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A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
To be honest, she didn't know how she felt. She had thought it would be another of those days like the previous years... Some wishes, fewer gifts and she would spend the day alone enjoying the day by herself. However, nothing had happened in line with her expectations.Instead, her irrepressible gang of girls had dragged her out for a full blown party. That too in Delhi.And given the tantrums and emotional blackmails, the whispered secrets and the giggling... Lots and lots of it... She had no idea what they were driving at...
But here she was... In "The Birthday Party" in quotes where there were lots of friends, lots of sweets, cake (of course they always have a birthday cake... Silly), drinks...(of course, they were 18 ) and what not...
Clad in a blue dress with ankle length boots and black jumper to ward of the January chill, she roamed around the venue... The decorations were fabulous..she had to admit that... Balloons in red and white adorned the hall, and in myriad shapes... But the dominant ones were in the shape of heart... As if its Valentines day... She thought and then laughed. Why was she complaining???
She wanted to rest her aching feet...after all it had been two hour... Closer to three and she had been walking non stop in these monster heels... She looked around for some place to sit, but not a single chair was free. Sighing, she looked around, her beautiful, black eyes taking in the surroundings.
All her friends were busy enjoying the party. Not a single person was watching her... Well, this was her chance then. She turned and slowly made her way out of the hall and into the corridor of the hotel. She remembered the way out of the hotel, and if she was right, there was a pool behind the main building.
The hotel was decked in lights...like a new bride and she wondered what else was happening there. Then she shrugged her thin, shapely shoulders and made her way towards the pool side. She hardly noticed her friends giggling behind her.
"Do u think it will work??"
"I have no idea, I just hope she has the presence of mind to ask him for his autograph."
"What if he is in his usual irritating self??"
"Even then, I don't think he can refuse the request of the bday girl."
"Hmmm... Okay...we will give her half an hour, then we go after her."
"All right, done."
Giggling, they turned away giving their friend the much needed respite that she badly needed.
The winters of Delhi were famous throughout India. She felt the first gust of bitter cold air on her face and shivered. God... It was so cold. She thought once of going inside, but then shook her head and made her way towards the pool side. Soon enough she was there... And...oh blast... Party... Pool side party...in winter... Biting cold winter???
Shaking her head at the mental condition of the host, she decided to go back and spotted a couple of empty chairs on her right under a shade which was well protected from the chilly gust. She really wanted some rest for her feet and this place didn't look like it belonged to the other lot. Making up her mind, she quickly made her way over to the chairs and gratefully sank down into one of them.
*#*#*#*
Near the pool, the lights were blinding, the music blaring and the young man found it all extremely irritating. He wasn't sure what had possessed him to agree to this foolhardy idea of a party and now, faced with the freezing cold and the high decibel of noise, he sighed and thought ruefully that his reservations had been right. But now that he was here, he couldn't escape from this party for at least an hour more.
He had come to Delhi, his hometown from Mumbai after a hectic, grueling few weeks which were filled with schedules, shooting, meeting deadlines, having an accident and then falling sick. He had intended to catch up with some rest and instead he was here, getting bored. He shook his head at his own foolhardiness and decided to seek a quiet corner for himself. Looking at his friends who were lost in the party, he slipped away unnoticed.
*#*#*#*
She was sitting there in a chair, her eyes closed, her head on the comfortable back rest as the music floated out from afar. She hardly heard the sound of footsteps, nor the way the man seemed to stop in front of her and stare at her transfixed. It was only when he cleared his throat that she lazily opened his eyes... And jumped up.
His long locks were pulled back, held with the help of a clip at the back of his skull, his eyes were red rimmed from the numerous nights of sleeplessness, his porcelain skin was red from the continuous exposure to the cold wind. Clad in a pair of black trouser n black jacket, with the collar of the pure white shirt peaking out, he was dapper and dashing as always.
She quickly caught herself staring and hastened to say something... Err...hiii.
