ManeetFF Dancing Frm The Ashes link on pg146 - Page 78

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Xot0Cb7qo&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLC423D18EE58109FD=related_embedded[/YOUTUBE]

I know this is all very disjointed and vague - but I'm sorry. Been under thorough stress and my brain is officially in a mess. Am not happy - again but I'm adding more as I write - shall post it in another post. Sorry bout the wait. plz pray for the final day of my show. Yday was dress rehearsal n the sound bombed.

Hope u like this.

love

Geet. For a person, who on most occasions, seemed to be a hurricane on a toothpick, was behaving intriguingly calm. She sat back in the seat of her jeep, long after she had dropped Sid home, and drove around the empty streets, lost in thought. On the dodgy streets of Delhi, this was a foolish thing to do, so late at night. But, that deviant thought didn't cross her mind.

She dialled the number again, only to hear it go to voice mail. But, never one to give up, she continued calling, until she stopped the car outside a building and marched in.

Maan was seated in his cabin, his chair facing away from the door, and piles of papers and files around him. She walked angrily to him and turned his chair around aggressively. If he was shocked on seeing her there, he didn't show it. Neither did he get a chance.

''Hiding away are we?'', she said sarcastically. ''Ohhh, Maan Singh Khurana is hiding away from the gang and employee crowd cuz he doesn't like his friend hanging out with them. Wow, you're maturity surprises me. How did you get so sharp, Maan?'' she said, dramatically, with elaborate hand movements to go.

He sat quietly, a curious look in his eyes.

''Go on...nothing to say?'', she said, angrily, bending to meet his eye.

''I would, had I known exactly what you're spouting steam about.''

''Oh, don't act dumb ' my phone battery is low thanks to you? Why do you have a damned phone if you don't wanna answer it?'', she banged the edge of the table at the last word. Maan, swiftly moved a few files about looking for his phone. He looked at it and then looked at Geet, guiltily!

''Yeah...37 missed calls, from Geet Handa.''

She merely turned away from him in anger.

'I'm sorry. What was the emergency?''

''Don't give me your BS, Maan. I'm not believing you. '' She turned to face him, taking in a deep breath to propel the rest of her anger, correctly.''I had specifically asked you to come to the party hadn't I? Sid also asked for you. And, we didn't do anything. I thought you were my friend, but you just had to ditch me, didn't you''.

''Geet, what's the big deal, if I didn't come. Sounds like it was boring anyway. And I had a lot of work. It's good I didn't make it. ''

She turned and looked at him suspiciously.

'' So you ditched the party cuz you had work?''

He nodded.

''...and not cuz you were J?''

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as he calmly shook his head.

''...oh!!...Still, I had asked you specifically, hadn't I? Am still annoyed you didn't come.''

''Geet, what is the big deal?? I don't get it? I assumed that you'd want to spend some time with Sid. And I had work to finish, so ...now don't get angry...it kind of slipped my mind, that I had the party to attend'', he ended sheepishly.

''But, I wanted you to hang out with Sid and meet him. I mean, it is a big deal'', she ranted. ''You're one of my best buddies too, and so is Sid and I really wanted him to meet you...'', she continued her rant in this strain, completely missing the grin on his face and huffed out of the office.

The next day, Geet ignored him whenever he tried to strike up a conversation, and made it clear that he still wasn't forgiven. Seeing this, he eventually gave up and let her be. He had run out of innovative apologies and there was still, plenty to do.

The troupe having warmed up and finished one round of brainstorming the new routine, were sitting on the floor, chatting.

Lyla entered late, and looked around malevolently, throwing her weight around at anyone who noticed. She saw Isra being hugged by Geet and Nida.

Tossing her silky straight hair away from her shoulder, she turned towards her sweetly, ''Gee-eet!!! What's the matter? Forgot to comb you hair again today? Or did you just sweep the floor with it?,'' pointing to Geet's curly mass of hair.

Geet looked at her, with equal sweetness and replied, ''Keep talking Lyla, someday you will say something intelligent. I bet your brain feels as good as new, seeing that you've never used it.

The crowd behind erupted in laughter. Lyla seethed and glared at Geet, who proceeded to ignore her. Nida signed to Farhan, laughingly, ''she never learns!!''

Lyla saw it and walked to Nida and acted like speaking to her, but only moved her lips. It was clear she was expecting her to read her lips, while she mouthed obscenities to her, in lieu of a cruel joke aimed at her handicap. Zakhir, looked around and his laugh froze on his face, as he realized what Lyla was up to. Geet saw it a few seconds later. She quickly looked at Zakhir, who was in mid-lunge, Farhan's arms holding him back. His struggle however came to an end, when Nida, came and soothed him with her palm on his cheek..

''Relax'', she signed.'' She obviously doesn't know the difference between 'deaf' and 'mute'.

A louder laugh erupted this time, making Lyla scowl; not having understood Nida's signs.

Maan watched the interchange from his cabin door. He was seething, looking at Lyla and her vile behaviour ' something he had seen daily, in large volume ' but a part of him applauded Nida. He remembered Geet's words about her, on their long forgotten first breakfast outing. He moved into the group, before things became worse and cleared his throat loudly.

