Chapter 7
It's Complicated
1
Evening/ Rehearsal Hall
"No way!!" shrieked Sharon as she jumped and started walking to and fro. She looked disturbed. Rey was prepared for this and followed her- he had already anticipated all the possible arguments and knew it wasn't an easy task. "But Sharon..."
"I said NO Rey. How can you in your right mind even suggest this?" retorted Sharon.
"But Sharon, mujhe ye nai samajh aa raha ki tumhari problem kya hai? It's just a dance..." pleaded Rey.
"Dance? With Swayam? Seriously Rey! Tum chahte ho ki main ek weakling ke saath couple dance karun in front of the entire college!" Sharon said as she glared at Rey. Rey was indeed scared now, but he decided to pursue the infuriated Diva nonetheless.
"But Sharon, tumhi ne to kaha tha na that tum pehle St. Louis ki CS ho and then a Dazzler and this is for St. Louis. You see..."
"Rey, shut up. I can see what you are doing here. Don't try to twist my words around. I said I'll keep peace with the Weaklings, that does not mean I'll choose a Weakling as my partner," said Sharon not letting Rey mouth the dialogues he had prepared.
"Okay fine. But I thought you didn't care about Swayam..." Rey continued in his one last desperate attempt, "in that case you shouldn't have a problem regarding dancing with him. I mean, kya farak padhta hai, you don't care right? I mean he doesn't affect you..."
"Of course he doesn't affect me." Spoke Sharon trying to sound convincing. "And this is not about Swayam." She declared firmly. A pause followed.
"Okay may be this is also about Swayam," said Sharon looking away. Rey smirked behind her. Damn I so knew it Sharon. He cleared his throat and started speaking in a grave manner. "Kya matlab? I mean what's with you and Swayam?"
Sharon fumbled as she spoke. After all it's not easy summing up confused jumbled emotions, even if it's only your best friend listening. "He... he... he is acting so strange these days. I... I don't like it. I don't like him."
"Okay... and..." Rey listened attentively as Sharon strove to frame grammatically and politically correct sentences in her mind.
"I mean... usse agar lagta hai that ye sab karne se he can come close to me or get me to think about him, then he is a fool. I don't think about him. And I definitely don't care. He wants attention. Yes." Sharon muttered to herself. "And if I dance with him he'll succeed aur main aisa hone nai dungi. So you see... I can't dance with him." Sharon turned to a clueless Rey.
"I kind of lost you there," said a bewildered Rey.
"It's complicated Rey. Anyway, bottomline is I won't dance with Swayam Shekhawat. Tumhe pata hai he cancelled our opening dance, that lowlife weakling!" complained Sharon.
"The cheerleading you mean? Yeah he told me about it. But Sharon we have so many performances this year, ek ka na hona won't matter. And it'll ease the pressure on you," said Rey.
"Wow! You knew. Of course it won't matter." Sharon said sarcastically. "You know what, this conversation is over!" yelled Sharon as she switched off the lights before walking out on Rey, leaving a baffled Rey sulking in darkness.
2
Next Day Morning/Corridor
"Complicated. Tera brand new relationship status." Chuckled Rey, as he and Swayam walked through the corridor.
"Relationship? Tere saath?" queried Swayam.
"Bakwas band kar. Sharon ne khud kal kaha, that it's complicated between the two of you," smiled Rey.
"What!" Said Swayam a little stunned.
"Haan wo keh rahi thi that you're acting strange and stuff. What's the deal bro? But whatever it is, it's working," nodded Rey.
"That's ironic. Considering for the first time, I'm not trying to make it work." Said Swayam.
"Probably that's why she finds it all strange," Said Rey, "Anyway, she is way too pissed with me regarding the cheerleading dance... and with you as well, so beware."
"Whatever! Like I care. Actually I don't even wanna know..." said Swayam, much to Rey's surprise. He was about to speak, when both the boys were interrupted by Kriya who appeared like a storm, as usual. Rey and Swayam were both taken aback by Kriya's sudden arrival. "Rey... Rey chaliye mujhe aapse baat karni hai," said Kriya panting. "Hey Swayam," she greeted before turning to Rey once again, "Rey come on... It's important." She glared at Rey and then suddenly realized she was pulling him by his arm. Embarrassed she let go of his arm immediately. Both Rey and Kriya began blushing and grinning like idiots. Swayam was amused and quietly observed the two. An uncomfortable silence ensued. Kriya and Rey blushed and took turns to look at each other and Swayam, for what seemed like an eternity. Swayam was both bored and astonished seeing his friends behave like a bunch of ninocompoops.
"It's okay. Go," said Swayam breaking the silence.
"Swayam I'll meet you after the break, rehearsal hall mein..." said Kriya with a awkward smile.
