CHAPTER -8 MESMERIZING
I see a starlit sky in the background
I feel the breeze caressing my strands,
I hear the tides gushing in my ears,
I sense the butterflies in my tummy,
I smell nothing but that sensuous musk,
I drink in the pair of eyes captivating my senses
I know now, that I can say all these.
They wreck havoc with my soul and body.
The thought ever so blissful and Mesmerizing.
Lost in love, lost in your eyes, lost in YOU. -Nikitha(me)
*Flashback*
I rushed home not wanting to halt at random places lost in thoughts. I locked my room and flinged my bags and shoes not caring the directions. I sat down as I could sense the loud gasps. My eyes widened in bewilderment at the chain of thoughts that immediately bought goose bumps all over. That moment, his touch, his eyes, his whisper, his cologne, his proximity were so bewitching. I placed my hand on my chest waiting for my heartbeats to cease a bit . I clutched my shirt even tighter and shut my eyes but no use. All this seemed nothing but enigmatic to me.
The next day, I continuously prayed for his absence but Randhir is Randhir! He would never miss classes! So I shifted my prayers for his absence to the rehearsals. Miraculously he didn't come at all. I was happy but not completely. A part of me still wished he was there. Confusing I thought as I chose to stop thinking about him. The rehearsals started. After 3 days we would have our final rehearsal of the whole programme. We will have to perform just the way we would after 5 days on the grand event. On stage rehearsals, we called them.
I informed Varun and jenny about on stage rehearsals. Varun seemed prepared mentally but Jenny was tensed. Today we had to finalise all the steps so that they will able to dance confidently for two days and give a good shot on the stage rehearsal. We started and they seemed quite into the song. They shared a good chemistry, worth an applaud. I un-intentionally stopped at those lines where Randhir came and... I admitted that he had good sense of dance too... I dragged myself outta it. We finalised all the steps and they performed to the whole song for the first time in a flow today. I was watching them dance my steps. I was satisfied about the choreography. It had some mixes of other dance forms and not plainly contemporary. I clapped for them as they took the final bow and we all went to our houses with a confident smile.
The next two days also I had no work but watch them dance. Randhir came along with Varun. I was happy that I didn't have to dance now. He bought his books this time and was studying seriously. I finally got rid of his annoying smirk and timely interruptions. I corrected Jenny in some of the steps. And the next day I decided to correct their angles in postures if any. I was talking about grace and moments in a waist posture when suddenly a teacher entered. Randhir immediately stuffed his books in his bag and ran towards us to show off like he was a part of our dance.
" Tomorrow is the day for on stage rehearsals so are you guys ready? "
" Yes Ma'm " we answered.
" That's great. Give your best and it should be appealing. "
" Sure Ma'm. "
" Okay then, pack up asap and get to your houses. Come early tomorrow so have good sleep and don't take stress. "
" Thankyou Ma'm "
" Oh! And by the way, did you all get to know that the head master, all the teachers and the whole school will be present to watch the on stage rehearsals? "
" WHAT? No Ma'm! But may we know what brought this sudden change? "
" The HM decided to graph the response of the programme. Anyway on the d-day we wont have the whole school in the party, It's just the 9th and 10th classes and the staff and HM. So we thought why not give a chance to the whole school to view it first? The 10th won't be present though and that's obvious!"
" Um.. Ohh! Ahh... Nice idea Ma'm" I said.
" Good you are prepared, so tomorrow we will see whose performance will rock the school! Good luck students. "
" Thankyou Ma'm we will give our best. " I said.
" Now what? " I said.
" Im so tensed already and this is the cherry on top! " said Jenny.
" It's okay Jenny.. it isn't any competition. Entertainment will be entertaining in anyway. " said Varun.
" Ye..Yess guys.. And look at you! You are well prepared. We will do it don't worry."
" Looks like you are worrying more Agarwal? " said Randhir.
" I'm not! Im confident about my dance and also about them. "
" You should be. Anyway it was to be onstage. Then the number of viewers shouldn't be a matter of concern. " said Randhir.
This line made pure sense. I was happy he said this. He boosted our confidence. He smiled and left with his bag. I asked Jenny and Varun to practise in their houses and to take rest. We left too.
On stage hearsals. Another 2 hours and we will start. According to the list of performances Varun and Jenny were the 8th batch. Ours was a medley and we purposely chose that. First three were some skit and orchestra. Then ours was named the romantic medley. We had five omantic numbers.The performers were different for each song. Ours was fortunately the last song.
