Chapter 5

Part Five

Sharon felt a touch on her hand and it took a second to recognise the person.. She tried to pulled back her hand but he held it tight not letting her go.. She undid the blindfold and found a grinning Swayam looking back at her.. It took her less than a second to get lost in his deep brown orbs that had the love.. The care.. The happiness.. The glint that she had longed to see.. She herself was very excited that Swayam was her partner but didn't show it.. She gave him a weak smile but he also noticed the happiness her eyes emoted.. They stood next to each other and Swayam had not yet left her hand.. Their fingers were yet intertwined.. Though she tug her hand to free herself from his grip he didn't let her..

Host: Wow! That was amazing.. Though we have a slight change in couples here.. Sharon and Swayam.. Ruhi and Vicky.. Hmmm.. Toh yahan sach main dil ne cross connection ka confusion dur kar kiya..

All had a hearty laugh.. Swayam looked at Sharon who had not reacted much in fact she was looking down.. This confused Swayam and he kept looking a her for any reaction from her end.. On the other hand Sharon was looking down trying to hide her vulnerability from him.. She was loving his touch.. it felt so warm.. loving.. protective.. But at the same time his touch was making her weak in the knees.. The feelings she had suppressed were starting to travel to the surface.. She knew he was not hers anymore but his touch was saying otherwise and this was confusing her as to why was he suddenly so close to her..

Both were got out of their thoughts when they heard Ruhi who had come to Swayam

Ruhi: Swayam..

Swayam (looking at her): Haan Ruhi..

Ruhi: Woh.. Aap mere partner nahi bann sakte woh aage ke games khelne ke liye?

Sharon looked at Ruhi and now she was all the more eager to know Swayam's answer.. but she also knew that this would get Swayam in a fix.. So to make it easier for him she loosened her grip on his hand indicating that he should choose Ruhi as his partner.. Swayam turned to look at her as he felt her grip loosen.. He gave her a confused look to which she just smiled.. He understood why she did so and turned to Ruhi..

Swayam: Ruhi relax.. Vicky bhi dost hi hai..

Ruhi: Par Swayam aap toh mere date hai na Rose Day ke liye..

Swayam (calming her): Hey.. Hey sirf kuch games hai.. So chill ok.. Tum jao Vicky ke saath khelo ok?

Host: So guys as we have got our couples let's start the games.. What say?

Ruhi had to reluctantly move towards Vicky as the games were about to start.. Sharon now had a smile on her face which she was trying to hide but couldn't.. Swayam looked at her and his heart surely skipped a beat because he had seen that smile after quite a long time.. Looking at her smile his lips too took a crescent shape..

Host: So guys in the first round aap sab couples ko ek ek balloon diya jayega.. Aapko aap dono ke beech iss balloon to balance karte hue dance karna hai aur haan woh balloon girna nahi chahiye.. So are you'll ready guys!!!

The volunteers came forward and hand a balloon to all the guys.. Swayam held the balloon and took a step towards Sharon..

Sharon (in mind, eyes closed): Come on Sharon! You are Sharon Rai Prakash.. You can never loose.. Yes! You can do it..

She opened her eyes with a determined look and stepped towards Swayam.. They first balanced the balloon between them.. He then asked her for her hand and she slowly placed one hand in his and the other on his shoulder.. He held her hand as it was some delicate petal and then wrapped his hand around her waist.. The music started and the slowly started swaying to the music.. Swayam looked at her intently getting her to drown into him.. Here Sharon was already lost looking deep into his chocolate brown orbs.. After a long time she could find endless love.. Longing.. Care.. For her.. Her eyes reflected his.. Both were being engulfed in the love their eyes emoted for each other.. The rest of the world was now blur too them.. The music or the host no more held their attention.. They were lost in their own distant world where it was just them.. This place was theirs.. The place they visited together when they were a couple and the place that consisted of their beautiful memories..

