Oh today is such a happy-happy day!😳
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Recap: The masquerade ball in full swing. The Prince is supposed to open the ball with a mysterious girl from the crowd and the girl is'?
Chp. 50 The Cinderella
Ridhima was suddenly aware of every eye staring at her. Before she could understand anything, a tumultuous applause shattered her reverie.
"Ah, she is indeed our Cinderella!"
Ridhima was shocked. She was on the lookout for Maan and here she was supposed to open the ball with her Prince Charming! But what shocked her even more was the realisation that the thought didn't give her as much pleasure as it ought to. Where the hell was Maan?
***
"OhmyGod! Abhimanyu, it's Ridhima bhabhi! She's supposed to open the ball with bhaiyya!" The girl standing beside Abhimanyu exclaimed. He raised a brow and stared at her surprised, she just gave him a sheepish grin. She lifted her mask to reveal her face and winked at him. Abhimanyu was stumped. Nikita was here, in this party and she'd just winked at him! She was looking mesmerizingly angelic. Abhimanyu didn't know how had this miracle happened but the prospects for the night suddenly seemed bright and endless. He was ecstatic!
***
Armaan couldn't believe his eyes. It was Ridhima! He was supposed to open the ball with her! He was pleased. This would be so much fun, especially after last night.
He swiftly made his way to where she was standing and with all the charm of a chivalrous gentleman went down on bended knee and said, "May I have the pleasure of a dance with this beautiful lady?"
Ridhima was flabbergasted, not only because of his courteous gesture but also because he asked her exactly like Maan had during their practice sessions!
Ridhima aware of every eye on her, expecting her next move, agreed and placed her hand in his. All eyes riveted on them. Women glowered, men drooled and Ridhima's heart fluttered as she made way to the dance floor with Kunwar Armaan Shishodiya.
What an irony, thought Ridhima. That day during the pooja, when Ridhima had all the chance to look at his face, she couldn't muster the courage and was too shy to look up despite her veil and today when she wanted to see his face, it was masked!
As he gently placed a hand on her waist, something clicked. That touch was so delicate, so familiar, just like...
The band began playing a medley of love songs and Ridhima and Armaan swayed to the music. She circled the floor with him as if in a dream. With each swell and roll of the music, their steps followed. When he twirled her around on his finger and away from him and then again pulled her back ever so swiftly and gently to land in his arms, Ridhima could just feel MAAN and his unique fragrance.
This was crazy, she thought.
When he spun her around in one regal turn and dipped her low, brought her back-up, turned her again, she was mesmerized. When her eyes found his and their gazes locked, there was something tantalising and teasing in that deep brown gaze. She was entranced.
Armaan silently thanked God that he'd chosen to wear contacts today which had skillfully hidden his oh-so-sparkling blue eyes.
As they continued to waltz, with swings and swirls following appropriately, Ridhima found it impossible to look away. With every twist, every twirl, every touch, Ridhima could only feel Maan.
This was so wrong, she thought. Every girl, every princess and even she had dreamt of this and when she actually was in her Prince's arms, she was totally oblivious to his feel and was thinking about Maan! What the hell was wrong with her?!
Suddenly, Ridhima was shocked because the tempo of the music had increased and they were supposed to do a number of fast moves. But the perfect tutor that Maan had been, Ridhima quickly picked pace and then again slowed down as the tempo decreased.
The audience just stared bewitched at the perfect sync of music and dance. That couple on the floor was not actually dancing to the orchestra but the music and rhythm of their own hearts. The syncrony and harmony of their moves was spectacular. The swift swirls, the sensuous dips, the elegant lifts, had a story to tell. This was not some couple but a well-connected one and full of passion. Ridhima and Armaan ignited the floor with the perfect display of rhythmic and electrifying moves. Never before, had the audience seen such an incredible performance full of passion and love. Ridhima and Armaan, set the floor on fire. It was indeed a magical performance, simply splendid! Together, Ridhima and Armaan made MAGIC!
