13A Nottingham Place- A Raj Naina fic updated ch11 - Page 22

wow! love the update👏

Hey riya !!!!

Nice update, good to see raj taking stand for naina...

Chapter 10

Introduction.

"Naina?" Called Raj.

"Hmm?? What is it? Is there anything that you wanted?" Naina looked up from her book.

She was in her room sitting beside the window overlooking the wide stretch of extensive lawns that belonged to the Shekhawats.

"NAINA, I knew it'tum abhi tak taiyyar nahi huyi? Vish and Bhoomi both have already left for the party."

"Raj, I can't come."

"Oh! Naina please we are not going through this once again. Why wouldn't you come?

It is as much your school as much as it is ours and on top of that the teachers like you so much." Raj came over and sat beside her.

"Raj.. I- I know trust me '.. But have you gone through the invitation card?" Naina took a deep sigh.

"Yes I have'. Why?" Raj asked confused.

"Why? It says you need to wear dresses for the event' and I do not have any suitable dress for the evening. I can't afford that, and you know that quite well. Don't you?"

"Hmm'.. Have you checked your wardrobe properly? You might just find one'." Raj smiled meaningfully.

"Par.. Raj of course I have'it's my wardrobe you see'but WAIT' what did you say? That I should look into my wardrobe'.why did you say that?? Raj look at me??? Kya chupa rahe ho mujhse?" She turned to face Raj and stared at him inquisitively.

"Uff tum dekho to sahi."

Naina slowly went to her cupboard and opened it. There lay a packet wrapped in colourful wrapping paper. She pulled it out and as soon as she opened it she let out a gasp.

"Did you like it?" Naina closed her eyes as she could feel Raj's breath on her neck. It sent goosebumps all over her arms and neck. She could feel heat rising in her body.

Dear God! How is it possible to be in so much love with a man? She needed to control or she would make a fool of herself. Naina held the beautiful midnight blue gown in one hand and turned to face Raj.

"Why Raj?!, It is beautiful. However, I really can't take this. Thank you."

"And why can't you?" His voice sounded adamant.

"You don't understand? It's not right on my part to accept gifts from you. I can't, I am sorry."

"Naina, we are friends remember and we can gift each other whatever we like is not it?"

"No Raj. We might be friends but there is a thin line that I would like to adhere to. Your giving me gifts will only complicate things even more."

"How?" Raj stood with his arms crossed.

"Why can't you see Raj?" Naina asked impatiently. "Can't you see that my inability of returning these favours only throws us out of balance?"

"Favour? Do you think I am favouring you just because you are poor? You think I give a damn about your financial condition?" Raj was so furious that he never realised when he had approached so close to Naina that their faces were just inches apart and Naina could feel his warm breath on her face unsettling her to her much horror.

Raj nudged her violently'. "Bolo? Tumhe yahi lagta hai ki maine yeh dress isliye kharida ta ki mai tum par koi ehsaan kar sakoon?"

His voice sounded hurt. Niana's heart seemed to shatter into thousand pieces in seeing his saddened face. Naina felt a tug in her heart. She cupped Raj's face, stared at him for a long time, and then hugged him tight.

"I-I am sorry Raj. I didn't mean it that way. You know that, don't you? I am so sorry, I still don't know what had possessed me just a while ago'. and of course it's such a beautiful dress. Thank You so much."

"So you will wear this for the party, will you?" Raj's face lit up

"You bet." Naina grinned at him.

"I will wait for you downstairs and don't be long."

"Sure."

Naina pulled out the midnight blue gown in awe'..it was the same one that she had seen in that store the other day! A feeling of immense fondness seared through her heart. Though she hated to be subjected to anyone's pity or graciousness, but still she didn't feel any of those negative feeling as she held this petite dress in her hand. It still filled her heart with unknown joy. She pressed the dress tightly to her bosom and pressed her eyes closed.

Naina hurriedly changed into her new halter neck midnight blue gown. It fitted her so exquisitely that anyone would say that it had been tailor made for her and only for'..her.

