware of Baano.

•••

Armaan Gill was present in the house of the Sarpanch of a small village near Hoshiarpur city. He was there to shoot a scene for his short film.

But the stupid son of Sarpanch was continuously irritating him.

"Armaan Saab, you know what, I am a God-gifted actor. Acting flows through my veins. Let me show you a demo."

The so-called God-gifted actor put his sunglasses on with a slap-worthy grin plastering his face.

"Rishtey mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hai. Naam hai shehanshah. One more! Basanti! Inn kutton ke saamne mat nachna. And my favorite! Tariq pe tariq! Tariq pe tariq! Tariq pe---"

"Tariq, where are Roshni and Kunal?" Armaan asked his assistant, Tariq.

"Armaan Saab, don't lose this golden chance to work with a rising superstar."

This rising superstar was rising his temper.

"I am sorry, but it can't be possible. You, a rising superstar, and I, a two-rupee director. You are born to work with filmmakers like Karan Johar." He said in a flattering tone.

"You are a jeweller."

"No, I am a director."

"No, you are a jeweller who recognized my true worth."

At this point, Armaan wanted to slap himself for choosing this house for shooting.

"Armaan sir."

"Yes, Roshni."

"Sir, there is a problem. I am unable to connect with the character."

"Roshni, it's pretty simple. Your character is going to beat the guy who misbehaved with her. Girls can easily connect to this situation."

"But I have never faced such a situation."

"Listen, just try to do it. That's all you can do now."

She nods to him.

"Okay then, let's start the shooting. Everyone, take your positions."

Armaan sat in front of the monitor in which he could see the scene being shot. Actors took their positions. The cameraman held the camera at a perfect angle. Other crew members stood aside.

"Action!"

But before shooting could begin Baano came there. She was in full mood to complete her century in beating boys.

Sarpanch's son was sitting on an armchair in a corner. Sipping a cold drink with a ridiculous smirk on his face which quickly faded away as he saw the millennial Phulan Devi approaching him.

He stood up, clearly having an idea that she will beat him like a Dhobi washes clothes. Before he could get 9-2-11(run away), the stick which was as old as Angrezon Ke Zamaane Ka Jailer, came in contact with his back. He screamed. Baano hit him again and again. He screamed in agony again and again. Others blinked their eyes at the scene in front of them again and again.

Armaan noticed that it was the same scene he was supposed to shoot. He signaled the Cameraman to record it and then mouthed Roshni to watch it carefully. His perfectionist attitude didn't stop him from taking advantage of someone's beating as well. For him, it was no less than an opportunity to witness the scene written by him live. He was quite proud of his realistic imagination.

The show called 'Baano Beats' went on for exactly 15 minutes and 45 seconds. And would have continued longer if Baano's friend wouldn't have come and stopped her.

Baano finally stopped.

"Think thousand times before defaming a girl."

Armaan smiled unknowingly at her boldness.

Baano left with her friend.

Crew members helped now dooming superstar to go to the hospital.

Then they successfully wrapped the shooting, all thanks to the live show they just saw. Armaan was satisfied with his work. He mentally thanked that stranger danger girl.

•••

Four months later.

Baano had shifted to Patiala from Hoshiarpur. She got the job of assistant choreographer and right now she was present in a rehearsal hall.

She always had a craze for dance which soon turned into her ambition as well. The so-called society opposed her. She belonged to a middle-class Punjabi family where dance is all about celebration or fun, not a profession. And those who choose it as a career are looked down upon. But her ex-colonel father had no objection to it. He had faced this situation in his youth when his father refrained him from choosing singing as a profession. So yeah, Baano is one of those lucky girls who have a supporting family.

Tired from rehearsing for almost two hours, Baano sat on a chair aside. Drenched in sweat, breathing unevenly, she gulped water from the bottle.

A fellow assistant choreographer, Diljeet came and sat on the chair beside hers.

"Baani, don't you think we will make a good team together? I mean you and me. We should celebrate our newest friendship in a club tonight."