He smiled at her equally nervously. "Would you mind, if I take the seat besides you..??"
"Not in the least bit... Please."
She gestured with her left arm and he sat down.
Not wanting to intrude, for he was known for the ferocity with which he guarded his private life, she murmured... "Am I intruding??? I will leave if that's the case."
He smiled softly and shook his head in negative. "Do sit. I was just trying to catch my breath away from that party."
"Who in their right mind would party in the open in this cold?"
And she bit her lips, realizing what she had said. "I am sor..."
He laughed softly n said.. "Don't apologize. Even I was cursing my brains a few minutes ago for agreeing to attend this party."
"You could have moved it into the hall."
"Wouldn't have allowed us to freeze...would it??"
And she laughed, for behind the mask of caustic comment, she could see his fondness for the people behind the party.
"What are you doing here, if I may enquire.."
"Same as you... Just wanted some quiet minutes with myself away from the hustle and bustle of the party."
He nodded and then enquired.. "Ur friend's party??"
She smiled. "Actually mine... Though I am not the host."
"Whats the occassion??"
"Its my birthday.."
"Really... Ohh... That happy 18th Birthday banner was for you??? In that case A very Happy Birthday to you Apoorva."
"You remember my name... All from that banner??" she appeared to be stunned.
"I have a good memory." he smirked at her surprise and she blushed.
Just then, the strains of a melodious song wafted out from the direction of the pool.
O mere...dil ke chaiiin... Chain aaye mere dil ko dua kijiye.
Her face was fixed in that direction, her eyes were radiating with pure bliss. It didn't take a genius to guess that she liked the song. Still, he asked.
Apna hi sayaa dekh ke tum... jaan e jahaan sharma gaye...
"You like that song??"
Abhi to ye pehli manzil hai... tum to abhi se ghabra gaye
"I love it...its one of my favourite."
She looked at him and smiled.He felt his breath hitching in his throat. He had no idea of what and why he was doing, just that he slid out of the chair and went down on one knee. Putting out his right hand, he heard himself asking..."May I have the pleasure of this dance...?"
Mera kya hoga...socho to zaraa...
Haye aise na aahen bhara kijiye...
He could see the surprise in her beautiful eyes... even he was struck dumb at his impulsive behaviour. But to her credit she quickly got over it and placed her left palm on his outstrectched one. He got up pulling her along with him.
Moving away to the open space, they swayed to the beat of the music. There was no scope of talking, they didn't need to...for the song had enough contents which could hardly find words.The music ended, but they remained locked together.
A sound of voices roused them out of their stupor, and blushing, she moved away from the cage of his arms. He felt so lost, bereft without her comforting presence, but knew there was nothing he could do now.
"Apu... Where are...oh..."
They came to a stand still not knowing what to say or do. Finally, one of them said...
"Hello... Sorry...did I disturb you?"
She giggled and Apoorva felt like cursing her friend.
But he just smiled and said... "Not much... I suppose I was keeping her away from you all."
"Well... You can make up for it." Her friend quipped and Apoorva felt like strangling her friend.
He was game though, and asked. "How so...?"
"You know, its her birthday today... You can certainly give her your autograph."
"I have wished her before, but still... Happy Birthday once again."
She didn't know what to say.
"Thanks... M sorry they are just teasing..."
"Me...!! I know... However, they do have a point. A birthday girl should never go empty handed. But then, what should I give you?"
"You don't need to give anything... Meeting you was more than enough."
He smiled though and said, "Wait a minute."
He got a paper napkin and wrote something on it. Signing it with a flourish, he folded the napkin and handed it to her. "For your eyes only." And he gazed at her intensely.
She seemed to understand his unspoken words, for the napkin went into her clutch, away from the prying eyes of her friends, though she did steal a look at it. Nodding, she whispered quietly... "I should go."
He nodded and she left, turning around every few steps to look back at that royal figure. He stood there, his hands in the pockets, gazing at her retreating back till she disappeared from the range of his vision.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*@
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