Part 106
Dev was picking on Rahdika's dress form the closet room. His hands pasued as he was about to pick the reddish brown shiny lehanga set. His eyes smiled as his fingers softly touched over the material. He flew back to that day
Every one was chit chatting loudly at Vikrom's birthday party. Radhika tried to stay by Dev's side only as the crowd was mostly strangers to her. she was curiously looking at the hall arrangenments,a dn few of padmaja's friends, stoll blowing balloons and sticking it to walls, and kids with their best energy running around and the little ones , extending their hands to reach out to pick those balloons . The ladies around dressed up so well in Indian outfits. She saw the men arranging the food trays on the side table. Ladies standing around and chi chatting, touching each others hair and then dress and few commenting on jewelleries. Radhika just looked all around as it was all new to her.
Things changed as Rema stepped in, she held Rahdika's hand and took her into ladies group. Rema introduced Radhika to the group and Radhika passed a smile at everyone, acknowledging their look. She found her eyes on her anarkali churidar which was a blue and green shade mix one, and her simple jewellery . Suddenly Padmaja stepped in...
Padmaja: ye, Nandini you were looking for someone to perform solo for the program , right?
Nandini: ha
Padmaja: ye, Radhika can do it, she is a Kathak dancer.
Nandini's face beamed and she looking surprisingly at Radhika: really!!!
Rema: ha, Radhika knows Kathak so well.
Padmaja: Rema only told me that earlier, and I forgot, glad that i remembered it now.
Radhika was standing shocked , for not knowing how to respond.
Soon Padmaja was called to greet one of the guests and Nandini started buttering Rahdika, and Rema didn't leave any chance to praise Radhika's performance, as if she is the local guardian who knows Radhika well .
Nandini : so Rema have you seen her dancing?
Rema wihtout wasting a second : heina
Radhika looked at her face in question?
Rema: I have seen her college performance, Dev showed me
Rema replied confidently.
Soon one other mom questioned: so did you learn it professionally..
Radhika was about to say something...
Rema: ha heina, from her childhood
Mom: that is good to know, I was thinking of sending my girl to learn dance, but couldn't find anybody near by, my husband loves Kathak, so Radhika, can you teach my girl.
Another mom: then I can send my girl too
Nandini: my son is 6 , he can join too..
Radhika stood there with dried mouth. The answeres were given by Rema deedi and Padmaja also joined in between..
Finally when Radhika got an opportunity with Rema she said: Rema deedi, I never taught anyone, I don't know how to teach.
Rema: that will just come to you Radhika, don't worry. I will send Pranav too. Ok
Radhika: Deeedi
Rema: ha, but first you get ready for the performance ok, the program is in next month. actually wewere thinking whether to go or not, so if you are performing, then we will be there for sure.
Radhika: but I don't have any costume or anything
Rema: don't worry, we will help you with everything ok.
They walked near to Dev and Rema introduced the new responsibility of Radhika. Dev looked at Radhika, and she nodded her head in disagreement.
Rema: Don't listen to her ok
Radhika: but I don't have any costume or anything.
Rema: don't worry about it, see I have praised you so much in front of all my friends, now it is my prestige issue. but then looking ta Dev doubtfully: she really knows how to dance, right?
Dev with a smile: pakka, she is very good dancer. keeping his head high with proud
Radhika: Then why did you tell them that you have seen my performance? looking at Rema
Rema with a smile: that Radhika, I saw your picture, that once Dev showed me, how can I say no when they all were so excited. And now I will see it , right? So looking at Dev: now it is your responsibility ok, let her practice and we will see.
Dev smiled at Radhika and again Rahdika nodded her head in disagreement. As they were leaving , Rema held Dev's hand and moving to the corner , secretly said: somehow you should compell Radhika, please.
Dev with smile: don't worry deedi, she will perform ok.
Rema : that's it. Thank you
Dev with a smile joined Radhika as they were getting out from the building.
Radhika: what was that secret?
Dev: Deedi was just reminding me about your dance
Radhika: mei
Dev: you are oging to perform Radhika.
Radhika: but
Dev: also you are sitting at home without doing anything, eating potato chips and see , gaining weight too, so now this is very good oppertunity and don't worry about anything , tell me what you need and it will be here on time ok.
Radhika didn't say anything.
The night was silent outside
Dev stroking onto her upper arm: so which one are you going to perform?
Rahdika: I don't know
Dev: not the jungle dance Ok
Radhika : what?
Dev: I want to see it too Radhika, last time, it was in college , and i had my limitations, but this time, you are mine, and i have all the freedom. I can see the visuals of that performance only in my mind. But this time I want to record it, and want to see it whenever I wish to see.
Radhika listened silently
Dev with a very excited voice : I can't wait to see you on stage again.
Radhika just wrapped her arms around him, as if letting him know that she is listening.
The next day she started searching for a song, where she can perform, for him, for his eyes to see. Finally a smile appered on her face and she loved the song very much and her feet started stamping on the floor as she was listening to the song, her eyes closed and her head rested back on the sofa, and her mind and her body was hearing the thal and the song, and unknowingly her chin started moving up &down with each thal and her lips started singing it along with it. She didn't see the passing time...
