AJT part 26
Kala Mandir green-room, 6 p.m.
Kripa was getting ready for her performance that evening when a famous Florist from New Market delivered a lovely bouquet of Rajnigandha to her!
Madam, yeh aapkey liye bheja hai!
Kisney? She was surprised.
Card per naam likha hai, Madam, dekh leejiye! …the young guy gestured to the card attached.
Kripa quickly fished out the card and read the simple, sweet message:
Best of Luck, Kripa! .When you dance, Angels spread their wings!….Love, Angad.
She turned beetroot red at the word "Love"……kya wo sachmuch mujhsey pyaar karta hai? Aur main? What do I feel towards him?
Before she could ruminate any further, Rakhi teased from behind: OOOoooo! Dekho zara.... Arey….Sab log dekho! Kripa Di ko kisiney phool bheja hai! WOW! So Romantic! Rajnigandha phool tumharey mehkey yun hi jeevan mein…..she sang teasingly.
All the girls started giggling and whispering! Their mothers exchanged amused looks!
Another girl chirped up: Kisney phool bhejey , Kripa Di…..please batao na!
Kripa swiftly hid the card inside her blouse and turned around guiltily: Wo......Show ke Organizers ne bheja hai ! Chalo, ab sab make-up karna khatam karo aur dress, payals sab check kar lo….Main abhi aayi!
She quickly escaped to the bathroom, holding the fragrant bouquet, Angad's card warming her breast. Inside the private sanctum , she fished out the card and read it again…and again…..feeling all sweet and gooey inside at his cute message.
"Love, Angad……Love, Angad"….echoed in her wildly beating heart! Nahin yeh sambhav nahin…..Shayad aisey hi likha hoga……jaisey greeting cards per log LOVE….likhtey hain! She remembered the touch of his lips on hers, firm, passionate, forceful, loving and her pulse quickened!
She inhaled the sweet, heady Rajnigandha stems……Angad ko kaisey pata mujhey Rajnigandha pasand hain? Yeh toh merey favorite phool hain…..usey kisney bataya?
She caressed the stems slowly and giggled..…..remembering his flirtation over the phone! Bahut daring hai…..aur Romantic bhi! She plucked two Rajnigandha buds and stuffed them in her hair-piece.
Thanks, Angad! This is so sweet of you!….she whispered, smiling, and stuffed his card in her purse. She placed the bouquet with her clothes and proceeded to complete her preparations for the Show !
She stepped on the stage, ready for her performance. First, she gracefully approached the Nataraj statue in one corner of the stage and paid homage by doing a traditional Dance Namaskar. Her anklets jingled as she stepped forward to do Namaskar to the Audience. Her eager eyes searched for Angad ….THERE HE WAS!!…..sitting with his cousin in the 3rd row! Her heart leaped up in excitement! She was filled with a new energy, a verve at the sight of his handsome face…..she poised ready for dance and the music began:
Ami je Tomar Shudhu Je tomar
Meri chahatein toh fiza mein bahegi
Zinda rahegi hokay Fanaa
Ta na na na tum, ta na na na tum ta na derey na…..
Merey dholna sun, merey pyaar ki dhun
Saathi rey saathi rey marti thi tujhko chahega dil
Tujhey hi bechainiyon mein payega dil
Merey kesuon ki saaye mein teri rahaton ki khushboo hai
Terey baghair kya jeena merey rom rom mein tu hai
Merey chudiyon ki khankhan se teri sadayen aati hai
Yeh dooriyan hamesha hi nazdeek humko laati hai
O Piyaa……..
Ami Je tomar….shudhu je tomar…
She danced with complete ecstacy, pouring out all her feelings ….immersed in the song. Was it an unspoken cry to her beloved? Was it her passion, straining to be freed from societal pressures and the veil of maidenly modesty?
She didn't know the answer herself, just let her feet, arms, her whole body pay homage to the emotions coursing through her at Angad's gift of flowers, at his sweet note, at his presence there, avidly watching her. She felt ALIVE! NEEDED! LOVED!
