Nik was in for a shock when he reached college. He, Sid and Mayank had decided to reach together in order to work on their dance routine and decide the order of events. But when he asked the peon for the keys of the classroom, he told the shocked trio that Geet had already taken them.
On reaching the class, they head the music on loud, with Geet in the middle of the class, facing the large windows, using them for a mirror to check on her moves. She was engrossed in the music and the steps and didn't notice them. They watched her dance the unfinished routine, practicing with renewed vigour. Her very expression was proof enough of the change in her. In the last two days, much had happened...the product of it was in Geet's dancing.
Joy emanated from her as she moved, non-stop till she got each and every step right. Eventually she had to stop, as the routine was not complete...but that didn't stop her, as she tried to figure out what could possibly complement it; she tried different steps...concentrating on it completely...biting on her lower lip.
Nik was pulled towards her as he watched the steps she tried out.
''Do that last one again.'' he blurted out.
She turned blushing in surprise, to see Nik watching her, with Mayank and Sid making up the background, one glowing, while the other in tears.
''Sid, tu ro kyun raha hain?'' she asked.
''Ro kaun rahah hain...mere aankh main kuch chala gaya, ok,'' he said defensively.
Mayank smilingly punched his arm. They sat, waiting for them to start.
Geet did the step again...as Nik followed her...it was a good step in succession to the previous ones and they worked together...It was afternoon, by the time the entire routine was completed. Working together had made it less work. And Geet's inputs had given it a different flavour.
The four of them seemed pleased with the work. Neither of them discussed the change in Geet's behaviour...nor was there any need to.
Sid and Mayank, had been informed by Nanima, of how pleased Mohinder he had been about Geet's return to dance, and their subsequent patch-up. She was all praise for Nik...something the boys were too. They refrained from saying it though and let everything continue as normal. It was the 1st step to a positive change...they didn't want to jinx it.
Over the next few days, the 5, Nik, Geet, Sid, Raina and Mayank, became inseparable. The annual event being one of the biggest events of the year, was daunting enough for them to put all their energies together and make sure it was a success. They spent every waking moment together; planning, dancing, eating, playing and yapping; fighting and then making up.
A camaraderie had sprung up between Nik and the trio, especially Geet. Geet would often pick up Mayank and at times Nik, leaving Sid to pick up Raina.
Raina and Geet were still not as comfortable with each other, though they did interact a lot. Mayank had informed Geet in detail about Sid's behaviour over Raina and his denial about his feelings for her. Geet had been tickled pink, and had observed Sid on various occasions, only to be convinced of it. She had then made an extra effort to get to know Raina, despite being acquainted with her since school. She liked her, but she hadn't warmed to her yet.
With Nik however, she argued and fought, and talked about everything under the sun. He had become possessive about her, but he never showed it...knowing her ego. A new part of her personality was revealed...as she became more friendly, caring and free. He saw the mischievous side of her, in her pranks and her jokes ' constantly cracking the others up. She tried as unobtrusively as possible, get Raenz and Sid together. She went out of her way to help out the others. It warmed him, to see her laugh and dance, treat him like one of the buddies. She inspired him...he was falling for her hard. And he knew there was nothing he was able to do about it. Neither did he want to.
He hadn't forgotten about Vicky's job offer. He had told the other 4 about it, but the programme rehearsals had not given him time to go and meet Vicky.
Mayank, on his part had pulled out all stops when it came to the creation of the stage for the programme and the decoration. His creative genius took flight as he created masterpieces. Sid and Geet were the only ones who had known about his love for art...whether it was in the hand painted and designed T-shirts he made for them, or the boots he designed for himself...a trend followed closely, by the college wannabes; or the games he invented, with his sketches...''Link It'', being one of them.
His themes for the programme left Nik and Raina in awe of him. He wanted everything done to perfection, making him wait till late evening in college as the programme drew nearer. The other 4 loyally waited for him in college, chatting or helping or even studying ' in Nik and Raina's case. They often chatted about their subjects, while waiting for Sid and Mayank to return, discussing psychology and philosophy, leaving a bored Geet to fall asleep on Nik's shoulder. He always made her sleep on his lap, with his bag for a pillow, and then continuing the discussion. She would wake up the next day in her own bed, later realizing that one of the boys had probably driven her home in her jeep; and dropped her off in her bed...and Nanima always confirmed it.
There were days when they stayed working so late that they shacked up overnight at Nik's flat, working on backdrops, impromptu tests, dance rehearsals, and take outs. Other days, they partied in one disco or the other (Sid and Geet drinking but never dancing), or landed up at Geet's home for dinner. Nik and Raina had been welcomed affectionately into the fold, by Nanima.
The month rolled by with ease. It was time for the annual programme before they knew it.
A week was left to go for the show. The teachers had conceded to the students' demands and given them time off from lectures in order to prepares and rehearse for the show. The entire college was working full swing to make the show a success. Thanks to Geet, Mayank and Sid, 90% of the college was attending. The principal was pleased. Geet had always been his favourite, but he had never let her know that. His decision of forcing her to dance had been good.