''I think it's time we paired up. The new couples for the latest salsa routine. Most of you are with the students, ok. I'll read them out to you and then put it up.

Zakhir and Nida,'' he nodded to them, ''Lyla and Suraj, Geet and Rohan; Lyla and Johnny, Isra and Prashant. Farhan will be overseeing all the routines.'' Saying this, he started pinning it up.''

The troupe walked off, with Geet hanging back. It took a while for Maan to realize that she was waiting for him to finish pinning the notice up. He looked at her, expecting her to rant a little more, or at least huff n throw attitude at him; but was surprised with a dazzling smile. His eyebrows rose and he looked at her suspiciously ' and waited.

''Maan ' u know that list you just read out. I think it could be tweaked a bit.'', she said nodding her head seriously.

''Really?'', he asked, wondering where this was going.

''Yeah ' Isra isn't going to do well with Prashant. It's Salsa ' Prashant is not the right pick.''

''Geet ' this is for the show we're putting up for our students. Prashant is the one guy who has practiced with Isra throughout. Who else will I put with her? I'm not going to let her pair with anyone else. We don't have time for this. We're just a few short weeks away from the concert and I'm not going to ask anyone to spend more time than necessary at the studio. There's plenty to do.''

''But, you've gone and put Farhan as the supervisor. He's so good at salsa. When does he get to perform.?'', she argued.

''Hey! I don't hear him complaining. He seems quite happy about it.''

''Ever thought how great a pair Isra and Farhan will make? They'll be perfect. Maan you should experiment. ''

''As far as I've noticed, Isra never manages to open her mouth in front of Farhan. Dancing will be a fiasco, on stage.'', he threw back at her, wondering what her next argument was. He was vaguely beginning to see the method behind her everlasting madness. And he was beginning to enjoy the intrigue.

''You know what? I'm willing to supervise and then you can have Rohan pair with Neha ' she's good, and Prashant can pair with Ananya. '', she smiled happily.

''Err...NO!'', he stated, blandly.

''Why not'',she fumed.

''1stly, Neha and Rohan don't look good with each other. 2ndly, the I don't want to pair two students together, or two instructors together.''

''Achcha'', she pounced, ''So then, how come Nida and Zakhir are together always?''

She watched him squirm , though she knew very well why it was so. Apart from being the star couple, they were the lovebirds of the group. Nobody ever liked them being paired with anyone else. The mere thought of them being apart, was something even the rest of the troupe couldn't imagine. The mere thought of somebody taking the other's place, even in dance was unthinkable. Maan knew that as well, but Geet just wanted to put him on a spot.

He suddenly looked at her keenly. ''Why are you pushing this?'', he asked, seriously, changing tack at the same time.

''You had your chance to listen. You didn't then, and now I'm not telling.''

''Fine have it your way.'', he replied and turned to walk off to his cabin.

''Ok fine, I'll tell you if you want to know.'' He heard her voice.

Biting a smile he looked at her animated face. ''Nida and I have known for a while that Isra is head over heels crazy 'bout Farhan. And last night at the club, Isra and I pumped all the info out from Isra.'', she whispered excitedly. ''So Nida and I only want to get them together, discreetly.''

''Don't you guys know better than to play matchmakers.'' Maan asked disbelievingly. ''Does Farhan even like Isra?''

''I don't know, but we can at least get him to notice her, na??'', she winked.

Maan stared at her ' his expression still, one of disbelief. He finally spoke.

''No. This is not reason enough. I am not changing anything in the pairs.'', he said with a tone of finality.

''Then, what am I supposed to do about the love plot?'', she asked, her eyes all worried.

''I don't know, Geet,'' he replied unconcerned. ''pray about it, or something''.

She huffed looking at his retreating back.

Next chapter...

Chapter 41 Situations - Page 118

Thanks.😳

You said the baap of all - ack - that's mostly my line.

Lyla's one duffer! bewakoof kahin ki.

A day later...

Geet was truly and earnestly angry with him now. So she didn't even deign to answer Maan if he spoke to her. But, both resolutely stuck to their own opinions and did what they had told each other, as intended.

Maan wondered how long their pride would last. He didn't like her being angry with him. But, he wasn't unhappy about it...

The evening before, Sid had paid a visit to the Studio. Maan had been annoyed, seeing him there, but he was even more surprised when Sid had asked for a moment with him alone. As if that wasn't enough, Sid had come to tears and thanked for the role he had played in Geet's life. He had put the improvement in Geet's attitude towards Nik's death, all on him. And had left after that.

Maan had been astounded. He had never realized how he had impacted Geet's life. That he had impacted her life in any way. It was after ages that he had felt like being there for somebody. His life had felt sterile after the number of relationships, long and short he had been through. But this - this was unconscious. He still remembered the hollow look her eyes always had back then. He had recognized that feeling; had related to it...the unwillingness to participate in life. The lack of any urge to live, but just move on from day to day. And he had felt the need to participate in hers, simply as a remedy to his broken and listless life. This unnecessary thank you from Sid had touched him. He didn't want to accept it, but he was touched. And so he didn't care that Geet was annoyed with him again and was ignoring him. He knew she cared deep down and that was enough for him.

