😃Okay guys, Thankyou for your likes and comments... 😊As promised the second installation of Masquerade Part one is here : (I have changed the plot to fit it around Maneet)
Recap:
Her eyes wandered, adopting to the decor. Florescent chandeliers reflected on to the dance floor,pairs slow dancing in the middle of the ballroom and gathering to mingle in the grand foyer. Settling on an impartially tall guy, in an appealing tux,she relaxed and observed as he sophistically spoke with a group of older men.
--------------------------Part One- Chapter B -------------------------------
An elderly lady dressed in classy, ravishing sari whispered into his ear, causing him to deliberately turn his body in her direction. He smirked, perceiving the way she looked him over, and moderately handed his drink to a passing server's silver tray somewhat modishly stacked with empty cocktail glasses, his eyes now fixated on her. Striding over confidently, her heart leaped into her throat as he spoke the most simple, yet assuaging word.
"Hello," his deep, stimulating voice rang through her mind melodically and her heart skipped a beat as the corners of his thin lips curved into a conspicuously crooked grin. Her body froze in place; however her eyes were glued to his. The attractive ring circulating around him pulled her closer in ways she could not decode, but in an immovable amount of time was able to recover her remaining dignity.
"Hi," her tender and nervous voice expressed as if with one movement could shatter at any moment. His eyes left hers and suddenly found interest in his polished dress shoes, while he anxiously shifted from one foot to the other. Her cheeks reddened, and she averted her look to the cluster of individuals he had previously been communicating with who were, evidently, eyeing them suspiciously with faint grins plastered on their faces. Almost as if on cue, he peered over his shoulder just in time for a middle-aged man with ginger jheri curls to shoot him a wink, causing him to instantly turn back, blushing eccentrically with a blinding white smile.
"May I have this dance?" he asked tentatively, but also without doubt. He hesitantly reached for her arm, gliding his fingers along the silk to the tips. He brushed his hand on hers and looked into her profound, piercing eyes; churning of green with insignificant flecks of sapphire.
Her head nodded perhaps too vigorously, making him chuckle while dragging the smitten girl with him to the music. He scruffily tightened his matchless red tie with his open hand and secured his dark grey suit jacket with the other. Sadly, the upper half of his face was covered by the common halfway split black and white mask, however it was found more charismatic on him than any other. In the jacket pocket held a single white rose, pink tinted along each petal. She nestled into his chest, her arms gathered around his neck and he cheekily snaked his around her waist. She snickered as he pulled her closer, whispering compliments into her ear.
"You know, you look immeasurably gorgeous this evening," he cooed. They swayed to the beat of the music, swiftly going from side to side. He rested his chin on top of her head, and secretly prayed to stay forever in each other's arms.
"So, tell me about yourself," they together sustained to descend down the stone pathway of the captivating and enthralling Victorian Rose Garden out back; lit by white golden lights braided and strewn with floral garlands around the countless flower beds of blooming roses. "I mean, if you don't mind, of course," his hazel eyes swirled of amber, misty grey and lime green as he diligently peered down at her. He watched, amused while her face read immediate confusion.
"Anything specific you'd like to know?"
"How about starting with your name? That might be helpful for future references, as I'm expecting to meet you again," She giggled sweetly. He smiled to himself, dreamily replaying how her rosy lips would curve and a harmonious sound would escape them.
"Its Kapoor. Geetanjali Kapoor ," she continued, "but, you can call me anjali."
"Alright, Anjali,"' he added emphasis to her name, "I'm Maan Singh Khurana." he finished with a dazzling smile that contagiously brought one to her face as well. He peered at their surroundings, and carefully grasped her cold hand in his, the warmth sending chills up her spine. "I know this place like I would my own nurturing home. Follow me," he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear as she closed her eyes, savoring his consoling voice.
He tugged on her arm thoughtfully as he curved around what must have been, by the very least, eight stoned sculptures and trimmed hedges that resembled unique figures until they reached a white rustic archway of twisted grape vines and pink rosettes lined unsymmetrically around the leaves, thorns ghastly puncturing the jade stem.
"Whoa," her voice let out breathlessly, trailing off into surreal stillness. Her eyes darted between the engrossing, compelling scenery of the billions of blossoms sprouting from the tiny bud it had begun with to the spellbinding spring centered in the middle, fresh water trickling with indulgent, tranquilizing sounds. Absently, she treaded to the aquatic and alluring stream with an imperceptible magnetic pull.
She bent her leg, standing upright and jerking it in a seemingly impossible position. Resting it against the other, she unhooked the small silver clasp and continued until she held both shoes in her bare fingers; the costly silk that had protected them carelessly flapping to the ground. White, sparkled nails with thread thin, ribbon- like designs manicured her fingertips and clutched around the heel of her shoes as she hastily sat on a desiccated and level stoned surface, dipping her identical toes into the cold water. The top unctuously rippled, much to her delight. She giggled slightly, swirling her legs deeper into the pure liquid and looked engagingly over her shoulder at a grinning Maan.