On the other hand, the other couple had already lost as some of the balloons either fell or burst.. It was just Swayam and Sharon dancing.. Everyone was looking at them.. The gang was shocked that both had not even heard the host call them.. Rey, Kriya and Simi had a smirk on their faces.. Rey with the same smirk moved toward both his best friends.. He took a pin from the volunteer and pricked the balloon which was between Swayam and Sharon..

The sudden sound got Sharon so scared that she jumped and hugged Swayam.. Reason she was hell afraid of the noise balloon made when they were burst.. She clenched onto Swayam coat and hid into his chest.. He immediately wrapped his hands around Sharon protectively as he felt her shivering a bit.. He rubbed her back soothing her a bit.. Rey was giggling and so were the rest of the guys as they all knew about Sharon's fear..

Sharon realised what was she doing and immediately took a step backward getting out of his grip.. She was blushing as she saw Swayam grinning ear-to-ear.. They she looked at Rey who was still laughing.. She hit him on his arm..

Sharon: What the hell Rey! Tumne balloon kyun burst kiya?

Rey (giggling): Agar balloon burst nahi karta toh poori raat hum yahin baithe rehte.. Tum dono ke intezaar main.. Ke kab tum apne dream world se niklo..

Sharon (hiding her blush): Shut Up!

Host: Ok! Ok! Ok! So we have clear winners for our first round.. Swayam and Sharon!!!!

Everyone hooted and clapped for them.. Swayam and Sharon looked at each other and Sharon immediately looked down hiding her blush.. Swayam was still in a zone.. He was still lost in his Sharon-Land when again the host chirped in..

Host: So the next game is very simple.. Main haar couple ko 5 questions puchunga aur jinke sabse jyada answers match hote hai.. They are the winners.. So why don't we start with Nil and Simi..

All the couples were asked questions about each other.. Some scored good.. Some ok.. And now it was Swayam and Sharon's chance to answer the questions.. Both stood in the spot light facing each other..

Host: So lets start with a simple question.. What's your partners Favourite colour..

Sharon: Yellow..

Swayam: White..

Host: Aapke partner kis type ka music sunna pasand karta/karti hai?

Sharon: Old Bollywood songs..

Swayam: Same.. Sharon ko bhi Bollywood songs sunna bahut pasand hai..

Everyone present was left shell-shocked when Sharon agreed about liking Bollywood songs..

Host: Ok next question.. Jab apka partner upset hota hai toh usse kya karna pasand hai?

Sharon (looking start in his eyes): Jab bhi Swayam upset hota hai toh woh akele rehna pasand karta hai aur jab tak uske khud ke thoughts sort out na ho jaaye tab tak kisi se uss bare main baat nahi karta..

Host: Is that right Swayam?

Swayam nods positively with a smile on his face..

Swayam: Aur jab Sharon upset hoti hai toh woh sirf ek cheez karti hai.. Dance..

Sharon smiled and agreed with him.. She felt a strange kind of happiness even though she knew no one except for Swayam knew her that well..

Host: Next question.. Ek situation jis main aapke partner ko bahut ghussa aata ho..

Sharon: Swayam waise bahut hi calm insaan hai.. Usse jaldi ghsaa nahi aata par agar agar koi uska trust tode toh usse bahut ghussa aata hai..

Swayam noticed the heaviness in her voice and knew what was she thinking about.. So he thought of lightening up the atmosphere a bit..

Swayam: Sharon kis cheez se ghussa nahi hoti yeh question hona chahiye tha (all giggle and Sharon just gave Swayam a glare) Ok on a serious note jab bhi kisi friend ko koi hurt kare tab Sharon bahut hoti hai..

All were quite amazed by Sharon's answers.. Swayam was not a surprise to them but Sharon surely was..

Host: Wwoohoo! That was amazing guys! You'll have 8 points in your basket now.. So here is the last question.. Agar yeh wala bhi correct raha toh you'll will be the winners of this round too.. So here is the next question.. Aapke partner ke liye kya sabse jyada important hai? Passion, Love or Friendship?

