FF: [SG] Dare You To Move- Last Part P.143 - Page 94

ohhh mimzzzzz i just want it nowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Samrat:

The day everyone was waiting for is finally here. Today, the play is being put into action; Excel's reputation is being put at stake. See, I just found that part out a little while ago. According to Princi, some people from the Education Assessment Corporation or whatever it's called are coming to watch the play. If it's a success, Excel will be famous for years to come. But, if it's not a success, well, then we'll become the biggest laughing stock in this city.

Ha. And people ask why I hate living in a small city.

"Only half an hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JALDI KARO!!!!!!!!!!"

Uday waves his hands in the air frantically and moves past me. I roll my eyes. He's been freaking out about this play even before it started.

"Nupur just CHILL! The dialogues are perfect!" I watch Mayank attempt to calm drama queen Nupur. He catches my stare and returns it with a glassy look.

Now that I think about it, Mayank's been acting strange around me for a couple of weeks now. It's not like we were ever close friends or anything, but I never considered us as enemies. Secretly, I looked up to Mayank as an older brother. I mean, he's smart, he's cool, and he can be seen around anyone while keeping his image in the right place.

"Samrat," Ms. Tamana walks up to me, "why haven't you changed yet? Go!"

Before I can reply, she shoves me into the change room. Ugh.

I search the room for my costume, but I can't seem to find it. I notice a curtain separating the room in half. I peak inside and spot a bag with my name on it. That's probably it. I think to myself as I walk in.

I pick up the bag and I'm just about to go back to the other side when I notice someone. I peak from the opening of the curtain and realize that that someone is none other than…Gunjan.

But she's not in here to change, Gunjan's already in her costume. I watch her stare into the mirror. I wonder what she sees when she looks at her reflection. Does she see the ordinary, plain Jane Gunjan that we all see everyday, or the Gunjan that I got to know? The one who's brave, strong, and maybe even… beautiful.

I look for the smile that's disappeared from her face, but it isn't there. All I see is sorrow. Why? She was okay up until the fight with RV and myself. Is she sad because of me?

I really should apologize. But can I? Samrat Sehgal never apologizes. What would people say? That I ended up breaking that record for a girl? For Gunjan?

"Gunjan? Are you done?" someone calls from outside.

Gunjan: I'm done.

She's about to walk off but then stops dead on her tracks. A slight breeze blows by. She stares right in my direction and I quickly hide back behind the curtains. She waits for a few seconds and then walks off.

I get dressed into the pair of jeans and t-shirt and head out. There's an announcement saying something about the play starting in a few minutes, I still have a while, since my character is introduced during the second scene.

I begin to scan the crowd. Unintentionally, my eyes start searching for her. I feel like smacking myself in the head when Gunjan's eyes meet mine. She quickly looks away.

I feel a stab in my chest. I know that I'm avoiding her, but the fact that she's avoiding me is something I can't seem to digest.

Control Samrat. I tell myself, after the play is over, everything will be back to normal.

But what's normal? I don't even know anymore. Is feeling empty inside supposed to be normal? Is thinking about Gunjan every single minute of every waking day normal?

I shake away all my stupid inner thoughts. I'm probably going insane. I knew this play was a bad idea.

Gunjan:

I knew this play was a bad idea. No- a HORRIBLE idea is more like it! I fidget with my dupatta and then with my glasses. I walk in circles until I feel dizzy. It seems as though the entire CITY is here to watch the play.

Di: Gunjan! Stop playing with your dupatta!

She smacks me on the arm.

I let out a whimper and di quickly apologizes.

Sheena: Gunjan, just chill yaar.

Announcement: All of you who aren't part of the play please go join the audience. We have five more minutes until the first scene, cast members, please take your positions.

I look at Sheena and di all teary eyed. "I can't do this di, there are so many people here!"

They both hug me tightly, "you'll do GREAT Gunjan. We know you will. Just let your character come out."