"Of course of course. I'll see you. Tum logo ko important kaam hoga, please carry on..." said Swayam suppressing a smile. Kriya and Rey left.
From the other end of the corridor Sharon walked in, calling out to Rey but he was already too far to hear Sharon call his name. Sharon suddenly felt a surge of sadness seeing her best friend being dragged away by Kriya. She knew it was ridiculous to think that Rey was moving away from her, but fact was that he was too distracted these days and she didn't know what he had on his mind anymore. She continued looking in Rey's direction when she felt a familiar warm feeling that gave her goosebumps- a gust of wind blew from nowhere and she had butterflies in her tummy.
It was Swayam at the other end of the corridor, looking at her. And Sharon was going weak in her knees again, lost in those dangerously penetrating deep brown eyes. (Rihanna's what's my name in bg) The breeze swayed Swayam's hair slightly. Sharon was shocked once again at her own vulnerability and by the confidence that was exuded by the eyes that were watching her. Stop! There is no wind, and no music. It's all cliched romantic comedy crap. She told herself. High time I stopped watching those chick flicks. She composed herself and decided to walk forward. She started walking looking at her cellphone, pretending to read something really important when Swayam walked past her with a straight face. She thought she will melt like butter or evaporate in that fraction of a second when he was near her.
When she was sure he was gone, she took out a bottle of water from her bag and drank from it. This is unreal! I'm crushing on Swayam Shekhawat, the Swayam Shekhawat, especially now, when he chooses ignore me in a way that makes me wonder if I'm wearing the damned invisibility cloak! This can't happen. I'm sure it's just a phase. Yes, it's a phase. Sharon consoled the Diva in her and started walking.
3
Random deserted passage in St. Louis
Kriya held Rey against a wall looking deeply into his eyes. Rey was clearly lost, but she wasn't as she relentlessly worked on her plans. "Rey, dhyaan se suniye," she whispered.
"Okay..." whispered Rey.
"RDX Sir ne ek lady instructor ko bulaya hai for ballroom dance. My sources tell me she is effin hot."
"Your sources as in, universe ji?"
"Shut up. And that's none of your business," snapped Kriya without raising her voice.
"Okay okay... so what about this hot teacher? You are planning to hit on her?"
"Will you shut up and listen to me!! Here's the plan," said Kriya taking a deep breath. "We'll get her to like Swayam so that she gives attention to Swayam, and Sharon will be jealous, and if Sharon is jealous, she will try to get Swayam's attention and I'm hoping she'll say Yes' to the couple dance. And this jealousy and insecurity will eventually compel her to acknowledge her feelings for Swayam like it always happens," Kriya said in one breath. "Hai na kamaal ki plan?" smiled Kriya. Rey looked very much zoned out and wondered how was it possible for a human to talk that fast. "It's a li'l complicated I know, but trust me, my K-effect never fails," Kriya assured him.
Rey was still processing all the information when Kriya told him that he must help her execute this plan, and disappeared before he could blink.
4
Girls' Locker Room
Sharon was still grappling with her feelings for Swayam which more than often vascilated between dislike, strong dislike and intense attraction. She was confused if she actually felt those extremes of emotions for a single person, or was it Swayam's manipulation that caused those unfamiliar stirrings in her. She was certain that she could not be manipulated but then there was also a time when she was certain that she could never find Swayam Shekhawat sexy, or remotely attractive. Rinni and Simmi were talking about a new lounge bar in the city. "I need a drink" concluded Sharon. "Let's go tonight?"
"But Sharon kal early morning we have rehearsals," said Simmi.
"Damn. Btw that reminds me, you girls will be sad to hear that this year we won't perform our opening dance. There are too many entries for bollywood, and we are running short of time. I'm sorry guys," spoke Sharon.
"Ooh! That's sad. But it's okay Sharon. First day pe humara bollywood performance bhi hai," said Rinni.
"Yeah Sharon, don't feel bad. Next year kar lenge," said Simmi with a smile.
"Waise bhi I'm getting a cold feet regarding bollywood dance. But Neha is a great teacher." Rinni said. The two girls, Simmi and Rinni chattered on.
Sharon wondered if she was the only Dazzler left in St. Louis. She felt lonely, for the first time in her life. Solitude had been her best friend although she was always surrounded by people- people who worshipped her, people who wanted to be like her and people whom she called friends. But seldom did she let those people touch her, the solitary corners of her mind. She did allow Rey in a few of them. Had Rey not been there, perhaps she would have been a recluse. She relished solitude. It was like a warm cup of coffee in a starry winter night.
Today she felt cold and alone.
This is the only chapter till now, with which I'm not entirely satisfied. Got a break in between so decided to write some more.
Edited by bleu98 - 11 years ago
Tum Se Tum Tak
Ganesh Kartikeya
