ManeetFF Dancing Frm The Ashes link on pg146 - Page 29

Maan had been observing the routine. The steps to it had been easy enough to follow ' adhering to most of their comfort zones! He walked languidly towards them and stood right at the back where he was visible to everyone in the mirror and melded the steps with the others following their lead. ...who would've thought Maan Singh Khurana would ever follow another's lead. By the time they had finished the 1^st round, he had got the hang of it. That was when he started adding his own moves to the routine. It came unconsciously and he was enjoying himself. The vigour in the steps increased and the tension slipped off. He added more of his flavour to the moves, twisting and bending, sliding ' what he didn't realize that the others were observing and incorporating his steps with theirs.

The warm up took 15-20 minutes, where all of them moved as one. They finally stopped, cheering and clapping as one.

Maan moved forward to change, a feeling of elation rising within him. He hadn't felt like this in ages. He had missed it...and he'd realized that just now!

It was time to show them that he could be nice. The classes began in another 20 minutes. Plenty of time. He walked back out, a slight smile on his face.

They turned to him, their expressions showing they were impressed. He started with as pleasant an expression as he could manage. It was surprisingly difficult.

''Guys, that was a gr8 warm up ' thing is ' Vicky knows you guys in and out. But I'd like to know you better. So how about a few solos of you in your area of expertise? Zaakhir, would you like to start?''

A few students had entered early for their class ' they heard Maan's dialogue and cheered giving hoot calls.

Zaakhir was more than ready. Apparently, he was the popular one. Nida looked smug as she watched him.

He started with a Hip-Hop cum Popping routine on a Flo-Rida track. The foot tapping no. got all of them enthused. He finished with a difficult cartwheel 'the studio erupted in applause.

Farhan came forward next ' his eyes focussed on the mirror - He started a contemporary style of dance ' his eyes portraying it's intensity. His steps shifted from contemporary to fosse to ballet moves. The studio watched in awe as he completed each step perfectly skimming above the floor. When he finished there was a hushed silence. And then an uncertain applause.

Nida pranced forward to get in her turn She picked a jazz number, moving nimbly her happy exterior making her movements infectious. She began using more and more of the floor ' adding ballet spins and contemporary moves., making eyes at Zaakhir all the time. He; taking the invitation, suddenly, joined her miming her in the peppy number. She responded in sheer delight as she moved with him. When they stopped, Z smacked her on her mouth, in front of everyone. Maan noticed a few miffed expressions on the face of the girl students.

He looked to see who was left. It was Geet and she looked non-committal.

He asked her. ''Geet, would you like to show us your bit?'' His voice betraying his impatience.

''No'', she replied brusquely and stalked towards the door.

Zaakhir laid a hand on Maan's shoulder and said seriously, ''Don't force her.''

''What do you mean, don't force her? Can she even dance?'' , spat Maan finally losing his temper.

Geet who had reached the door, froze and whipped around. He eyes were spitting fire and she walked back to them in slow menacing steps. Maan was aghast by her sudden temper. He thought for a minute that she might hit him. But she moved to the middle of the dance floor and whipped forward in a few free spins, moving faster than he thought possible. She did a few difficult popping moves and finished with a few perfect head spins. She got up and looked pointedly at Maan and walked out of the door.

''I think she might have just proved her point and answered your question.', said Zaakhir to an astounded Maan!!

Vicky stood outside teh main office of Khurana Construction, watching the staff get ready for the day. A flash of blue caught his eye and he looked at it. He called up Maan excitedly. He had just seen a pretty young thing in the office. He didn't wait for Maan to say anything but, just delved right into his line of thought.

''Wow bro, aapne bataya nahi, that you've got office hotties, huh. I always wondered how it was that you managed to spend hours in this stuffy office of yours.''

''Hi Vicky, how're you doing? Pretty early in the day for you to be in the office, isn't it? And who exactly are you talking about?''

''That Hot Hot thing in the office, slim, dark eyes, pretty babe...''

''You must be talking about...''

Vicky didn't let him finish...''No, don't bother telling me. I'll find out who she is soon enough!!'' He hung up and headed to the office!

* * *

3 hrs later. . .

There was a knock on the door. Vicky didn't raise his head.

''Er, Vikram sir?''

He looked up at the voice and saw a girl's head peeping through the door. He looked questioningly at her then smiled.

''Er, you didn't answer the door so I opened it.'' she said.

He realised she had addressed him with his full name. He was so used to being called Kay at the studio or at least Vicky that he had forgotten that here the formal name would be the norm.

''Sir, '', she prodded again. He realized he was staring into space. It was time to set things right.

''Err...call me Kay. Not Vikram , geddit. I'm not used to this formal kinda atmosphere''

''With all due respect, Sir,'' she replied stiffly, ''Since this is an office, I think the formal atmosphere is what suits it best. So please forgive me, but I would rather stick to Vikram Sir.''

Vicky stared at her. She didn't seem like the office hottie anymore. All his dreams and hopes of flirting or having a pretty face to gaze at, were crashing around his ears!!

''Did you need something?'', he asked dejectedly.

'Yes!!...I need your signatures on this file. It has been tallied. Could you please go through it again?''

It had been like this for the past 3 hrs. Every other minute an employee knocked and kept a file and left. They looked a little afraid and tried to exit as soon as possible. All but this girl. She had been the only one audacious enough to talk back to him.

He turned now to this girl. She had a delicate face, with dark intelligent and serious eyes. Her hair was done up straight and simple 'without any style and her posture was erect.

''What is your name?,'' he gave a last go, with his most charming smile.

''Miss Shergill'', she replied and marched out of the door.

''Ah well atleast I tried,'' he thought.

Kay turned his head back to the file he already had open. It was some project that was in the middle of construction out of Delhi. He had taken all of 2 hours to get through that. He sighed and buried his head in it again!

Meera walked at a quick pace. She looked around as she walked, in search of someone. He shoulders ached and her posture had no resemblance with the one she had in her office. Still she walked quickly.

There was nobody in sight. It was late evening and the streets had lesser people. Meera opened her flat and dumped her bag and changed. While she started making dinner, she kept looking back at the door as if expecting somebody. Finally, she heard a knock and rushed forward. Outside stood a small boy in a worn out shirt and shorts. He seemed about 4 or 5 yrs in age. His hair was sun bleached and his dusky skin was sun tanned and slightly dry. His eyes however were captivating. They sparkled and shone and had an impish delight in them.

The same delight was now reflected in her eyes. She gathered him in her arms and picked him up.

''Where were you? Why did you take so long? Where's my chocolate?'', he demanded.

''Catch a breath first, Ajay.'' she laughed. ''There's a new boss in the office. He doesn't know how to do any single thing properly. So I had to stay back and teach him stuff.''

''Hmmm'', he said thoughtfully. ''Sounds like me on my first day to school. You know Didi, I didn't know anything and all the other kids laughed at me. That day Teacher madam stayed back and helped me.''

His words left Meera in shock. She switched on the TV for him and escaped to the solace of her thoughts.

Any clue about what's coming up next?

keep guessing.

So how was it? any likes or criticisms? Lemme know!

cheers

Amruta

Chapter 28 - Who's Afraid Of Geet Handa - Page 48