He eyed her prudently; watching the elated and inspired girl act as if she was a child again, frolicking without any concerns in the world. She waved him over and gazed into the onyx night's brightened stars, resembling diamonds spread on dark velvet. Without any reluctance, he kneeled besides her close enough that their hips touched. She didn't notice the electric shock jolt through him at the slightest brush of their bodies that he felt, which only invigorated him to the fullest. She leaned farther back, pressing her hands into the rich soil as her tresses cascaded over her shoulders. He took this as an opportunity and, faking casualness, mirrored her movements except placed his hand naturally over hers. He hurriedly looked up, trying to hide his contentment behind a blank face as he saw, in the corner of his eye, her scan him and their hands intertwined with a hidden smile on her face.
The fading crackle boomed and the scarlet light set flaming in the blackness, brightening the sky for sheer seconds before the resumed shadows engulfed the above. Miserably, regardless of the eased feel amongst them, their faades still cloaked them from each other. The trust to confiscate them was agonizingly at hand, though through the exhilaration of the evening they knew it would at some point finish with an upbeat, graceful finale of arraying colors.
With three minutes to spare until midnight, he brushed his fingers over the engraved crescents carved into her mask. The bewitched, corresponding swirls gleamed with a silver spark as he trailed over them. She venerated his actions while he reached for the jaw string in the back, attempting to expose her marvelous perfection behind it.
Unexpectedly, the desire took over and he leaned in closer, lacing his fingers with her hair and gazed into her vibrant irises. She followed, slowly parting her lips in the process. They sealed their eyes together as he barely grazed her lower lip, his breath leisurely beating against her face.
"Ms, kapoor?" A frail, tender voice whispered behind them. They both rotated their head in the direction of the sound, their cheeks crashing against each other's. Geet squinted in the dark, but then, with enlarged eyes, abruptly crawled away from Maan quicker than how long it takes to blink.
"Pinks, I-I can explain," she stuttered ruefully.
"No need," the young female held up a petite, thin hand grasping a plum mask detached from her oval face. "But we really must be going. Your parents expect you home by now. Do you understand how problematic it is to spot a particular "kapoor" at one of these parties?" she babbled, chuckling quietly. Geet relaxed, the tension in the air appreciatively fading. The lady stepped forward, her form coming in focus.
A slightly chubby girl appeared, her reddish auburn mane, assorted with honey and chestnut brown, fell just below her shoulders. She sported a stunning, sleeveless crimson dress with a curved neckline, rounded with golden circular studs. A melded belt squeezed below the bust, and the bottom flared outwards faintly, stopping above her knees. Peach colored skin covered her body, and she shifted onto her black, open toed, tasteful pumps. Her enviable, cherry lips puckered as she spoke and her flawless face was scarcely powdered with foundation and swept into a ravishing, Smokey look around her black eyes. The lady turned to Mark, beaming extensively.
"Hello G, I'm Sopinkriya shah, Kapoors' family friend, It's a pleasure to meet you," she recited courteously, an endearing, hardly noticeable Punjabi accent dripping from each word as she extending her hand for him to shake.
"Maan Singh Khuarana, And the pleasure is all mine," he shook her hand, encircling it civilly. She nodded sincerely, and swiveled around to meet a fidgeting Geetanjali
"Must we leave, Pinks? I mean, frankly, I don't believe Mr and Mrs. Kapoor will mind at all," Geet explained, viewing the ground. Pinky exhaled, and sauntered over so she could place her piano fingers on her shoulder.
"they're your parents. You shouldn't have to call them by their titles." Pinky hushed.
Geet flinched at the word 'Parents'.
"Whatever," she replied, shaking her hand off of her shoulder and staring at Maan who was uncomfortably standing a few feet away, feeling somewhat out of place. "I guess this is.."
"Geetanjali run! The press! " pinky screamed and took geets hand and ran in opposite direction of the paparazzi crowd that was running after her.
He viewed forward, his eyes dancing across Geetanjali's masked face, only mentally picturing what lay behind it. She caught his gaze, and they struggled to peek over all the various heighted heads gawking up at the sky, watching the twinkling sparks soar above them, igniting their faces
"shit" Maan mumbled.
"hey bro, wassup?" a guy with messy brown hair, almost same height or a little shorter came next to him and asked, even he was wearing a mask.
"Bhai, what was the commotion all about?" a girl with shoulder length hair and perfect figure joined them.
"the paparazzi found out that a Kapoor was in this party." Maan replied.
"but she was wearing a mask like all of us right?" Vicky questioned.
"yeah, I wonder how they found out about it." Maan mumbled while combing his now messy hairs, well cute messy hairs, with his fingers.
"we need to lay low then, what If they ended up finding out that khuranas are here as well?"
"hmm, right! Unlike the Roys, we dont like paparazzi following us around." Vicky chuckled as he looked passed the photographers at the trio who were standing as if posing for vogue.
"oh btw who was the girl you were dancing with earlier?" Vicky whispered.
"it was Geetanjali Kapoor you idiot!" Annie smacked Vicky's head.
"have you seen her?" Maan asked, hope shining in his eyes.
"no Bhai, no one has, she is a mystery to all,she never attend any "non masquerade" party ever." Annie gave a sad smile.
The last of the voluminous rockets twinkled the night, the blast pounding in their ears, and the impeccable completion to a memorable celebration.
I'll never see her again.
However, he was colossally mistaken.
____________________the end______________________
Kidding ...hehehehe ...okay throw away ur chappals,jooties and sandals... But do comment PLEASE ... Next parts time and length will depend on likes and comments...
Cricket
116