The three of them were standing in the parking lot of the college, half hidden behind Ritika's car and bushes. Navya who told her parents that she was going to study for a project to the college, just now realized why her friends were secretive the whole while. They had planned to go to the prom night and take Navya with them. Navya who was from a traditional and conservative family didn't want to go, as she had lied to her parents. But her friends were adamant and Navya had to give in to their pleadings and blackmails. But only upon one condition that she'll leave at 10.
The trio then went to the girls dressing room, where Ritika then opened a huge bag she'd been carrying till then to reveal 3 beautiful gowns.
"Dekh Navya, maine hum teeno ke liye dress khareed liya hai' toh ab zyada nakhre mat kar... aur ready ho jaa."
"Par.. yeh kya hai Ritz? Main yeh nahin pehen sakthi. Main aisi hi thik hoon."
Ritz and Appy look at her from top to bottom and said, "Oh really?! Behenji!!" and laughed!
Navya laughed with them and playfully hit them.
The trio finally got ready. Ritika was in a red and fitting long gown. The color went well with her personality.
Appy was in a yellow chiffon and well draped gown. She looked elegant and graceful.
Navya was wearing a light pink, long and flowy gown. She let her hair down and curled at the ends. Her friends wanted to dress her up more, but due to her protests, they left her with a touch of kohl on the eyes and a dash of lip gloss on her lips. The flowy material enhanced her slender figure and a modest and shy Navya blushed when she saw herself in the mirror.
* * * * * * * *
They walk to the auditorium which has been re-modeled to look like a ball room from the 18th Century. The dress code was gowns for the girls and blazers and formal suits for the boys. Everybody was excited from the past one week about it. Navya who had been ill from a week, had just now recovered had no idea about this and when her friends came over to ask her parents' permission for completing her pending projects, she had innocently agreed to go out with them. Little did she know that, her friends wanted to take her to the ball, and here she had to chaperon Ritika who wanted to have a secret date with Ranveer.
They walked in and Ranveer came over to them immediately. He offered his hand to Ritika who took it blushingly and they both went to have a dance. Appy was also asked for a dance by a senior. Navya who was terrified and also didn't like such things much moved back into the curtains trying to escape the crowd and stepped into the lawn and bumped into a guy who seemed to be there for similar reasons. Their eyes met and she realized that they were the same pair of eyes which had been haunting her from the first time she had seen them, which was 3 months back. The guy was Anant. She for some strange reason experienced a pull towards him. It was as if there was a magnetic force between them. The same force was there again tonight, as she felt the air slightly change.
"Ahem ahem" he clicked his fingers in front of her eyes.
"Huh?!"
"Daydreaming? Oh, sorry! Night dreaming?" he chuckled at his lame joke.
"Nothing!" she replied.
"How come you are here?" he asked.
"The same reason you are here for!" she answered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Navya was surprised that, she didn't feel her usual inhibitions when she was around Anant.
"Oh-kay! So, let's walk around?" he asked.
Navya's widened her eyes when he asked that. Anant noticed her expression, smiled and said, "We'll just be around. Don't worry!" he reassured her. Navya knew that she could trust those eyes and that guy, so she agreed.
* * * * * * * *
Anant and Navya walked around the auditorium till they reached a pair of trees, which were a little way behind the DJ's unit. The music could be heard, but on a much softer and a more pleasant note.
Navya held on to a branch which was slightly lower and stopped there. Anant walked a little when he realized it and he doubles back.
"What happened?"
"Err, nothing!"
"You alright?" he asked with so much concern, that Navya couldn't lie.
"It's nothing of importance and it's really silly, you'd not want to hear it."
"Said who?" he asked.
Navya looked up into those brown eyes and she knew, he'd never laugh.
"Actually, I'm not comfortable walking with heels, and this is like the first time I've worn such huge ones" she said looking away.
"Never mind! You can remove them and stand here for a while, there is no one here!"
"Huh?!"
"Yes, you can hold my hand, if you want support" he said with a smile.
Navya placed her hand in his and made herself comfortable and leaned against the tree.
"Thank you! You are very sweet!"
"My pleasure!"
Anant leaned on the opposite branch and was looking at Navya, when Navya noticed it.