That evening
Dev: so did you choose any song?
Radhika just smiled
Dev: tell me Radhika
Radhika gave a tease smile and said : um
Dev wrapping his arms around her: nice., which one
Radhika: another jungle song
Dev losening his grip: please Radhika
Radhika: it's a surprise
Dev: please, what surprise, I should know it , right?
Radhika: what did you say last time, you said, you want to see me on stage, and because of that you didn't came along with mom to see me rehersing.. so this time, I want you to see me in costume, on stage, and see me moving witht he song; and no excuse for that.
Dev with a smile wrapped his arms around her again: um, I know, you keep everything in mind , right. No problem, now I will see you on stage only. But then
Radhika looked at him.: are you sure
Dev: um, but what about your costume/
Radhika: I can call mom, I have it at home, and maybe mom can send it
Dev: no let mom send it from Delhi, ask maaji to get it to Delhi, then mom will take care of it.. give the list whatever you want , and let me know if you need any help, just want to see it to be the best, ok.
Radhika with a shy smile : um, i will try, as it is for you..
Soon it was the day for performance. Dev and Radhika reached there early and Rema took Radhika to the back stage to get ready and all. Dev spend time talking with Balaji, and dheeraj and then generally with other members. In between Padmaja came and told that Radhika is getting ready only.
Soon it was time to start the program and the curtain raised for opening program and all. Dev checked on the list, which only mentioned kathak dance performance by Radhika Dev and found her performance listed right prior to intermission. He has fixed the camcorder on stand and was recording mostly from the beginning and was taking few photographs. His heart was beating faster as it was getting closer to her performance.
All of a sudden he started feeling some tension, thinking how it will be, will it go well? Will everything be ok? So many questions and he felt his throat dry too. He looked sideways to look at people's face, to see how they are enjoying the program. He looked straight seeing their relaxed faces. He tried to relax himself too.
The curtain gave way for the dimlight, and the music slowly stared. Dev focused the lence to catch her image well within that frame. He felt the time froxe for him for a second.
Dev slowly moved his eye from behind the camcorder, looking at the stage, to her posture, who was standing facing away from the audience with her hands up ready to take that move...
The sound of sitar, vocal and the thal of thabla intruded the silence of the audience, and brought him back to reality... the music staretd playing and she turned and took those speed circles few times and then came to pause revealing her face to the audience.;who looked so gorgeous in that reddish brown shade lehanga and the ornaments added extra beauty to her face and slowly her face revealed completetly and he sat dumstuck, seeing her , The vocal started singing "kahe chede mohe'" from film devdas'
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msRiXGj6mNs&feature=related
the music continued , and she started moving her hands and feet along with the thabla along with the jingling sound that was matching with her ghunguru... , soon her eyes and her hands and her feet got immereced into the beautiful song and its music. Her face expressed all the emtions, Her skirt just circled in full form with a wavy fashion and the eyes just stuck on her, without blinking.
He came back to reality as the clapping sound reached his ears and he saw Radhika coming back to stage and thanking the audience for watching her by bowing her head and gracefully she exit from there.
Dev looked back at the screen of his cam and found it still recording the empty stage and the announcement about intermission. Trying to hide his excitement and shy smile, he turned it off, and got up form the seat , to check back on her.
On his way out he got the compliment form Balaji and Dheeraj about Radhika's dance and he just thanked them and went out with an attempt to see her. He saw Radhiaka coming out from the back stage, and with a flickering heart he was about to walk in, he saw Rema and Padmaja and Nandini and the women's gang circling her. But prior to that her eyes caught Dev's face and she impatiently looked at him thru the gang.
Radhika was hearing the praising words, she tried to mask it with a smile and with general repeated words of thanks, and in between, Rema spotted Dev standing at a distance
Rema walking near to Dev and Radhika just accompanied Rema with that gap
Rema: Dev, see now she will be busy, no other choice, see there will be a big que of students to learn from her.
Dev just smiled, appreciating her words.
Rema: Dev, one second let me take a picture with Radhika int his costume ok.
Dev felt happy and soon balaji came took pictures and one with just the couple.
Time passed quick
Padmaja: ye, come let's have dinner, otherwise they will start the program and we will miss it.
Rema: ha that's right
Radhika: let me change
Rema: I don't think there is time for that, come let's have dinner first.
Dev and Radhika followed them to the cafeteria, and on their way also Radhika listened to praising words for her dance. She just acknowledged it, and held Dev's hand , thru out. She got interrupted many times while eating and finally when they finished it was time for starting the seconf session.
Radhika: I want to watch it
Dev: then come, let's go inside
Radhika: but I didn't change
Dev: no need, he pulled on her hand and they sat and the next program started. Radhika was watching it so interestingly, in between her eyes fell on Dev to convey it's a nice program , but then she saw his eyes on her only. Moving slightly back to level with his face ..
She asked secretly: kya huva?
Dev just nodded saying nothing.
Radhika: why you are looking at me like that?
Dev: because you look stunningly beautiful in this costume. he said it so secretly looking around.
