It was a cool evening, perfect for a big fat Indian Sangeet. The entire gardens of the hotel had been booked for the purpose and the gazebos in the middle had been elaborately decorated with flowers and fairy lights. Everything was set such that the bride and the groom occupied seats near the pool side, in their own private gazebo which overlooked the entire setting.
A stage was set up just beyond the pool side, which had been decorated with white floating candles, each placed in the middle of small wreaths made of pink and white flowers. The white cushioned divans had been placed for seating along the pool side with partition walls in between. The walls had columns with mogra flowers hanging from block shelves and candles placed in others. Multicoloured cushions with traditional embroidery were placed on the divans to give a Moroccan effect to suit the theme while Hukkahs were kept on tables in intervals.
More seats were placed on either side of the wide, round stage which was uplifted to provide everyone a view of all the performances. The stage had been constructed just opposite to the shelter of the bride and groom. The fairy lights and the light from the candles which had been placed almost everywhere was having a radiant effect, making the whole garden glow, as if in its own celebration.
As most of the guests entered and took their seats, Draupadi's face glowed on its own accord. With each gasp she heard as the guests appreciated the decorations, she knew that she had done something right, and she felt proud of the hard work her team had put in. The chiming of bangles brought her out of her reverie and she giggled for the first time in two days as she noticed adults and children alike playing with the bangles which had been put on stands to be used as decoration.
Soon, it would be time for her sister and her jeeju to make an appearance and she knew that she had to get changed before that so that they could continue the performances. Quickly, she ran up to the suite which had been allotted as the green room for changing and saw her cousins and friends sprawled on the seats outside, waiting for their turns, while some practised their steps continuously out of utter nervousness. She couldn't help but relate the scenario to the backstage of her annual day function in school, and the frenzy that the performers caused during her di's shows, touching up their make-up and correcting their costumes.
As she entered the room for women with the red sari bunched up in her hand, she couldn't help but think about her boyfriend. Her eyes had been searching for him when she had been outside, and she had spotted everyone except him. She didn't know why but suddenly the gloom which she had been experiencing from the past two days settled over her once again. Even Arjun had noticed and questioned her about it, but she had avoided stretching the conversation and had given her di's marriage as the reason. To a certain extent it was true. With every passing hour she could feel a part of her drifting away from her, but more than that, from the past two days, the hallucinations had become so prominent and continuous that it had become difficult for her to sleep and she had started to feel anxious each time Arjun was not around because a part of her would be nagging her disturbed with flashes of Arjun drifting away from her, and they had become close to nightmares.
While lost in thought, she had mechanically stripped down from her lehenga and had even worn her translucent underskirt and was now struggling with the strings of her blouse when she felt her back being pierced. Suddenly, she whipped around dropping her sari in the process as a strange fear unsettled her. Then, as she gazed into hazel eyes darkened with desire, she felt an odd mix of relief and excitement. Her eyes widened when she found Arjun leaning against the wall of the bathroom. She realised that she hadn't paid attention to the sound of running water coming from the bathroom when she had entered and as her cheeks began to flame, he strode closer with a lop-sided smile.
Involuntarily, her feet led her backward, till her back connected with the dresser, and she was caged in between Arjun and the wooden piece of furniture, his arms on either side of it. Even as she struggled to concentrate, a film of desire forming before her eyes, the brazen part of her mind began doing an impromptu tap dance. Before she could say anything, she felt his touch on the hot skin of her waist and as she let out a small gasp, his skin burning against hers; his lips attacked hers with an urgency she had never felt before.
Draupadi was quick to respond as her arms wound around his neck and one hand raked through his thick hair. As his teeth nipped into her bottom lip, it sent a jolt of electricity flowing to her core. Pulling him closer, so that they collided into each other, she deepened the kiss further, their tongues duelling in a battle of passion. Finally, they both broke apart, breathing heavily even as they stayed in each other's embrace.
"What was that?" Draupadi whispered into his ear, running her tongue slightly along his lobe, making his hold tighten on her bare waist.
"The effect of you wearing...this", he let his eyes rove over her as he replied huskily and she pulled him into a hug, burying her face in the crook of his neck. She felt her skin tingle as he gently pushed aside her curtain of hair and ran his fingers along her bare back, making her arch in response. Taking his time, he tied the flimsy strings together but in a knot that held even as his fingers trembled lightly.
