Chapter 1
Shivaay was busy going through Om's notes when Rudra just grabbed them and held it high up in the air.
"Rudy, this is not the time for games. Just give those notes back!" Shivaay yelled as he stood up annoyed.
"Come on Shivaay Bhaiya. After a hectic week we're finally meeting up. All of us. And you're busy with your stupid notes. This is not done okay?!" Rudra huffed.
"Rudy please. I have my assignment due tomorrow and if I don't submit it, I'm screwed. Cause they'll call Dad and you know what will happen. You want me to go back to Oberoi Mansion fine then. Let's talk." He threw away his papers and sat down cross legged looking at all of them waiting for them to start the conversation.
Everyone looked at each other in shock and then at Shivaay. Rudra stood there frozen with the papers still in his hand raised.
It had been a long time since Shivaay had lost his temper. It meant something was really off.
"Kya hua Rudra? Why're you standing like statue of liberty." Anika said with a smile and she entered closing the door behind her. When Rudra saw Anika he jumped and sat down, giving Shivaay back the notes as he knew that now Anika had come, he wouldn't get back to his work. Also, Anika wouldn't let him.
Shivaay turned around to see Anika and he seemed to calm down a bit.
She looked so tired. He could see that she was stressed.
She tossed her bag onto the nearby chair and went and sat down beside Shivaay, pulling her legs up.
On a closer look, he saw that she had dark circles. And that rarely happened as Anika was very particular about getting a proper 8 hour sleep everyday.
"Anika. So how's everything going? Did you submit your form for the competition?" Om asked smiling.
"Yep. The last date of submission was yesterday but we got 30 new forms today." She shook her head in disbelief. "I really hope that the competition goes well."
Shivaay stiffened at the mention of the competition.
"So Di, which song are you dancing on? And which category? Eastern or Western? Let me guess. Umm-" Saumya said all excited.
"I'm not dancing this year, Saumya." Anika said with a small smile and everyone gasped. Shivaay looked at her all shocked.
"What!" "Why?"
Anika chuckled at their reactions before saying, "There's just a lot of work. And I don't think I'll get enough time to practise. So no dance for me this year."
Anika was very passionate about dancing. And everyone knew that.
"But Anni, you've never missed participating in a competition. Ever."
"I guess, there's always a first time." She grabbed a nutrition bar from the table and unwrapped it.
"But what about you Shivaay? I didn't see your form. It's our last year Shivaay, you need to participate." She turned towards him.
"Yeah right. And what about dad? You guys know that he thinks that singing and dancing has lewd associations." He said rolling his eyes.
Shivaay looked even more disturbed now. He really wanted to participate because dance was his passion as well. When he danced, he felt at peace. He would forgot all his worries. But thanks to his dad, he wasn't allowed to do that either. Why? Because he thought that people of high class shouldn't dance!
"You don't have to tell him," Anika said.
"Yeah, but you know Bade Papa is the chief guest. And he doesn't miss even a single performance. He'll see Shivaay."
"Unless, you get a makeover. Aise dress up hona, that he won't be able to recognise you." Rudra said suddenly, with a huge smile on his face.
"I've seen it in hindi movies and all. You can do it Shivaay Bhaiya." Saumya put in.
"Dress up like what? A clown and go?" He said frowning.
"Maybe you can put a mask or something?" Gauri offered.
"Or else." Anika started thoughtful, "When it's time for Shivaay's performance, we'll just distract him? Take him away from the stage or something." Anika said munching on her nutrition bar.
"Yeah, that sounds cool."
"But it's not that easy guys." Shivaay said.
"Don't worry bhaiya. We'll plan something out." Gauri smiled.
Everyone had agreed except Shivaay. He was still pretty skeptical about it.
"Cheer up, billuji. You're going to dance this year." Anika ruffled his hair with a bright smile and jumped away from him before Shivaay could catch her.
~.~.~Anika sat down lightly massaging her forehead to ease her throbbing headache.
"Anika? Aren't you in charge of playing all the songs and all for todays' competition?" A girl dressed up in a bright orange-purple patiala came up to her.
Anika looked up, "Shikha, right?" She checked the namelist and called out the first name which was circled.
"No. Priya. I wanted to change my category from Western to Eastern and this is my new song." Anika held out her hand for the USB, her eyes still scanning the list for Priya's name.
