They have their meal in outward silence, though their eyes carry on a conversation all their own.😉 As Jassi scrapes the last of her ice cream from its dainty bowl, Armaan places his hand over hers. She smiles dreamily at him and lets her fingers get entangled in his.😳
There is a burst of applause as the band, which had been playing a soft romantic air till now, breaks into a triumphant crescendo. The lights brighten, and for a moment Jassi is dazed. Then she looks where Armaan is indicating, and sees a grand platform at one end of the room bathed in spotlights.
An amiable-looking anchor comes to this stage and announces—"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your presence at the annual Octaviour Odyssey dance competition!"
Jassi looks at Armaan in some surprise, along with a great deal of interest, and claps heartily.
Anchor: Our regulars know that this is an opportunity to couples to show us their chemistry by their electrifying dance performances. The noted choreographer Ashley Lobo will be judging! Contestants can perform any Western dance style, but the choice of song will be ours and no time will be given to prepare…..
Jassi: That's tough! Armaan…thank you so much! Maine aisa kuch expect hi nahin kiya tha!
Armu: Humaare-tumhaare beech, iss "thank you" ki koi jagah nahin hai Jassi! Now let's watch….
One by one, the couples come on stage and perform to numbers randomly selected for them. There is a great variety of dance styles—from waltz to tango to salsa to jive, even a ballet….Some fail, some falter, others carry off their steps beautifully……finally the 9th couple's names are announced.
A low whisper goes around the room. "Shalini and Shantanu Shandilya! Inse toh koi jeet hi nahin sakta….they are as good as professionals! Bechaare wo doosre couples!"
A snobbish-looking, but very stylishly attired woman and her equally pompous husband come on stage. Before the gasps of the audience, they pull off a magnificent salsa that makes the other contestants, now sitting at their tables, shake their heads in despair at their own chance.
Taking the thunderous applause as a matter of course, the Shandilyas take their seats, eyeing the others with disdain.
Jassi: Armaan, inhone kitna achcha perform kiya….par mujhe inka attitude bilkul achcha nahin laga!
Armu: Haan Jassi…tumhe nahin lagta, agar koi inko haraa de, toh inhe apna attitude badalna padega?
JAssi: Par inko kaun harayega? They are so good!
Armu: Shayad…hum??
Jassi: Armaan??
Armu: Jassi, yehi tha meri surprise….maine hum dono ko iss competition mei enter kara diya tha…agla number shayad hamara hi hai!
Jassi springs to her feet. "This is impossible Armaan….mujhe dance karna nahin aata!"
He gets up and holds both her hands, ignoring the surprised looks of people. "Come on Jassi….tum dance karti toh ho…har function mein dil se naachti ho…."
Jassi: Par yeh Western dance hai Armaan….iske steps mujhe nahin aate….
Armu: Tum Jhalak Dikhlaja ki itni badi fan ho…I'm sure tumne bahut saare steps pick up kiye honge….
(Trust Sony to bring in its show promotions at the slightest chance!😆)
Jassi: Lekin Armaan…
Armaan: Jassi, tumne suna na…yeh competition sirf dancing ka nahin hai….yeh couples ke beech ki chemistry ka hai..unke ek-doosre pr vishwaas karke dance karne ka….aur hum isse jeet sakte hai Jassi! Come on!
Anchor: And the next couple is……Jassi and Armaan Suri!
Jassi is trembling as Armaan leads her by the hand to the stage. They face the audience for a minute, Jassi looking as if she wants to run from there…..and then their song begins to play:
Tumse milke, aisa laga tumse milke,
Armaan hue poore dil ke, ae mere jaan-e-wafa…..😳
He takes her hand firmly and starts moving….she closes her eyes and sways in his arms, getting engrossed in the song, so apt for them….as the music plays, both forget themselves and flawlessly execute a romantic waltz.
When they open their eyes, they find themselves receiving a standing ovation.
No prizes for guessing who…errr..gets the prize. As a breathless Jassi touches the trophy, she is aware of Shalini Shandilya's glare on her. But Jassi has eyes only for her Armaan.
"Yeh mera sabse yaadgaar birthday rahega, Armaan!"
Book Talk
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