The gang met every day, prepping, practising, overseeing the minor details. Checking to see if the other performers had everything in place. One the fourth day before the show, Nik didn't show up at all. The other four, each received a text message from him , stating that he won't be showing up that day, but he would come the day after. When they tried calling him, his phone was off. A worried Geet, jumped in her jeep and raced to his flat, wondering if he was ill. However a locked door was all she found. She returned to college and spent the entire day moping around, trying his phone and missing him.
Geet liked Nik. In fact she knew she was falling for him. She was never jealous of his friendship with Raina. He looked at her differently. He knew that her friendship with Sid and Mayank was just that ' friendship. She also knew that he liked her. But he hadn't said anything to her as yet.
But where was he??? It was not like him. She knew they were close enough, that he could tell her where he was; damn he told her about the silliest of things, then why not this? She couldn't get through to him, at all.
The next morning, he was there early. Ready to practice.
Geet pounced on him the moment she saw him.
''Where were you, Nik? Pata hain tujhe kitna call kiya.''
The others looked at him expectantly. He saw them look at him. He shrugged, ''Kuch important kaam tha yaar''.
''Kya kaam,'' she asked frowning.
''Personal kaam yaar', he said emphatically.
''Aur woh kya tha??'' She repeated.
''Kyun, tune mujhe miss kiya?'', he said winking at her, trying not to let on, that he was changing the subject.
''Nik, don't try to change the subject. Where were you?'' she persisted, irritation making her voice loud.
''Arre, Geet, meri date thi...samjha kar'', he smiled, cheekily.
She stared at him in shock for a minute, then narrowed her eyes, and said,'' Tu jhoot nol raha hain!!''
Nik cursed inwardly. She could see through him...he feigned anger and said rudely,'' Agar pata hain toh poonch kyun rahi hain?''
Geet was taken aback by his rude tone. Anger bubbled up inside her immediately. She walked away from him, not looking at him even once. The entire day she didn't look at him nor speak to him. Nik tried talking to her, but it was of no use.
Sid and Mayank, kept their distance and advised Nik to do so too. They knew better than to mess with Geet when she was angry.
There wasn't much to do and Geet insisted they go clubbing, ''to get drunk''... A group of other students who normally made up their entourage, came along with them. Nik wasn't very comfortable with them; something about them, instinctively told him they were no good. Still, he decided to stay shut and go with the flow.
The place they chose was a dingy, shady looking thing, which seemed to be a usual with the entourage. It was crowded and had dim lights, the dance floor being full already. Trance music was blaring out and it was full of a dubious kind of smoke, putting Nik in doubt about the kind of people that frequented the place.
They found seats near the bar...the gang taking up most of the place. Geet was sulking, Mayank was lost in thought, Sid was in protective mode, keeping the guys off Raina, and Nik was observing Geet, down drinks in quick succession.
The rest of the boys were becoming unruly and loud under the effects of booze. A game of dares started up...from the looks of it, it seemed like a ritual. A shady looking guy came up and started chatting up one of the boys in the entourage, and ended up getting introduced to all the others. His friend took his cigarette and blew out puffs of smoke. Geet coughed at the smoke and asked him to blow his smoke elsewhere.
''Kyun kabhi smoke nahi kiya kya?'', he sneered at her.
Geet being drunk, effectively asked him to shove it up some place...Nik observed the boys' reaction in consternation. He seemed angry, but put on a sweet face and dared Geet to smoke one cigarette. Nik's guard now truly up, looked at Mayank , Raina and Sid for help. By their reactions, it was clear that they too doubted the contents of the cigarette.
It was time for desperate action. Geet seemed confused and hesitated. Raina, fresh with studying the effects of drugs, in that day's psychology chapter, lurched forward to do some damage control.
''Err...is this what you call a dare??'' she gave a shrill laugh, while the guys looked at each other in confusion.
Mr. Cigarette guy looked at her bewildered. Geet in her haze, looked askance at Raina, evidently wondering what she was hinting at.
Raina continued in a high pitched voice, ''A dare is only a dare, when the person doesn't like doing it, or if it's difficult.''
Sid smacked his forehead and looked at Raina, like she had donated her sanity to the Club for Psychotic Morons.. ''Is she trying to help here?!! Or worsen it? Geet hates smoking!'', he thought, in apprehension
''So, I '', she emphasized 'I' and continued,'' dare Geet to dance with Nik, today.'' She tried to smile victoriously, and ended up giving a cheesy grin. She leant towards Geet and smiled and whispered, '...since you're so cheesed off with him''
Geet on her part, looked from a shocked-looking Nik to Mayank's smirking face. That decided it! Nobody laughed at Geet Handa!!
Before Nik could open his mouth to refuse, she had pulled him by his collar, walked to the dance floor, away from the drug filled cigarette. Mayank , Sid and Raina left a collective sigh. They nodded thankfully to Raina. But that was the last of their troubles.
Nik was having a tough time finding room for him and Geet to dance. He tried shouting to her to stop as there was no room. In reply, Geet grabbed his hands and placed them on her waist. She then proceeded to wiggle her hips to the spunky number that the DJ had chosen. Nik's eyes widened in stupor, as he froze in place. Geet Handa...doing a sexy dance?? With him??
He looked to see the other 3 mirroring his expression.
(more coming up in the next update - chapter 17...stay tuned)
So...what do you guys think???
Any comments...plz do comment...
Cheers
Amruta
Chapter 17 - Fire Burning, Fire burning.
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Ishaani
