Part 5
Note:
The Goa Festival was an annual competition. People from all around the country came and faced each other in pairs in a series of challenges which could range from treasure hunting to races. After many months of buttering and discussions, Soni and Mahi had been able to convince their parents to let them go. Veer and Shabd on the other hand had participated last year and they were now accustomed to the pace of the competition. Needless to say that Suhani was not too keen to come for in her own words she wasn't ' going to ruin her make-up and heels,' But when she got whiff that Mahi was participating, she immediately insisted to do too.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two days later, two cars reached the Mohan Nivaas. Mahi and Soni came out of their house dressed casually followed by Mouni and Brij. Veer and Shabd greeted them; Veer warmly and Shabd with slightly more reserve. But it was obvious that he felt more comfortable now in their presence as he started to converse with Brij on a rather friendly note. Mahi noticed it and was evermore confused. How could someone be reserved and arrogant at one moment and be friendlier in another? Some time later, Mahi came out with her bag,' Uff! Kitna bhari hain-' Her sentence remained unfinished as Shabd stopped her in her tracks and took her bag, ' Mujhe de do, Mahi'
His voice... it was different and on top of that he was smiling! For a moment, Mahi was struck by how handsome he really. His features were more approachable and there was a gleam surrounding him. ' You should smile more, you look really nice,' escaped her before she could stop herself and her cheek took a rosy shade. Shabd, surprised that Mahi had given him a compliment, grinned from one ear to the other!
' Soni, Mahi... apna khayal rakhna.. Aur wahan aate hi humein phone kar lena, theek hai?' Brij knew the girls would be able to look after themselves but as a father, he was bound to have feel some fear. And in any way he had thoroughly checked in the backgrounds of the two men...
' Haan Bauji! Aur aap apni medicines lena,' Soni told him.
In the train, Soni, Veer and Suhani were in one compartment together and Mahi and Shabd in another. Veer and Soni kept talking about all and nothing.
' Tum kabhi Goa nahin gayi, Soni?' Veer was surprised, his brown eyes amused, ' It's okay, I'll...we'll show you around.' He was encouraged to continue as Soni's interest was piqued'
' And what are the main attractions there?'
'Hmm... Main jaanta hoon ke wahan par beaches acchi hain and so on .. magar jo mujhe sabse acha lagta hai wo hai wahan ke sunsets! Soni,' he shifted from his seat to move closer to her, ' I'm sure you'll love it! I hope I don't seem too simple or stupid!' He joked, his hand ruffling his hair and making it more disorderly.
' Never,' she assured him. He noticed some shyness in her voice and his heart fluttered.
But the situation was completely different in Mahi and Shabd's compartment. There silence was the ruler. Mahi was reading her book, Pride and Prejudice, whereas Shabd was working his way through some office papers. She occasionally looked away, enjoying the scenery that was moving away in front of her. He tried to concentrate in his work but she was just there, only a few steps away. So how was he supposed not to look at the way her eyes frowned when she read something serious or when an amused smile would reach her when she came across a witty banter? But she did notice him too with his sharp nose, seemingly, delved in his papers- he was calm unlike the wedding day...
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As soon as they had reached their hotel and finished unpacking they went to put their names in the competition. Once there Veer had made Soni his partner, ' Soni, tum meri partner banogi?'
' Of course,' she said with a bit too much enthusiasm; she controlled her excitement,' But I'm warning you, I'm not that good in the obstacle race,'
' It's more than okay.. because I'm not good at races painting!' he assured her with a good laugh. ' Anyways, that leaves you three,' Suhani, Shabd and Mahi couldn't have formed a more awkward picture. Suhani wanted to be with Shabd who longed to be with Mahi who wished to be with neither of them! A desperate Suhani had already opened her mouth when she was cut by Shabd,' Mahi?' He held his hand.
At that moment he looked so adorable in his baggy pant and shirt that Mahi could not refuse him. Plus she didn't feel that Suhani and her would make a winning combination, The witch and the Wit, Mahi repressed her giggle when the thought came to her, ' Sure,' she said holding Shabd's hand. This sounds interesting, Mr Khadoos and The Witty one! Mahi smirked but didn't notice that Shabd's cheekbones had taken colour....
Suhani, however was left alone, fuming in her own world. How dare she! Guess she was supposed to find a partner from other people like her around.
Mahi was the last one to sign her name in the registrar and as she walked towards their car to join the others someone bumped into her.
'OH! I'm so sorry!'
A voice with a deep timbre resonated in her ears. She was in front of a young man who was probably 25 but who didn't look more than 20! He was handsome, not as much as Shabd, but he had pleasing features. He had light brown eyes and a fine nose and lips but tall, much taller than her, but again slightly less than Shabd. He had the most amazing smile.
' I'm very very sorry!'
'It's okay... really' she said amused.
' Are you participating in the Festival too?' he asked suddenly and without any reserves. He obviously felt no hesitation in asking a stranger such question but then he was so friendly that even Mahi was charmed into forgiving him this easiness.
' I am.. you ?'
' I am.. I'm-' he suddenly stopped, 'Sorry I have to go.. Guess I'll see you then!' And off he went hastily after flashing her a smile.
Mahi grinned and looked at Shabd who was talking to Veer with a lot of ease. She wondered how someone bubbly like Veer could be best friends with a reserved man like Shabd. But then, it seemed like they were brothers! She blushed faintly as she looked at Shabd. He sure was different from her but when they had talked( or rather fought) during the wedding, she had felt like if he was different, things between them might have been different... She then turned to see the mysterious man who she had just met and wondered when she would really meet him again.
To be continued....
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