The music turned into a lull and soon ended but Ridhima and Armaan were still swaying in each other's arms. The ballroom erupted into applause. The thunderous applause shattered the calm and brought Armaan and Ridhima back to reality. Ridhima was blushing profusely and Armaan only admired her beauty, her face was glowing with the natural rosy blush on her cheeks. How he wished he could kiss her rosy cheeks!
Before Armaan could do anything insane or Ridhima could move away, the voice again filled the room.
"This was a marvelous performance! Now, there are three more couples out there who've got masks matching with each other. So can we please have them on the floor? C'mon guys, you're sharing the floor with the Prince and our Cinderella!"
The ballroom was again abuzz with commotion. No one wanted to lose the opportunity. Everyone wanted to know who the other three couples were. Kunwar Rahul and Rajkumari Muskan was the first couple to walk on the floor.
Ryan winked at Rahul and wished him luck, who smiled back. As he stood there with Afra, he felt a pat on his back. To his surprise, it was Anjali. She pointed to his mask and then at hers and gestured towards the dance floor.
Ryan took her hand and led her to the floor as Afra smiled behind them. Anjali couldn't have been happier!
"Someone's going to have a hard time. Lord have mercy on him," Garv mumbled giving a pitiful look to Ryan as he walked away with Anjali.
"Someone's experienced," replied Afra.
Garv gave her a shocked look and then they both broke out in laughter.
***
Rahul-Muskan and Ryan-Anjali formed the two of the three couples but the third one was yet to appear. People craned their necks and looked around to see if they were lucky to find a partner. Nikita found Abhimanyu looking at her with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She blushed and he asked, "Shall we?" Nikita nodded and so the third couple also joined the floor.
The orchestra began playing and Ridhima once again found herself lost. She cursed herself inwardly. This was ruining her sanity. Every touch, every eye lock took her breath away and reminded her of Maan and Maan only.
Anjali was too overjoyed. She had a chance to dance with Ryan which was so unbelieveable. She was enjoying every moment of it and surprisingly Ryan was also not oblivious to her presence and touches.
Rahul and Muskan were having a great time too. Enjoying the teasing and laughing.
"Rahul, the party is indeed incredible," Muskan said as she leaned against him and swayed along. "I loved it. Thanks."
"It was all for you, love," Rahul replied and kissed her on the forehead. "I'm glad you loved it."
Muskan was thankful to Armaan bhaiyya, who'd understood them and supported them. It was due to him that she was enjoying every moment of this party in the arms of her love, Rahul.
Nikita and Abhimanyu on the other hand were having a great time too. The music was slow and so were the steps. Abhimanyu could feel Nikita's heart beating fast. Nikita could feel his warm breath on her face. Their fingers intertwined and bodies touching each other, the warm energy flowed easily from one to the other. As they swayed along, Abhimanyu's cheek brushed against hers and her cheek turned cherry red. Abhimanyu loved that deep blush on her cheek. The innocence on her face and the mischief in her eyes. He knew without doubt that he was absolutely crazy about this girl and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He loved Nikita, intensely and deeply, without doubts, without bounds, without a care of the world!
The music picked pace and so did their steps. The swirls and twirls and the lifts and dips left Nikita dazed. She was amazed at the skill and efficiency with which Abhimanyu performed the steps and at the same time treated her like a fragile china doll, with all the care and love she deserved. Her eyes suddenly turned misty and she realised that Abhimanyu was the one person who could make her laugh and cry, make her feel special and treat her with all the love and care in the world. She loved him and she wasn't afraid to admit it and nor the fact that she wished to spend the rest of her life with him.
The invitation to dance was soon extended to everyone and eager couples flocked to the floor. The chandeliers had dimmed by this time, replaced by whirling disco lights and a mirror ball.
Ridhima was thankful that she could finally go and find Maan but she also wanted to be with the Prince. But as she left the floor with him, he was surrounded by friends and other party goers, congratulating him for his spectacular performance with the Cinderella. So Ridhima was left alone and she resumed her search for Maan.
