
There's something bout you tonight
There's something very special
Something about the way you move that thing
There's something very special
Something about the way you lookin' at me
She watched him from the corner of her eyes. He didn't see her even as she passed right in front of his eyes. He was busy locking his gaze on Shanaya.
He'd never look at her like that. Ever.
How would he? When he didn't even know she existed.
"Hey did you hear?"
"Hear about what?"
"About Shanaya."
"Why? What happened to her?"
She rolled her eyes. They were at it again. This gossiping mongrels she sadly, had to call her peers.
"She kissed Abhimanyu."
The books she had been holding fell to the floor. Those two girls looked at her. She mumbled a 'Sorry' and so they continued gossiping.
"Shut up."
"I know."
How could this happen? She thought to herself.
"But isn't she Rohan's girlfriend."
"Yes, and even more Abhimanyu is his best friend."
"Oh My God!" Mongrel no. 1 squealed.
"Yeah, and that too after all the countless threats she gave to Rohan for hanging out with Tanya. At least, he didn't go around kissing her."
"Poor her."
"That's why Rohan and Abhimanyu have been at loggerheads for a while. They're both competing for her."
No, the poor one was not Shanaya. It was her. Her love, before it could even start, it was already reaching its end.
"And what's more, because Shanaya chose Jeet for her prom date, Rohan chose Tanya for his date, while Abhimanyu Shruti, Shanaya's best friend."
"This is so exciting."
And that was what did it. They were jealous of one another and so she wanted to make them jealous of her too, him in particular. It was funny how she wanted to make them envious of her when they didn't even know her. That's when it hit her. Everyone thought Shanaya would obviously win this, because she was an excellent dancer. If she won, that meant defeating Shanaya, the best dancer in her university. If she won, they'd all be curious about her. Everyone, him too.
And here she was indeed, her plan which looked so brilliant in the beginning was starting to feel dumb and dumber each passing second. Every time she turned around to look at him, he'd be looking at Shanaya, no one else, not even his own partner Shruti. At this rate she didn't know if she'd be able to pass the night, let alone the competition.
She followed his gaze and sure enough, it was her. She was dancing with Jeet, her partner for prom tonight. She was moving to the beat, her expressions focused on him, neither Abhimanyu nor Rohan. She wanted to win this competition very badly. It could clearly be seen.
The only drive which made her want to dance harder.
Her partner turned her around, so that she could no longer see her, Shanaya, the object of her envy tonight. He spun her around and she let him be.
She didn't know when but she seemed to have fallen into the hands of Rohan. The number 1 playboy at St. Teresa. She looked at him. Looked at him, to see what was about him that attracted Shanaya so much. So much that despite his countless flirting and even slip-ups with other girls that she still held onto him. Was it those dark drown orbs? Or that smile?
She caught herself just in time to no longer ponder at his face. Lest he took her for all those other girls ready to fall at his feet and beg to go out with them. Oh god no. That thought alone sent a chill down her spine. For all things holy, just no. It seemed that he knew what she was thinking, for the very next instant, he turned her around and let her go.
She spun and spun, until one hand reached out to grab hers. It pulled her towards him. She looked up to see the face of her savior. Only to find her breath hitch in her throat.
Ishq Wala Love
Ishq Wala Love
He pulled her hand and made her follow his steps. Abhimanyu could only stare at her. She was beautiful. Breath-taking if possible. But her face, it was full of sorrow. And her eyes spoke of an even hollowed depth. He wondered for a brief second, if something had happened to her. When a drop of tear slid down from her left eye, he was shocked. Before he could ask about her welfare, the tune changed. He had to let go of her hand. Or else he would lose marks. He wanted to win this competition just as much as every other participants dancing at the moment. So he spun her around again, letting her go in the process.
Shanaya came up to him and entwined her arms around his neck but his gaze followed her. She spun a few more times until she finally stepped down and turned to look at him. He wondered if she had something to say to him cause she held his gaze for a moment longer. But there was Shanaya in his arms right now. He didn't want to miss what little time he could have with her. He looked up to see her still standing at that very place where she was the last time he saw her. Before he could open his mouth, her partner came up to her and pulled her away from him sight.
He felt weird. Just from that slight interaction alone, it unsettled him. He wondered why she was so sad. It wasn't like she came alone. She seemed to have a partner. Or was there something else he was missing?
He couldn't think more for Shanaya left his embrace and Shruti came up to him. Having to watch Shanaya go away was enough for him to forget about the girl he saw just moments ago.
Disco Dewaane
Aho!
Dico Dewaane
Aho!
The dance had come to an end few minutes ago. It was results time now and everyone was on edge. Fingers crossed, many participants silently prayed under their breath.
"Ok, people. It's the moment you guys have been waiting for so earnestly." Their gay dean Yogendra Vashist announced.
"The winner of this competition is none other than the.."
Breaths hitched, some closed their eyes, hoping against hope that it was them.
Shanaya smiled, folding her arms, ready for the onslaught of congratulations that would be coming her way.
"..lovely..."
Abhimanyu looked at her. She was already glowing with bright energy, so sure of the outcome.
".. Isha Singh Raizada."
Everyone went silent for a while. They all looked at the stage. No one came.
The dean looked confused for a while.
"Isha Singh Raizada." He spoke again, this time loud and clear.
As if his loud booming voice woke up the audience from some deep slumber, they started clapping, some even whistling.
All of them curious to see which underdog-err underbitch was it.
Just then a figure walked up the stairs to the stage. She seemed petite, dainty on her feet. Clad in a black dress, her pale complexion looked even brighter. When she was about to receive the award, many wondered if she'd even be able to lift it up, considering her small size.
But she gracefully accepted it and turned towards the audience. When she smiled, it worked like a charm. The clapping grew louder, and even more whistles pronounced throughout the air. Then she smiled and lifted the trophy up in the air as if punctuating her victory.
Just then, Abhimanyu remembered. It was that same girl, that same girl who he'd danced with just a few moments ago.
Somewhere in the corner, Shanaya stomped her feet. This was so not her day. She walked away, pushing against the crowd and in the process bumping across Abhimanyu. He looked down to see her hastily walking away from the hall. He was about to follow her but then thought better of her temper. He once again turned to look back at the girl, who defeated THE Shanaya.
When their eyes met again for a moment, no matter how small, Isha knew, she'd caught his attention.

20