SAJAN FF... A NIGHT TO REMEMBER... PART 8_Upd - Page 10

AUDITORIUM:

"Good evening to everyone and welcome to Excel College Talent Parade"... Mayank and Nupur started with the welcome speech to everyone as the curtain was raised for the event...

"First of all we would like to thank our respected principal Mr. Rishav Saxena for giving the equal opportunity to all the students to showcase their talent" Mayank continued with the welcome speech...

"And we will also like to welcome our special guests of the night... So, please give a big round of applause for Mr. and Mrs. Rishi Maalik, chairman of Maalik group of industries and very honourable member of trustees of Excel College"... Mayank's welcome note for Mr. And Mrs. Maalik was followed by a huge round of applause...

"And we would also like to welcome another respected member of the board of the trustees and special guest of tonight... The phe-no-men-on actress Mrs Indira Shergill" Nupur announced putting an extra effort on her words deliberately as she welcomed her mother to the event...

This did not go unnoticed by Indira herself who was sitting beside Dia's mother in the guest row in the auditorium... But all these taunts from her daughter Nupur and a complete avoidance from Samrat was nothing new to her... Because deep down her heart she knew that somewhere she herself was the reason behind her children's indifferent attitude towards her...

She had been trying to rectify her mistakes from past experiences but it seems to her now-a-days that she had taken quite a long time to realize that her children had moved on so far from her...

**************

"Benji, have you seen Chashmish??"...

"Off course Samrat, I have seen her every day since she has joined our college"...

"Shut up Benji... Have you seen her today??"...

"Look who is asking!! Dude, I thought now-a-days Samrat Shergill is spotted everywhere with Gunjan, not me"...

"I haven't seen her... Maybe she hasn't arrived yet"... Samrat responded eyeing everywhere all over the place in search of her...

"Well then she hasn't arrived"... Benji replied folding his arms with a mischievous grin on his face...

"My dear Benji" Samrat entwined his hand over Benji's shoulder... "Do you really want me to cancel the date I have arranged for you??"...

"She is with your sister in the green room"... Came the instant reply...

"Good boy"... Samrat patted his back and left for the green room...

It had been one week since they had had the chance to spend some time alone and share light talks... Samrat had been busy with his rehearsals in the free hours and whenever he was free; Gunjan would remain busy helping with the backstage stuff being a volunteer...

And when both of them were free; it was only when they had to attend the class and Gunjan was definitely not among those who would skive off a single lecture for chit chatting... Samrat could easily count exactly how many times they had exchanged words since last week...

But today was the main event, and he just could not skip to get a glimpse of that serene smile of his Chashmish... Even though he was Samrat; the best dude in the college who doesn't need any other recognition, but today he wanted to get a good luck wish from her before going to the stage...

On reaching the green room that was allotted for girls, Samrat found his Chashmish helping some first year girls with their props...

Dressed in a bright yellow salwar suit and her long black open hairs fallen on her back, she was looking like a living sunflower...

Nupur was already on the stage with Mayank and Gunjan was left alone to make all the arrangements meanwhile...

Samrat just stood there supporting the wall slanting with arm folded near his chest watching Gunjan running around the green room from one girl to another like a butterfly...

The giggling sounds of the girls make her aware that something was wrong in the room and turning back she found the reason of their giggles scanning her from the door...

"Samrat!!" Gunjan almost yelled and came running to the door... "This green room is only for girls"...

"I know Chashmish; that's why I was searching for you here and not the other one"... Came the instant reply...

The girls were all ready by then and hence left the green room giggling, giving some space for the cute would be pair as per the college gossip...

"Samrat??"...

"Chashmish!!"...

Gunjan raised her eyebrows and folded her arms questioning him...

"Ok Chashmish, I just wanted a best wish from my best girl before the performance" Samrat replied...

"My best wishes are always with you Samrat, but you didn't need to come here for that... Your performance is at the last Samrat... We can get ample time to talk before that" Gunjan responded with a smile...

"Wow Chashmish, you are so smart... That's why I am here to utilise this ample time spending with you" said Samrat grinning leaving a completely surprised Gunjan...

