Whoaaa! Last night I typed out this nice, long update, and just then I glanced at my modem and saw that there was no link. 😡Gaaah—server problem again! So if you were discomfited by the delay, don't blame me, blame my stooopid service provider!😕
But first, my apologies in advance—I may not be able to put up tonight's update 'coz I have to leave early somewhere Wed morn, so I may sleep early tonight. It may have to wait till Wednesday; so bear with me, folks.😭
Nandu is driving back home, still mesmerised by Pari's kiss. He touches his cheek tenderly, lost in her thoughts.
All of a sudden, Billu's angry face and Beauty's pained one flash before him, and he is jolted. He thinks, I have hurt Beauty today by lying to her. But I couldn't say "no" to Pari, either. Now only Jassi can help me sort this out when she comes back.😆
In Goa:
JandA arrive at the party and are informed that it is a masked ball. Giggling, they put on their masks (the ones that cover the eyes only) and walk in, arm-in-arm.
The dancing starts and JandA sway in each other's arms, lost to the world. Jassi close her eyes and rests her head on Armaan's shoulder, while he slowly slides his hand up her bare arm to caress her shoulder……😳😳😳
After the first dance Jassi sits down to rest; Armu remembers that he has left his cellphone in the car, so he goes outside to get it.
In the meantime, another dance starts, and J looks around anxiously for Armu.
Just then a masked stranger comes up to her and requests her for a dance.
Okayyyyyyy……I guessed whom it was, from the jaw and especially from his voice when he spoke, but I'm not revealing his identity yet…..watch the video to make your own conjectures. Just a hint—he is a pretty popular actor.😛
Jassi : I'm sorry, par main apne husband ka wait kar rahi hoon.
Stranger: Come on, ma'am, sirf ek dance ki to baat hai…aur dance ka yeh dastoor hai ki jo pehle pooche, pehla haq usi ka hota hai…..
Jassi is not too pleased but obliges. Just as the stranger takes her hand, Armaan comes in eagerly for the next dance….and sees the man leading J to the dance floor.
Surprised and dejected, A sits in a corner ---- where there is no bar or we all know what he would have done!😉--- and watches them.
The stranger kisses J's hand before starting the dance; A takes off his mask, jealousy writ large on his face.
They dance well, in sync, and though the stranger behaves decently, J is uncomfortable and keeps casting glances to where Armaan is sitting.
Someone passing by A comments on them—"Kitna achcha couple hai yeh....inka dance is room mein best hai…"
Armaan gets up and walks outside to the balcony. The dance ends and J looks around anxiously for him. The man requests her for another dance.
Jassi says coldly, "I'm sorry, main aur dance nahin kar sakti" and rushes out to look for Armaan.
As she leaves the room, she removes her mask and the stranger catches sight of her face. He stares for a few moments, then quietly follows her.
Armaan is leaning over the railing, the ornamental trees casting a shadow over him. J comes and touches him on the shoulder.
J: Kya baat hai Armaan…tum aise chale aaye…
A: Kuch nahin….kaisa raha dance?
J: Achcha tha…main toh tumhara intezaar kar rahi thi par uss aadmi ne mujhe request kiya aur main manaa nahin kar saki.
A says nothing; he just gives a wan smile and continues staring in front.
J: Armaan, tumhe bura lagaa kya…I am sorry!
A: Nahin Jassi, bura nahin lagaa….bas aadat nahin hai na, tumhe kissi aur ke saath dance karte dekhne ki….
J: (playfully) Waise, who dance bahut achcha karta hai….
A: (sulkily): Toh jaao na, ek aur dance kar ke aao na…
J: Armaaaaaan……are you jealous?
A: No, I am not!
J fondly takes his arm and swings him around to face her. Armu is pouting like a little boy (and looking berry berry cuuute!)
J: Armaan, jab tum aise behave karte ho to mera mann karta hai ki tumhe…..
A: Kya ?? (he said it flirtatiously, egg-jactly like he did in the AJK special😉)
J: Tumhe…( flings her arm around his neck and—as the trees above throw their faces in shadow—kisses him, passionately).😳😳😳
Oblivious to the world, they do not notice the man watching them stealthily.
Nandu arrives home and is about to go in quietly when he takes a peek into the Walias's house. Everyone is inside, except Beauty who is pacing the courtyard.
He sneaks in there and apologises to her for not taking her out that day.
Beauty: Nandu, par aapne jhooth bola na?
Nandu: (guiltily) haan Beauty, par Pari aaj bahut upset thi…iss liye uska mood theek karne ke liye main usse baahar le gaya….Uncleji ko batata toh who naaraaz hote, issliye…
Beauty: Koi baat nahin, par aap phir to aisa nahin karoge na?
Nandu (brightening): Bilkul nahin! Kal main tumhe ice-cream khilaane le jaunga!
Beauty blushes and nods. Nandu grins…but the next moment he sees Billu's face glaring at him through the window, and flees!😆
Next morning: Jassi wakes up and stares lovingly at Armaan, who is still fast asleep. Leaning over, she softly kisses his hair; then moves out of bed and to the doorway to breathe in the morning air.
There is something at her feet. Surprised, she picks it up—it is a basket of flowers, with a card inside it.
It reads, "Thank you for the lovely dance last night. Kya aaj aap mujhse mil sakti hai? Mujhe aapse bahut zaroori baat karni hai. Hotel Seashore, 1 pm. Saagar Fernandes."
Jassi holds the card in her hand, a puzzled expression on her face.😕
Tomorrow: Jassi is sitting at a table, waiting for someone.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