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''Isra all this adoration from a distance is not going to get you anywhere. Farhan's different. He's not going to notice you if sit and moon about him. He will notice if you end up drooling'', Geet ranted and ended up laughing at her own joke.

Isra sat with a glum face, Nida's arm around her.

''Isra, you need to be more confident. Be yourself. You don't need to be so glum and shy all the time.'', Nida signed quietly.

It was one of the many talks they had given Isra. If one had to look at her beyond her simplicity and nervousness, she was a very pretty girl. Dancing was her passion, and it seemed to be the only thing she let herself get lost in, but her crush on Farhan was hampering her confidence in that one area. Nida and Geet hadn't told her about their grand plans at matchmaking. Isra had emphasized that she was happy liking Farhan even if he didn't like her. She didn't want him to know of her feelings. And if she knew about their plans, she'd do all in her power to stop them. Her mood seemed low and she was grumpy. Nida knew their counsel would go unheeded so she motion Geet to stop.

Geet took the cue and said in a different tone,'' Never mind this now. I saw the steps you had in the routine you and Prashant seem to be doing well, apart from the tilts and lifts. What's going on.''

Isra shuddered involuntarily. ''He's a creep. Salsa's his dream come true. I don't know why I have to get stuck with chipkus always...I think I can only thank God that it's not the tango or rumba, that I'm doing with him. He'd only try to feel me up more.''

Nida made a face, while Geet growled in anger. ''I'll fix him...where is he?'', she started.

" Geet don't...'', Isra pleaded. She hated confrontation of any sort.

It had been a few short days and they had become an inseparable trio. Geet had noticed Maan rolling his eyes at her and her efforts. It had only spurred her on.

Geet fumed ... she now had another reason to not let Prashant dance with Isra. Knowing Isra, she knew that Prashant would easily get away and that was something she didn't want. She made up her mind that she would definitely break up the pair, whether Isra danced with Farhan or not!!

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Meera paced the floor. She was worried and upset. Ajay's father had created a drunken scene outside her flat for half hour that day and had refused to let Ajay come to her home. She had no idea what had caused it. When he was sober, he always encouraged her to teach his son. He encouraged Ajay about the time he spent with her. No doubt it was so that he could be drunk more often and deal in his shady activities. But, this incident had hurt her. There must have been some underlying reason. She was worried.

The other thing that nagged her mind was the now constant one -Vicky. She hadn't admitted it, but it was there in the answer she had given him. She hadn't gone to meet him, though she had wanted to. She laughed at herself, derisively. Despite it all, she had come to give value to the same thing she had scorned at. And she couldn't fight against herself.

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Isra was having a tough time. Prashant was one of the few species who was blessed simultaneously with low IQ and a cheesy sense of romance ; something she cringed from.

He stood now, spouting some grossly romantic lines, looking at her chest and admiring her steps. She wondered what she had done, to have him as her partner. Every time he looked at her, she felt like he was mentally licking his lips and every time he did that, she shuddered openly. His low IQ , obviously made him think she shuddered for another reason. She took in a breath, and moved forward into his open arms. He clasped hers into his sweaty palms, and she began to count the step loudly, to get his attention off her.

''Your eyes are like the midnight, you know. And your lush lips have the perfect white teeth. I'm almost blinded.''

She stopped straight and rigid in horror as he pulled her closer, encircling her in his arms. She was sure the lines were from the cheesiest of M&B novels - the kind Lyla read. But he hadn't finished...

''You make my world go round, honeybuns'', he added breathlessly. She grimaced openly and shut her eyes, especially as his hand began edging towards her derriere.

She grabbed his hands behind her back and opened her eyes only to find him uncomfortably close to hers; his gaze switching from her eyes to her lips.

Only when he inched forward did she act. She pulled one had off his, and pushed his shoulder. With the other, she grabbed his ear and pulled.

''Prashant stop'', she said, as she saw his head jerk to one side, suddenly; thanks to her hand on his ear. She saw anger flare in his eyes, as he suddenly pulled her to him and forced his head, tilted and all, towards her mouth. She saw the resolve increase with every inch she pulled on his now red ear.

''Prashant, I don't want to kiss you'', but he seemed deaf ; rejection giving way to anger in him.

They stood like that for long, her hand pulling his ear, his hands trying to inch towards her bottom; stopped only by hers, pushing with all her might against his shoulder, while his forehead was furrowed and his mouth pouted - all ready for that kiss. Her back was tilted behind and it had begun aching and her neck was soon going to hurt if she kept up that tilted position, to get away from his lips. Was it just her or did his lips suddenly look bigger? Oh my gosh, was he drooling - he seemed like he was about to.

''God, please help me'', she prayed.

And it was then, trapped in that comical position that her eyes fell on the door, and she saw Farhan looking at them, a bland look in his eyes.

Precap:

Farhan looked at her sulky face, as she refused to meet his eyes. ''What were you trying to do?''

''Tear his ear off'',she replied in the same sulky tone.