Saanson mein saanson mein teri sargamein hain ab raat din
Zindagi meri toh kuchh naa ab terey bin
Terey dhadkanon ki sargoshi merey dhadkanon mein bajti hai
Merey jaagti nigahon mein khwaish teri hi sajti hai
Merey khayalon mein har pal tere khayal shamil hai
Lamhey Judaiyon waley mushkil bada hi mushkil hai
Angad was completely hypnotized by his dancing angel! Everything else faded into oblivion….it was just the two of them….lover and beloved, moth and flame, devotee and idol ! He was in a trance, his eyes following her graceful leaps, twists, bends as she postured and posed with the nuances of the song. He felt each lyric of the song strike his heart chords and give rise to waves of love and passion! Her intricate foot work was in tandem with the heavy beats of his thundering heart! He was lost…..IN HER!….in a dreamworld, where she was his Menaka! His temptress, his enchantress!
The dance ended! Everybody stood up to give her a standing ovation for the stupendous performance. Allie dragged up a bemused Angad : Bhaiii….utho na! Usko applaud toh karo….itni achhi perform kee hai….
He snapped out of his trance and stood up, clapping fiercely…..proud to the core that her performance had moved everybody, not just him: Sach! Aaj toh Kripa ne kamaal hi kar diya!
Kripa and her co-performer Nachiket took bows of gratitude and left the stage.
Next, Kripa's older students danced to this song:
Chhalka Chhalka rey kalsi ka paani (Saathiya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3koQIDoNGMU
Prithvi came onstage to sing some soulful Oldies from the 50s and 60s….both Bengali and Hindi. He wasn't bad but Angad cursed him anyways: Lo aa gaya phir se BORE karney….koi dhang ka gaana gaa na...... …kya Maa maa laga rakha hai!
Damini cheered madly for her son….she was sure he will be a famous singer someday. Bollywood was calling!
Kripa's younger students danced to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEqn32uq7B4&feature=relat %20ed
Barso Rey Megha Megha, barso rey megha megha barso"
The little ones got a standing ovation too for their unabounded energy and spontaneity!
Kripa took the stage again to perform an old Classic dance from "Guide"
Piya tosey naina lagey rey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3koQIDoNGMU
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/v/3koQIDoNGMU&hl=en"></para m><param name[/YOUTUBE]
Angad grinned with delight and admired her graceful moves again! His little dancer was really a sight to behold….he thought with gushing affection. He longed to take her in his arms and tell her what a wonderful dancer she was!
piyaa tose nainaa laage re, nainaa laage re
jaane kyaa ho ab aage re
naina laagey rey….jaaney kya ho ab aagey rey
piyaa tosey naina lagey rey
Kripa twirled and posed…..her glances straying towards Angad in the 3rd row…..her heart pounding loudly as she remembered their first meeting….when her eyes had met his. "Piya tosey naina lagey re"…..His light brown eyes always made her weak in the knees……and made her forget her thoughts, logic, reason, normalcy. She always lost herself in those intoxicating eyes of his.
aayee holee aayee, sab rang laayee
bin tere holee bhee naa bhaaye
bhar pichakaaree, sakhiyon ne maaree
bhigee moree saaree, tan badan moraa kaanpe thar thar
dhinak dhin dhin dhinak dhin dhin
raat ko jab chaand chamake, jal uthhe tan meraa
mai kahoo mat kar o chandaa, is galee kaa feraa
aanaa moraa saiyaa jab aaye
chamakanaa us raat ko jab milenge tanaman milenge tanaman
piyaa tosey naina lagey rey naina lagey rey
jaaney kya ho ab aagey rey, naina lagey rey….piyaa tosey naina lagey rey.
There was thunderous applause after her lovely performance and then it was time for Intermission. As others headed towards Refreshment stands and to the front garden for some fresh air, Angad took Aaliyah towards the green-room, hoping to meet Kripa and praise her performance as well as introduce her to Aaliyah.
But he was in for disappointment….the Organizers didn't allow him to go backstage.
But I know Ms. Basu!!….I just want to meet her and congratulate her…..he protested to the stage Manager.
But the Manager shook his head firmly: Im sorry, Sir! Other artists have families and friends too, if we allowed you inside they would also wish to go. We cannot allow a crowd backstage. Theres security and insurance issues. You can meet Madam after the show.
A dejected Angad left for the Lobby outside. Aliyah consoled him: Koi baat nahin, Bhai, show ke baad mil loongi tumhari Amrapali se…..waisey bahut khubsoorat hai aur mindblowing dancer bhi….tumharey choice ka toh jawaab nahin, BB! Itney dinon baad koi ladki pasand aayi tumhey aur wo bhi lajawaab!
Angad grinned at her: Bilkul sahi kaha tumney, LAJAWAAB! Describes her perfectly!
Waah Brother, abhi shadi bhi nahin hui aur biwi ko itna maska laga rahey ho? ….she teased him.