Di whispers into my ear, "or imagine the audience in their underwear, that's what I always do."

I let out a nervous chuckle. Di and Sheena give me one last hug before disappearing into the crowd.

I look around backstage, Uday Bhaiya's yelling at the lighting crew; RV is talking to Benji, and Mayank's looking for di. Everything's normal, but why doesn't anything feel normal?

Just then, I catch Samrat looking in my direction. Our eyes meet for a brief second, and then I quickly look away.

For some reason, I've been sensing Samrat's presence around me all day. Just a few minutes ago in the change room, I could have sworn that he was there.

You can't let him distract you Gunjan. I tell myself. You can't feel for him in that way… and you won't.

Tamana ma'am: Okay everyone; we're on in one minute! Benji and Gunjan, you two are up first. All the best!

Tamana ma'am squeezes my shoulder, "I know you'll make me proud Gunjan. Just be yourself."

She looks into my eyes, and for the first time in years, I see someone have faith in me.

Uday Bhaiya: And we're on in 5,4,3,2…1!

I take a deep breath and walk onto the stage.

The curtains open slowly. I close my eyes tightly and pray a silent prayer. I open my eyes. My heart starts beating against my chest until I realize that the lights are dimmed out, making it very hard to see the audience.

I sigh a breath of relief. I can do this.

I can do this. Yes I can. Oh no, no not him. I can do this. No. No I can't. I CANT DO THIS!

I was doing just fine until he appeared. My head starts spinning as soon as I see Samrat. The crowd goes WILD, and all of a sudden, I feel a million sets of eyes piercing into my soul.

Oh my god. I think to myself. What do I do?

"Imagine the audience in their underwear," I remember di's words.

Okay, that's what I'll do. I begin to imagine the audience in their under garments until I see Samrat. I look away immediately.

The last thing I need is to imagine him in his underwear.

Samrat:

She did it! Gunjan went through the entire scene without messing up. I can't help but feel proud of her. I remember the first time we rehearsed. She was too scared to even look me in the eye- and now look at her; she's performing in front of thousands of people.

Tamana ma'am: Okay Samrat, that's your queue. Remember, the audience should feel the chemistry.

I nod like I understand what she's saying.

As soon as I walk onto stage, the crowd goes wild. They start chanting my name until Uday gives them the deathly look.

I look at Gunjan who starts to stutter as soon as she sees me. She seems… embarrassed.

We go through our lines quickly, making sure that there's no exchange of eye contact between us. Every now and then, I catch Gunjan looking at me like she wants to tell me something. Her eyes say one thing, but her actions do the opposite.

"Yo, pass the basketball dude!" shouts a kid who's supposed to be a random basketball player.

I begin to dribble the ball (see, Im a natural when it comes to basketball…or sports in general) when it accidentally slips out of my hand.

"I've got it!" Gunjan and I say as we both grab the basketball at the same time.

Gunjan: Oh!

She recoils a bit too fast, which catches me off guard and I end up letting go too. We both bend down to get it when our hands touch again.

This time, she doesn't pull away as fast. She looks at me in the eye for the first time in weeks. "Samrat," she whispers, "let go of my hand."

"Huh? Oh!" I let go of her hand as fast as I can, "sorry," I mutter under my breath.

--Next scene: What Anmol thinks

"So whose your date for prom Anmol?"

"Lydia." I yawn. Lydia is supposed to be my annoying girlfriend in the play. Her character is a lot like Dia.

"Lydia? Oh she's a total babe yaar!"

"Of course. Who do you expect me to go with? Khushi?" Everyone from "my gang" bursts out laughing.

"Now that would definitely be a sight huh?"

I'm supposed to act all cocky in this scene, but for some reason, I can't. My mind wonders back to a few months ago when Benji was looking for my date for the Spring Dance. He mentioned Gunjan and we both started laughing. Back then, I did think it was funny, but right now, I don't.

