"All right!" Randeer exclaimed as he sat before Rishi and Milli in the living room of their flat. "Here's how this is going to work! The Dancing Jodi contest has ten couples registered, including you two. The contest requires each couple to perform a duet that reflects an iconic Hindi romance song."
"Iconic romance song?!" Rishi and Milli exclaimed in unison.
"Yes! That too in Hindi! And there's a twist!" Randeer explained. "You two will have only until the day after tomorrow to prepare for the dance."
"What?!" Milli asked.
"Yes. They just launched the contest today. And I guess they're only giving a day as a challenge," Randeer said. "Which means you both will have to work hard tomorrow. I want you both to win!"
"Um...," Milli said. "I don't-"
"Don't worry, dad! We won't let you down!" Rishi assured.
"That's my lovely couple!" Randeer exclaimed. "Now I'll be going then. I'll let you two lovebirds get busy!"
Rishi and Milli plastered fake smiles on their faces as Randeer left the flat. Once he left, Milli turned to Rishi and said, "Are you nuts?! How could you agree to us participating in a dance contest?!"
"I can't go against dad! He'll get suspicious then!"
"So how are we going to come up with a dance to an iconic song in one day?!"
"I don't know. Get up early tomorrow. We'll go to Star Studio and practice there."
Early in the morning, Rishi and Milli got up and ready as they headed to Star Studio, a dance studio downtown. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many classes that day. So the two managed to get a dance room to themselves to practice their dance in. Rishi brought his iPod so that the two could go through some songs. "So...any ideas on what we should dance to?" Milli asked.
"I got it! We'll do a full on Mr. India act!"
"Mr. India?"
"Yes! All you gotta do is wear a sexy blue saree and dance around me, singing I love you multiple times! Its perfect!"
And that was when Milli gave a tight slap to Rishi's face.
"Okay, so that idea is out. Do you have any ideas then?"
"I don't know. I want to do something simple yet sweet."
"Simple yet sweet?! But that's not my style! Why not-"
"Hey! I get you're the filmy guy, so all this works for you! But at least think about me."
"Fine. Any ideas then?"
"You've seen Jab We Met?"
"Yeah."
"Let's do the song Tum Se Hi."
"Why?"
"It kinda reminds me of us."
"Wait...really?"
"Don't get the wrong idea! I mean...my life took a whole U turn when I got married to you! I'm just referring to that."
"Oh...okay."
Rishi went through his iPod and played the song. And so, he and Milli got up to practice. The two felt awkward as they didn't know how to start. Rishi tried to put his one of his arms around Milli's waist, while Milli tried to put her hand on his shoulder as they then tried to glide along to the music. But it seemed hard as the two felt awkward with the amount of closeness between them. And then, as they were moving, Milli tripped and fell right on top of Rishi to the floor. The two shared an odd glance at each other as they laid on the floor. Once they got up and composed themselves, Rishi turned off the music. "This isn't working, is it?" Rishi asked.
"Sorry...but I'm not much of a dancer."
"You could've said that. If that's the case, I'll just have to let Dad know at the contest that we're dropping out."
"Are you sure we should do that?"
"Yeah, its okay. I'll go myself and say to him that you're sick. So don't worry. Its no big deal."
Rishi then got his stuff together and left the room, while Milli stood, pondering.
"You coming?" Rishi asked Milli as he came back in the room. Milli nodded as she followed Rishi out.
The next day, in the evening, the dance contest was all set and starting at the Bombay Dance Hall downtown. Many guests were in attendance as they watched the dances performed by the competing couples. Rishi arrived, looking around for his father so he could break the news of him and Milli not performing. He knew he had to say something soon as he and Milli were supposed to be performing last. But as he tried looking for his dad, a man came up to him and said, "Aren't you contestant number ten?" the man asked.
"Yeah, but-"
"You need to sit in your assigned seat. Where's your wife?"