Honaywali biwi saamney kahan hai jo maska lagaoon? He winked, laughing.
Waisey Bhai, tumhey kya lagta hai, Maasi-Mausa iss rishtey ko maan lengey?
His face sobered at once, he scowled deeply: I know they wont……but this is MY LIFE! Apna jeevan saathi main khud chununga! Main Kripa se pyaar karta hoon aur usisey shadi karoonga…….Mom-Dad ki marzi ho ya naa ho, I don't care! They should also care about my feelings, my choice! Anyways, Im not worried, u are on my side …….aur main Dadi ko bhi apney taraf kar loonga. I know she will like Kripa too.
Yaah ! Im sure Dadi will approve your choice…..Allie nodded.
As they approached the Refreshment stand for some snacks, Mishti spotted Angad. She called out to him: ANGAD! HEY ANGAD! COME HERE!
Angad turned around, startled and saw Mishti in a green silk sari, standing with an older couple in Indian clothes….probably Kripa's parents.
He approached them hesitantly……unsure about his image with them…..after all he had been fighting a court battle with Kripa until a few days ago.
He smiled at Mishti, who gushed: Wow! Angad, tum bhi yahan show dekhney aaye ho?
His ears turned red: Haan, Kripa ne mujhey tickets bhejey the……he looked curiously at her parents. Kripa's mother looked as sweet as her daughters. Her father looked rather stern and rigid. Angad smiled hesitantly at them!
Mishti exclaimed: Oh Sorry! Introduce karvaa doon….Maa-Baba, yeh hai Angad Khanna….Khanna Industries ke maalik…… aur Angad, yeh hain merey aur Kripa ke parents….Shri Anirbaan aur Shrimati Gayatri Sharma.
Angad introduced Aaliyah: This is my cousin Aaliyah Aggarwal, CU mein Journalism padhti hai. Aaliyah, this is Mishti, Kripa's sister.
There was a round of Namasteys and greeting smiles…..Gayatri looked apprehensively at Angad……..…so this was the man who was trying to throw Kripa out of Om Namah building? Anirbaan frowned heavily at him……..Kripa lost her building to this guy, why did she invite him to the Program? She had been so sad and depressed after losing the case. Why then……..?????
Mishti noticed her father glaring at Angad and quickly intervened: Baba-Maa, aapko pata hai ? Angad bachchon ke liye naya Dance studio banaa dega, Kripa ne mujhey bataya.
Gayatri and Anirbaan looked surprised : Shotti?
Haan, Shotti! Kripa ne aapko nahin bataya? Mishti frowned: Shayad bhool gayi hogi!
Then she realized why Kripa hadnt told her parents, because she was shy and conscious about Angad!
Actually by now, Mishti knew all about Angad's interest in Kripa, thanks to blabbermouth Josh. She knew Angad loved Kripa and was trying to win her heart.
She turned to Angad and teased : Angad! Tum Kripa se miley?
He looked morose : Nahin……they didn't allow me to go inside.
Koi baat nahin, show ke baad mil lena…..yahan security bahut tight hai…..humein bhi andar nahin jaaney diya un logon ne.
Kartik suddenly joined them from somewhere, he was taken aback to see Angad there: Arey, Mr. Khanna! What are you doing here?
He looked belligerently at Angad, then sneered at him: Case jeetney ki khushi manaaney yahan aaye hain kya? Kripa ko haraaney ki khushi mein?
Dada………wo baat nahin hai…….tum please meri baat suno…….
Mishti quickly dragged Kartik aside and told him about Angad's plans to build a studio for Kripa and the kids.
Kartik was pleasantly surprised: Really? Toh phir Kripa ne humein bataya kyun nahin? Hmmm, looks like I owe Mr. Khanna an apology!
He went up to Angad and offered his hand: Im sorry, Mr. Khanna! I didn't know you had other plans to save the school. Thanks on behalf of my sister.
Angad smiled and shook Kartik's hand: Its alright! Main aapki jagah hota toh mujhey bhi gussa aata ……but don't worry! I will make the best Dance studio for them.
Gayatri and Anirbaan looked kindly at Angad now: Thanks Beta! Tumney Kripa ke school ko band honay se bacha liya. Hum tumharey shukrguzaar hain…. ……Gayatri smiled sweetly at him.