The next few scenes are easy to go through, mainly because they aren't intense or passionate in any way. Gunjan and I manage to ignore each other without making it too obvious, but clearly… Tamana ma'am isn't thinking the same way. She glares at us from the corner of the stage. "Show some passion. It's all about the chemistry." She mouths.

Gunjan and I exchange an approving nod. We have to put aside our personal differences in order to make this play possible. After all, we are the main leads.

--Next Scene: Are you in love?

Gunjan: Sometimes, we all just need to lay back and enjoy life.

"I am enjoying life. I have fame and glory. What more can anyone want?"

Gunjan stares at me in disbelief. "But life isn't all about how much money you have, or how many people know you."

"Then what's it about?" I ask, mainly because it's written in the script and also because I want to know her answer.

Gunjan: It's about everything. It's about all the lives you touch in one lifetime. It's about all the poor choices you make, and the good deeds you do to make up for them.

"That's a whole lot of bull you know? You act like everything is so good in the world. But it's just full of a whole bunch of shit and a lot of mean and evil people."

Gunjan: Yeah, but circumstances make people mean. They aren't born evil you know? I believe that we're all here for a reason.

"And that would be?"

Gunjan: For discovering new things, for making others happy… for falling in love.

Gunjan stares ahead. "Have you ever been in love Anmol?"

The question catches me off guard. Why though? We've been rehearsing this scene for ages. I'm supposed to tell her that I love her. This is the scene that takes the whole play forward.

Gunjan looks at me expectedly.

"No, I haven't."

I can hear the crew from backstage gasp. I wasn't supposed to say that.

"I mean, I haven't ever been in love-love until…"

Gunjan: Until what?

I feel sweaty all of a sudden. I don't know why, but whenever it comes to the confession scenes, I feel strange. I can't say the three dreaded words no matter what. Even during rehearsals, the words "I love you" always took a good few hours to come out of my mouth.

"Until now. I… I think I might lo-"

I take a step forward.

"SAMRAT!" I watch Gunjan's expression change. She looks horrified, and I follow her gaze, which leads up to the ceiling. I notice one of the big stage lights fall loose, and just when it's about to hit the ground, Gunjan grabs my arm and pulls me away.

The light crashes on the stage and shatters into tiny pieces! I look at Gunjan who's trembling and crying.

"Are you okay Gunjan?"

She nods, but grips onto my arm tightly, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, don't worry." I reassure her that I'm okay while Ms. Tamana tells the audience that we'll be resuming the play as soon as the stage is cleared off.

Gunjan and I are rushed to the back of the stage and all of a sudden, swarms of people surround us.

"Are you okay Samrat? Are you hurt? Are you sure you don't want me to call the ambulance?"

"I'm fine, chill."

Gunjan's still standing next to me. She looks semi-shocked. "Are you sure you're alright?" I whisper into her ear.

She nods again, but I'm not convinced.

"SAMMY!"

Oh great.

Dia rushes over and hugs me. "Are you okay Sammy? I was SO scared! Oh Sammy, I was so upset!"

I hug her back, but I can't get Gunjan's face out of my head. She was crying because she thought I was hurt. Dia- my girlfriend isn't even crying.

Gunjan:

"Have you ever been in love Anmol?"

Samrat: No, I haven't.

I can hear people from the backstage gasp. Samrat's supposed to say yes. This is the scene where he tells Khushi that he loves her, even though he doesn't mean it.

Samrat: I mean, I haven't ever been in love-love until…

"Until what?" I sigh a breath of relief. I must admit that Samrat is very good when it comes to improvising.

There's a long pause. I've noticed that Samrat always chokes up when it comes to the confession scenes. It's as if the words "I love you" can't come out of his mouth.

Samrat: Until now. I… I think I might lo-

Samrat takes a step forward.

I hear a something snap. I look up, and to my horror, one of the stage lights' detach.