"What?"
"Nothing! Has anyone ever told you that you look beautiful?"
"Errm, can we change the topic?"
"Amazing, you are like the first girl among the numerous ones I know of, who said that!" he replied mockingly.
"Praises make me uncomfortable" Navya replied.
"Alright, let's play questionnaire. Then we'll at least know each other"
Navya simply nods.
"Hmm... So tell me, which is your favorite color?"
"What?" asked Navya completely taken aback.
"You heard me right!" said Anant and chuckled.
"I like all the colors. Each has its own specialty and its own definition."
"Interesting!! Care to explain?"
"Nope, now it's my turn. Friends or family?" asked Navya.
"Family! My friends would never ask me to choose over my family and it's also vice-versa actually. And you?"
"We do share some similar feelings!" replied Navya with a smile.
"Obviously! Otherwise, we wouldn't have landed here when there is a huge prom going on" said Anant to which Navya giggled.
"Next question, what are the two things you love, which people don't know you do?"
"Err, music and nature" answered Navya in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Music?"
"Yep, I know how to play the piano and guitar and I'm a lyric freak as well!"
"Whoa! And nature?"
"I'm actually obsessed with nature! I just love greenery and nature's beauty. I'm like forever writing poems on it and sketching sceneries."
"Jeez, there is so much more to you, than the simple girl you seem to be. You are so different from the others."
"Thank you!" replied back Navya with a slight bow.
A soft song plays in the background.
"Ah, have you heard this song before Anant?"
"Nope, I can't remember actually."
"It's a beautiful song, extremely soulful. I love some of the lines in it."
She hummed a little with the music with closed eyes.
She opened her eyes to find Anant kneeling in front of her.
Navya looked at him wide eyed.
"Will you dance with me?"
"No, I'm terrible at dancing, please don't mind."
"I'm no Michael Jackson! Let's just sway to the music."
"I can't even do that!"
In an attempt to give excuses, Navya replied, "Plus, my feet are still hurting!"
"That's alright, you can dance on mine."
"No! Please..." she pleaded fidgeting with the ends of her gown.
Anant looked at her and found her worked up.
"It's alright! We'll dance some other time" he said passing a reassuring smile.
In the background, When You Say Nothing At All song was being played. Listening to the song, they both start thinking of all the moments both of them spent together unknowingly.
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
Both think of the each other's smile and smile to themselves. Navya thinks of the first time Anant smiled at her when he said 'hi' to her. Anant remembers Navya's laughter and smile when she was having ice-cream with Appy and Ritika the first time, all of them went out together!
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
Both think of each other's eyes and the number of times they both stared at each other and take quick glances at each other and immediately look the other side. Navya remembers the look of concern when she saw him for the first time, Anant chuckles to himself when he remembers the almond-shaped eyes staring at him the day he saved her.
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me wherever I fall
Both think of the times when she accidentally slipped and he saved her from falling. And again accidentally brush each other's fingers and stare at each other for a split second and mouth sorry. Anant remembers how scared she had looked when she slipped on the library stairs carrying all those heavy books and how relieved she looked to know she hadn't fallen down. Navya remembers the arms which were always there to hold her, the moment she even slips a little and smiles to herself!
You say it best, when you say nothing at all
They once again take a glance at each other and wonder how many times they've actually talked and smiled to each other. Anant steals a glance at Navya who is looking ahead and marvels at the way Navya's eyes talk so much and are so expressive!
They are just about to turn round a corner when. . .
"Navya!!!"
They turn around to see a worried Appy and Ritika approach them followed by Ranveer.
"Where were you guys? We've been searching for you two since ages Navya" reprimanded Appy.
"Spare your friend Appy, I'm the culprit here" replied Anant on behalf of Navya.
"Hmmm. . . Okay! It's 9:30. We girls need to be home soon."
"Sure, we are at your service ladies, we'd drop you home" answered Ranveer with a bow. And received a slap on the shoulder by Ritz!
They start to walk towards the parking lot. Appy, Ritz and Ranveer were in deep conversation and were animatedly chatting. But Navya and Anant seem to be elsewhere.
But when you hold me near
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