She tidied her hair into a French roll and pushed in two tiny jewelled hairpins her mother had left for her. She glanced herself once in the mirror and put on a nude-shade lip-gloss and a dint of mascara just to enhance the mystery of her hazelnut eyes. Yes! She was ready for the alumni night. Naina secretly wished that she could make Raj drool over her'.but alas she knew Raj much better than to expect something like that from him. She was only a friend to him. Naina sighed and pulled out her only silver shoe that she had with 3 inches of heel. "I hope I don't trip and fall down in the hall", she mused.

Ah! Finally, Naina was ready to take on the world'.or at least she hoped she would.

Raj was fidgeting with his watch as he glanced up the stairs to catch a glimpse of Naina. Phew! He hated those who could not keep up with time. And Naina was definitely not one of them. "Then why is she taking so hell lot of a time?" , Raj thought. On top of that, the news he had just received from his father had left him with anger, frustration and bewildered. Yes, it was true that he was never very close to his sisters; to him they were nothing but bunch of stupid girls who had nothing but beauty. Their heads were full of wool and not with grey matter. However, he had never in his imagination thought of the fact that Bhoomika will settle for a man like Mr. Jaidev Singh Vohra. And why not? That man surely matched her level of intellect. But wait!!! He was loaded and that's all what Bhoomi would have wanted in her life-partner, one who wouldn't find it at all of a problem to finance and fund the shopping spree of his materialistic sister. Money. That is all Bhoomika has ever cared for, Raj thought indignantly. What a pity to have sisters like Bhoomika and Vishakha! People would never understand if they didn't come across those two wool headed sisters in person.

Vishakha wasn't as mercenary as Bhoomi but she somehow was highly influenced by her older sister and Raj often wondered that Vish might have turned into a better human being had she not been subjected to Bhoomi's constant companionship.

He was jerked back to reality as he heard the footsteps of someone approaching. As he looked up the stairs, unknowingly his heart skipped a beat. Naina was looking stunning. He was never under the impression that Naina was plain looking but tonight it was different. She surely looked like a princess. Raj's throat went dry as he stared at the sheer beauty descending in front of him. Almost instantly, he cursed himself for having such a thought. "She is Naina! Naina, for God's sake'.your best friend'. Don't behave like a teenager who has just got his lifetime prize in a woman!" He cursed himself.

"Cadet Naina Singh Ahluwalia reporting, Sir." Naina stood in front of Raj mocking a false salute.

Raj was so transfixed with her beauty that he actually forgot to asnwer.

"Raj!...Chale, Captain Shekhawat?????", Naina nudged him amused.

"Uhh? Oh Haan, yes please'." Raj felt totally out of sorts.

"Are you okay? Tum thik to ho na?"

"Haan, yes'. I am fine thank you, lekin...lekin yeh sab tumhari wajah se hua hai."

"Meri wajah se?"

"Yes'..you have no right to look so beautiful' I will have to be on guards tonight, it seems."

"Wow!! How flattering!!! And to think that these words are coming out of the mouth of none other than that of 'The Mr. Rajveer Singh Shekhawat', one of the most eligible bachelors for the Indian community here!!!"

"Well. I will take this with a pinch of salt. But you are looking truly beautiful today. You ...you truly look like a princess tonight, Princess."

Naina couldn't meet his gaze and cast her eyes down as her cheeks warmed into a deep shade of pink, she sighed in contentment as it seemed ages since he has called her with her nickname that was again bestowed upon her by the man himself.

Suddenly Raj's mobile started to ring and he hastily pulled it out of his pocket.

"Yes! We are coming! We are on our way!"

Naina looked up to meet his gaze. "Who was that?"

"Bob! Wants to know what's keeping us from getting there?"

"Oh! We must hurry then. But hold on' was that only about this?"

"Yes. Tumhe kya laga?"

Naina felt Raj was keeping something from her but decided not to pester him much.

"Uhh, Kuch nahi."

"Let's go"

Raj opened the front door of his newly prized Porsche and gestured Naina to get in.

"Wow...kya baat hai? Aaj test drive ke liye..new car?" Naina asked Raj smiling.

"Kaha tha na kisi special din iska udghatan karunga main?" Raj reminded Naina.

"To aaj kuch special hai?" Naina asked wondering what might be the reason.