"SAMRAT!" I scream as I grab his arm and pull him towards me. In a matter of seconds, the light falls to the ground and shatters into millions of pieces.

"Are you okay Gunjan?" he asks.

I nod, but I can't stop the tears from pouring out. I could have lost him. I could have lost Samrat.

I hold onto him tightly. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I ask.

Samrat: I'm fine, don't worry.

We're rushed to the back of the stage while Ms. Tamana tells the audience that we'll resume the play after everything is cleared off.

"Are you okay Samrat? Are you hurt? Are you sure you don't want me to call the ambulance?" a whole bunch of people crowd around us.

Samrat: I'm fine, chill.

"Are you sure you're all right?" he whispers into my ear.

I nod.

"SAMMY!"

Dia rushes over and hugs him. My eyes tear up watching them together. They're so perfect together. The "It" couple whom everyone admires. I should be happy for Dia; she is my cousin after all. I know how much she likes Samrat; I've known it since we were kids. I should be happy that he's happy. Why then, do I feel so horrible inside? Am I that selfish? Am I so self-centered that I can't bear to watch two very important people in my life happy… together…possibly in love?

Announcement: Attention cast and crew. The play will resume shortly, please take your positions immediately after this announcement. Thank you.

Tamana ma'am: Okay everyone; the stage has been cleared off. We'll be starting in ten minutes. Oh! Gunjan, could I please speak to you for a second?

Tamana ma'am walks over to me and greets me with a warm, friendly smile. "You know you're doing a great job right?"

I try forging a smile, but I can't take my eyes off Samrat and Dia.

Tamana ma'am: You know Gunjan; sometimes the most unexpected things happen. Things that none of us could ever imagine.

"I'm not sure what you mean…"

She smiles and points at Samrat. My heart starts doing cartwheels and summersaults as soon as she points at me. "Would you ever have thought that one day, you and Samrat would be in love?"

I look up at her, startled, confused.

"In the play of course," she says… but for some reason, her words stick to me. Gunjan and Samrat. In love.

Tamana ma'am: Okay sweetheart, time to get back into Khushi's skin. Break a leg.

She winks at me and walks off.

I walk back onto the stage, feeling nervous…feeling scared. The voice inside my head tells me to run, to escape this place. Being with Samrat… I can't, especially now, when we're both supposed to act all in love.

Because maybe while pretending, I have fallen for him.

No. This is wrong. I can't be in love with him. I have to put my feelings aside. I will live up to Khushi's character.

Uday Bhaiya: And you're on in 5,4,3,2…1!

The lights dim out once again, but this time, I can feel the eyes staring in my direction. I can feel his presence.

One wrong move and Excel's reputation goes down the drains.

I go through my lines just the way Khushi would. I try to stay confident throughout the next few scenes, but I'm not comfortable with the close scenes with Samrat. I make sure that we stand a few inches away, that way; the audience won't sense a thing and we can both keep a distance. But either way, I can't help but notice him. I can't help but long to be with him.

-- Next Scene: Motives

This scene is when Khushi finds out about Anmol's real motives behind their friendship. This, according to Tamana ma'am, is one of the biggest turning points in the play.

Samrat: So the date, tomorrow?

There's a silent moment that passes between us. I close my eyes. Only one more scene until intermission. I tell myself. This is my last real scene with Samrat until the end of the play.

"I-I have to go." I say and start walking ahead but stop when he calls my [Khushi's] name. My heart skips a beat every time he calls out to me. NO GUNJAN! Concentrate. Samrat is perfect. You're nothing compared to him.

"Hey," he walks in front of me and soon, I can feel his warm breathe on my face. Concentrate Gunjan. This is Anmol, not Samrat. "Khushi, it's just one date… you're the first girl who's taken this long to say yes, and c'mon… kamse kam mere image ki toh khayal karo."

Image. Ha. It's still about his image.

