Chapter 3

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter 3:

Arnav Singh Raizada, made himself comfortable in the seat, right in front of the stage. He spoke with a couple of acquaintances, who had also graced this occasion. He knew his mom was actively participating in the welfare of Ashadaan. The Raizadas had been involved with the Ashadaan in Lucknow for years now. They had also been the main funders for the Delhi branch. Arnav made sure to finish all his calls before the program began, as he hated being disturbed while concentrating on any particular thing. This was another trait that he had absorbed from his father.

Arnav observed the hustle and bustle around. Children of varying ages were strolling around wearing colourful clothes and costumes. Their happy faces, their excited conversations brought a smile to his face. He remembered his childhood when Anjie and he, would participate in school cultural activities. The ambience around made him nostalgic, and made him want to run home to his sister and hug her. He doted on his sister, she was the baby of their family. And that was one of the reasons why Arnav loved kids. They always reminded him of her mischief, her pranks and her innocence. Yet today, despite all these wonderful distractions, his mind kept going back to a particular beautiful face. He could not stop thinking if she had been real or a figment of his imagination. He so longed to look into those eyes and make sure they were hazel. He shifted in his seat restlessly, thinking about his 'angel'... yes that's what he had named her.

Everyone had begun to settle in their seats as the function commenced. Arnav was enthralled watching the various performances that the young kids had put up together. It was unbelievable to see their zest for life and to show their talents despite being brought up in an orphanage. With tragedies being a part of their lives since childhood, they seemed to have accepted it and moved ahead in life. Ashadaan had done a commendable job, and he would make sure that this orphanage was funded well. Now he knew why his mother was an active participant in this venture. It made one cherish life more, it made one see the world in a new light. Some children came on stage and gave speeches on various topics, while a teacher - student duo presented a fascinating magic show. A chorus song was composed by the kids, where some children played the guitar, piano and the drums. He had to admit that the show was organized professionally and the teachers here had done great work. The applause wouldn't stop after every performance. Everyone gathered, seemed to be enjoying this small function.

In one of the small breaks between performances, Arnav was busy discussing the future prospects for the orphanage with its Director. In the background he could hear the next performance being announced. It was a teacher - students dance performance, and out of his own accord, Arnav felt a strong pull to look up towards the stage. As the music began, a group of young girls came on stage dancing to its rhythm, and along with them, came a beauty in white. He could not believe his eyes as to whom he saw on stage. Like a small kid, he rubbed them to see if it was real or just his imagination. And then he sat there mesmerized, as his 'angel' swayed to the tune of a song from the new movie Agneepath.

Gun Gun Guna re, Gun Gun Guna re

Ho Maayusion ke chonge utaar ke phenk de na saare
Candle ye shaam ka phoonk raat ka cake kaat pyaare
Sikhana tune magar humne sikhaya re
Dumdaar nuskha yaar humne jo aajmaaya re
Aasuo'n ko chooran chabake humne dakaar maara re

She was so beautiful. He could see her more clearly, now that he sat so close to the stage. Her expressions mimicking every word of the song, her eyes speaking a thousand words, her face illuminated by the happiness she felt dancing. He was too engrossed in her, to notice all the cute little girls dancing along with her. As the song continued...

Gun Gun Guna re, Gun Gun Guna re

Hmm..sarpe hain tere khujlike jo tokre
La humko dede halka ho ja re tu chhokre
Jo neende apne naakhun se jo noch le woh
Dard saare jalte choolhe mein tu jhonk re
Zindagi ke raashan mein gham ulta zyada hai
Thok mein khari denge khushi ka pitara re

Was she looking at him while dancing? He could feel her gaze halt on him time and again. Those big, round eyes were boring into his face, his soul. No, no! That must be a coincidence. Her hair swayed along with her curvaceous body. Her grace while she danced was something else. And somehow, he felt that the song was' who she was. The words spoke about her, making her put her heart and soul in the performance. What was this feeling? A girl whom he had seen an hour ago, whom he was seeing only the second time in his life had already taken over his senses.