"Pretty much and please ab zyada sawaal mat pooch, main late nahi hona chahta."

As Raj and Naina drove out the gate of the Nottingham Place, Naina felt an endearing feeling settling inside her. School, though had some difficult memories for her initially, but slowly she seemed to mould in perfectly well with the crowd and had only been possible mostly because of Raj, who was at that very moment looking straight ahead of him while driving.

Naina giggled when a memory though old yet vivid came back rushing to her.

"What is it? Naina? What made you laugh?"

"Kuch khaas nahi par kuch yaad aa gaya'..bas usi ke liye.."

"Kya??? Go on tell me."

"Raj, do you remember how you and your friends used to have a secret society of your own?."

"Yes, I remember it quite well and you were the last member we took in." Raj grinned.

"Yes. A very unlucky member, I guess. The society got dismantled in just 2 months of my joining."

"Oh! Come-on! It wasn't your fault' it was all because of Vish that it got dismantled. She had reported to father that we were snooping around. She did that deliberately because we wouldn't let her in. Fancy creating trouble all the time. She failed to understand that she just didn't have it in her. "

"You all were mean to her. All four of you. She must have felt horrible for you letting me in but not her."

Raj shrugged his shoulder. "She was a fool to compare herself to you."

"She was a kid then and Raj please don't sound so mean. She was still your sister."

"I am sorry, I know' but I can't help it. She always tried to play stupid pranks on us."

"Though I wasn't there for most of the time, but it did seem to me that you all had had jolly good time."

"Yes, but the only thing that we didn't find was a sniff of a single mystery to solve. All we did was to chat and make plans."

"But you did help the poor and destitute with funds that you used to collect, remember."

"What to do when you had nothing else to do? However, yes I am glad that we did that."

"So? It was not easy to run a secret society, was it?"

"You bet."

"But Blyton made it sound pretty easy, a child's play, as it may have seemed."

Both of them laughed.

"Blyton should have been sued to get children addicted to her stories."

"Don't!!! I still love her works'.even though there are a lot of criticisms regarding her works."

"Oh! Now I remember your first crush'.."

"RAJJJ stop it'.."

"No, no now I remember poor Mr Darcy was only the second one in the line'. Wasn't he?"

"RAJJJ, I won't talk to you." Naina said indignantly.

"Sorry! But who was it anyway? Julian or Peter?"

"I was only 10 at that time." Naina said in her defence.

"Ha, ha, ha, still touchy'.Eh? Who was it? Julian or Peter? Go on tell me. I can't believe I can't remember. Pity."

"I never liked Peter much, though he was good, he was too arrogant for his own good."

"So it was JULIAN! Wasn't it?"

"No, I just liked him." said Naina sheepishly.

"It didn't seem to me that way."

"I was a kid yet I knew how to differentiate between a reality and a dream."

"Yes definitely and yet had a crush over a fictitious character like Julian'..a boy of only 13 years."

"I was just 10, Raj!!" Naina protested indignantly.

"Yes, and by the time you were thirteen, you had already fallen for world's one of the most desirable characters from the world of fiction."

"Stop pulling my leg, Raj!"

"Okay sorry, I only pitied with Mr. Darcy, you know' he was a little late in catching your imagination. Fancy losing out to a boy of 13." Raj kept on teasing Naina.

"No one has ever caught my imagination'." Except for you. Thought Naina ruefully. Only if he could know.

"Stop laughing at me'and Mr. Darcy is not the most desirable character for me anymore. There's someone else."

"Wow...when did that happen? Who may I know was this lucky fellow?" Raj chuckled.

"Mr. John Thornton from North and South.." Naina remarked.

"Wow...Mr. Darcy loses out to a mill owner? When did that happen?"

"Long ago and excuse me I like self made men." Naina looked at Rajveer meaningfully and continued, "And Mr. Shekhawat don't look so complecent even I have certain memories about a certain individual that can surely make you go red."

"Really?. You, out with it then."

"Ha, ha, ha, you almost got caught trying to create one mystery, remember. Surely you remember Mr. Norton, don't you?"

Now it was Raj's turn to go red''..

"Don't remind me'we got scared stiff that Mr. Norton would report it to my father."