"It's always about your image right Anmol? It's always about how cool you are. You know, I actually thought you changed. Can you believe it? I thought the Anmol changed for good. I thought he actually wanted to be my friend." I spit out the words venomously. It's funny how these lines actually did come from inside of me.

Samrat looks at me, his eyes reflecting so many things at once. Shock, hurt, pain. I want him to know that I'm sorry. I want to tell him so many things, but it's too late now.

But he's acting. He's not Samrat; he's Anmol right now. There never was, nor will there ever be a chance between him and me.

I don't wait for his reply. I begin to walk away.

"I'm sorry," he whispers faintly.

The audience erupts in applause as the curtains close.

"GUNJAN!!!!!!!!!!!" I watch di run over to me, while Mayank follows behind her. "By GOD! I never EVER imagined that you could act so well! Come over here, some photo kichne wala Bhaiya wants to take a picture of you!"

Mayank: You mean photographer.

Di rolls her eyes, but she can't seem to hide her excitement. "Let's go Gunjan! And papa is here too!"

"Papa? Yahaan? Sach di?" I smile for the first time in a long time. Papa was out of town for the past two weeks, and he wasn't supposed to come back until Sunday next week.

Di: Haan! Chalo!

She tugs on my arm.

I look back at Samrat, who is now crowded by tons of people, but amidst that, he catches my glance. I still see something unexplainable in his eyes. So much hurt… so much regret.

Samrat:

Scene: Motives

" So the date, tomorrow?" I ask.

I look at Gunjan. She has her eyes closed like she's trying to concentrate.

A few seconds go by, and I'm beginning to think that she's either forgotten her line, or she's trying to get into her character- I've seen her do that a few times.

Gunjan: I- I have to go.

She begins to walk away, but stops when I call her name.

"Hey," I walk in front of her, "Khushi, it's just one date…" I smirk. "You're the first girl who's taken this long to say yes, and c'mon… kamse kam mere image ki toh khayal karo."

Gunjan shoots a deathly look at me and I immediately step back.

"It's always about your image right Anmol?" she says coldly. "It's always about how cool you are. You know, I actually thought you changed. Can you believe it? I thought the Anmol changed for good. I thought he actually wanted to be my friend."

I can't help but feel a sense of dj vu. My mind wonders back to the day where Gunjan broke our friendship for the first time.

Once again, I have that strange kick in the guy feeling. For some reason, it doesn't seem like Khushi's saying this; it seems like Gunjan's saying this.

The only difference being, in the play, Khushi and Anmol do end up being together, whereas in real life, that's never going to happen. I'm not worth it. I'm not worth being her friend, and suddenly, that hurts.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, but I doubt she heard it.

The audience erupts in applause as the curtains close.

"GUNJAN!!!!!!!!!!!" Nupur runs over to Gunjan, while Mayank follows behind her. "By GOD! I never EVER imagined that you could act so well! Come over here, some photo kichne wala Bhaiya wants to take a picture of you!"

Mayank: You mean photographer.

Nupur rolls her eyes. "Let's go Gunjan! And papa is here too!"

"Papa? Yahaan? Sach di?" Gunjan smiles for the first time in weeks.

Her dad is here to watch her, to be there for her.

Nupur: Haan! Chalo!

I stare in her direction. She turns around to look at me, but soon disappears into the crowd.

And for the first time, I realize that something is missing in my life. I realize for the first time that even by having nothing- Gunjan has everything. She has a family.

"Samrat…" a familiar voice calls behind me.

I stop dead on my tracks. It can't be…

Originally posted by: qqqqqqqq2

i just read the entire ff,n t has to be one of d best ive ever read..its mesmerizing,n it wont leave my thots till u ryt more...ure a wonderful writer,kudos and all d best...

Originally posted by: KaSh_Monaya

Hey dear plzzzzzzzz soon continue ur ff

I really loved it yaar

& do send me a pm

continue soon