Chapter 38

PART 38

Her eyes were on her friends but her mind was searching for him. She took a glass of juice and excused herself to start looking for him. She looked at the time. "Is he nor gonna come? Should I call him?", she thought. She walked here and there smiling at random people. In the process, she actually passed by him too. She smiled at him but could not recognize him. He smirked at her curiosity and was having a good time ogling at her. She searched the entire lawn for him. Feeling tired she just sat on a chair. Her mood was spoilt completely. She thought that he hadn't come. In frustration, she stood up to leave. Her sarree came under her sandals. She stumbled and was about to fall and closed her eyes in fear. Vardhaan held her arms in the nick of time and saved her. She adjusted her sandals and murmured a small thank you to him and was about to leave. He held her wrist and called out,

Vardhaan: "Miss Sanyukta Agarwal!"

Her eyes shot open as she instantly recognized his voice and turned back to face him, only to see him smiling with a hand in his pocket. She looked at him from bottom to top and was dumfounded. Her mouth was left open. He came close to her and ran a few fingers on her face tucking her hair behind. He smilingly said, "Muh bandh kar lo Sanyu, machhar chala jaaega." He closed her mouth. "Jitne der chahe dekh lo, main yahi hu", he grinned. She covered her mouth with her palms in utter surprise and giggled.

Vardhaan: "Kya hua? Main itna funny lag raha hu kya?"

Sanyukta: "No no. Not like that. Oh my god..You are indeed looking very handsome. I mean really, really handsome!"

She said adjusting his collar.

Vardhaan: "Thank you. And you are looking damn sexy! You just cannot imagine what all things I am fantasizing right now."

He said pulling her by her waist. She blushed hard and a dash of red appeared on her cheeks.

Sanyukta: "Ssshh...koi dekh kega. Leave me."

She said trying to push him. But he again pulled her.

Vardhaan: "Nahi. Aaj nahi. Aaj agar tum chaho tab bhi main tumhe nahi chodne waala. I am thinking, forget the party. Let's go home or I am alright with your dorm as well. Mujhe kahi bhi chalega. What say?"

Sanyukta: (blushing) "Gawd, you've become so damn cheap and vulgar! Are you drunk?"

She giggled and tickled him. He lost his grip on her and she went away, but not before turning to him and winking at him. She joined her friends and got chatting with them, in between gazing at him. She felt thirsty and went to the bar counter. But, she was confused about what to take and was just staring at all the drinks and the menu card. Vardhaan came to her aide. He helped her in selecting a drink. Well, it was not so easy. She had the most vague choice in the world. She tasted many drinks, made some puking faces and rejected it. Finally, she settled with Passion fruit Vodka. She liked it. Vardhaan was sceptical about her drinking Vodka. He looked here and there.

Vardhaan: "Listen, this is the first time you are drinking this. Dheere dheere piyo Sanyukta. Yeh naariyal paani nahi hai. I think it's better if you eat some starters in between. And, at anytime if you feel giddy, just give me a call."

Sanyukta: "Chill Vardhaan. You are so boring and are behaving like my mother. I think, I should go and take some lessons from Randhir on how to be cool. He's so cool and plus don't you think, he's looks handsome today?"

Vardhaan: "Listen to me one last time, as you know I don't like to repeat myself. Next time, if he tries to come close to you or even tries to touch you, I'll break all the bones in his body. Aur tum ek baat acche se yaad rakho, tum sirf meri ho. Tum par sirf mera haq hai!"

She was dumfounded listening to him. She looked deep in his eyes and smiled.

Vardhaan: "Kya hua? Aise kyu dekh rahi ho?"

Sanyukta: "Aur boliye naa. Accha lag raha hai."

Both of them started giggling, when the Dean observed them. It was the first time when he had seen Vardhaan so happy. He smilingly thought, "Yeh dono... Strange. Vadhaan and laughing, and that too with his student. May be, they're sharing a joke. Chalo, at least, she managed to get a smile on his ever brooding face."