"And now we are about to begin the first performance of tonight's event" Nupur's voice was heard from the stage...

"So let's welcome on the stage the very talented student of Excel Miss Sheena Manhotra"...

"We shouldn't miss the first performance of the night, that too Sheena's" Gunjan said to Samrat... But Samrat was in no mood to see Sheena's performance... He has witnessed her performance once during the rehearsal and it was nothing special...

And if he is not wrong, Gunjan has seen her performance almost every day during the two weeks of rehearsal...

She has been in charge with the backstage stuff and hence she had to present during every single practice session along with Nupur... But still she was all excited to see Sheena's performance all over again...

"Chashmish, you have already seen that numerous times" Samrat argued trying to stop Gunjan from leaving...

"But this would be the final and the actual one and we need to cheer her up... And would you like if I miss yours?? No right... So, let's go..." Saying this Gunjan started to leave but soon turned around to find Samrat was still rooted in the same place; his eyes fixed on her...

Gunjan too didn't liked leaving him for Sheena's dance which she had actually seen many times, but she had no other choice... She is bound to watch over her and that is why she was her for...

But deserting Samrat was something her heart couldn't do; neither could she ignore the mesmerizing gaze of him that has stopped on her witnessing her every action... Gunjan gave in to that penetrating gaze that made her feel like those eyes could read every thought of her mind...

She had to stop these unusual feelings and with a firm determination Gunjan closed her eyes and broke apart from his gaze...

Sheena was all ready in her golden attire to set a fire on the stage and rule over all the hearts with her graceful performance and sizzling charm...

She has vowed herself to show Samrat what he is missing... She would make everyone accept tonight that she is the darling of this college... And then it would only be a matter of time when Samrat will come back to her...

And once it happens, everything will become easier for her to achieve what she has been thrust into...

"Chalo Samrat"... The dance was about to begin and Gunjan just walked to Samrat, took his hand in hers and pulled him towards the stage...

The stage was set; Sheena took her position along with the backup dancers...

In the darkness covered stage she could see from the corner of her eyes Dia and RV in the left wing... RV has already been successful in trapping Dia in his web...

Samrat and Gunjan stood in the right wing... Whereas Gunjan lift her thumb to wish her with a smile; Samrat remain too occupied with Gunjan to notice her...

The curtain was raised, four blue and green rays of light from the four corners spotted on her and a huge roll of sound from the crowd followed soon after... Soon the music hit the auditorium and the stage dazzled with lights...

Somewhere out there, I know there is someone...
Who is waiting just for me maahiya, he is gonna set me free maahiya...

Jiski aankhon mein mere hi nami ho koi to hai woh yaar maahiya...

Karun main intezaar maahiya...

But Gunjan who was all in a hurry to watch her performance forgot everything the moment the music started... She had no idea what she has got herself into the moment she took Samrat's hand into hers...

On reaching the right wing of the stage Gunjan tried to pull back her hand from Samrat's clasp to show thumbs up to Sheena but failed miserably... Her right hand was held tightly in Samrat's grip and he refused to let go of her...

She wriggled her hand in vain, Samrat's mischievous grin cleared that it would be of no use...Gunjan with no other option left had lifted her left thumb to Sheena trying all the while to free the other hand...

"Samrat, what are you doing?? Let go off me" she whispered desperately but Samrat was not in a mood to relent...

For the next five minutes that Sheena was present on the stage; she whirled, she grooved, she winked, threw flying kisses in the air and gathered many applause and whistles simultaneously, and on coming back to the backstage after the performance various words of praise from Mayank, Nupur and others...

And during that time Gunjan could only concentrate on their entwined hands forgetting Sheena and her dance...

"Stop dancing around Chashmish, I thought you were only excited to see the dance together, and not dance by yourself..." Samrat responded with a smirk seeing a jumpy Gunjan trying to free her hand...

And throughout the next performances that included some five to six solo and two group dances, one mime act followed by Dia and RV's salsa and three other duet dance and one band of the first year boys; Samrat and Gunjan continued with their tug-of-war until Samrat's performance was near...