As soon as the host completed his question Swayam and Sharon answered together..

SwaRon: Friendship!

They both looked at each other surprised.. All waiting to know if what they said was right..

Host: And the winners of this round are.. Once again.. Swayam and Sharon!!!

All hooted and applauded for them.. Swayam and Sharon were continuously stealing glances of once another.. All the boys walked to Swayam and started teasing him and tickling him

Vicky: Ummm hhmmm.. Kya baat hai yaar! Hum toh aaj ta kiss impression main the sirf tune Sharon pe Ph.d ki hai..

Nil: But yahan toh Sharon bhi.. Uummm hhmmm Kya baat hai yaar.. teri toh nikal padi.. Sharon! Jo kisiko bhav nahi deti woh tujhe itni acchi tarah se jaanti hai..

And the boys did their signature CHEMISTRY move.. Rey knowingly smiled at him and he just pleaded to save him the boys.. They all were told to stand back in their couples as they were not down with games yet..

Host: So here is the next game.. Paper Dance.. Game simple hai phir bhi rules bata deta hu ke jab tak music chal raha hai couples ko dhyaan rakhna hai ke woh paper se bahar apna per na rakhe.. Aur music stop ko fold kiya jayega aur jo bhi couple last tak balnce kar paaye.. They will be the winners..

Sharon was like it's going to be fine.. She was sure Swayam and she would make it.. Here Swayam was continuously looking at her to see if she felt uneasy or uncomfortable but as he got no such signs he was relieved.. The volunteer placed a paper between them both stood on it.. This time took her hand and placed one around his neck whereas the other was held in his.. They started swaying to the music.. Sharon was continuously looking down as she knew what were his eyes capable of doing and she didn't want to land up in an such situation now.. Swayam smiled knowingly as he knew what exactly was going on in her mind..

Swayam (huskily): Look at me Sharon!

Sharon slowly looked towards him and found him looking at her just the way he was looking at her during the first games.. The music stopped and this time both stepped back in time when the volunteer was folding the paper.. Sharon removed her heels as now she knew she will have to stand on Swayam's feet.. The thought itself sent shivers down both their spines.. She now was nervous as she would have to go close to him.. She looked at him who was smiling at her lovingly.. He stepped on the paper and gestured her to come.. She slowly step on his feet and he pulled her closed by her waist.. This time her one hand was right next to his nape.. It was as if they were partially hugging each other.. Both their faces were too close.. Another jerk and their lips would touch.. To avoid any situation like this she moved her head a bit sideways and now their cheeks were almost touching each other.. Swayam tightened his grip due to which she was pulled closer.. His lips were right next to her ear.. Her poor heart was fluttering like a caged bird feeling his hot breath on her exposed skin.. He was feeling all elated to have the love of his life finally in his arms.. Both closed their eyes taking it each other's presence.. Sharon involuntarily rested her head over his and so did he.. They were loving this closeness.. This is something they had longed for from a very long time.. Both relaxed in each other's arms.. Swayam let out a sigh and it fanned Sharon's ear sending electric jolts down her body.. She slowly open her eyes..

Sharon (softly): Swayam..

Swayam: Shhh.. Stay Sharon.. Yeh moment bahut special hai..

Sharon was taken aback by his words.. The barrier that was obstructing her feelings to flow broke and her eyes went a bit moist..

Sharon (controlling her tears): Kyun?

That was all she could utter then.. Swayam knew it was time..

Swayam: Because..

Sharon: Because?

Swayam (tightening his grip): Because I love you Sharon..

Sharon closed her eyes taking in those words.. She had longed to hear them.. She was smiled and there were streams flowing down her eyes.. Her happiness was short lived.. All the past memories rushed into her head.. Their relationship.. This break up.. Their fights.. Her rejection.. His rejection.. His accuses everything just came back to her.. She was on the verged of breaking down.. She took notice or their surrounding and before anyone saw her in this broken state she freed herself from his arms and ran away some where she no one could see her or hear her..