Chapter 4

Chapter 3

The next morning, all of them went to the rehearsal hall and started their rehearsals. Taani was also busy with her GS duties. They waited for her message regarding the inspection of the performance. Swayam even tried calling her but she did not respond to any of his calls. This bugged him a lot and he went looking for her. He passed by the VP's room and he heard Taani saying something to the VP. He decided to snoop, so he went to the nearest window and peeped through it.

VP: So I hope tum sab events aur domains ke activities ko supervise kar rahi ho.

Taani: Yes sir, maine sabhi ke heads se baat kar liya hai. Unka progress kaafi accha hai.

VP: Aur dance team se?

Taani was silent for sometime. She wanted to lie about their progress, but somehow was not able to do so.

VP: Kya hua Taani? Say something.

Taani: As of now, unka progress is ok. They are preparing for both NDC and their professional events. Aaj unka event hai, to is reason se aaj NDC ki rehearsals nahi hui.

Hearing this, Swayam got enraged and left the place.

Swayam (thinking angrily): Taani tum aise kaise bol sakti ho ki hum log NDC ki rehearsals nahi kiye. Tum aise directly bol dogi sir ko, ye maine tumse expect nahi kiya tha.

As he left the place, Taani continued speaking to VP sir.

Taani: Sir, I agree ki aaj NDC ki rehearsals nahi hui, but they are actually working very hard. And kaafi difficult hai dono rehearsals ko manage karna, but they are doing a very good job. Jitna maine observe kiya hai, unke routines are definitely the best. And mujhe pura bharosa hai ki St.Louis hi NDC jeetega.

On hearing this, VP sir smiled. He then wished her all the best and reminded her to give regular updates. Taani was going back to the locker room when she received a phone call. She picked up the call.

Taani: Hello

Person: Am I speaking to Miss Taani of St.Louis College?

Taani: Yes, May I know who this is...

Person: I am speaking from the official venue of NDC. This call is regarding the completion of certain other formalities for the competition. There are certain other details required. We tried calling Ms Sharon, but she was not answering the call. It would be great if you can inform her to come and give the required details.

Taani shook her head in disappointment. She was about to go and ask Sharon regarding the matter, when she reminded herself the promise she made of taking care of all the formalities regarding NDC.

Taani: Uski koi zarurat nahi hai. Main khud aati hun. And aage se aisi cheezon ke liye aap directly mujhe call kar dijiye.

In the canteen

After the rehearsals, the whole gang gathered there to take a break. Suddenly Swayam entered, looking all angry and upset.

Rey: Kya hua Swayam? Itne gusse mein kyun hai?

Swayam (angrily): Taani ne VP sir ko ye statement diya ki hum log NDC ki rehearsals nahi kar rahe hai and that we are only concentrating on our event rehearsals.

Everyone got angry. This was certainly they were not expecting.

Vicky: Bas Swayam! Baaki logon ka pata nahi, par main aur tolerate nahi karunga. Har cheez ki limit hoti hai.

Everyone agreed with him. Rey and Swayam looked at each other, thinking what to do next. Then Sharon spoke.

Sharon: Guys, I know hum sab bahut zyaada upset hai. Tum iske baat ko itna importance mat do. She is just getting hyper. Uski is harkat ko ek naadaani samajh kar ignore karo.

Swayam: But Sharon...

Sharon: No ifs, no buts. Just ignore her. She still has to learn a lot. Vo khud hi samajh jaayei ki aise statement pass karne se aur humein terms dictate karne se vo GS nahi banegi. Use jo karna hai, use karne do. Humein jo karna hai, vo hum karenge. Agar vo humse koi baat bolegi, aur humein vo important lagta hai, to hi use hum consider karenge, varna nahi karenge. Faltu mein uske muh lagne ki koi zarurat nahi hai.

Everyone agreed. They did not realise that Taani was standing at the entrance of the canteen and had heard the whole conversation. She was totally shattered after hearing it. She was trying her level best not to break down, but it was very difficult. She ran towards the girl's washroom and shut herself in one of the cubicles. She cried so hard that she started getting hiccups and slowly began to feel breathless. After what seemed like hours, she came out and washed her face.

At that very moment, Sharon entered the washroom. She saw Taani's red rimmed eyes and dull face. She got confused and wondered what had happened to her. She put her hand on her shoulder and asked her politely.

Sharon: Taani, are you ok? Kya hua? Tumhara face itna dull lag raha hai aur tumhari aankhen bahut zyaada red ho gayi hai.

Taani turned towards her and was about to give her a piece of her mind when she realised that it was totally worthless talking to her and the whole group. She put on a fake smile and answered her.

Taani: Nahi Sharon. Aisa kuch nahi hai. Mujhe dust se allergy hai aur lagta hai ki aankh mein chala gaya hai. Don't bother about me. I will be fine.

Sharon: Actually mujhe tumse baat karni thi.

Taani nodded a stiff yes. Sharon got even more confused. However, she ignored the thought and continued

Sharon: Actually mujhe NDC se call aana tha for further instructions, but I did not receive one. Kya tum please unke kisi official se baat karke further details ke baare mein baat kar sakti ho.

Taani: Aap uske baare mei mat sochiye. Unko jo details chahiye the, vo maine unhe mail kardiya hai. Aap aaj apne event par focus kijiye kyonki vo zyaada importat hai. Don't worry main sab handle kar lungi.

Saying so, she grabbed her bag and left in a hurry. Sharon was not convinced. She went into a thought process.

Sharon (thinking): Ye Taani ko achanak se kya hua? Usne mujhe ek baar bhi NDC ke baare mein baat nahi kiya. Ulta, vo mujhse ye bol rahi hai ki main apne event par concentrate karun. Usse pehle, vo kehne lagi ki vo thik hai, jabki uska face kuch aur hi convey kar raha tha. Kuch to gadbad hai...dvishwa2013-04-21 05:34:02