Gunjan sensed big trouble, her musical play act was just after Samrat's dance and she was not even ready...

On top of that she had kept it a secret from Samrat... It was planned by her to surprise Samrat who had always wanted from the beginning to perform and she had only confided in Nupur who was super excited in executing the plan...

Keeping a whole musical play act secret from everybody wasn't an easy task and she knew it wouldn't have been possible without Nupur and Mayank's help...

Also there was another reason; she wants to send a video of this whole Talent Parade to him who had once ruled over this same stage like Samrat is doing now...

But Samrat's entwined fingers with hers were now making her worry...

She had to get ready and for that she had to leave right now or else she will have to miss Samrat's dance later for getting dressed up... She doesn't even want to say the truth or else her surprise will get spoiled...

Her partners in crime Nupur and Mayank were on the other side of the stage and there was no way she could caught their attention for help...

"Soch Gunjan soch" she murmured...

The only idea that popped up in her mind made her blush but she knew that would be one way to rescue herself from Samrat's grip... His eyes were focussed on the stage where a student was showing some magic tricks...

Gunjan's free hand started playing with Samrat's hand and slowly trailed up step by step from his arm to his neck nearly choking Samrat by this sudden change in Gunjan...

"Are you trying to seduce me Chashmish??" Samrat asked with a playful smirk turning his complete attention towards Gunjan...

"Are you getting seduced Samrat??" Gunjan responded in an equally mischievous husky voice tapping his cheek...

*wink

Did she just wink at him!! Samrat's eyes popped out...

He was already baffled when she had started her not so Gunjan type of antics, but what she did right now without any preamble was definitely unexpected...

His hand came loose for a moment exactly what Gunjan has wanted... And not wasting any time she freed her hand and ran away only to stop half way and turning back gave a bright and mesmerizing smile ever...

Samrat now could easily read out her plan from that smile and the twinkling of her eyes and laugh by himself at her antics...

**************

The whole auditorium echoed with one sound, one name to be precise... Samrat...

Music roared over every nook and corner of the giant hall... Lights flashed on the stage... With equal competition thousands clapping hands rumbled like a thunder...

Hey baby when you see me coming, you better run cover...

Because you know when I find you, I wanna be your lover...

Gunjan stood in the auditorium mingled with the screaming crowd... She had seen Samrat searching for her before his performance... But she really doesn't want Samrat to see her before her act... It would ruin her surprise...

Also she had become quite familiar with Samrat's popularity in the college and Samrat's performance was something to be enjoyed from the hall rather than from the side wings...

Tujhse log kahenge, na kar pyaar mujhe...

Main to lakh bura hoon, neend chura loon, hosh uda doon...

Main to baahon mein lekar raah bhula doon, baat bana doon...

Chaahe jahan dil ko chhupa, baaton hi baaton mein,

Do mulaquaton mein le loon...

Bachna ae haasino, lo main aa gaya...

Husn ka aashiq, husn ka dushman...

Apni ada hai yaaron se juda...

For the next lines of the song Gunjan could actually feel as if they were for her... He had been doing the same with her just half an hour back...

Tujhko zamane ke aage main chhedunga, na chhodunga...

Aankhein churayegi bhi to milayunga...

All her pleadings, all her excuses went unheard before his hand holding mischievous act... His excuse earlier for meeting her in the green room... Everything was only for her...

Jaa jaa kya bahaane banayegi dekhunga, dil phekunga...

Jhoote moote wade sunake fasaunga...

Husn ka aashiq, husn ka dushman...

Apni ada hai yaaron se juda...

Bachna ae haasino, lo main aa gaya...

Gunjan had to put her hands on her ears to escape the screaming and clapping after Samrat's performance was over... He had so many well wishers and so many people who appreciate him and wanted to befriend with him...

But he was a well wisher of her, he had always appreciated her in everything and he had chosen her as his special friend above all... The thought itself brought a touch of pride within her...

Samrat started searching for Gunjan coming back at the back stage but she was nowhere to be seen... He was not even sure if she had seen him performing...

The moment lights had gone off on the stage just before he began; Samrat had turned towards both side of the wing to find her but to his disappointment she wasn't there...