He cupped her cheeks to make her face him and places soft kissed along her jaw line and the side of her neck till she moaned and her hand wandered under his shirt. Cursing at the same time, they leaned in at the same moment as their lips met for another searing kiss. Slightly lifting her up, he made her sit on the dresser, not breaking the kiss while his hands reached up to cup her breasts through the thin material of her blouse. As she felt his abs, he growled feeling the taught tips of her breast as she leaned back, giving him more access.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door which startled them both, and they broke apart, both breathing erratically, their faces flushed. Their eyes widened as they realised that it was Subhadra at the door, calling for Draupadi.
"Arjun move, we have to go out", her voice was shaky.
"I am not sure you would want to be seen like that", his gaze seared into her, moving down and then back up, and she blushed profusely as she realised her dishevelled state.
"This is entirely your fault. How long had you been there?" she asked narrowing her eyes at him, as she managed to compose herself.
"Darling, you'll never know. Except I wish I was standing here earlier..."
He was interrupted by Subhadra's voice, "Jiji...are you in there? Your performance is going to start. Bhai and Radha bhabhi are on now."
As Draupadi frantically looked around, as if for words, Arjun whispered into her ears, "Tell her you'll be out in five."
Draupadi looked at him as if he had grown two horns, but as she saw the confidence in his eyes, she gave in and shouted out the same to Subhadra. As they heard the receding footsteps, she turned sharply to him with hands on her hips.
"How the hell do you think I can wear this damn Sari in five minutes?" her eyes blazed fire at him.
"I'll help you," he shrugged his shoulders as he picked up the piece of clothing that lay abandoned on the floor.
Soon, she held the pleats in her hand as he corrected them expertly, sitting on one knee. Gently, he tucked them into the petticoat, and smiled as she shivered at his lightest touch. Truth was he too was just as affected as she was. Actually, he had surprised himself by tying her sari with such expertise and he had felt his blood roaring when he had walked out of the washroom to see her just in her short blouse and underskirt. He had been shocked at first, but then he had found himself leaning against the wall and admiring her pout while she struggled with the strings of her blouse.
Now, the sari was settled on her one shoulder, giving him a peak of her waist as she was busy pinning it up with a small safety pin. As she turned around to face him, he felt his heart thunder against his chest. He couldn't help but lean in and he pecked her lips once again as she raised herself on her toes and hugged him close.
"You look beautiful", he complimented huskily.
"Hmm...do I? Well, we have to go perform now and then I would have to change back into the lehenga. Maybe I'll need help", she pouted while her eyes twinkled mischievously at him.
Catching the glint in her eyes he laughed out loud, as she joined in. "With pleasure baby, but now we have to get out. You go, I'll follow."
"But there would be people outside", she looked sceptical.
"Don't worry they all are too drunk already to notice. But I'll use the window for safe measure."
She nodded as she hugged him for the last time before she dashed out of the room, leaving him smiling to himself.
...
Fifteen minutes later, they were all standing near the poolside, amidst the crowd. All the people had stood up as the performances had began, surrounding the stage. It was the children who had began performing, the little girls were dancing to Chittiyan Kalaiyaan in their colourful lehengas, trying to match up to the steps the actress had performed in the actual number as their parents had clapped and whistled and shot their videos.
That performance had added to the energetic atmosphere and everyone had stood up, making Shikha and Shalv stand right below the stage. Next, it had been the much awaited Baby Doll by Bum and Kunti. Kunti had been nervous and flustered as she had heard everyone hoot when their names had been announced, while Bum seemed to have a spring in her steps. As the lights went off, they took their positions and just as the music blared, the audience cheered loudly.
Yeh duniya, yeh duniya pittal di
Yeh duniya pittal di
Yeh duniya pittal di..
Ho babydoll main sone di.
The smiled and laughed as they grooved to the peppy number, while Subhadra, Radha and Draupadi joined them in the middle of the song and then suddenly Dhri jumped on to the stage, Dhakkan kaka and Pandu in tow, leaving everyone in splits as the three men tried to mimic the steps sincerely.
When the fun performances had ended, Krishna and Radha came on stage again to introduce the next set of couple performances as the couple of the night blushed. It was supposed to be a musical enactment of how they had met and fallen in love.
First, all the girls came on stage dancing to the new version of Gulabi Aankhein, from the film Student of the Year, as they introduced Shikha.
Next, the boys came on stage dancing on Bachna Ae Haseeno as they introduced Shalv, turning up the heat. The lights added to the effect as everyone swayed, and then suddenly, the lights went off, and Krishna started his lines from back stage.
