Thanks for all your comments and Apologies for the delay in updating. The weekend was a busy one, what with guests on Saturday and a visit to gran's place on Sunday! Anywho, the update's here now, Enjoy!
Recap: Arrival of Afra, YuRa dance session!
Chp. 47 Dance babe dance
The next day as Rahul, Muskan, Ryan and Anjali sat discussing about the party; a servant came and announced the arrival of Garv. Rahul was pleased to hear about it whereas; Muskan and Anjali were excited to meet him. Rahul asked the servant to allow him in and there he was-tall, broad shouldered, dressed casually in a black trousers, a white polo-neck T-shirt and long black overcoat and a bag slung around the shoulders, jet black hair slightly long and falling over the forehead. The combination of his Italian and Indian genes made him look dangerously attractive and he was oozing Mediterranean charm.
No wonder girls drooled over him, thought Anjali. For a moment even she was entranced.
"Garv, pleasure to meet you," said Rahul extending his hand.
"The pleasure's mine, Prince Rahul," Garv replied in his Italian accent taking Rahul's hand.
Rahul introduced everyone.
"Congratulations on your engagement Princess Muskan. Prince Rahul is definitely lucky to have a beautiful fiance like you," he said taking her hand and placing a kiss on it.
"Thanks Garv, I wish our party to be a total blast. The topic of talk everywhere, amongst everyone. A thousand times better than all your previous planned ones," replied Muskan.
"Indeed, you can trust me on that. After all that's my business," he replied with a smile. "You can give me your basic ideas and I'll make sure that the party is a total rocker!"
"Hey guys!"
"Afra! Perfect timing, we're discussing about the party, need your inputs too," said Rahul. "Here, this is-"
"Garv, Garv Antonio, the famous event planner from Italy," said Afra.
Garv was amused. He recognized her as Afra from the airport the day before, who was staying in the same hotel as him. Her anger and frustration from the day before had vanished.
"You know each other?"
"Oh, we've met, yesterday at the airport," said Afra flashing him a sweet smile.
They sat together to discuss the details and after considering the inputs from everybody Garv had a super-duper idea in mind. He knew just how to live up to everyone's expectations and also make the party a blast.
Anjali suddenly had an idea in mind. Throughout the discussion today, Ryan's attitude towards her had changed slightly. He'd paid attention to her ideas and also flashed her his heart warming smiles. But Afra still was the centre of attraction for him and to get his undivided attention Anjali knew that there was no tool more powerful than jealousy.
After their discussion when they were wrapping things up, Anjali made sure that she was within Ryan's earshot and then approached Garv and said, "So Garv, now that everything's decided, I hope you'll be coming to the ball too?"
"Of course, babe, " he replied.
"Oh no, what I mean is as a guest. Once you've finished with the work you can enjoy with us too," she said.
"Um, sounds like an idea. But I'll need a partner and I don't have one. Nor do I know anyone around here except Afra and she's taken," he replied.
Argh! Dumbo! Can't you see me? Is Afra the only girl guys around me can see? May be I was wrong, after all. Is she really a magnet for guys? Whatever!
"Well, in case you can see there's a beautiful Princess standing before you who wouldn't mind your company to the ball. If you're interested you can let her know," said Anjali batting her eye lashes.
Ryan, who was watching her and listening to their conversation, stifled a laugh as he saw her. She indeed had a very high opinion of herself.
"I'd be thrilled, Princess Anjali, right?" replied Garv.
Ryan suppressed another laugh.
"Great, hope to have a wonderful time with you," replied Anjali and leaned to give him a peck on the cheek.
Ryan was amused but stood with a blank expression on his face. Anjali watched him from the corner of her eye. No expression? Darn! Anyways, it wouldn't be long before she would start getting some reactions. She was looking forward to them.
***
Garv and Afra decided to leave and since they were staying at the same hotel, Garv offered to drop her and to his surprise she agreed.