Nikita and Abhimanyu decided they needed some privacy and quit the dance floor. They found a table for two in a corner and made themselves comfortable.
Ryan and Anjali sat down at a table after a lot of grooving. The party was in full swing. Waiters moved unobtrusively through the room, clearing away dishes and glasses. A few of the guests looked as if they'd made too many trips to the bar. Ryan scanned the ballroom for Afra but she was nowhere to be seen. Ryan was looking extremely handsome tonight and Anjali was all eyes for him. They chatted about everything and everyone but them and Anjali noticed that Afra sprang up every often in their talks. Suddenly, Anjali just blurted, "Aren't you going to ask me out?"
Ryan's jaw dropped and he gave her an incredulous look, "Sorry?"
"For a date. Aren't you going to ask me out for a date?" Anjali clarified.
"Excuse me. Whatever gave you that idea?"
"You like me, I know."
"I'm sorry if you think so but hey isn't it usually a guy who proposes?"
"You didn't. So I had to. Any issues? Are you gonna ask me or no?"
"No."
"No as in no issues or no, you're not going to ask me?"
"No as in I'm not going to ask you," he stated.
"Huh?"
"No, because I don't like you that way," Ryan simply replied.
"You can't lie! You like me, I know!" Anjali fumed.
"Take a hold, Princess. It's not necessary, you get everything you want," Ryan told her.
"I do and I will!" Anjali shot back and stormed out of there.
As she was walking towards the exit she heard, "Nikita, I'm so glad you're here. It seems impossible but this has been the best evening of my life so far!"
Hey, didn't that voice belong to Abhimanyu? And if his date was someone called Nikita, then it could only be one Nikita, Rajkumari Nikita...
She swiftly turned around and approached their table, "Hey Abhimanyu, wouldn't you introduce me to your date?"
Abhimanyu and Nikita froze. Nikita still had the mask on, which was a relief to an extent but Anjali around spelled problems.
"Erm, Rajkumari Anjali, this is Niha, my distant cousin's friend," said Abhimanyu carefully. "Niha, this is Princess Anjali."
"Hey, is it Niha or Nikita? Rajkumari Nikita Shishodiya, eh?" Anjali sneered.
Poor Nikita and Abhimanyu were going to have a hard time.
"Rajkumari Nikita? You mean a Princess? Oh! Your sister, Princess Nikita? Oh no, I'm Niha Sharma," replied Nikita more confidently than she expected, thinking of the first surname that came to her mind.
Abhimanyu was amazed. Nikita wasn't scared. Nor did her voice quiver with fear.
"Oh really? Then why don't you take off that mask and let us have a look at that pretty face of yours? Go ahead, take it off," she retorted.
Abhimanyu expected Nikita to panic but rather she replied as coolly as ever, "Now Princess Anjali, is that the kind of hospitality you show towards your guests? I'm sure Princes Armaan and Rahul wouldn't approve of it."
"You don't teach me hospitality in my own palace. Just shut your mouth and take off that damn mask!"
"Someone needs to teach you basic manners," replied Nikita coolly.
Ridhima was still on the lookout for Maan when the commotion at Nikita's table caught her eye and seeing Anjali there, she knew Nikita and Abhimanyu were in trouble. She needed Maan's help but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. Looking around frantically, she saw Kunwar Rahul!
"Nikita, before I lose my cool and snatch it off your face, just take it off!"
"Now that's enough, Princess Anjali! If you are so damned sure that I'm your sister, I won't take off my mask, why don't you go and check her room? I bet you'll find her there! Whining in her grief and sorrow!"
Abhimanyu was shocked.
Nikita saw Ridhima approaching them and an idea struck her, "Even better, we go to her room together. Shall we?"
Anjali was confused for a moment, then agreed. Suddenly, the lights went off and the ballroom was plunged into darkness. But before anyone had a chance to complain, the lights came on again and the party resumed.
"Let's go," Anjali told Nikita and they left towards Nikita's quarters. Abhimanyu had no idea what was Nikita upto.
*****
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Edited by tes_v1 - 14 years ago
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