"When I saw you, I fell in love. And you smiled, because you new.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I know that I am quoting Shakespeare here and this is as mushy as it gets, but Shikha and Shalvs love story is in no terms any less and a Shakespearean love story, and no less than the story of Raj and Simran. Of course, they are alive and well and Drupad uncle in all fairness has been a very supportive father. But filminess I guess runs in the veins of the Panchals. So here is presenting...well, the mimics of the bride and groom", Krishna finished as the audience guffawed and music began.
Tum bhee ho, mai bhee hu, pas aao, toh keh du
Aakhir kyun pal yu diwana mai ho gaya
Tumhe jo maine dekha, tumhe jo maine jana
Tumhe jo maine dekha, tumhe jo maine jana
Jo hosh tha, woh toh gaya
Badan kee yeh khushbu, jatane lagee jadu
Toh hoke bekabu, dil kho gaya
Dhri and Malini came on stage, making a gorgeous pair as they danced to the tunes of the beautiful song. They matched each other step for step, not leaving a single beat as Dhri twirled her around and then caught her mid-drop. Their chemistry was sizzling, and the audience cheered loudly as they did a rather complicated lift. Both their costumes were chosen to make Shikha and Shalv reminisce their college fresher's party where she had worn a bright pink sari and he had been wearing a black shirt. Finally, as the performance ended and the lights dimmed, the audience broke into a loud applause and their friends from college whistled away to glory. Then, Radha's soft voice reverberated as everyone quietened.
"Dil se teri nigah jigar tak utar gayi
Dono ek adaa mein razamand ho gaye
Khuda ne kaunsi mitti se
Apna dil banaaya hai
Tujhe aashiq banaaya hai
Mujhe kaatil banaaya hai
Khuda jaane ke main fida hu, khuda jaane main mitt gaya
Khuda jaane yeh kyun huwa hai, ke ban gaye ho tum mere khuda"
As the lights played their magic Subhadra and Satyam came up on stage, both dressed in white. Subhadra looked beautiful in her white high-low dress while her partner looked as handsome in his all-white attire. Their performance had been decided just the day before as Bheem had been unable to match up with Subhadra. That is when out of the blue, Krishna had suggested Satyam's name. Everybody had immediately agreed and Subhadra had smiled as she had started to practise on the song, but she had also felt an uncharacteristic quickening in her heart beat whenever Satyam had come closer. She had tried to ignore it, but had been highly successful and still was as they swayed together to the romantic song and when Satyam pulled her flush against himself, her back to him, and then lifted her up as he took a round.
O karti hu sau vaade tum se, baandhe dil ke dhaage tum se
Yeh tumhe na jaane kya huwa
Khuda jaane ke main fida hu, khuda jaane main mitt gaya
Khuda jaane yeh kyun huwa hai, ke ban gaye ho tum mere khuda
Finally, the music slowed down as the song softened and the lights went off again. But the couple on stage stayed in their position, oblivious to the applause, lost in each other's eyes as they stood in each other's embrace. It was Krishna's voice which made them break apart and awkwardly, Subhadra moved backward, and then suddenly turned around and ran away while Satyam too left the stage.
"Then they told each other the deepest secret nobody else knew, the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grew higher than the soul could hope or mind could hide. And that was the wonder that kept the stars apart, that they carried each other's heart."
"Mere ishq se mili hai
Tere husn ko yeh shohrat,
Tera zikr hi kahaan tha
Meri dastaan se pehle
Ab yeh dastaan aayi aise mod pe
Na mein jaanu yeh samah kaise badlaa
Na tum jaano yeh dil kaise ek hue"
As Radha repeated the last two lines once again, the whole crowd fell silent, only the sound of the blowing wind remained and finally, the music began playing.
Zara Zara Bahekata Hai, Mahekata Hai
Aaj Toh Meraa Tan Badan, Mai Pyaasee Hu
Mujhe Bhar Le Apanee Baaho Me
Zara Zara Bahekata Hai, Mahekata Hai
Aaj Toh Meraa Tan Badan, Mai Pyaasee Hu
Mujhe Bhar Le Apanee Baaho Mein
Draupadi and Arjun came on stage hand in hand and with their fingers still entwined they started moving with synchronised steps. Draupadi looked beautiful in her plain red sari, her hair falling in soft curls, covering a major part of her barely covered back. Arjun's shirt was in contrast to her sari, a dark brown dress shirt. Their sizzling chemistry made the audience gasp, but they remained oblivious as the Arjun picked her up in his arms and twirled around.