Radhika got shocked to hear it in the middle of the crowd, she asked again as a reflex: kya?
Dev: I love you.
Radhika feeling good: so you liked it.
Dev looking around : will tell you at home.
Radhika: why?
Dev: if I say it here, I won't be able to see your face.
Radhika lowered her gaze shyly, and then cornering her eyes on him, tucking that smile on her lips corner she looked back at the stage.
Dev impatiently waited for the program to end. Once it got finished also, they got interrupted many times from new face introductions and prasies. He losly held his ahand on her shoulder, holding the bag in his other arm.
Once they sat back in car. Suddenly Dev held her face and took some kajol from her eyes and applied over her cheek.
Radhika; what was that
Dev: to rescue from bad eyes..
Radhika wiht a smile: that should be done before nto after
Dev: for me, after also is fine, ok
Radhika just smiled, seeing hsi reaction .
When they got back home
Dev: Rahdika, come let's watch it, how it came/
Radhika: let me change first , ok.
Dev: no, I don't want you to change the costume, it is gorgeous, now I want to watch it, sitting next to you.
He compelled her to come and sit on the sofa . while he set the connection quick, and then came and sat along with her. He wrapped his arms around her and watched her performance again. Turning to face her, he cupped her face, and then slowly placed a lovely kiss over her forehead and said: very cute, and you did it for me, just for me, and I loved it all the way , from the costume to your performance.
Radhika lowered her gaze., she felt that unknown energy engulfing her, and she got attracted to that field easily in his close loving presence. She closed her eyes as his hand slide over her flank skin area.
Later balaji send him few photos of Radhika's performance, and their couple photo. She even tried to choreograph few songs for kids to perform on stage. But towards later, she found one or the other reason and stepped away from that too. Dev wiped the tear that formed in his eyes and then folded her lehanga and packed well inside the suitcase.
Everything gone well. The car has been sold and few furniture that left out also gone , within matter of time. And at the work place it was more easy as he was not assigned to any new project yet. Rema and Padmaja was happy to hear about dev and Radhika's visit to Uma's house. Dev invited everyone to back to his home in Delhi. Balaji agreed to pick him up to airport on time.
He felt so relieved looking at the packed boxes, He calculated approximate extra pay at the airport with the added weight. Settling everything down, he went near the window, and looked outside at the darkness. The cool breeze that circled around, made him to imagine her , standing just where he is standing, with her eyes fixed onto darkness.
That's what she did when she started behaving awkwardly, which I forgot to notice at that time. But what might be going on inside her mind, she was just staring blindly into that darkness. She might be feeling the wind, maybe she wished to feel the coolness of the wind and was trying to connect it with her chandenpur. Mostly I met her in same posture, what all might have gone thru her mind at that time, and as I joined her here, she slowly stopped that routine too; then later I used to see her under the sheet only, mostly with closed eyes, she was pretending that she is sleeping. But sometimes I got that feelt that she is not asleep and I was pulling her more towards me, I never waited for her giggle, I never waited for her warmth, i failed to see the change of of her cheek.
Wiping of his tear, he thought: now nothing can come in between us Radhika, I am coming tomorrow , forever to be with you. Nothing can separate us now, as we know better each other now. I wish this time to just fly away, I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight.
Picking up the cell he dialed home number, and talked with suchi and then with Radhika. He felt happy , especially seeing her getting engaged with dad's work. She is getting what he wished for her to get, without any try.
Suddenly as if remembering something Dev: Radhika, I forgot to mention, what do i do with this jacket?
Radhika: what jacket?
Dev: the one we brought when we went to Minnesota, remember?
Radhika: um
Dev with a smile: so what do I do with it now, the bags are all full, and I don't have any more space left.
Radhika: ask Rema deedi
Dev: um
Their talk continued for few more minutes ..
Finally he was waiting at the airport, it was around morning time, and he called and told the arrival time. He looked at the ticking time, and tried to pass time. This time nothing was diverting his attention, he was not hearing the baby's cry, he was not seeing the frustrated face of a grandma, he was not seeing the floating clouds. He was smiling inside, thinking of his baby, may be she has grown bigger in this three weeks time, she might be missed me so much, and then his Radhika, what Radhika might have talking to her, maybe about me, she might have told my princess that I am coming and soon will be holding her in my arms, he smiled wide, imagining feeling his little one, and he said to self: and now when I see you, I won't let you move away from my hands at all, I want to hold you for long enough, till my hands get tired. Will it get tired? I don't know, but for now I just want to feel you beta. I am coming to you.
Radhika was settling back in bed, she was stroking over her stomach, imagining him sitting inside that large aircraft. A smile was playing around her lips, she remembered him asking about the jacket. and she hide her face imagining her days in Minnesota, and the scenes flashed in her mind suddenly...
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Yes , you are right.. next update... you will see the winter season in Minnesota, and maybe i will take you for a small ride here, along with Radev moment.. so get ready with your winter jacket, and turn the fireplace on, maybe you can have a hot coco in hand . hopefully you will like it, with the flight landing in Delhi...
Thank you for reading my post.. have a good day..
part 107
Edited by Devika. - 14 years ago
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