Gun Gun Guna re, Gun Gun Guna re

Tu munh phulaa le sooraj bhi dhalne lage
Tu muskura de chand bhi jalne lage
Chup rahe toh maano behri lage zindagi
Tu bol de toh parde kaano ke khulne lage
Ek bandh bottle ke jaisa kya hau betha hai
Khali dil se bhar de ye glass hamara re


The sun would hide behind a few clouds and then make an appearance again, casting enchanting light & shadows on her striking face. It seemed as if they were playing peek-a-boo, while here, this angel was playing with his sanity. He still could not see the colour of her eyes clearly, but something kept telling him that they were hazel. The song had ended, and the loud applause broke his reverie. He looked around and then back at the stage. The children were jumping with joy for giving such a beautiful performance and so was their teacher. She looked like an innocent kid herself. Arnav could not stop staring at her. She had a magnetic charisma, and he was drawn to her. Did she just look back at him while walking away? No, No! Not again ASR!! The Delhi heat is just getting to you. The rest of the performances went by in a blur, because Arnav could not focus on anything. His gaze kept wandering around to spot her, but he could not. He again went into doubting that he had actually seen her, as he sat restlessly in front of the stage.

And backstage, a restless Khushi Kumari Gupta sat, holding her hands over her racing heart. She had been so anxious about her performance. She had known Arnav would be watching the performance, but like this? She had gone up on stage and tried to ignore him, but had failed miserably. He was too fascinating to resist. Every time she glanced at him, he had been staring at her. She had felt her 'dhak dhak's' all throughout the performance. The only reason she had managed to complete it without any difficulty was, because she loved dancing. She knew that she had felt an instant attraction towards him, but what she had not known was that he too seemed to notice her. Even the thought of it made her blush. She had been so distracted after her performance, that instead of her motivating the children, the children had come and kissed their favorite didi to get her attention time and again.

The function was on the verge of ending and Arnav knew he would have to make an exit soon. He needed to make sure that his 'angel' was here. He had to see her one more time, just to convince himself that she existed. After that he would see what had to be done for all these crazy emotions. The Director of Ashadaan, Mr Ashok Malhotra walked up to the stage and gave a speech regarding his plans for the orphanage, and how everyone present could help in shaping the future of these very talented children. He called upon Arnav Singh Raizada, the Chief Guest for the evening to say a few words. As Arnav got up from his seat he heard the Director announce "We would like to honor and thank our Chief Guest for taking time out of his busy schedule, and gracing our Annual Function. I would like to call upon our very talented teacher, Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta, to give Mr Raizada a bouquet and a token of our appreciation."

By this time, Arnav had stood up on the stage and looked around for some old lady to walk to him, and present the bouquet. But there she stood, his 'angel' in white. A little shy, to even look up at him. He sighed heavily, in relief over the fact that she really existed. She was here in front of him. What had the Director said?? Khushi Kumari Gupta...Khushi... The name itself, brought a huge smile to his face, just like her name suggested.

Laad Governor! Is he trying to kill me today, with that thousand watt smile? Khushi had courageously managed to look up at him, only to see him smile broadly at her. Why was he doing this to her already fragile heart? When the director had announced her name, she did not even get a minute to gather her thoughts. A bouquet and a gift had been placed in her hands and she had been pushed onto the stage. She walked towards him, as if in a trance. He looked much more handsome than what he looked some time ago. His magnetic caramel eyes were looking at her intently, making her blush.

His 'angel', Khushi, was so pristine. Her pale, flawless skin, her high cheekbones that had a alluring tinge of red spread across them. And finally he looked into her soulful hazel eyes. Yes, they were hazel. He gave himself a mental high-five for the correct guess. As soon as she stood right in front of him, the entire surroundings blurred. All he could see was her flushed face, her trembling hands holding a bunch of flowers, her lowered eyes and her teeth biting onto her extremely tempting lower lip. He could not stop some wanton thoughts from flashing into his head. As he took the gifts that she held out to him, their fingers brushed against each other for a minuscule second. A jolt of electricity ran through his body and he saw the same emotions reflection her face. She quickly withdrew her hand, and before he could even thank her, she scurried off the stage. He kept staring at the vacant spot, where she had been standing mere seconds ago.

Arnav did not realize how he had managed to give a speech and how he had managed to thank the people of Ashadaan for inviting him to witness such a brilliant display of talent. As he moved towards the exit, his eyes wandered around to catch a glimpse of Khushi. He wanted to talk to her, thank her for the gifts, and appreciate her performance. But he knew, this was not the right time. With one last glance backwards, he headed out of the gates of Ashadaan, leaving an extremely flustered Khushi staring at his receding back.

Chapter 4

Hey guys, sorry again for the delay in update... hope you'll have enjoyed it!!
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This chapter as usual is for Vandana and Chitra' what would I do without you'll? I guess would be designing behind a desk while my copywriter gives me the headline and copy for the layout!

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