She was having the drink when Kaustuki came to the bar. She smiled and wished Vardhaan. Vardhaan smiled back and complimented her.

Kaustuki: "Hey, Sanyu...the DJ will be starting after some time."

Sanyukta: (smiling) "Hey, look who's here. The most beautiful girl in my life. You're so cute! I love you darling!"

Sanyukta said pulling her cheeks, giving a peck on her cheeks and hugging her.

Kaustuki was astonished.

Sanyukta: "Kaustu...who is looking more dashing today. Me or him?"

He said pointing a finger at Vardhaan. Kaustuki felt awkward and she was put in that position by none other than but her insane friend. She knew everything about Vardhaan and Sanyukta, but she never spoke to Vardhaan, considering him as her best friend's boyfriend. Hell, she didn't even have any guts to do that. Vardhaan was equally conscious.

Kaustuki: "Umm...see...Sanyu, mujhe jiggy bula raha hai. Bye, main jaa rahi hu."

Sanyukta pulled her back and chided in irritation.

Sanyukta: "No...first answer me..and then go!"

Kaustuki didn't know what to say and was in a fix. Vardhaan understood it and thought of helping her.

Vardhaan: "Answer it Kaustuki, else she won't let you go."

Poor Kaustuki had no option. She nodded her head and responded that Sanyukta was more dashing than Vardhaan Sir. Sanyukta did a small victory dance and hugged her again. Kaustuki smiled and looked at Vardhaan who murmured a small thank you to her. She left from the spot alongwith Sanyukta. The gang of friends occupied a table. The Dean came up on the stage.

Dean: "Good Evening guys..Hope you're enjoying the party?"

Everybody agreed in unison. "Well, it's not yet over. I have planned something for this evening. I am sure each of you may have thousands of emotions and feelings in your heart for this institution. So, I would like the students to voluntarily come on the stage and say a few words..may about this institution, you know the goods and bads about this institution. See, you the youth, are the face of FITE. It will help this institution if we could get some tips, regarding the areas where we need to focus and improve and all that...your experiences with FITE, some good and some not so good, any messages to your professors to your friends, though I would love it if you have something for me too. So come on, let's start!"

Everybody clapped and one by one went on the stage and thus began the process of mini speeches. Some of them were really funny and it looked like some kind of a laughter show. It was Sanyukta's turn next. She smiled at people and proceeded on the stage. She inhaled a deep breathe,

Sanyukta: "Whoo...Hi everybody. First and foremost, I have to say this, that all of you are looking stunning today. And I can't believe, I am about to complete my MBA. Going by the standards of an Arts background student, that's a pretty decent achievement."

She said with sarcasm and grinned looking at Vardhaan, who instantly remembered the first time he had insulted her in the entire class saying that an MBA is a serious profession and not some Arts festival. He smiled back at her and there was some sort of telepathy between them.

Sanyukta: "Wow, four years have passed. So soon! I've really had my share of good and bad experiences here. I've made many friends with whom I am gonna be in contact for a lifetime and many acquaintances as well. Umm..I met a girl here. You know before meeting her, I was under the impression that only I was the most insane person on earth. But, no. She's much better than me in this department-that's my best friend Kaustuki. The first time I saw her, she was in torn jeans, spaghetti top, bandana on the head, a tattoo on her arm and a guitar hanging on her shoulder. She was chewing a gum too. I scanned her from top to bottom. She looked really wild. I had sent a silent prayer to god to save me from her. But guess what, she was the one who actually saved me from getting ragged that night. She's one person who has never judged me, has laughed with me, has cried with me, has listened to all my insane talks be it anytime of the day or night, has saved me from many of the professors, has been my partner in crime and above all, has always stood by me. Thank you Kaustuki. Thank you for making this journey a memorable one. I am not gonna say that I'll miss you coz I won't be leaving you anytime soon. Get that right away lady!"

Both the girls had tears in their eyes during this very emotional speech. Kaustuki gave a flying kiss to Sanyukta. The crowd clapped hard.

Sanyukta: "Hey, why are you all clapping? I am not done yet."

