Nida was trying to be patient. It wasn't easy being unable to communicate with someone who didn't understand sign language. Maan had been learning and he even tried to decipher what she mimed without anyone's help, but today he seemed lost.
She tried to get his attention again. It was October ...and it was only a month to go for yearly show the troupe put up. It was sort of tradition that the troupe put up a themed dance show, in lieu of publicity. And it mostly worked. This year seemed dank to her, though.
Nida explained again to an engrossed Maan that Vicky mostly performed too with the best choreography, and Maan having taken his place would have to do so too.
Finally, she managed to get his undivided attention and explained how it all took place. He tried his best to listen to her, and made a mental note to talk to Vicky about it.
Maan on the other hand was looking out for Geet. It was past 10 am and she hadn't come to the Studio. He was about to give up and call her home, when she walked in. She looked worse than usual, the rings around her eyes darker, her body drooping and her eyes lost. She hardly bothered with anybody, and for a change she vaguely drifted in and out of the Studio. Maan waited back for her in the evening, but she left early.
His curiosity got the better of him and reached home early to meet Vicky.
He found Vicky in his room, reading up on some files. As soon as Vicky saw him, he delved into the latest project. Unable to resist, Maan too discussed the pros and cons. He was happy that Vicky was doing so well. The staff seemed to respond well to him. He felt guilty that he had barely been able to break into the troupe. The nagging thought returned when he thought of Geet. How should he broach the topic? He knew Geet was close to Vicky. But how close? He had never met her at his home. Though he was still sure he had seen her some place before.
Finally, he decided to just ask him.
''Vicky, is Geet a good friend of yours?'', he began cautiously.
Vicky looked up, his expression turning serious immediately.
''Why , is something wrong?''
''Is she always that rude?'', Maan asked cautiously.
Vicky took his time to answer wondering how to explain it to his older brother. Nik had been as close as a brother to him, and talking about his untimely death was never easy.
''Bro... She's coping with some problems...''
''Vicky, I don't care about her personal life, but when it affects the work she does, I think I do care.''
''Bro, give her some time. Geet is strong, but it's difficult to cope when the person you love just leaves you and goes...'', Vicky's phone began to ring and he cut off in mid sentence.
He indicated that it was an important call, and left Maan to assume erroneously, what he could from his vague words.
************************
He returned early to the Studio again.
Today was the day he'd not pay attention to Geet. It was the day he wouldn't think about her dance. Nor would it be the day he thought about her cry. It was the day he would be angry with her. And he would ensure that she listened to every damned order he gave her. He'd ignore her and not waste precious time obsessing over her behaviour. ''Yes Maan, that's exactly what you're gonna do.'', he told himself.
Using all his willpower, he turned his attention to Nida's conversation. So a show was what they had to put up. He processed the information Nida had given him and collated it. A show was put up every year,but the response and audience was poor. The focal point would therefore be to attract more people to watch it. And getting more people to watch meant he had to do subtly canvass for Studio 77.
He called an impromptu brainstorming session of the troupe. It was imperative that they came to a solution soon ; and it was his tried and tested method to get solutions. He trusted the troupe and he knew he only needed to nudge them.
They eliminated the oft tried methods of pamphlets and ads, since they were targeting the young college going crowd. Getting to them to like it was getting their attention.
''Let's just do some word of mouth publicity ya.'' , Zaakhir said impulsively.
''Word of mouth publicity is fine ' but we need to do something to make it stick. A reference about some event, in a random conversation will be forgotten'', countered Farhan.
''They should see us perform or see something that makes them want to join us.'' Nida stressed.
''Nida the whole point of the show is to showcase the Studio.'', Maan argued.
''No Maan, that's not how I meant it. We should be seen ... but the people shouldn't know that we're advertising ourselves.'', she explained.
Geet spoke up from her reverie, an idea forming in her mind.
''We won't advertise ourselves; in fact we'll not do anything other than having a good time ...having fun,...to the extent that everyone will want to have fun with us. We don't go prepared...we just go out knowing we have to have fun''
Maan looked up at her, his anger forgotten.
''That's it - a flash mob!!'', he whispered to himself.
He switched back to his business mode and started delegating tasks.
* * * * * * *
Vicky swirled his drink in his hand, looking around at the people in the club. He was annoyed. Why had Maan bro called him here so urgently? He had just begun to see glimmers of respect in Meera's eyes...damn!!
The dance floor was crowded, and much as he wanted to go and join the crowd, he didn't - simply because Maan had requested him not to. And yet; Mr. Punctual was missing. There had got to be a reason, why Bro had called him there.
He looked around. Everywhere he looked he could see the young crowd. Being the end of the exam season, the club was filled with students.
The DJ changed the music to something more popular, the trance music faded as he put on popular dance numbers.
A couple was dancing in the middle of the floor. Their moves were captivating. Vicky could've recognised them anywhere - but they seemed to be oddly paired. How was it that Nida was dancing with Maan instead of Zaakhir?? Still they danced well together...
The crowd seemed to be parting, giving room to Nida and Maan, watching them move. They moved in sync, doing complicated steps that seemed to be choreographed for an audience. As more crowd gathered to watch them, they became aware of the audience and diluted their steps. The crowd watched in awe as they did the steps in perfect unison, with all the appearance of enjoying themselves. Nida saw another girl looking at her, moving in her place. She gestured to her, to join her and showed her the steps she was doing. She gestured to Maan in turn to make the steps easier.
The girl joined with alacrity, copying her steps. After a minute or two, others joined them, stepping in unision - uncertain at first and then with confidence.
Vicky saw Geet and Zaakhir join the dancing, never letting on that they knew anyone there. After some time he spotted Farhan in the crowd. The DJ encouraged the others to join them. A few others stepped in, mirroring the steps that they did. They were fairly easy, following a sequence.
Maan and Nida made sure the steps were repeated after a sequence so that everyone could follow and learn.
One by one all the crowd joined the dancing, learning the steps at the spur of the moment, enjoying themselves. Maan and Nida were lost in the crowd; as were the rest of the troupe. It just seemed like one united mass moving in tune with the beats.
Vicky watched in awe as the dance floor seemed to move as one. A flash mob wasn't a thing, most people knew about - but he had an inkling as to where Maan's stunt was leading. He felt a surge of pride grow in him. With a smile her got up and joined the dancing mob.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Maan almost punched the air in glee. It had worked. The flash mob style had got the crowd talking, exchanging numbers, asking about the dancers.
A group of people came up to him, asking about the dance style.
He called the troupe and made them stand in front of the crowd. He introduced them one by one, Nida, Farhan, Zaakhir, Geet...Geet?? Where the hell was she?
He excused himself, and began searching for her. Anger bubbled up inside him again. Just when he managed to forget his anger, she ended up pushing his buttons. Now she'd had it!!!
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Ok I decided to put in a smaller update ... have tried to explain something that is on the lines of a flash mob... but it's not quite the same thing. Here's a video of what a flash mob is like. Never say I don't explain Reva!! Same precap unfortunately.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2OTT1jubws&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]
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