"So you ain't angry with me anymore?" Garv asked as he drove.
"Nah! I was angry because you'd spoiled my coat and I hate stains. I like my wardrobe impeccable. But now that the stain ain't there anymore, I don't find anything to be angry about," Afra replied with a smile.
"You in India for some business purpose or just to attend Prince Rahul's party?"
"Both. I own a fashion house in Iran and we are organizing a few shows in the country, so I need to see that everything goes smoothly," she replied.
"Fashion house? Wow, then what you doing in Iran, you should be in Milan!"
"Oh no, not at all. I do own a fashion house but we specialize in hijab. Headscarves, coats, cloaks, chadors, nasheeds, and all the accessories that go along like brooches, etc."
"Oh, I see. So 'tis the first time your company's decided to come to India or you've been here for a while?"
"No, it's the first time. You see the Indian market in the hijab segment is untapped. We just have the local guys who are into the business and they do have the potential but not the resources. So we plan to join hands with some of them too. We've also researched on other potential markets and are planning a few shows in London too."
"Interesting, that's pretty commendable for a girl your age handling things so efficiently."
"Thanks."
*****
The next two days passed by in a blur. Garv and Afra had become friends and to Anjali's amazement she found herself liking Afra. There wasn't much progress with Ryan though. He was still at the smiling and exchanging a few words phase but Anjali thought that at least something was always better than nothing. They'd atleast stopped throwing daggers at each other. The preparations for the party were in full swing. The royal ballroom had been decided as the venue. Rahul did offer Armaan a helping hand in business matters but at the same time saw to it that he could spend some quality time with Muskan too. Nikita was as happy as could be because after ages, because of Ridhima and Rahul she was going to attend a party and the thought that Abhimanyu would be present there too gave her immense joy. Ridhima was now feeling much better and was back to work to BR's delight who had started missing her. Maan and Ridhima didn't have any other practice sessions since their first one because Maan wanted to take one step at a time. He'd just text her saying he was too tired to practice. However, he had decided to take another session tonight and had informed Ridhima accordingly.
As the evening drew near, Ridhima could feel her stomach doing somersaults. She was excited yet anxious at the same time. She wanted to practice with him again and at the same time didn't want to go close to him. She was confused and baffled at her own thoughts.
With Maan's closeness and close movements, Ridhima soon found herself getting lost in the trance.
The pulse on her neck hastened and the color of her cheeks deepened each time he came close to her during the dance. Their swirls and twirls became swifter and their steps and movements more synchronized. When Maan brought his hands to her waist for a lift, Ridhima could feel shivers dancing down her spine at his touch. When he spun her around in one regal turn, dipped her low, brought her back-up, and turned again to bring her against him, Ridhima felt her heart spinning. Never before had she enjoyed herself more than this. There were no words spoken, no sentences exchanged, just their eyes and their heartbeats did it all.
As the dance progressed, Ridhima's eyes locked with Maan's and both of them found it impossible to tear away their gaze even for a moment. The soft music in the background seemed too distant but yet too mesmerizing. Ridhima felt as though she was transported to an entirely different world where there was no one-just Maan and her!
As Ridhima and Maan swayed in each other's arms, Ridhima realized that she felt so good, so better. She liked this, no, loved it! She felt a magnetic bond of attraction which went beyond the physical boundaries.
By the end of the dance, Maan could definitely say that there was tremendous progress. In just two sessions Ridhima had skillfully mastered the moves and if the two of them danced together in a competition they could easily defeat the others for the first place. Apart from the dance moves, Maan knew he they had also made progress with their feelings. He had been successful in making Ridhima feel a unique bond between them. If their first practice had affected her then this had definitely unnerved her and Armaan would make sure that their next practice would be MAGICAL! Because it was necessary for what he planned to do next...
*****
What does 'Maan' plan to do next? It's definitely gonna be a bomb! BUT I need comments and real comments/criticism before I can proceed with the BOMB! 😉
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
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