Chapter 3

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

Note- I’m not sure how this chapter has actually turned out.  I just hope you are able to resonate with my words and my disconnect with Sairat due the current plot does not reflect here.

Chapter 3

After the initial surprise subsided, a broad smile broke out on the faces of Mohit and Ashwini. Through the small crack in the crowd they saw the dance floor and right in the centre of it stood Sai and Virat in a close embrace. Sai was wearing a sheer black net saree with a thin fuchsia sequin border and Virat was twining with her in black suit with a light pink shirt. They complemented each other exquisitely and looked perfect together. Though there were a few who were upset seeing them together, but Patralekha’s fury knew no bound. She was seething with jealousy.

Just then someone from the gathering started to speak on the mic. 

Emcee - Alright everyone. At the count of three we will play the music and with that we will commence the last round of this dance competition. The cadence of the music being played will keep changing and you need to match your steps with it, while ensuring the coordination with your respective partners. The decision of the judges will be final and as when they raise the placard for a couple it will signify that the couple is eliminated and we would request them to leave the dance floor. And the guests here can start cheering for their favourite couple at start of the beats. So brace your selves.. our top 5 couples. 

While the other 4 couples stood stiff, carefully listening to the instructions and preparing themselves to compete, Sai and Virat were simply holding each other, in a very relaxed, comfortable posture. With Virat’s hands on either side of Sai’s waist holding her close, and Sai’s hands were possesively placed on his shoulders. With their forehead pressed together and eyes closed, it seemed like they were not bothered with the competition and were simply being drawn by the other, lost in each other. The Chavan family had moved towards the dance floor, some willingly while the others unwillingly.

Emcee - Get ready. On the count of 1..2..3

Just as the music went on the guests started clapping and cheering. Sai and Virat seemed to have already garnered a fan following as their names could be heard in the midst of the chaotic loud noises of the crowd. It began with a slow number and the couples instantly began dancing to the music. Sai and Virat started to move slowly without breaking their embrace, their eyes locked with each other. They were barely aware of the people around them. His hold on her was firm as if he could not bear to stay away, yet so gentle as if she was fragile. Just as he pulled her more closer trapping her between his hands, she draped her arms around his neck, tightly.  She placed her head on  his shoulder while he rested his head lightly on top of her head. They moved in sync slowly, it seemed as if they had been transported to a different world. While the other couples were concentrating on the technicality and focussing on matching their steps, these two were simply absorbed in each other without a care about the world around. Music flew through their bodies like fluid and they just went with the flow. It was a pure bliss to watch them, this graceful pair in action. And the escalating noise of the applause from the crowd was the evidence to it. The music changed to a more faster tempo and Virat spun Sai and let her move away just for a second, before pulling her back against his chest. With another spin he had himself back hugging her and with his chin resting on her shoulder, they continued to groove to the music sensually.

Virat - (whispering into her ear, his breath fanning her face, sending a frizzy sensation through her body) You look so mesmering. I just can't take my eyes off you.

Sai blushed at his statement and tried to look away. Virat tucked a finger under chin to make her look at him.

Virat - And I can't seem to keep my hand off you either.

Sai's cheeks turned a shade darker with that, but the eyes had an extra twinkle as if holding a promise...Later!

As the music changed to thumping, fast pace mode, the slow, smooth and graceful moves turned to a more sultry and steamy version of swaying, twirling and twisting. Virat literally swept Sai off her feet while they moved around the dance floor. Sai barely felt her feet touch the floor while they swung around to the enchanting music. Everything and everyone around seemed to have dissolved in the air. With the passion climbing a notch higher with every passing moment, the ambience turned more romantic and the desire evident in the eyes of the two completely besotted souls. As the music turned soft again their bodies atuned to the number and they swayed slowly glued to each other while trying to catch their breath. They were so close that they could feel their breath on their faces and their silhouette seemed like they had merged as one. Sai's hair had covered their faces and they inched forward involuntarily, as if under a spell, threatening to brush their lips against each other. Just when the tempation to close the gap became overpowering, Virat with a feather touch tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, never breaking their eye contact. Sai shivered with the tingle caused by that touch. Their eyes were speaking a language of their own, where words were inconsequential. They followed beats of their own, their bodies in synchrony, swayed as one to a rhythm unique to them.

Virat - How much ever I wish to devour those lips right now, this is not the place for it. But the wait is killing me. I still can't believe that I  turned out so lucky. Just the sight of you takes my breath away and every moment away from you makes my heart bleed for you. I love you Sai. I love you like I have never loved anyone. 

Sai - I love you too Virat Ss...

She stopped herself as Virat raised an eyebrow.

Sai - (beaming, her pure love reflecting in her eyes) I love you very much Virat! And I will forever be thankful for having you in my life.

The music changed again and Virat spun her around, pulling her back against his chest while snacking his arm around her bare waist. The touch raised the burning desire in their hearts. His other hand that was wrapped across her shoulder, were overlapped by her arms and they continued to sway to the rhythm. 

They seemed to be melting into each other. Lost in proximity and love that was trying to consume them, their steps matched to their own accord. Drowning in the pool of their eyes, everything just felt magical as if no one else existed, but just them. They didn't realise for how long they had danced, till the cheering from the crowd brought them back to the real world. They looked around, a little embarrassed, only to realise that they were the only ones who were still on the dance floor, with all eyes on them, shouting out their names in unison. Sai looked at Virat and wondered how things had changed so swiftly between them and how she was falling head over heals in love with this man, her HUSBAND...if she had not already!

Flashback

Sai walked out of her hostel and began to walk towards her college building. She had only walked a few steps when she felt footsteps behind her. She turned to look, but  didn't notice anyone suspicious. As she continued, she again heard those steps and just as the hair on the back of neck rose, so did the fear from last night creep in. Her heart was thudding and she practically ran to cover the distance to her college. Despite back to back classes, Sai couldn't shake of a strange feeling. A sense of fear was lingering somewhere at the back of her mind all the time. 

The next day she ensured that she walked closer with a group of girls on her way to the hostel. It was during one of her classes, that she felt someone starting at her from the classroom window from the corner of her eye. She turned to look, but she saw no one there. She was constantly feeling that she was being watched all the time. She had not seen anyone soon far, so she was not sure how and with whom she could share this concern. That day on her way back she again felt footsteps following her. Though she kept checking around every 2 minutes, she couldn't place a dubious face to those steps among the people around. She feared being stalked and this brought back memories from her past. And this time she didn't have the comfort of Virat. Though she had left him to gain her own independence and fight her own fear without his protection, she now longed for it. She craved that care and comfort. 

It had been a few days, and her fear had intensified. She felt that she was constantly under some scrutiny and the thought that it was unknown to her made her freeze. It was during a break when she was chatting with Aniket along with a few of her classmates at the canteen, when she sensed those eyes again. She was determined to face her fear and catch whoever it was, looming in the shadow. Sai had shared her fear with Aniket, and though he wasn't convinced completely himself as they had never noticed anyone so far, he had promised to help her like a true friend. So when she felt that she was being watched, she signaled Aniket, who understood the message and slowly got up, excusing himself under the pretext of getting some books from the library and casually walked out of the canteen. He went around the canteen to the window Sai had pointed to him discreetly. He saw a figure peeping in through the window. He walked up to him and slowly tapped on his shoulder, only to start stammering, struggling to get together words that failed to cross his lips. Sai had closely followed Aniket, but she was left speechless when she saw that face!

Next Chapter - Fear has a face?

[MEMBERSONLY]