
Chapter 18
The thought struck Dev like lightning.
"I have an idea," he said, a mischevious grin spreading across his face.
"Why don't we practise for the dance after we're married? I expect everyone will expect to see us dance as couples, so if we practise now, we can avoid looking like fools on the big day."
Pari's face lit up at the idea, & she nodded in response. They turned to look at Maan & Geet, who were looking uncomfortable.
"Oh come on guys, you're going to be spending the rest of your lives together. Bro, you're not the shy type, & neither are you, Geet. I'll let you guys warm up - come on Pari, let's choose a song."Dev & Pari left the room to choose the track. Geet shot an accusatory look at Maan.
"They're expecting us to dance!" she whispered.
Maan looked at her blankly, blinking once.
"Maan, I'm talking to you! We can't dance!"
"They'll get suspicious if we don't. One of the conditions of our proposition was that we play along with the 'in love' act."
"But I'm not comfortable with this."
"Dev is right, everyone will expect to see us share a dance. If we practise it now, it'll feel less awkward on the actual day."Dev & Pari re-appeared with a CD player & a CD.
"You guys will love the song we've chosen," said Pari, & she hit the play button.
Suraj Hua Madham started playing.
Dev & Pari shared a smile as he led her to the empty space in the living room.
Maan & Geet were looking anywhere but at each other.
"Bro, Geet, come on! What are you waiting for, an invitation? I know it's not a real dancefloor but it'll do for now."Maan gestured for Geet to go first as they reluctanly stepped into the area. The loved up couple Dev & Pari were a few feet away, Dev's hands on his fiancee's waist as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. They were gazing into each other's syes, sharing a moment as they swayed to the romantic song.
Maan held his hand out to Geet, who reluctantly took it, but they were standing with a huge distance between them. Geet stole a glance at Dev & Pari, who were still lost in each other.
She stepped forward, feeling embarrassed & awkward to be doing this.
Maan wanted to put his hands on her waist, to assume the proper dancing position, but knowing Geet she would probably start making faces & attempting to pull away.
So he settled for her shoulders instead.
Geet frowned as she felt Maan's hands on her shoulders. Dev had his hands around Pari's waist, & Pari was holding his shoulders. How was she supposed to hold his shoulders when he was holding hers? They'd look like they're in a deadly headlock instead of a dance.
Maan took a step to the left, with Geet following. He stepped to the right, Geet mimicking his moves. Feeling comfortable enough with that, they both stepped left & right repeatedly, not keeping in tune with the song at all & going way too fast.
Dev broke away from staring at his beloved fiancee and cracked up laughing when he saw Maan & Geet stepping side to side like they were practising for a side-stepping competition. Pari also broke out into fits of giggles.
Maan & Geet looked up to see their respective siblings go bright red with laughter.
"What is it?" Geet asked.
"You... you two... you're dancing like... penguins," Dev said between his laughter.
"You look so hilarious, honestly. Bro, I've seen you dance, & it's not like you have two left feet."
"Geet, you can dance reasonably well too, not that you ever do it," Pari added.
"So what's the deal?"
They realised they were still holding each other by the shoulders & pulled away. Maan cleared his throat.
"I, er... I can't dance in these shoes," he said quickly.
"Me too," added Geet, looking nervous.
"Take them off then," said Dev.
"Maybe not you though, Bro, because your feet smell, but if you've been using that special cream that Dadima-"Maan shot him an angry look which made Dev immediately shut up.
"Sorry," he mouthed to Maan.
"Anyway, as I was saying, you have to feel the music, go with the flow."
The song had finished by now, so Pari hit the repeat button to start it all over again.
Geet kicked her shoes off & pushed them aside, having to play along with her excuse.
Pari continued to dance with Dev, who began to spin her around the room & pull her back.
"Maybe if we copy them," Maan whispered discreetly.
"It won't be so obvious."
"Ok," said Geet, for once agreeing to something Maan suggested.
Copying his younger brother, Maan took Geet into his arms properly & spun her around, then pulling her back with such force that her curls went flying all over her face.