"But you were a better head than any of the characters in the books."

"Really? Thanks. What made you come to such an insightful conclusion?"

"Well, you were helpful, giving; intelligent and well'. weren't arrogant thankfully. And you never had a fight with anyone as far as I remember. Did you?"

"Wow! You remember everything pretty well it seems. No doubt, you still do so well in your studies, even now.

"Thanks, I also have a vivid memory about a girl named Fiona'remember?" Naina chucked. Raj's face had turned into beetroot red. "You won't let it go? Will you?"

"No! How can I?" said Naina wickedly.

"I still remember how out of wits I was when I was summoned to meet the Dean. I was totally clueless about what had been going on."

"Fiona's note books had your name scribbled all over you know." Naina giggled at the thought of the young girl Fiona who was obsessed with Raj in school.

Raj groaned in despair.

"Fiona was Bob's sister and I had a very difficult time explaining my innocence."

They both laughed as the long lost memories came rushing back to them and as the car-tyres zoomed in through the gates of their school.

The auditorium had been decorated with gossamer curtains, ruffles, and balloons. A stage was set at the centre of the auditorium decorated with rice bulbs and ribbons. There was a feeling of reunion all over the place. As Naina and Raj entered the hall, they were fondly greeted by their long lost friends'some of them were even married, for quite sometime then. In addition, right at one end of the room, there was a DJ playing some foot tapping music.

"Raj! What's up?"

"Hey! How do you do, Bob?"

"I am fine, thanks for asking'Hey Naina what's up?."

"I am fine and you look nice and where's Fiona?", Naina smiled wickedly at Raj, who was glaring at her.

"Oh! She's right there with her boyfriend.", He pointed straight towards a girl of around 19 years of age laughing and talking to a guy. She seemed to be happy.

"Oh that's great. We must congratulate her, don't you think Raj?"

"Uh'I- am sorry? Yes, YES of course."

"Well her boyfriend, Mike is an attorney. Excuse me'.. I will catch up with you guys in a minute." Before leaving, Bob gave a meaningful look to Raj and said, " Don't be late Raj."

"Don't worry, I am ready. I'll see you in 5 minutes."

"Yes, make haste. We don't have much time left. See you Naina."

"Yes sure." said Naina. She looked at Raj and found him checking his watch.

"What was Bob talking about? You need to go somewhere?"

"Yes" Raj answered distracted.

"Okay come on before you leave for your important work, let's go to her and congratulate.

"Naina'.Urgh!" Raj groaned.

"Raj , she is a friend, and stop being such a wimp."

Naina pulled Raj's hand and practically dragged him over to meet Fiona and Mike.

"Hey, Fiona!"

"Why? It's you Naina'wow you look stunning."

"Thanks."

"Hello Fiona! Both Naina and I would like to congratulate you on your winning the All Europe Badminton championship ."

"Thank you so much Raj. And my, look at you, you are still the same dashing young guy I fell for it seems. You must be quite a sensation in Harvard's Indian community, right?"

"Well not quite so. Harvard doesn't boast of having a great number of Indian population, but thank you for your comment. I would take it as a complement'..and that; I am surprised that you have guts to pay complement to some another guy with your arm around your boyfriend." Raj said in a mocking surprise.

"Ah! Mike knows everything!" As Fiona looked up to meet her boyfriend's gaze, Raj was astonished to find that she was actually glowing with her love for her boyfriend.

"You two look perfect and it was nice meeting you Mike."

"Same here, Raj" , Mike said with a flashing smile.

"Raj, stop boring them and come with me." Bob said as he caught Raj's right hand.

"Now if you would please excuse us beautiful ladies. We have something very special planned for tonight."

"W-Wh-a-t is the matter?" Naina asked in a confused tone as Bob dragged Raj away from her and pushed him towards the backstage.

As Naina strolled through the auditorium greeting and stopping to exchange pleasantries, she turned around when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

It was Bhoomika. "Hello Naina, My goodness, you have managed to look presentable tonight. How did you get hold of that gown of yours? It must have cost you a fortune or Oh wait you have borrowed it from one of your wealthy friends haven't you?"

