"Guptas 25, Raizadas 25 ' it's a tie!" the judges proclaimed. "But we should have a tie-breaker" the judges suggested. "We will randomly pick out names one each from the Raizada and Gupta families and whoevers name we pick out must do a dance together. This will decide the tie-breaker"
"Khushi!" the judge called out as she picked out a chit of paper from the Gupta bowl.
"NK" the other judge called out as he picked out a chit for the Raizada team.
Khushi breathed a sigh relief. She was nervous Shyam or Arnav's name would have been called out. Khushi walked to the wing of the stage fixing up her emerald saree getting ready to dance. She smiled up to the skies thanking her devi-maiyya, feeling certain of victory.
"Akash, I think Khushiji deserves to win. She danced so well. I am going to let her win!" Arnav heard NK tell Akash who smiled and said "Khushiji winning means Payal winning and I think that's a good idea" Arnav spun on his heel. He couldn't get this chance get out of hand. 'NK the oaf!' he cursed under his breath. He would have to take action. He would be damned if let anyone have the last dance with Khushi. That, was his right. He waited till Akash walked away and went up to NK.
"NK, you have already performed. Its my turn now." Arnav said matter-of-factly. "But Nanav, Khushiji," Arnav glared at NK "You don't need to worry of Khushi. I will deal with her. I haven't done anything for the sangeet, so I have decided to dance." NK looked into Arnav's eyes and could see the sheer determination in them. He backed off. "Ok, bro good luck"
The music blared with a fanfare of strings. The lights in the hall went off, only a faint glow of red bathed the stage from the fairy lights in the background. Arnav walked out to the stage confidently and took his position at the centre and turned to the opposite wing to see Khushi walking in. He smirked. He would never let her win this one.
Khushi saw the silhouette of the person on stage and instantly realised that it was not NK. She closed her eyes praying for the image not to be true. She could not dance with him ' she knew she wouldn't be able to. She slowly opened her eyes willing for the person on the stage to change somehow, but he stood there watching her. She could make out the determination in his eyes, the confidence and arrogance his flexed jaw and his smirk mocking her, challenging her, daring her to conquer him.
She walked to him like a moth drawn to a flame. She knew that she was walking into impending doom. She knew that by doing so she was giving him the very thing he wanted over her ' power. She was succumbing to his pull.
He stretched out his arm, palm pointed upwards just as the song started. She placed her hand in his and immediately felt the current run through her body. The world around her seemed to fade away. The only thing that mattered was him, the only time that mattered was now. The only touch that mattered was his. The only rhythm that matter was their hearts.
He watched her walk towards him. He knew she would come. He almost faltered watching the hesitation in his eyes. He wanted to win ' but wanted to lose himself in her at the same time. He raised his arm towards her inviting her into his arms not for just this dance, but for every dance in every life.
He felt her hand in his and he closed his thumb over her hand and flicked his hand away forcing her into a spin. Her hair spun and he felt like a veil of the finest silk had kissed his face. He reeled her in as she came crashing into his chest from the spin. One hand on her bare back and the other traversing her side coming to rest at her hip.
She felt the flick of his hand forcing her into a spin. Her body movements mimicking the state of her heart and mind. She spun and came crashing into his chest feeling off balance, only to be steadied by his strong hands. His hands left a trail of fire on her body as found his way to her hip, pulling her body closer to his, moulding her to him. Why did this feel so right. Her hands automatically found their way to his neck, holding him to her. Why did her body feel like it was meant to fit into his when her mind was aflutter with fear.
She looked into his eyes not being able to read the emotions there completely. There was victory in them ' but without the arrogance. There was passion ablaze in those eyes, there was confidence in them and there was, no it couldn't be. She froze again frightened of what she saw in them.
He leaned in for the dip holding her gaze. She didn't move. He continued to lean in closer willing her to bend backwards for the dip. She still stayed there gazing into his eyes. He saw fear, despair, confusion, passion. He continued to lean, she still stayed. His lips getting closer to hers which were quivering in anticipation. The red glow from the fairy lights dancing on the gloss of her lips. His lips brushed hers uniting them together for a brief instance.
She felt the softest flutter of lips on her own. Her heart skipped a bit and she moved backwards, his hand sliding up her back to give her greater support and his other hand holding firmly onto her waist. Their eyes locked conveying a million unspoken desires.
They were so lost in each others gazes they didn't notice the lights go on in the room.