The audience laughed.

Dean: "It's OK Sanyukta, take as much time as you want."

Sanyukta: "Thank you Sir. So, I was talking my good and bad experiences in FITE. Umm...the very first day in college, I still remember, Vardhaan Sir's lecture was the first lecture in FITE, that I attended. Vardhaan Sir entered my class and as soon as I saw him I got the shock of my life."

The audience was confused and the Dean asked him,

Dean: "Shocked? Why was that so?"

Sanyukta: (looking at vardhaan): "Sir, can I share with them?"

Vardhaan was embarrassed and shy. He smiled and nodded a-no.

Dean: (smiling) "Vardhaan, that's not fair! Come on Sanyukta, I tell you, don't be afraid to tell anything. I guarantee that today's speech will not affect your evaluation."

Sanyukta: (smilingly) "Alright. Nobody here knows that before I joined FITE, I had met Vardhaan Sir in not so good circumstances. And I had left a very bad impression on him. So, much before I joined FITE, he had already evaluated me. It so happened that in Delhi, he was on his bike and riding at a breakneck speed. And I was riding my scooty on the opposite side. I don't know what happened, the next moment I saw, a man along with his bike approaching towards me in full speed. I tried to change my direction, but alas it was too late. And he collided his bike with my tiny scooty. Then, there was a very heated argument, in fact a cat fight between us regarding who was the culprit and who was responsible. The police had to intervene. They had a perfect solution to end this chaos. They handcuffed us and put us in a lock up. Then again in the lock up, we fought. And, it's only because of my innovative and creative idea, that night we were out of the police station. I still remember the heated exchange of words that we had. I had vowed to never see him again in life. But, as they say, the world is too small. Not even in my wildest dream did I imagine that he'll be my professor in FITE. I mean I had very badly insulted him, on the road and in front of a 100 spectators. So yea, after that I saw him in my class as a professor, I had indeed got a heart attack."

The crowd was laughing out loud listening to this story. They were clearly enjoying.

Dean: (laughing) "Oh my god Sanyukta, you're really lucky that you're still alive."

Sanyukta: "This is one incident that I'll always remember. And then, I started hiding from Vardhaan Sir, in every possible way. At last, he finally found me. And I knew very well, that he hated me. He always believed that an Arts background student is a mere joke in FITE. He always insulted and fired me whenever I was unable to answer a question. I used to be in the library studying for his subject only. He never asked me the questions, which were easy. But, all the difficult questions were put to me. I still remember the numerous times I cried, coming out the viva room. I always thought that he is a sadist. He gains some unknown pleasure by insulting and making things difficult for me. I still remember, in my first year, I had scored zero in a test given by him. I cried and all he did was blast me in his cabin. He yelled at me to go back home and told me that me getting into FITE was merely a matter of luck. He never praised or patted my back whenever I gave a right answer, but always fired me each time I blurted out a wrong answer. But later on, I understood that this was his way, of pushing me against all the odds, against all the competition that I faced with the other intelligent students in my batch, so that I don't lag behind. He never gave up on me. He, in his own twisted ways always encouraged me to do better. Really, finding an awesome teacher like you was a miracle in life. But then, that day, watching you leave FITE, was the biggest disaster. You know, excellent teachers like you should be handcuffed so that they can never escape and get a job at some other institute. In future, you know in corporate world, whenever I'll achieve any promotions, or any hikes or any good impressions from my bosses, I won't be happy; coz I'll always crave for the joy of getting good grades from you. It is you who taught me, that education is not to reform students or amuse them or to make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, teach them to think straight, if possible make them good human beings.

All I can say is, in all these four years, you've been my mentor, my guide and my inspiration. It would be an achievement if I am able to achieve at least a 5% of what you've achieved in life. Thank you for always belittling me but never giving up hopes on me. Thank you for being with me."