This was the 11th candidate who had come not only to change her song but to change her dance category too. That too with just less than an hour left for the program to start.
Anika had been running around the campus collecting the songs from their candidates all morning. Where some of them had already submitted their USBs, some due to a lot of stress or maybe even carelessness forgot to bring their USBs.
Anika sighed as she got up, making her way towards Gauri.
Before she could ask Gauri to go and talk to Mr. Malhotra about the category change in the name list, Sam, her boyfriend came running towards her.
She turned around when she felt a tug at her wrist and almost bumped into him. A loud gasp escaped her mouth. "Oh. Sam. What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming today. And-" She looked at him from head to toe. "And, what are you wearing?" He was wearing an off white brocade indo western sherwani. Which was so unlike him. Sam who always wore casual t-shirts and ripped jeans, was wearing an Indian outfit.
He smiled sheepishly saying, "I thought I'd give this cultural fest a try. Singing ain't possible because you know how melodious my voice is." He laughed, "So dance was the only option left." He shrugged.
"But- but why - " Anika couldn't complete as Preeti, the Cultural Head come hurriedly.
"What are you doing here Anika?! Rajveer sir is searching for you. He asked you to get the final name and song list from Mr. Malhotra and hand over one copy to him and one to Shivaay."
"I was about to go and do that but then Sam-" Anika pushed up her glasses before she placed her hand on Preeti's shoulder. "Don't worry okay? Everything will go as planned." Preeti nodded and ushered her to go to Rajveer sir.
They had just taken a few steps when Sam jumped in front of them, "Sorry Preeti. But I wanted to give Anika my USB." He took her hand and placed his USB in her hand. He looked at her sweetly but Anika just smiled and pulled back her hand. And they left, leaving Sam confused at Anika's reaction.
~.~.~ Anika rummaged through her bag searching for her notebook when she reached the plastic bag. Om had given her Shivaay's costumes which he had forgotten to take from home.
"O bete ki! I completely forgot to give this to Shivaay." She checked her watch and realised just 20 minutes were left for the competition to start. She grabbed her notebook and the plastic bag and went in search of Shivaay.
~.~.~ Shivaay stood shaking his head seeing Sam dance terribly. He was too still and just wouldn't loosen up.
"Sam, why are you so stiff. Are you tensed? Cause you need to relax yourself, buddy. Or else this isn't going to work."
"I know, right?" He slumped down on the bean bag, his forehead resting on hands. "I can't Shivaay. Dancing is so difficult. This is the first time I've even tried dancing in my entire life. I wouldn't if it wasn't for Anika." Shivaay's head snapped up at the mention of her name. "You know, na. Anika loves dance. And guys who dance." He let out a chuckle. And Shivaay smiled too.
A recent memory flashed in his mind. It was when Anika had visited Shivaay at the Oberoi Mansion. She had come and told Shivaay that she was craving to eat her favorite Aloo Puri cooked by Shivaay.
She was sitting on the counter of the kitchen while Shivaay was cooking her desired dish when he had started the topic of relationships and boyfriends.
"Jisse dance na aata ho, woh mera boyfriend ban hi nahi sakta!" She said and had started laughing like crazy.
"Shivaay? Are you listening to me? Shivaay?" Sam waved his hand infront of Shivaay, bringing him out of his thoughts.
He placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, "Don't stress Sam. I know Anika well." Did he now? After she had shocked him by saying yes to Sam? "She'll be really touched by this sweet gesture of yours. It wouldn't matter to her if you win the competition or not. But she'll be really happy to know that you thought about her." Shivaay patted Sam's shoulder.
Sam said softly, "Thanks man. Without you nothing would be possible."
Shivaay nodded, "So let's practise?" And Shivaay started teaching Sam some really cool and easy dance moves.
Anika who was standing behind the pillar had heard it all. She stepped back not wanting to disturb the duo.
Just then a girl from college passed by her, Anika held her hand and called her. "Umm- Can you give this to that guy over there?" She pointed towards Shivaay and handed over the girl a bag.
Anika thanked the girl and saw her hand Shivaay the bag. She left for completing her pending tasks before seeing Shivaay jump with happiness leaving Sam confused as ever.
Edited by -Rhea- - 8 years ago
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