The rehearsals started. The second skit was hilarious and most enjoyed by the audience. Every performance was un-defeatable. Tension piled up eventually. Then came our turn. Varun and Jenny were to enter from either side of the stage and hold hands in sync with the song. I kept watching in anxiety. Randhir came stood beside me as they entered the stage. I was continuously bitting my lips. He held my hand got free of my folded fists. He looked at me and blinked in an assurance. I felt easier and lighter. I kept holding his hand tightly till they got down the stage. The grace, angles and final bow was also exact and good I said as they came running towards me. We got commendable response too. I was contended.
We took our seats on the participants side. Varun and Jenny were conversing about the steps and things in many. I was sitting right beside Randhir. I didn't know what to say. I kept looking at him from the corner of my eye. he seemed least interested in the programme. I finally turned towards him and mouthed a thankyou. He smiled in response. We sat for another hour clapping in sync ith the audience. I didn't know what was going in his mind but I was thinking about nothing but him. I couldn't stop the blush whenever flashes of the dance step and the construction site played in my mind. I wished fiercely that he didn't observe my blush. The programme ended and the school enjoyed it. The teachers were happy with the response. We went home in contentment.
The next two days we were busy in distributing the invitationd to our seniors. By now Varun and Jenny seemed a bit relaxed and confident. We practised for six times on the two days. There costume was ready too. The day before the farewell I checked all our accesories, costumes and went home. Tension started showing up again.
THE GRAND FAREWELL PARTY.
All of us showed up by 3.30 pm. We rehearsed for a couple of times. We were to get ready by 4.30 and we did. Jenny looked gorgeous and Varun handsome. We being non-participants had no need of a costume change. I was clad in a simple off shoulders ghagra showing off my tummy a little and Randhir came in a simple kurta-pajama. He didn't fail to look hot in this too. Suits and Sarees were the dress code for the 10th so we were asked to skip them unless it was necessary for the performance.
I was about to go and greet him but Keerti came and started flattering Randhir. She wore a mini skirt and tank top. I think she missed the word farewell and took it as club party! Whatever I thought as I moved towards Varun and Jenny. Randhir was smiling and giving nods to the garrulous dumbo she was. I turned a visible green and this didn't go unnoticed by Randhir.
4.45 and the party started. Akshay and Sanjana were the hosts of the party. Their work was to roam around with mikes and envelopes informing people about their performance timings and giving intros on the stage before each performance. Good job I thought.
" Welcome to the most awaited Grand Farewell Party " said Akshay.
" All the staff members and the respected head mister, hope you will enjoy yourselves" said Sanjana.
" And not forgetting our dearest guests, The 10th class students! A big hand for all of them " said Akshay as the school roared with sounds and music.
" So, all the beautiful girls and handsome boys out there.. are you ready to groove yourselves for the extravagant party we 9th class are going to host? " said Sanjana.
" YEESSS!!!!!! " came a huge reply from the audience.
" So here we start with our 1st performance. " said Akshay as they got down the stage.
A bunch of people got on and their skit commenced the programme. Then came another fun skit. This was really hilarious. The audience held their tummies in laughter. It left everyone into splits.
Then the orchestra.. They had a dress code. Quite appealing music.
" So now lets welcome the most exciting part of today, The Romantic Medley " said Akshay.
" Woaaahhh!!!! " came the reply.
" So first performance by Keerti and Sujay to the song Pehla Nasha Pehla Khumaar" said Sanjana.
They danced graciously. and prepared the audience for a chain of romantic numbers. But Keerti! Arrgghh! Okie cool!
" Next comes Ritu and Jay. The song is Tum se hi " said Sanjana.
They danced the stage in a wild chemistry with the audience humming the song.
" Ready for Aankhon mein teri ajab si by Nitya and Rohan? "
I glued my eyes to stage humming my favourite song. This jodi rocked the stage and my tension grew even more now.
" So now comes Rose and Daniel to dance on Dil ye bekarar kyun hain " said Sanjana.
After this was our performance. I was losing it. I went back stage to encourage Varun and Jenny.
Mrs. Malhotra came and took me to the costume room.