Yu Hee Baras Baras Kaalee Ghata Barse
Ham Yaar Bhig Jaaye, Iss Chaahat Kee Baarish Me
Meree Khulee Khulee Lato Ko Suljhaaye
Too Apanee Ungaliyo Se, Mai Toh Hu Isee Khwaahish Me
Sardee Kee Raato Me, Ham Soye Rahe Ek Chaadar Me
Ham Dono Tanha Ho, Naa Koyee Bhee Rahe Iss Ghar Me
Just as the lyrics conveyed, a streak of lightning lit the whole sky, outlining the grey clouds as the sky turned an unusual shade of red and black. But no one seemed to notice the sky as their eyes were fixed on the couple dancing in front of them while the couple in question never let their eyes waver from each other. Draupadi suddenly, ran away shyly and just then Arjun pulled her hand, making him collide with his chest as his fingers felt her soft curls, their forehead resting against each other.
Zara Zara Bahekata Hai, Mahekata Hai
Aaj Toh Meraa Tan Badan, Mai Pyaasee Hu
Mujhe Bhar Le Apanee Baaho Me
Hai Meree Kasam Tujhko Sanam, Dur Kahee Naa Ja
Yeh Duree Kehatee Hai Paas Mere Aaja Re
Aaja Re, Aaja Re, Aaja Re, Aaja.
Their passionate dance ignited the desire in their own hearts, as they moved together in each other's embrace. It was as if the song, the setting all of them were trying to make them both confess their feelings to each other. As they stood in each other's arms, they knew that they were meant for each other, that they wanted to be together, to support each other, that none of them would be able to bear any distance. It was a coincidence that the song was chosen but it exactly conveyed what they felt, what they wanted to say to each other, but were unable to. Finally, as the music slowed down and was about to come to a stop, the audience broke into a thunderous applause, the cousins hooting and cat calling as they broke out of their romantic trance.
Draupadi's cheeks began to burn as she saw the smirk on Arjun's face, wanting to kiss and smack him at the same time.
Krishna came on stage and finally relieved them both, actually Draupadi of her embarrassment. He called Shikha and Shalv on stage, asking them to perform in the same song and Draupadi dashed towards the green room, finding her chance. The last thing she saw as she turned around was her di and jiju performing on stage, Shikha looking beautiful and radiant in her royal blue lehenga with a silver blouse and a dark pink dupatta pinned on one side, while Shalv looked absolutely suave in his light blue sherwani. She smiled at them, and then ran off towards the green room.
...
In a few minutes, Arjun was walking through the lawns towards the stage as he heard the music blare from a distance. Immediately he knew that their group dance was about to start. They had all planned not to introduce it, but make it an impromptu jig. But suddenly, his breath was caught in his throat from the time he saw Draupadi running towards where the Sangeet had been organised. She was trying to sprint towards the poolside, as fast as her heels allowed and unable to control himself, he caught up with her in quick strides and tugged at her dupatta. The arching of her back told him that she had recognised his touch.
As she had turned around, he gasped audibly. She was looking ethereal in her outfit. The lehenga was an out of the ordinary shade of green, with a hint of blue and ended a little below her knees, from where began the net tulle of the same colour. Between them, the border was embroidered in golden zari, with visible attention having been given to the fine thread-work. The short cut-sleeved blouse was plain with little embroidery on the neck and was of the same colour as his sherwani. He now knew why she had insisted that he buy that particular sherwani, although he had not been complaining for her had loved her choice. The heavily embroidered gold dupatta was pinned to one shoulder; giving him an ample view of her bare waist and making him gulp. He frowned slightly as he saw her hair drawn in a loose side bun, only a few tendrils deliberately left untied to frame her face. But the bare back of her blouse more than made up for that, and he knew that he would be visiting her in her room that night and hence, smirked, walking towards her.
Draupadi had turned around sharply as she had felt the tug on her clothes, and as had, her breath had almost stopped. Arjun was looking beyond handsome in his black sherwani with maroon embroidery on the collars and sleeve-ends, paired with white patialas. She had known what he would be wearing since they had gone shopping together and she had made sure they were colour coordinated to an extent that wouldn't draw attention, but on him the attire looked magnificent, making her mouth go dry. She kept blinking at him, even as he came closer and cupped her cheeks, pecking her lips soundly. Flustered, she immediately wiped the lipstick off of his lips, and as she did she was his orbs darkening and she realised why as his eyes moved up and down.