Every pair of eyes fixated onto the pair on the stage. The fire and passion of their movements had not been missed by anyone. The Raizada family all had their mouths gaping to see Arnav Singh Raizada on stage dancing. Nani gave a knowing smile, she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Arnav pulled Khushi up from the dip, his hand sliding down her back again. The hypnotic trance broke and Khushi pulled her hand of his neck feeling her fingers burn from where they had been in contact with his skin. He smirked at her. Khushi stepped back slowly at first and then quickened her pace before she turned around and ran.
He had won. In that instant he knew that she cared. She cared too much. He had won. Not the challenge, he never really cared much for a Nataraj murti. She could have that. She had danced to deserve that. She had danced her way into his heart and he just wanted to win to ensure that she stayed there. Forever.
He followed after her ignoring the cheer of the captivated and shocked audience.
She was looking up at the stars. Tears streaming down her eyes. His heart constricted, she was upset? Had he read her eyes incorrectly. 'No, impossible' he consoled himself and walked out onto the terrace.
"Hum haar gaye. Aap jeet gaye. Kahiye, kya chaiye apko?" Khushi said flatly without taking her eyes off the stars and without waiting for him to make his presence known.
"Tum theek ho?" Arnav wasn't sure about her tears. She wiped the tears away and turned around to face him.
"Aap to chahte honge ke mein apke age apna ghutno theku aur apni haar manlu? Ya phir meri aukat dilaenge? Ya phir humse humesha ke liye jane ko kahenge?" the tears welled up in her eyes again.
She fell on her knees in front of him her head cast downwards "Hum haar gaye Arnav ji ' aap se bhi aur apne aap se bhi." She had tried her best these last couple of months to not let him affect her. To suppress all her feelings towards the man before her. She had coached her heart into understanding that they could never be together. He hated her, she was nothing to him and he had even told her as much. But looking into his eyes today had made all that resurface and she knew that she had already lost.
"Ab aap humari aukat nahi yaad dilaenge? Isse zyaada acha mauka bhi nahi milega. Taaron ki neeche ap sirf hume hi nahi balke humari maa aur baba ko bhi zalill kar sakte hai. Hum apse haar gaye hai. Aur hum wapas Luckno chale jayenge. Bus jiji ki shaadi ho jaye." She closed her eyes waiting for the taunts and arrogant gloating but it never came. Instead she felt his fingers brush her tears away and she closed her eyes event tighter.
"Jeetna to mere naseeb mein likha hai Khushi Kumari Gupta. Kyu mein khud apne taqdeer ki lakeere khichti hu." He spoke to her softly without arrogance but a quite sincere confidence.
She opened her eyes to meet his. He held her shoulders and stood up pulling her up with him. "Ab neeche chalo ' murti nahi dogi mujhe?" He smirked at her and moved to the side showing her the path ahead of him.
She looked at him with nervous uncertainty and walked ahead.
"Khushi , you ran away without finishing the dance forfeiting the competition and hence handing victory to the RAIZADAs" the judge said and a big cheer went through the audience. The Guptas and Raizadas embraced happy that the sangeet hand gone so beautifully. Khushi looked around still in a daze from her meeting with him on the terrace. The judge handed the murti to nani who took it with a big smile. Arnav took the microphone from the judge "Actually, Nani, I think the murti should go to the Gupta's today. Khushi ought to get some extra points for all the costume changes ! Besides, Payal will bring back the murti to the Raizadas' in a few days! So Nani, I think we should give it to the Guptas" Arnav smirked and looked Khushi straight in the eye. A very pleasantly surprised Nani handed the Nataraj to Khushi "very well said Chotey. She indeed is deserving of it" The audience cheered again as Khushi bent down to touch Nani's feet and took the murti.
When everyone cleared the stage she walked up to Arnav and whispered "lekin apne to kaha to jeet apki hui hai" she looked up into his eyes confusing written all over her face. "yes Khushi, I did win. And I will claim my prize when the time is right. Right now, just enjoy your sisters wedding" he smirked and turned to walk away whistling the tune to "So Darling, save the last dance for me"
Khushi walked off to keep the murti in her trunk. She bent down to put it in when she saw the jalebi box. "Atleast I won the murti. That calls for a celebration and she reached out to open the box"
Hit the button if you like...and leave some comments :) I might just write the next part.. ;)
PART 2 - PAGE 4
PART 3: PAGE 10
PART 4: PAGE 16
part 5: PAGE 18
PART 6: PAGE 21
PART 7: PAGE 25
PART 8: PAGE 35
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
Cricket
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