Angad smiled at his motherly future saas: Nahin Aunty! Yeh toh mera farz tha…..merey Dadajee Sangeet aur Nritya ke pujari the……mera bhi kuchh duty banta hai…..unki banayi school ko bachana….aur bachchon ki help karna.
They chatted amicably for some time. Mishti escaped to be with Josh and Harshini. Damini came over to talk to her Dada-Boudi. Gayatri introduced Angad to Damini and Prithvi.
Angad almost laughed loudly with incredulous relief! So Prithvi was Kripa's cousin brother? Aur main yuhin uspar shaq kar raha tha ke Kripa ko line maar raha hai! And he had been getting jealous all this time for nothing ! THANK GOD! One competitor less for Kripa's affections!
Kartik looked curiously at Aaliyah…..she was tall and looked quite attractive yet unconventional in her aquamarine kurti and pants with gypsy style earrings!
Aliyah noticed Kartik was checking her out and smirked with amusement. .....Pehli baar ek ladkey ne mujhey notice kiya….shayad Lambu merey height se impressed hai…..
Kartik introduced himself to Aaliyah: Hi, Im Kartik, Kripa's older brother and u are……?
Hi! Aaliyah boldly shook his hand: Im Aaliyah, Angad's cousin sister. Nice to meet you!
She thought…..Ah-haa toh yeh lambu Big brother ka honay wala saala hai…..hmmm Impressive! Not bad-looking!
They checked each other out from head to toe and liked what they saw!
Kartik asked her what she did…….she told him she was a Journalism student…..he told her about his job in a Multinational company. Soon both were talking seriously about cars, bikes and what not. Kartik found her fascinating……the first girl he'd met who knew so much about cars and bikes.
He had always loved bikes but never bought one as Gayatri didn't let him. She was too afraid for his safety: Naaa Khoka! Har roz bike accidents hotay hain. Agar tuney Bike khareeda toh main chain se nahin reh paungi.
So he had given up his dream of owning a bike and took rides in the family car when required. He had applied for a loan to buy a Hundai car recently.
He was impressed when she said she owned a Honda bike.
Wow! I envy you! I always wanted a bike!…..he exclaimed.
Toh phir liya kyun nahin? …..Ohho don't tell me! Your Mom didn't allow you, right?
Kartik smiled ruefully: Yeah, u are right…..u know these protective Moms.
I know! Meri Mom bhi manaa karti thi lekin my Dad….he totally spoils me!!….Aaliyah laughed, tossing back her mane …….Im the son he didn't have…..he allows me to do anything I want. That's why Im here studying Journalism and riding a bike on the streets of Kolkata!
Kartik grinned admiringly: Good for you! But unfortunately both my parents are totally against it!
Angad watched Kartik and Aaliyah talk excitedly and smirked: So Kartik and Aaliyah? Just GREAT! He can marry my sister and I will marry his………
His heart leaped with excitement. He couldn't wait for the Program to end so he could meet his Amrapali/Menaka…..her list of names was increasing everyday.
How many names could a lover call his beloved? Endless…….it seemed…..with every name she changed her form and enchanted him!
Intermission ended and they all went back inside to take their seats. The Program started again……
Now it was time for some purely Classical items. Kripa and 6 of her students emerged in glorious, colorful Bharat Natyam costumes and started with Ganesha Vandana:
Maha Ganapathi Manasa swarami
Vashishta vaama deva devadi Vandita……..
Mahadeva-sutam guruguhanitam…….
Angad's eyes were glued on Kripa as usual…..she looked stunning in an pink and blue dance costume with flowers and heavy dance jewelry. She really looked like an apsara from Heaven!
The youngest students of Om Namah performed Alaripu. They looked really cute in their costumes.
The older batch followed it up with a Shabdam (Nataraj dance). Then Kripa and Charu did a Radha-Krishna dance for Padam:
Mohey Panghat pe nandlaal chhed gayo rey"
Mohe Panghat Pe Nandlal Chhed Gayo Re
Mori Najuk Kalaiyaa Marod Gayo Re
Mohe Panghat Pe ...
Kripa imagined Angad as her Nandlaal Krishan and had no problem portraying his kalai-twisting, his hypnotic eyes, his wicked flirting, his natkhat adayen!
Angad could swear she threw slanting looks at him all through the dance, teasing and tantalizing him. His heart pounded, blood heated up with her flirtatious dares: Ek baar tum meri baahon mein aa jao, Kripa, phir main dikha doonga chhedna kisey kehtey hain"
Kankari Mohe Maari Gagariya Phod Daali
Mori Saree Anari Bhigoyi Gayo Re
Mohe Panghat Pe ...