He was trying to hit on her. Only if he knew he was messing with the wrong girl.

Baano first pacified her breath. Gaining energy for something which may happen next.

"Diljeet, you should be thankful that my Dadi is not present here." She smirked.

"She won't like it, that's why?" He asked, a little perplexed.

"No, whenever any guy tries to be free with me I beat him with my Dadi's stick. That's why."

He gulped in nervousness. He understood he messed up with the wrong girl. Showing a little bit of sense he had he stood up.

"Excuse me please, I have to call my Dadi. Bye." And he ran away from there. Baano reminded him of his Dadi.

"Hey, Baano!" She heard Nicky's cheerful voice.

Nicky was another fellow assistant choreographer. She was one of those rare people who could befriend the tomboy Baano instantly.

She sat on the same chair where Diljeet was sitting a while ago.

"I have a news." Nicky was quite excited.

"Spill then," Baano said nonchalantly.

"The director of the music video, which we are gonna choreograph, is coming to the rehearsal hall in an hour or so to see our preparation."

"Okay, what's so exciting in it?"

"He. The Armaan Gill. Rising star director."

"Armaan Gill? I haven't heard his name ever."

"He is new in the industry. He made his directorial debut with a short film which was a blast. He has received many awards for his work. I also watched his short film and it was mind-blowing. Especially the scene in which the female lead beats a guy who misbehaves with her. It was so inspiring."

"Interesting. But I am not at all interested in knowing him or his work. All I have to do is to do my job efficiently and accurately."

"As you wish. But I am not gonna leave him if got an opportunity to know him personally. His work speaks for his personality."

Baano rolled her eyes at the way Nicky was smitten by this Armaan Gill without meeting him. Well, that's what nowadays youngsters do.

•••

Armaan reached the rehearsal hall exactly at two in the afternoon.

After his short film received a lot of appreciation, he got a golden opportunity to collaborate with a leading music label for a music video. And he is going to rock it for sure.

Simran Bajwa, the choreographer of the music video took him to a certain hall that had mirrors as walls. And his eyes landed on a very familiar figure.

"Baano?" He thought to himself.

It's been four months since that blockbuster beating session, still, he couldn't forget her nor he will ever.

Baano was one of those rare personalities who could leave a mark on him. He admired her for being unique and fearless.

Simran Bajwa called Baano.

"Mr. Gill, meet Baani Ahluwalia. She is going to choreograph the dance as I have fractured my leg while dancing. And Baani, he is Armaan Gill. The director of the music video."

Baani Ahluwalia.

But Baano suits her more. It defines what she is.

Coming out of his daze, he forwards his hand for a handshake. She gladly shook her hand with his.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Baani."

"Likewise, Gill Saab."

Gill Saab!

It sounds so different from her sweet voice.

"Okay then, let's start with the demo. Baani, are you ready?" asked Simran Bajwa.

"Yes ma'am."

After few minutes Baano took her position. The music blared in the mirrored walls of the hall. She danced with confidence and passion. She was not dancing like a dancer, but an actor. Her expressions clearly describing the mood of the song.

Heartbreak.

Like she was living it in real. But no, it was just that she feels the music. She knows the art to express the lyrics of a song through her actions, which makes it appear as if she is living it.

But alas! He couldn't concentrate on the playing music. His full focus was on her and her actions. He didn't need any music. Her moves were more melodious than music.

Oh! He just developed a tiny crush on her.

Ah! She will be the death of him.

Haw! He was checking her out.

Ouch! His heart forgot to beat.

Shh! He is falling for her.

The sound of clapping broke his trance. Baano, standing in the middle of the hall, was panting a little. Dance is not as easy as it seems.

"So Mr. Gill, did you liked it?" asked Simran Bajwa expectantly.

"Of course, Miss Bajwa. It was fantabulous."

He knew nothing about dance, but the one dancing was indeed fantabulous.

He had never imagined that he will get mesmerized by a stranger, who has no idea how much he admires her.

How strange it is.