Laughing, he entwined their fingers together, even as she muttered under her breath and they walked towards the stage. As they reached their group, they realised that they were being waited upon and quickly apologised as they heard Krishna announce something. But just then, Draupadi felt a drop of water fall on her arm and looked up in surprise. Soon, she felt another drop and then another one, and just like that it had started to rain violently as everyone rushed to seek shelter form the water, the women shrieking as they clutched at their expensive clothes and jewellery.
Draupadi was too shocked to respond, and so was her brother who stood beside her. She was sure she had checked the weather forecast and it was clear. But this was India, and the country was as unpredictable as it was corrupt. But she had no time to sulk about the politics of her country as her attention shifted to her older sister. On their own accord, her eyes shot to the gazebo where she was now standing, clutching at their father's hand. The smile from earlier had disappeared and the tears were continuously flowing down her cheeks as she sobbed and spoke something which would sound like gibberish to anyone who didn't know her better.
Blaming herself, Draupadi was about to give way to her own tears as she felt her brother's hand on her shoulder. The glint in his eyes instantly made her stand upright and lift her head from his shoulder, which she hadn't realised rested there, as she smiled and then laughed, looking at herself wet down to the skin. In that moment she was thankful that the sound of the rain was loud enough to cut her voice.
As she ran towards where the group of youngsters stood, their faces sullen, she heard the DJ's system come to life again. As she gestured to them to join her, she heard the lyrics of the song and as she turned around, Dhri was dancing on the stage, even as the rain drops continued to fall ferociously.
Main daalun taal pe bhangra
tu bhi gidda paa le
chal aisa rang jamaa de hum
ke bane sabhi matwaale
As he finished, she ran up towards the stage and joined in, relating the song to their impending jig in which everyone was to join in. Suddenly, as the singer's voice changed, Krishna joined in.
mann kahe ki main le aaun
chaand aur taare saare
in haathon par main chaand rakhoon
is maang mein bhar doon taare
hello! hello! tu floor pe kab hai aayi
ye lo, ye lo, baDi solid masti chaayi
hello! hello! too much hai tumne lagaayi
ye lo, ye lo, control karo mere bhai
As Arjun came up behind her, she laughed and twirled around, feeling like a little girl as she drenched herself while dancing with abandon. They had all learnt one step, and as Drupad, Pandu, Bum, Dhakkan kaka, Gabbar kaka, everyone started to join them with their drinks in hand, they all started doing that step.
dhak-dhak dhak-dhak dhadke ye dil
chhan chhan bole amritsari choodiyaan
raat badi hai mastaani
koi dilbar jaani kar le gallan goodiyaan
Just as Shikha and Shalv joined in, Drupad went to the bar, followed by the whole group and started doing signature Bollywood steps as Draupadi, Dhri, Bheem, Arjun and Pandu came up behind him.
chhanaa chhanaka tere tana dutanaka tere
chhanaa chhanaka tere tana dutanaka tera..
main kabootar faseya ki hor koi
fase hi na haay fase hi na
Dhri held both his sisters' hands and brought them towards the centre of the crowd, and started dancing with them as they all laughed in the rain, flapping their hands.
ye baat na maine jaani
kyun itni khush hai diwaani
tu mujhko aisi kahaani samjha de, samjha de..
ye baat hai sabne chaahi
mile janmon ka humraahi
yahaan huaa hai kuch aisa hi
samjhe na samjhe na o ho..
ab main jaana keh rahi ho kya fasaana ho ho.
pyaar karne se bhi mushqil hai nibhaana ho ho
As the rain subsided to a drizzle, Bum held Dhakkan kaka's hand and repeated the steps she had watched an actress do, who she claimed looked exactly like her.
Hello! Hello! don't mind mera ye kehna
ye lo, ye lo, zara mere touch mein rehna
dhak-dhak dhak-dhak dhadke ye dil
chhan chhan bole amritsari choodiyan
raat badi hai mastaani
koi dilbar jaani kar le gallan goodiyan
All the guests laughed and danced in their clothes which had become soaked and heavier as a result, but they enjoyed as the party lasted till the wee hours of the morning. Especially Shikha, who was overwhelmed by the love her sister had for her, and she hugged both her siblings as she cried tears of happiness, and danced in the arms of the person she loved. Dhri partnered with Malini. Krishna danced with his beloved wife. Satyam and Subhadra talked as they gave each other company. And Arjun and Draupadi had managed to find a corner where they would not be disturbed, not that anyone was going to that night. That night, all of them danced to the tunes of love.
Cricket
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