"No! It's a, it's a present from a friend."

"Present! Wow! Your friend must be really loaded to gift you such an exquisite designer wear, my dear. Is he handsome? Well he is loaded no doubt. For how long have you been dating this wealthy boy? What did he want in return? "

"BHOOMIII, I will not discuss my friend with you, and I would prefer if you would refrain from using those sentences'.they are quite offensive. Now I would like to take your leave."

"Well, I am happy that finally you have found someone to fulfil your dreams, now my poor brother will heave a sigh of relief."

"W-What do you mean?"

"Oh, I always had this bad feeling that you might end up hooking up my poor brother, you always had hots for him, didn't you? But I am happy for you; you really need money to survive in this big bad world."

Naina could feel her ears and face had gone all red. Hot tears filled eyes yet she promised she would not cry no she would not. She had promised Raj earlier no she wouldn't let him down.

"Bhoomi, though I feel it's absolutely unnecessary to answer you but again I feel it's my duty to clear all your doubts." She took a deep breath. "I am not dating anyone, though I don't understand why am I clarifying myself here at the first place. Neither have I borrowed this dress from a friend nor it's a hands down. And I am sorry to inform you that your earlier doubts, though it might sound repulsive to you are quite genuine. I do love your brother. I love Raj and I have always loved him ever since I met him." Naina was breathless after the long speech of hers. This rather long monologue by quiet Naina even surprised Bhoomika who stared at her in amazement.

"Now if you would excuse me." She went away quickly scared even to look back.

"Ladies and Gentlemen now we present you with a special attraction of tonight's party. Before letting the cat out of the bag, let me take you back to those years when there used to be a band of friends who actually became famous as the school band. We have the pleasant opportunity to introduce that very same band after a hiatus of long 10 years. Ladies and Gentlemen, 'Serendipity' for you and only for you, performing live." The announcer cleared the stage as the band took its place.

"Serendipity? Why, it the band that Raj and his friends formed at school!!! He didn't tell me that he was performing!" She felt too excited for words. So it had been one his surprises for her.

"Hello! Friends! It's really flattering to see that you all have taken the pain of coming to this alumni night. We had formed this band when we were in eighth standard and it was heart-warming and a matter of great honour when we were asked to perform in front of you people. Most of us are not in touch with professional music nowadays and we come from different spheres of life and world for that matter. We would be highly obliged if you would forgive our unintentional errors and do not choose to notice the rustic introduction and occasional hiccups in between." Bob announced on the microphone.

"We would mostly sing in English but would also perform a special number in Hindi for all our Subcontinent friends."

"So are you with it???????????????????????? Shall we start??? Are you ready to groove??"

The whole auditorium screamed, shouted, and hinted that the whole of the auditorium was more than ready to groove with 'Serendipity'.

"Raj, over to you my friend." Raj caught the microphone with a deft hand as Aalekh threw it to him. Aalekh was the only other Indian in their band but it never seemed to be a problem for any of them because as they say "Music knows no boundary, it has no religion, no nationality'..Music is Music, Music is divine."

"Hello, This is Raj and with me you have Aalekh, Bob and Stephen with guitars, Marc in piano, Larry in keys and Roger in drums. So are you ready? Wish us luck guys!"

Naina looked around her mesmerised as 'Serendipity' raged to set the stage on fire.

Raj:

Whoa
I lie in bed but I can't sleep
On the ledge but I can't leap
Even doing nothing is so hard to do
To do
On my tongue but I can't speak
The simple things are sometimes deep
I only hope that this means something to you
To you
I want to spend my life with you right by my side
Cause when you kiss my lips I see lighting in the sky

Chorus
That's like
One step forward and two steps back
Cause love is like a hurricane
When you're with me I'm on track
We're riding on the crazy train
I'll be fine
If you're mine at the end of the line

Raj and Bob

Butterflies I want to keep

I try to laugh but I just weep
There's something about you gets me just so deep inside, inside
I want to spend tonight just looking in your eyes
I feel like a millionaire but I don't have a dime

Chorus
It's like one step forward and two steps back
Love is like a hurricane
When you're with me I'm on track
We're riding on the crazy train
I'll be fine
If you're mine at the end of the line

Bob
Let me love you
Won't you let me love you
Won't you
You got me loving you
Yeah you got me loving you
Oh you got me loving you
Girl you got me loving you

Chorus
One step forward and two steps back
You're love is like a hurricane
When you're with me I'm on track
We're riding the crazy train
I'll be fine
If you're mine at the end of the line

*song courtesy Boyzone.