Nayno Se Jadoo Kiya Jiyara Moh Liya
Mora Ghoongat Najariya Se Khol Gayo Re
Mohe Panghat Pe ...
They concluded the Program with a thunderous, fast-paced "Tillana"
Kripa and 4 of her students in a pentagonal formations thrilled the audience with their intricate footwork, statuesque poses and fantastic synchronizing. They literally brought the house down!
And received a standing ovation again! Om Namah had really impressed everybody with their achievements!.
The Organizers stepped up and thanked Kripa and her students for a wonderful evening of Music and Dance. They lauded the achievements of the young teacher and her gifted students!
A sweating and slightly-out of breath Kripa took the microphone and thanked everybody on earth, starting with her Guru, Gargi Ghosh, her sangeet guru, her parents, siblings for their endless support, her students and their parents for their dedication, her Organizers at Kala Mandir and Sponsors of the Program.
Lastly she said: Aur ab main uss insaan ko shukriyaa kehna chahti hoon jisney hamarey school ko ek naya roop deney ka aashwaasan dekar hamara hausla badhaya hai aur hamarey School ke bhavishya ko ujjwal bana diya hai. I would like to thank Mr. Angad Khanna for his promise to build a better and modern Dance Studio for us at the present location. I and my students are immensely grateful to him! Thank you, Mr. Khanna!
Angad stood up and took a bow, smiling adoringly at his apsara. Everybody else applauded him, especially the Basus, grinning from ear to ear. Now they were convinced about his benevolence and end of enmity with Kripa!
After the program, there was a mad rush towards the green-room door where all the artists were emerging with their belongings. The students' parents rushed to greet their children and laud their performances!
Kripa's family, friends, Angad and Aliyah all greeted her as soon as she emerged. But TV crews soon surrounded Kripa and took a short interview. Their program had been recorded by E TV Bangla and would soon be telecast all over the world. Kripa and her students were thrilled at this honor and fame.
Finally Angad managed to get close to her……then he saw what he had wanted all along. She was holding HIS bouquet close to her heart as she spoke to the TV interviewer.
The TV guy asked her about the new school…..she pointed to Angad: Unsey poochhiye ....….wahi hain Mr. Angad Khanna, jinhoney humara naya school bananey ka vaada kiya hai.
The interviewer turned to Angad at once, who was dismayed at this….he didn't want the news out in the open like this……it was to be his secret Project as the Board had rejected it already. But now Kripa had revealed it to the world, he had no other option but to face the cameras and divulge his plans to build a Dance studio alongside Recording/Dubbing Studio.
He darted a look towards Kripa ……a tall, handsome young man was giving her a gift wrapped in a box. Now who was this dude ? Why was he smiling so familiarly at her? Angad pushed aside the microphones and moved near Kripa.
She was protesting with smiles : Iski kya zaroorat thi, Mr. Malhotra?
Raj flirted with her openly: Raj kaho mujhey, main Kartik ka dost hoon, koi ajnabee nahin! Kripa, u deserve this! Please don't say No! You were MINDBLOWING! Amazing! Kya performance diya tumney! Jawaab nahin tumhara!
Angad gritted his teeth with annoyance…….DAMN IT! EK AUR AA GAYA KRIPA KA DEEWANA! At this rate, I will have to fight off the whole world for her!
He moved close to Kripa at once and pressed his hand on her bare arm: Kripa, mujhey tumsey zaroori baat karni hai!
Kripa jerked at his touch and turned towards him….their eyes met, two hearts palpitated together, her eyes fell under his possessive, intense gaze. She whispered: Thoda sa thehro…..main abhi aati hoon"
Her parents came forward and hugged her, congratulating her….. so did Mishti and Kartik, Prithvi and Harshini, Josh tried to hug her, she sidestepped quickly to escape his groping hands.
Sid and Jyoti handed her a bouquet of red roses.
Jyoti hugged her, Sid blushed and smiled : Kripa, Je te perfectemente!
Kripa laughed lightly: Merci boucoup!
Finally after a whole round of hugs and felicitations and bouquets, she turned to Angad: Chalo, wahan jaakar baat kartey hain! ….she pointed to the corner of the stage.
Angad followed her quietly…….she still clutched his Rajnigandhas to her breast. They stopped behind the wings…….and turned towards each other.
--------------------------------------------------------
pallavi
Edited by pallavi25 - 17 years ago
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