Her eyes were fixed on Vardhaan while they continuously watered. There was complete silence all-around. Everybody was in a trance, including Vardhaan. First the Dean, and then followed by others, one by one everybody stood up and applauded hard looking at Vardhaan. Vardhaan broke his gaze from Sanyukta hearing the commotion and looked at everybody. They were all clapping for him praising him. He had tears in eyes. He stood up and thanked them bowing his head down. He thanked her as well. She felt like hugging him right away. But, she couldn't. She quickly wiped her tears. Handing over the mike to Dean, she descended the stage. Next, PKC Sir went on the stage and as is the scenario in his lectures, everybody was sleepy. Except for our love birds; well they had their eyes on each other. Likewise, many people got on the stage shared whatever little they had to. The dinner was ready. The audience could make out as the smell lingered in their noses. The cuisine was quite exquisite, with a wide range of items in buffet. People could eat only morsel of each item and still fill their tummys. One food item that caught Vardhaan's attention was Biryani! His lips curved into a smile remembering those beautiful memories of how she had ordered him to make Biryani for him. A few months down the line, she would be leaving FITE, leaving him, and going to Delhi. He absolutely had no clue what would happen once that day comes. He feared that day. He looked at Sanyukta, who was laughing with her friends. "She's so innocent and beautiful. Just feel like treasuring her smile forever. Hmm... I have to find a solution very soon", he thought.

After the dinner, it was time for dance. The musicians had arrived with their instruments. But, not so easy. There were two glass bowls kept. In it, there were numerous chits. The chits in one bowl contained the names of women. The chits in other bowl contained the names of all the men. The professors were also included. Each member had to come and pick up one chit. If a girl comes then she had to pick a chit from the bowl that contained the names of all the boys and vice-versa. The rules were very strict. Nobody was allowed to interchange the partners. Sanyukta prayed that she gets to dance with Vardhaan. One by one, people starting picking up chits and most of them were very awkward with the partners that they had got. Sanyukta looked at Vardhaan. He looked unfazed and was enjoying the task. "I am so tensed up here, and he's so happy. Just look at the glow on his face. Obviously, he'll be happy. After all, he's getting a chance to dance with a random lady!", she thought in irritation. She wasn't ready to go and pick a chit. Each time a member opened his chit and announced his/her partner's name, she hoped that it was not her. Whereas, he purposely waited till he was the last man remaining. There were only two chits left and Vardhaan stood up to go and pick the last chit in the bowl.

Dean: "It's OK vardhaan. There is one chit left in each of the bowl. Only you and Sanyukta don't have partners and are single. So obviously, you two are teamed up for the ball dance."

From the inside, she was dancing like a manic. But on the face, she managed to get an awkward and an embarrassed look. Vardhaan smiled at her acting skills. "She's so bad at acting!", he thought. All the girls were jealous of her. She got to dance with the most handsome and the most desirous man present. He was every girl's fantasy. Kaustuki teamed up with Yoyo. Jiggy was not happy with this. He was teamed up with some lady professor. Vidhushi was peeved to the core as she got PKC Sir as her dance partner. She wanted Randhir as her partner. Randhir got a girl from the IT stream. Each member stood with their respective partners. Sanyukta coyly went and stood next to Vardhaan flashing her million dollar smile to him. The music started. Many found it difficult to coordinate their dance steps with that of their partners. Some looked like they were dancing for the first time in their life. Some of them felt really awkward to even hold hands. The music played,

Ham tere bin ab reh nahii sakte
Tere bina kyaa wajood meraa
Tujhse judaa gar ho jayenge
To khud se hi ho jayenge judaa..

Kyoonki tum hii ho
Abb tum hii ho
K zindagi ab tum hee ho
Chain bhi mera dard bhii..
Merii Ashiqui ab tum hii ho..

Vardhaan held Sanyukta by her waist and his other hand held her palms. Her other hand was on his shoulders. Slowly and steadily their bodies started gyrating to the rhythm. They were lost in each other's eyes; their eyes depicting a thousand emotions.

Tera-mera rishtaa hai kaisaa
Ik pal door ganwaraa nahii
Tere liye her roz hai jeete
Tujh ko diya mera waqt sabhii
Koi lamhaa mera naa ho tere binaa
Her sans pe naam tera..