" Where is Jenny, Sanyukta? "
" She is rehearsing for the dance Ma'm "
" I checked the whole school, she isn't there. "
" That's not possible! "
" Where is Varun? "
" He was with Jenny Ma'm. "
" I can't find him too. "
" Its our performance next and where did these people go! " I groaned.
" Anything serious? Did they inform you ?"
" No Ma'm Im shell shocked too. "
" Sanyukta.. Sanyuk... " yelled Varun
" Varun? Where were you? Where is Jenny? Its our performance next! "
" Jenny said she forgot her mobile and clutch so she said she will be back asap. "
" ASAP!!!! What the hell! Why are you in a rush? "
" Im extremely sorry Sanyukta but I have to leave now. My brother met with an accident and it's an emergency. Please find someone and pair up with Jenny. I know you can manage. I'm sorry I gotta go ." said Varun he ran towards the gate.
What do I do? Mrs. Malhotra heard it all. She was helpless too. Jenny didn't return yet! I was close to tears as I collapsed to the ground.
" Lets call upon our last performers in the romantic medley. Randhir and Sanyukta to the song Pehli Nazar Mein. Put your hands together for them." said Akshay in a euphoric tone.
My ears widened as I heard the two names. I wiped the tears as I stood up in a daze. Go! said Mrs. Malhotra with a smile. I entered the ground and saw Randhir moving towards the stage. I didn't miss that glint of excitement in Akshay's eyes and neither did I miss the concern and same assurance in Randhir's. I entered from the other side and walked towards Randhir as he held my hands in his and the song started..
Pehli nazar mein kaisa jaadu kar diya
Tera ban baitha hai mera jiyaa
Jaane kya hoga, Kya hoga kya pataa
Iss pal ko milke aa jee lein zara
He held me by my waist and moved right and left as I placed my hands on his broad chest.
Main hun yahaan, Tu hai yahaan
Meri baahon mein aa, aa bhi jaa
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool jaa...aa
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool Jaa...aa
He turned me around and lifted me up as I cupped his face.
Baby i love u, baby i love you, baby i love you
Baby i love you so
Baby i love u, oh i love u, I love u
I love u so
Baby i love you
He smirked as he flipped me around and snaked his arm around my tummy.
Har dua mein shaamil tera pyaar hai
Bin tere lamha bhi dushwaar hai
Dhadkanon ko tujhse hi tarkaar hai
Chhaya suroor hai
Kuch to zaroor hai
He held me by my index finger and turned me around for a couple of times effortlessy.
Har dua mein shaamil tera pyaar hai
Bin tere lamha bhi dushwaar hai
Dhadkanon ko tujhse hi tarkaar hai
Tujhse hain raahatein
Tujhse hain chaahatein
Tu jo mili, ek din mujhe
Mein kahin ho gaya laapataa
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool jaa...aa
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool Jaa...aa
He bent me down and slide me past his legs and grabbed my waist as he helped me up.
[Kar diya deewana, dard-e-fassle
Chaan chheena isqh ke ehsaas ne
Bekhayali di hai tere pyaas ne
Chhaya suroor hai
Kuch to zaroor hai...
Yeh dooriyan, Jeene na dein
Haal mera tujhe na pata
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool jaa...aa
O jaan-e-jaa, dono jahaan, Meri baahon mein aa, bhool Jaa...aa
Baby i love u, baby i love you, baby i love you
Baby i love you...
He pulled me fiercly towards him by my hand as I circled twice and embraced him.My hair all over is face. I parted from his cheek second by second not averting my gaze. He slowly removed the strands from my face and tucked them behind my ears. He and I moved in sync to the last para... It was a slow salsa. He kept searching himself in my eyes as he moved forward and whispered "Baby, I love you. ". The song ended.
The audience was Mesmerized. So was I. The song ended and we didn't move a bit. There was no sound in the surroundings. I lost myself in his embrace and his eyes and he was lost in mine.
After what seemed like eternity, someone in the audience clapped and so did everybody join in. The claps dragged us out of the sweet reverie.We looked at each other as I moved and stood beside him not leaving his hand. We bowed a thankyou and got down the stage.
A thankyou is incomplete without a question.
A smile is incomplete without a frown.
A journey is incomplete without a full-stop.
A compromise is incomplete without if's and but's
Just like I'm incomplete without you... - Nikitha(me).
This the lengthiest I've typed till date. Hope you all enjoyed the party. Omit the typos if any.
Love,
Nikitha.😃
Edited by barauni - 12 years ago
