Chapter 219

Chapter 301: Spinning into Sorrow

The guests emerged from the ballroom and spilled out into the hallway, amused and laughing, as they thronged amid the Raizadas, all asking why the family were not celebrating in the ballroom.

"Did you carry yourselves out to the hallway for an exclusively private celebration?" asked a very pompous looking woman, winking amiably at Lady Manorama who only smiled nebulously.

Mistress Garima came up to Master Shashi, startling him from his deep thoughts, "Why were you not in the ballroom? I was searching all over for you and it was so crowded I had passed a spot five times in a row without knowing it, before I realized you were not within." She looked concerned, "Why were you not in the ballroom? Did you feel ill again?"

"Not at all, my dear," Master Gupta smiled at his wife, "The Elder Lord and I were so immersed in our conversation that we didn't even realize we had ventured a long way from the ballroom until a minute or two ago."

Appeased, Mistress Garima nodded understandingly and then found herself staring strangely at her husband. She blinked disbelievingly, having identified the intelligent glimmer returned in his vacant eyes. Exultant tears glistened in her eyes and she embraced him, "You feel better, don't you! Praise the Powers!"

"I do," Master Shashi mumbled, holding her close to him, "I feel like a new man."

Mistress Garima smiled against his chest, "Ah, my dear. How I have longed for this day! Whatever triggered this recovery, I am grateful for it."

"As am I," Master Shashi replied, his firm gaze on the General who was still staring at Lady Anjali as she at him, while ignorant guests clamoured around them.

Hearing the unexpected commotion in the hallway, the alerted butler rushed out of the kitchen, followed closely by Ram who carried the bouncing baby, both refusing to stay put.

Just then, the mayor appeared amidst the undetected circle of feud and looked around, noticing the General and Lady Anjali looking at each other, but not reading the indistinct expressions on their faces.

The mayor turned to Lord Arnav who stood frowning at the swarm of happy faces, grimacing like a cat that had been attacked by a bucketful of cold water.

"Master First Lord," the mayor bowed to him, "If I may draw your attention: we saw everyone in your family dance except for the honourable Lady Jha and her husband. Would you not request them to take a twirl on the floor?"

Lord Arnav stared at the mayor like he had been offered to take a voluntary whack.

Immediately, Lord Akash came to his rescue, "Sir Mayor, the General has just received intimation that he needs to leave for the East to join the battalion. I am afraid we cannot hence request a dance of them. It would be very inconvenient."

"Well, that makes it more requisite!" the Mayor pointed out cheerfully, nodding to the child in Ram's arms, "Give the Princess a parting glimpse of her parents dance before he leaves for the War."

Lord Akash and Lord Arnav shared a look. They glanced towards where the General and Lady Anjali stood and then looked at Anarkali in Ram's hold. Their little Princess was smiling innocently in the direction of her parents, oblivious of what lay had broken betwixt them.

The ballroom was dimmed and Lady Anjali stood in the centre, lost in her thoughts and grieving in her soul.

Suddenly, a circle of light illuminated the place where she stood and she looked up to find the General standing two feet from her, his eyebrows lowered in an impatient frown.

Displeased, Lady Anjali looked away. She didn't want to do this. But the thought of her child, watching amusedly from the ignorant crowd of darkness, kept her rooted to the spot under the lit chandelier, finding the courage to not budge as the General grudgingly approached her.

One last dance. That is all. Then it will be over.

She looked up and caught his eye and read the reciprocated unwillingness on his face.

Sighing, she relaxed her hands at her sides, resigning herself to not dissuade.

Recognizing her poise of renunciation, the General unwillingly took her hand in his, sensing her flinch from his contact.

Without another thought, he pulled her to him, his other hand wrapping around her waist.

From the darkness of the crowded ballroom edge, Lord Arnav's jaws clenched.

The orchestra commenced their harmony and the gentle music wafted through the ballroom like a dancing wind.

At its very first notes, the General recognized the melody. He glowered. Not this song. Not this DAMN song!

Resentfully, he guided Lady Anjali to a slow, hesitant waltz.

It seems like yesterday when I said "I do"

And after all this time my heart still burns for you

Lady Anjali frowned but the General sustained the waltz emotionlessly.

If you don't know by now that you're my only one

Take a look inside me and watch my heartstrings come undone

Lady Anjali looked up at him, afraid to believe. The General swallowed, his gaze distracted.

They kept dancing slowly, uncertainly.

I know I promised you forever

Is there no stronger word I can use

To reassure you when the storm is raging outside

He lifted the hand that held hers and twirled her on the spot she stood and then brought her close to him, his arms gently around her waist, as they looked at each other.

You're my safest place to hide

The tempo lifted at the refrain and he led her into a more confident waltz, never taking his gaze off her face.

Can you see me, here I am

I need you like I needed you then

He pulled her to him and then dipped her backwards.

When I feel like giving up

I climb inside your heart and still find

Slowly, he brought her straight up, drawing her to his tall frame.

You're my safest place to hide

The music rose in a reliant rhythm and the General expertly steered his estranged wife into an indomitable waltz that was closer to being a gently-timed tango.

You see colours no one else can see

In every breath you hear a symphony

Swirling, circling, gazing, they lost themselves in each other's arms.

You understand me like nobody can

I feel my soul unfolding like a flower blooming

Half-heartedly, Lady Anjali let herself drown in the mercy of his adept swaying.

When this whole world gets too crazy

And there's nowhere left to go

I know you give me sanctuary

You're the only truth I know

You're the road back home

Tears glistened in her astonished eyes as she gazed at the agonized light in his eyes.

Can you see me, here I am

Standing here where I've always been

And when words are not enough

I climb inside your heart and still find

You're my safest place to hide

My safest place to hide

Holding an overjoyed Anarkali in her arms, Kushi gaped in astonishment at the couple dancing, under the chandelier, in the centre of the checkered ballroom.

She couldn't believe her eyes. The vision stole her breath away. Never had she seen any couple dancing so flawlessly as these two. How beautiful, how ethereal their synchronized steps were! She knew from the hushed silence which prevailed in the ballroom that every other heart that watched them was equally bewitched and spellbound by the magnificence of their dance. There was a fragility to their fire and a breath-taking sadness to the brilliance of their moves!

In that fleeting minute, forgotten was the battered bridge of their marital bond as they twirled and spun themselves through a fog of rapturous oblivion.

I know I promised you forever

There's no stronger word I can use

To reassure when the storm is raging outside

You're my safest place to hide

Their waltz turned violent, almost fierce from a faded passion, as they danced perfectly to each other's steps.

Oh! Can you see me, here I am

Standing here where I've always been

When I feel like giving up

I climb inside your heart and still find

He twirled her around him and then gradually brought her before him, his hands on her hips as he gazed longingly at her tear-filled gaze.

You're my safest place to hide

Slowly, his hands withdrew from her hips as she gazed sadly at him, standing lost in the light as the music mellowed to a placid cadence.

You're my safest place to hide

Holding her gaze for one last moment, the General eased away, drifting backwards into the darkness and forever out of her life.

A tear drop slid down Lady Anjali's cheek. Dancing we came into our lives, dancing we depart...

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