Kyoonki tum hii ho
Abb tum hii ho
K zindagi ab tum hee ho
Chain bhi mera dard bhii..
Merii Ashiqui ab tum hii ho..

She smiled and asked him, "Aap guess kar sakte hai ke main kya soch raha hu?"

Vardhaan: "Yahi na, that this is our first dance. And, who thought, it will be in FITE, in front of all our colleagues!"

Both of them started giggling. The music changed and this one was a fast one.

Tu Hi Meri Hai Sari Zameen
Chahe Kahin Se Chalun
Tujh Pe Hi Aa Ke Rukun
Tere Siva Maun Jaun Kahan
Koi Bhi Raah Chunu
Tujh Pe Hi Aa Ke Rukun

Tum Mile To Lamhein Tham Gaye
Tum Mile To Sare Gum Gaye
Tum Mile To Muskurana Aa Gaya

Tum Mile To Jadoo Chaa Gaya
Tum Mile To Jeena Aa Gaya
Tum Mile To Mene Paya Hai Khuda

They tried doing some salsa and it blended with the music. Vardhaan was doing some mistakes and she helped him correct them. Vardhaan pulled her closer by her waist and she blushed.

Sanyukta: "Ouch...Vardhaan please! Not like this."

Vardhaan: "Oh, I am sorry..did I hurt you!"

Sanyukta: (giggling) "I am joking"

They literally had no control on their giggles. Dean's eyes fell on them. They were busy enjoying not leaving eye contact. To the Dean, they looked like two celestial bodies dancing together. They were two bodies and one soul. Yes, they were soulmates. The dean was surprised to see how these two blended with each other so well. He saw an unknown twinkle in their eyes. "They look so mesmerising, like a ...like a match made in heaven. I've never seen Vardhaan so happy", he thought.

"Am I reading into much? May be they're just dancing and nothing more. But, who can ignore that they're so comfortable with each other. Vardhaan has never been so close to any student. What is it that these two share, if at all they share?", he thought.

The music again changed and this time it was some slow romantic number going on. People were tired and some of them retired back. Only the youngsters remained. After an hour or so, the music stopped. Everybody clapped for the musicians for playing so excellently. Vardhaan and Sanyukta didn't even realize that the music had stopped. They were busy dancing with their eyes just stuck onto each other. Everybody was staring at them; the way they complemented and completed each other so well. Sanykta was the most beautiful girl present and he was the most handsome man. They looked like a perfect couple. He was teasing her though his eyes and she had no control on her blush. In between, she managed to look at Kaustuki. Kaustuki, like a best friend, made an action with her hands to look around and that the music had long stopped. Sanyukta decoded her actions well and looked around. There was nobody dancing. They had all left the dancing place and were now gazing at them. In a second, her expressions changed and she left him, pushing him a lil bit. He surprisingly looked at her and then at others. To say that they were conscious, would be an understatement. She did not have any guts to look at anybody. Vardhaan adjusted his bow, looked at Sanyukta. They slightly blinked their eyes, telling each other to move. He went away from her to the bar and she went to her friends.

The party was almost over. Some people were busy discussing future plans, some just talking and sharing a laugh. Slowly, one by one, people starting departing thanking the Dean. The students were not yet ready to leave. They had so many memories to share. They made a huge circle and everywhere there were memories being exchanged. Sanyukta, was so engrossed in it. Vardhaan was dreamily looking at her sitting at the bar counter. He felt like kidnapping her and taking her with him. He didn't realize when the Dean came to him and was calling to him. The Dean called him once, twice. Still no response. The Dean looked in the direction where Vardhaan's eyes were stuck. He realized that Vardhaan was busy looking at Sanyukta. He sensed that something was brewing in Vardhaan's mind. He couldn't tell what it was, or he knew it but, it was too nascent to clearly tell at this point. To him, Vardhaan was a thorough gentleman. But, when the need arises, his position would entitle him to question even a person like Vardhaan.

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