“Sufi is the winner!” everyone has been saying since a month. It’s out on the net, they said. Despite being a net-freak myself, I didn’t ever get to the actual source of the revelation but somehow I didn’t mind believing the news either. So many people saying the same thing, could not be wrong. Crash!! goes my belief. I should have learnt when they said: rumors spread faster than a fire.

After voting out Paulomi in Sydney, Palak and Nauman were called back to Mumbai for the finale. The previously ‘voted-out’ roadies were also called back in; it was hardly a surprise.

NOW (in Karjat), enter Raghu. Even he had heard people talking about Sufi’s victory; he condemned it. Straight-face, a few rude words to some contestants and Raghu turns to Palak and goes on..and on..and on. The baldie had probably considered himself a spokesperson for the rest of us: He verbalized every single hate-able thing in Palak, accused her of having no manners, of polluting the show with her unrestrained use of dirty language, of being unfair and stupid.

Raghu even said that you are a girl by mistake; had you been a guy, I’d have shown you the right way.

Unintentionally, Raghu delivered the biggest surprise of the show as he hauled Palak over the coals. He usually puts on a callous, intimidating face but his chivalry and graciousness do subtly shine through, many-a-times.

I, for one, could never picture Raghu rebuking a girl like that. But I don’t blame ya dude. Palak, we know, is a strange creature in female disguise. No feminists are hitting you for giving her a cold lesson.

Since Sufi and Natasha were ousted because of the (uncalled) twists in the game, Raghu offered them a second chance at the finale. And Kiri, with all aloofness from game-politics, was offered the same by his fellow contestants through a popular vote.

But only one of them could proceed to compete with Nauman and Palak, which was to be decided by a task.

The three were required to walk on a narrow wooden plank, placed only a few feet above the ground. But it was obviously not that simple. The contest was held around midnight, when it was pitch dark and all the lights were turned off, except for a nasty strobe light in their faces.

I’m sure it was tough because that light can make one sick even on a dance floor. It is commonly used in discotheques and clubs and gives the effect of slow-motion. Everything becomes so hazy.

No wonder the contestants were not very pleased. However, Kiri easily outshined Natasha by walking the ramp in a little over 4 minutes as compared to her time of more than 10 minutes; Sufi could not even complete the walk.

Palak had walked off the scene after being admonished by Raghu, she even faked an asthma attack but was back in the game the very next morning, unabashed.

Palak, Nauman and Kiri will now compete for the coveted title, and Sufi is NOT the winner.