"Well-"
"Its okay if she's late. Come with me."
The man took Rishi off to his assigned seat. He sat down, looking off to the empty seat next to him where Milli was supposed to be seated. He sighed, Guess I have to break the news on stage.
As the contest kept going, it was soon time for Rishi and Milli to perform. Rishi came up on the stage before the line of three judges and the large audience where his dad was sitting at the front, ready to watch with excitement. Also in the audience was Meera, who looked unhappy to watch, and there was also Ankur. Rishi stepped forward, dressed in his neat gray colored suit as he got ready to announce the news to everyone. But then, the eyes of the audience went to the left of the stage. Rishi turned around, confused...and was surprised to who he saw. Milli was standing right before him on stage. She was dressed beautifully in a long sleeved white blouse with a black corset, a long red skirt and a pair of black heels under the skirt. Her hair was straight, yet a neat braid was tied in her hair around the front. Rishi couldn't help but feel mesmerized upon seeing Milli dressed so beautifully.
The music started to play as she started to walk toward Rishi. She stopped before him and he whispered, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to not disappoint," Milli replied. "Just go with it."
Milli extended her hand to Rishi to which he grabbed hold of and then pulled her by her waist with his other hand as the two were in position to dance while everyone else looked in awe. The two then glided along with the music, matching the movements of their feet to the beats of the music. Rishi then twirled Milli around and then she graced her arms upon Rishi's shoulders as she then let her arms go while Rishi held her around her waist. The two continued dancing with the music, syncing well, despite not practicing much at all the other day. What was it that kept the two going all of a sudden? Was it really just the need to not disappoint Randeer? Or was there something else that bloomed?
The two ended their dance with Rishi lifting Milli upward as she looked up at the ceiling and then down upon Rishi's face as he then brought her back down, caressing her face with his hand. Once the music stopped, the two were startled at the thundering applause from the audience, who loved their performance. And the two looked on at the audience with surprised looks on their faces as they then turned to each other.
Afterwards, all the couples got on stage as the judges were making their decisions. Then, a young man with a microphone stepped on the stage, holding the envelope which had the names of the winners. "Good evening, everyone! The judges have made their decision!" the man exclaimed. "And of course we have a winner! This winning couple not only did what they had to do, but their chemistry was enough for the judges to see what a passionate romance there is between this married couple! And so...the winner of the Dancing Jodi contest is..."
As the man opened the envelope, everyone else waited in anticipation. "The winners are...Mr. Rishi Singhania and his wife Mrs. Mrinalini Singhania! Everyone give them a big hand!" the man announced as the audience started clapping.
"We won?!" Rishi and Milli said in unison with surprised looks on their faces. A trophy was then presented the two along with a big check for Rs. 25 lakhs. After people started leaving, Randeer came up to Milli and Rishi, giving them a hug. "You both were beautiful on stage!" Randeer exclaimed. "I knew you both would win! Great job, you two!"
"Thanks, dad." Rishi said.
"Thank you both for participating!" Randeer exclaimed. "Use that money well! I'll invite you both over some time."
"Sure. No problem." Milli replied.
Rishi and Milli headed back to the flat. Once they got inside, Milli headed off to the bedroom while Rishi stood still, looking on. Inside the bedroom, Milli dropped her bag onto the dresser. Then, Rishi entered the room. As she was getting ready to go in the bathroom, Rishi grabbed her by her hand to stop her. She turned towards him.
"I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"What made you decide to go with the dance at the last minute?"
"Think of it like this. Your dad was really happy about us participating in this competition. For our elders, sometimes we have to do certain things to make them happy. So...I decided to go with it."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I'm gonna go change first."
Milli went into the bathroom to go change. Rishi stood outside, pondering. Was it really just that? Rishi asked himself. Maybe it was. But then...why do I feel as if...as if there was more between us that moment?
Bollywood
Rules & Announcements
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Zindagi Ki Mahek
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Anupamaa