The auditorium burst into applause as they finished off with their song. "Thank you so much for your support. We were really feeling jittery initially but your claps and indomitable enthusiasm has made us a little more confident so shall we move on???

Crowd: YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Are we ready Larry?" "Yes'."

Chorus: Raj, Aalekh, Bob, Stephen, Mark, Larry and Roger.

No matter what they tell us
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true


No matter what they call us
However they attack
No matter where they take us
We'll find our own way back

Raj took out the mic from the holder and jumped off the stage among the masses, where he was practically getting mobbed with the overtly enthusiastic women. He soon realized that it was a wrong move to go come face to face with his audience, they had surely gone crazy. He felt proud to find that they still had the power to hold their audience captive. His eyes searched for Naina and when he found her giving him thumps- up, his confidence increased in leaps and bounds. He was amazed to find how they could communicate so well even in silence. Not a word was spoken yet she knew he needed her confidence. He ran back to the stage.

I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know I'll love forever
I know, no matter what

Raj pointed his index finger at Naina, who solemnly nodded and smiled.

If only tears were laughter
If only night was day
If only prayers were answered
Then we would hear God say


Chorus


And I will keep you safe and strong
And shelter from the storm
No matter where it's barren
A dream is being born
No matter who they follow
No matter where they lead
No matter how they judge us
I'll be everyone you need
No matter if the sun don't shine
Or if the skies are blue
No matter what the end is
My life began with you


I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know, I know
I know this love's forever
That's all that matters now
No matter what'..

*Song courtesy: Boyzone.

"Thank you audience for being the best ever . Did you like it ??????????????"

"YES!"

"Now, I would like to ask Raj and Aalekh to take over from here as it's time for a dose of Indian music'.are you all ready?"

"Thanks Stephen." Said Raj as he took over the microphone.

"Hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!! Aaj hum wakei mein shukar guzar hain us sab ka jinhone is shaam ko mumkin banaya. Kayi sapne, yaadein sab taza ho jati hai jabhi hum aise aukon pe saath aate hain'. Aaj unhi palon ke naam unhi doston ke naam hum yeh gana pesh kar rahe hai jo humare saath yahan to nahi ho sake lekin humare zehen mein humesha rehenge."

Raj:

Hum, rahen ya na rahen kal
Kal yaad aayenge ke ye pal

Aalekh:

Pal, ye hain pyar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal

Raj:
Chal, soche kya
Chhoti si, hai zindagi
Kal, mil jaaye to hogi khush-naseebi'.

Raj and Aalekh:
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

Hum rahen ya na rahen kal
Kal, yaad aayenge ye pal
Pal, ye hain pyar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya
Chhoti si, hai zindagi
Kal, mil jaaye to hogi khush-naseebi'.

Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

( Raj wandered down the stage and walked straight towards Naina, who looked at him bewildered. She had never thought that Raj would actually want her to sing. She took the mic as Raj nodded at her encouragingly.)

Naina:
Shaam ka aanchal, odh ke aayee dekho woh raat suhani

Raj:
Aa likh dein hum dono milke apni ye prem kahani
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

( Raj took Naina's hand and guided her to the stage.)

Aalekh and Raj:
Aane waali subah jaane rang kya laaye deewanee,

(Raj slid his fingers and entwined them with Naina's and squeezed them to encourage her. His gesture was small yet had a profound effect on Naina, who was practically trembling to face such a huge audience.)
Naina:

Meri chaahat ko rakh lena jaise koi nishani

Raj, Naina and Aalekh:
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal

Hum rahen ya na rahen kal
Kal, yaad aayenge ye pal
Pal, ye hain pyar ke pal
Chal, aa mere sang chal
Chal, soche kya chhoti si hai zindagi
Kal mil jaaye to hogi khush-naseebi

Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal
Hum rahen ya na rahen yaad aayenge ye pal''

The auditorium once again burst out clapping. Naina thought she would never forget the ear-piercing sounds of clapping.