She brushed them aside as she glanced again at Dev & Pari, who were dancing so effortlessly, Dev's lithe moves & Pari's natural grace making them the perfect dancing pair. Even her hair was staying intact, flying along with her as she danced away.
Maan tried the move once more, but accidentally had let loose on his grip, which sent Geet flying into one of the sofas, narrowly missing the CD player.
Maan's eyes widened as he rushed over to her, followed by Dev & Pari.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
Geet nodded once, gaining her breath back.
"Just a slight mishap," he explained to Dev & Pari, who looked confused but got back to their dancing anyway.
Maan helped Geet up & led her out again. Dev now had Pari in his arms, slightly off the ground & was spinning her around as Pari looked up to the ceiling, beaming brightly.
Geet looked back at Maan, raising an eyebrow, thinking that he'd never attempt that with her.
But to her surprise, she was lifted off the ground as Maan picked her up, cradling her in his arms.
"What are you doing?" she hissed through gritted teeth.
"Trust me, it's the easier option," he replied, and began to spin her around & around.
Everything was starting to get blurry - the room began spinning around violently, all the colours meshing together. Her head was starting to hurt & she could hear a loud wooshing noise in her ears.
"Put me down," she said, feeling extremely light headed, but Maan appeared to not have heard her as he continued spinning her around.
"Put me DOWN," Geet said with more emphasis, but it was of no use.
"PUT ME DOWN, I SAID PUT ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!" she screeched from the top of her lungs.
Maan was startled as he heard Geet's screeching demand. He stopped immediately, & Geet closed her eyes, trying to regain some balance. He hurriedly carried her over to the sofa & laid her down.
Dev & Pari rushed over, with Pari stroking her sister's hair.
Geet opened her eyes slowly to see 3 worried looking faces peering back at her.
"Are you ok?" Dev asked.
"I... I feel sick," she responded.
"The room keeps spinning around, I feel really dizzy.""It's my fault, I was spinning you around too fast, I'm so sorry," apologised Maan, geniunely concerned.
"I'll get you some water," said Dev & he rushed off to the kitchen. He returned with a full glass, & Geet sat up before gratefully taking a sip.
"Are you feeling better now?" Pari asked.
Geet nodded, about to say something, but the sound of a door opening made the 4 of them look up in surprise.
Dadima entered the house & saw Geet on the sofa, looking pale. She rushed over to her, sitting beside her.
"Geet, are you ok, what happened?"
"I'm ok Dadima, I just... I was feeling a little dizzy, that's all," she lied.
Dev sighed in relief & Pari relaxed her tense expression, glad Geet hadn't told Dadima about their dancing. Maan looked grateful for Geet's cover up, too.
"Will you be ok for the dinner date tonight?" Dadima asked.
"If not, I can always cancel.""No, don't cancel the reservation. I'll be fine."Dadima smiled as she walked off to use the bathroom. Dev & Pari thanked Geet for the cover up, before taking the now silent CD player back to where they got it from.
"I really am sorry," Maan said, feeling guilty.
"It's not your fault," Geet replied, smiling.
"I'm sorry for screaming in your ear before."Maan laughed.
"It's ok."He walked away to his bedroom, leaving Geet to rest on the sofa & recover from her dizzy spell.
~At 7pm that night, the future Mr & Mrs Khuranas arrived at the restuarant where Dadima had booked them in.
Maan & Dev wore simple yet stylish black suits, with Geet wearing a gold anarkali suit with matching accessories & Pari wearing a silver anarkali.
They arrived & received their table almost immediately - a table for four. Dev pulled Pari's chair out for her & sat beside her - Maan did the same.
"You guys order, I'll go to the bathroom," Dev said, & left the table. But instead of heading for the bathroom, he went to the bar.
"Can I order two alcoholic & two non alcoholic drinks for table 6? I want the two alcoholic drinks to be a mix of all different drinks. Make it extra strong."
Dev smiled, looking forward to treating himself & his fiancee with the alcoholic mix. He knew Maan & Geet would be too uptight to let loose for one night anyway. He smiled to himself as he dashed into the bathroom, going along with his original pretence.
Precap: Someone gets drunk... Edited by walkintomylifex - 14 years ago
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