Everyone was greeting him but the one he was searching for was nowhere to be found... As if she had vanished in the thin air after she escaped from his clutch...

Someone patted his shoulder... Turning back he found Benji...

"Rishi uncle was asking for you in the auditorium" Benji informed...

Samrat had known Rishi Maalik since their childhood and he is one of the trustees apart from being their friend's father... He just nodded and left with Benji for the auditorium at once...

**************

"Gunjan are you ready??" Mayank asked...

Receiving a positive reply from Gunjan's side Mayank wished her for her surprise performance and signalled Nupur to announce the next performance...

"And now the final part of the event, a beautiful musical dance play that will touch your heart... Please welcome Gunjan who will sing to you tonight the feelings of first love"...

Samrat was about to turn back and leave after receiving a heartiest praise from Rishi Maalik and his wife when he heard Nupur making the next announcement... Gunjan!! Did he hear it right, Samrat wondered...

Gunjan would be singing tonight!! And he had the least idea about this piece of news...

Both Samrat and Benji exchanged looks in surprise and just then they heard the curtain being rolling...

And in the midst of the darkness a single light fell on the stage and there stood Gunjan in a flowery white salwar suit looking completely different from her till now look...

Her long floating hair that had been rolled into light curl depicts the image of a cascade and the blue ray of light that gave an effect of her in the moonlight was making her even more ethereal...

A rhythmic beat and the music filled in the air of the auditorium when Gunjan's sweet voice played her magic...

Yeh zindegi kholi baahein khadi...
Hawa yun chali, dil kahein tu bhi zara saath aa...

Lights blazed on the stage... Foggy special effects made the stage itself invisible as if Gunjan was standing in the midst of clouds...

A sweet tune of piano mingled with rocking beat of drum roll and guitar overwhelmed his senses... A wave of cheers and claps passed over the hall...

And four dancing pairs surrounded her and conveyed each and every feelings of Gunjan's song through their dance...

As Samrat continued to stare at her, Gunjan's voice was heard again...

Kal chhoti si, chhoti yaadon ki gali...

Pal mein naya aisa vaadon ka silsila...

Bheed mein bhi kyun lage ki hum do akele yahan...

The metallic guitars played its magic reminding him of every moment they have spent together till date...

The first meeting in the party night, the first eye locks, the first silent understanding, the first night ride, the breeze, music room, the first hold, the first pull in the music room, the first collide into hug, and the first heart racing...

Nikle jo ghar se chale jab hum tum...

Apne safar pe chale jab hum tum...

Sapney hai dil mein chale jab hum tum...

Mushkil dagar pe chale jab hum tum...

Laakhon ki raatein le uda woh panchi dil ka...

Apni hi ghar se ho juda woh panchi dil ka...

Nikle jo ghar se chale jab hum tum...

Apne safar pe chale jab hum tum...

Sapney hai dil mein chale jab hum tum...

Mushkil dagar pe chale jab hum tum...

Samrat walked past the hall to reach at the centre slowly facing her all the while... A serene smile played in her lips as they looked at each other...

Badal ab tak jo tarsey...

Bin mausam ab woh barsey...

Bundon mein sapney liye ambar se...

Nikle jo ghar se chale jab hum tum...

Apne safar pe chale jab hum tum...

Sapney hai dil mein chale jab hum tum...

Mushkil dagar pe chale jab hum tum...

The whole auditorium burst into applauds congratulating her... But one person only stood still in awe, too overwhelmed to react...

Nupur couldn't resist entering the stage along with Gunjan to praise her but her eyes darted only on one person in the audience... Samrat... He was just standing still staring at Gunjan all the while...

Samrat Shergill speechless!! That would do for now... Nupur mentally noted seeing her brother's reaction... This was all she had wanted to see, Sam's reaction...

And all she could see was love in his eyes for the girl who she was now hugging... Nupur has been more than happy tonight to see her brother was finally in love...

Yes, she could say this was love... Samrat's eyes were conveying every emotion of bliss of being in love...

***********************************************************************

Hope you like it...Looking forward for your feedback...