As Naina came down from the stage, she was greeted by Neelu, another Indian girl who used to be Naina's sole confidant when had missed Raj, when he was away.

"Hey!! That was good! To finally tera stage fright khatam ho hi gaya? Oh!! Raj saath ho kuch bhi mumkin hai right? Kya pyaar hai.!" She chuckled.

"Chup kar aur tu kab aayi?" Naina asked hugging her friend.

"Kafi der se dekh rahi thi tujhe us kone se'.disturb nahi karna chahti thi."

"Kyun? Kya matlab?"

"Are mai itni bhi nirdayi nahi hoon ki tujhe us waqt disturb karron jab tu kisi ke khayalon me magan ho."

"Wow!! Look at your Hindi?"

"Ab India mein sasural hone ka kuch to faida hoga na?"

"Tu ayi kab?"

"Tu khush to hai na?"

"Bas do hi din hue hai"

"Tu kush to hai na?"

"Hmm'I have a great husband."

"I am so happy for you. Par ek baat puchu aaj yahan se Aalekh ko stage par dekh kar tujhe bura nahi lag raha hai?"

"Bura kyun lagega? Yahan se seedha ghar hi to jayega."

"Matlab? Raat ko tere ghar kyun jayega?."

"Arrey, to aur kahan jayega? Patni hoon uski?"

"Kya? What are you saying?"

"Arrey India lautne ke baad Aalekh bhi wahi settled ho gaya aur ekdin usne propose kiya aur maine haan kar diya."

"Raj ko pata hai?"

"Of-course pata hai. Bas tujhe surprise dena tha."

"Pata nahi sabko mujhe hi kyun surprise karna achha lagta hai." Naina pouted.

"Ab tu bhi shaadi kar le Raj se. Ab is duniya mein tujhe tera Mr Darcy milne se to raha. To Mr. Shekhawat ko hi Mr. Darcy samajh lena".

"Neelu. Stop it. Tub hi na! Tujhe ache se pata hai ki main sirf'"

"Haan..baba..ki tu sirf Raj se aur sirf Raj se hi pyaar karti thi aur karti rahegi'.Uff'tere sare dialogues mujhe abhi bhi yaad hain, meri ma ab chup ho ja aur dekh tera hero phirse aur ek gana gane ja raha hai. Really it's a pity that he didn't become a singer. He could have easily become the best of the lot."

Naina smiled and looked at the direction where 'Serendipity' was gearing up for their last song.

"We thought that this is going to be our last song for this evening, but because of so many requests we have decided to bail out yet another hindi song. Hope that all of you will enjoy this song even though most you would find it difficult to understand the lyrics. So shall we?". There was again an ear splitting clapping of hands as Raj and Aalekh share the mic.

Raj

Pehli saans
Mere din ki pehli dhoop
Chaand ki pehli kiran

Pehla geet
Baarish ki pehli boond
Tum sheeth ki pehli kampan
Usne bheja tumhe mere liye...
Soone dil ki tum dhadkan...

Raj and Aalekh:
Saanson mein jo mere kwaabon mein jo... woh ho tum...
Raaton mein jo meri baaton mein jo...woh ho tum...
Raj
Pehli saans
Phoolon ki tum khushboo
Pehli jeet tum pehli haar..

Pehla geet
Phoolon ki pehli raat
Tum hi ho mera pehla pyaar...

Woooaaahh...

Usne bheja tumhe mere liyee...
Mere dil ki tum dulhan

Woooaaahh...

Raj and Aalekh:
Saanson mein jo mere kwaabon mein jo... woh ho tum...
Raaton mein jo meri baaton mein jo...woh ho tum...woh ho tum...

Guitar solo ( Mark)


Woooaaahh...

Chorus:
Saanson mein jo mere kwaabon mein jo... woh ho tum...
Raaton mein jo meri baaton mein jo...woh ho tum...

(Chorus till fade out !!)

*song courtesy- Euphoria

Artist- Palash Sen.

Naina was almost in tears when the song stopped. Neelu was madly waving at her husband who was silently smiling away. "He is still so shy!" Naina exclaimed.

"Don't worry he isn't in other aspects." Neelu winked at Naina wickedly.

"Chee'kuch bhi bolti rehti hai tu." Naina shook her head laughing.

"Now, before we move on to the last song we would like to thank all of you, the organizers and everybody associated with this event. Our hearty thanks to all of you. Thank you." Bob passed on the mike to Raj.

"Before Serendipity starts off with their last song for the evening, I as the music teacher would like to ask one of my very favourite students to come up to the stage and sing that very special song of hers that had fetched her the award for the best upcoming talent when she had been just 13. So boys and girls can we please hear it from our very quiet starlet''Naina?"

Naina was shocked to hear her name being announced on the mike. She shuddered at the thought of singing on the stage when she had been out of practice for so long." Naina could hardly hear anything in the earsplitting sound that was reverberating throughout the auditorium, she tried to just wiggle out but unfortunately the spotlight fell just on her and hence, she had no other alternative than to smile back weakly while ascending the steps that led to the stage.

"Raj, would you kindly play the piano and give her the cue'"

"Certainly, Mrs. Sparks." Raj smiled and slowly went up to Naina and whispered in her ears'"Just close your eyes..and go for it'.remember I am right here."

Naina slowly adjusted the microphone and said, "Good evening friends, I am sure you are enjoying yourselves to the fullest what with Serendipity performing and all that'well I have been asked to sing a song, (laughed nervously) that too just after the fantastic performances by these guys'so'let's see'(took a deap breath) this song is about love'a love that we all share for one another or may be for anyone special. So if you love some one then just feel the song'.as I sing it'.thank you."

Naina looked at Raj, who signaled Aalekh to play the flute. Naina took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she steadied herself in front of the microphone.

Naina:

Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you
go on
Far across the distance
And spaces Between us
You have come to show you
go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart and
My heart will go on and on
(all the memories that she had saved in her heart came rushing back to her.)

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go 'til
we're gone
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always
go on
(her love for Raj overwhelmed her as tears came streaming down).

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart and
My heart will go on and on

(Naina could hear Serendipity playing along with her as the boys sang the chorus part as to encourage her).

You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart and
My heart will go on and on'''..

*song courtesy- Titanic, James Cameroon, Celine Dion.

As naina opened her eyes'she was greeted with a thunderous applause from every single person present there. Naina looked back at Raj and mouthed him a "thank you", and who in return gave her a thumbs-up.

The room got once again heated up with the excitement, Naina found Raj fixing his mike and giving instructions to his fellow band members.

"This is a special tribute to all those special women who light up the dark days in our lives and who are like incense sticks who burn themselves out to keep us happy. To all those beautiful ladies' this is 'Serendipity's tribute.

Raj closed his eyes as the sounds of clapping engulfed the whole auditorium.

Raj:

Smile an ever lasting smile
a smile can bring you near to me
don't ever let me find you gone
'cause that would bring a tear to me
this world has lost its glory
let's start a brand new story
now my love
you think that I don't even mean
a single word I say
Chorus:
it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away
(Raj pinned the tiny microphone to his blazer as he descended the stage among the masses. He still held his microphone in his hand.) He moved over to Naina.

Talk in ever lasting words
and dedicate them all to me

(He handed over his microphone to a guy standing in the crowd.)
And I will give you all my life

(He put his palm across his heart playfully.)
I'm here if you should call to me

(Naina was about to move away smiling when he caught her hand and pulled her to himelf. Naina rolled her eyes exasperated.)

You think that I don't even mean
a single word I say

(Naina swayed her head in positive.)

it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away
Chorus:
it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away
(Raj took Naina's hand and started dancing in a waltz)
da da da da da da da
da da da da da da da da da da
da da da da da da da
da da da da da da da da da da
Chorus:
this world has lost its glory
let's start a brand new story
now my love
you think that I don't even mean
a single word I say

(Raj took the microphone back from the guy and headed towards the stage)
Raj:
It's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away
Chorus:
it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away
Raj:
it's only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away

* song courtesy Boyzone.