OK, here is the second OS in the series. As I said before, these are 3 independent stories. Just all related to the sangeet and immediately after. So, this part is a very different take on the first OS. In other words, same Khushi, same dance, different Arnav...different outcome. Read on.
Winner take all (2): Winning a battle, losing a war.
"I won," said Arnav lazily, his eyes twinkling.
"You didn't win. I forfeited," she said angrily.
"The result stands. I won," he said steadily.
"You didn't play fair. You cheated," she said.
"How so?" he asked, wanting her to say it.
"You know what you did!" her eyes flashed magnificently.
"No. I don't. Why don't you tell me what I did to make you so angry," he said, no trace of remorse in his voice. She stamped her foot angrily, then winced in pain as she realized she'd stamped the ankle she'd just twisted. She looked away from him, hating his very sight for now. He had hit below the belt in his quest for victory. And she had fallen for his ploy like ripened fruit. Her mind drifted back to one hour ago. One hour ago when she hadn't acknowledged some painful truths that were now written on her heart with indelible ink. She liked her life the way it had been 1 hour ago.
1 hour ago
Khushi walked to the centre of the room, her ghungroos clinking harmoniously with every step. She loved the melody of the ghungroos. It reminded her of home. Of Lucknow. Of long forgotten dance performances with friends. Of a carefree childhood. Of happiness. And she needed all those happy memories today. She needed them to help her focus on the dance and the dance alone. This was important. Her pride was at stake. She.Could.Not.Lose. She just couldn't. She sat down in the centre of the room, head bowed demurely. The spotlight turned on her. Her heart began to race. The first strains of music began. Khushi looked up, and began to sing along.
Yehh Kiski Hai Aahat Yeh Kiska Hai Saaya
Huvi Dil Mein Dastak Yahan Kaun Aaya.
Her eyes sought him out. And there he was. Right in front of her. With his arm draped around the waist of a beautiful girl. Khushi's eyes widened. She managed to keep her place in the song, as the real dancing hadn't begun yet.
Hum Par Yeh Kisne Hara Rang Dala
Oh Hum Par Yeh Kisne Hara Rang Dala
The words were symbolic of her emotions. Jealousy like she'd never known before had reared its head within her. She couldn't look away from him. And he met her gaze unflinchingly. Only, he'd moved a little away from the front of the crowd, so she had to seek him out. And as she looked into his eyes, he ran a caressing finger along the neck of his lovely companion. She of the light grey eyes and statuesque figure. She wore a pretty lavender colored Lehenga that clung to her every curve. Her blouse was cut low, and held up by thin straps at the shoulders. She had a mass of curly hair that she'd left loose. Arnav moved the thick mane of hair to one side of her neck so he could have the other side open to caress. He bent to place a small kiss on her neck, his eyes never leaving Khushi's, a tiny mocking smile playing on his lips.
Khushi Ne Hamari Hame Maar Dala
Maar Dala Maar Dala Maar Dala
Khushi spun around while sitting. For every nanosecond that she couldn't see him as she spun, her heart beat faster. "Who was this girl? What was she doing with him? Why had she never seen her before? Why was he holding her so close?" Her mind worked furiously, demanding answers that she didn't have.
Khushi Ne Hamari Hame Maar Dala
Maar Dala Maar Dala Maar Dala
She leaned forward into the "maar daala" step that Madhuri had immortalized. She smiled broadly for a moment, unseeing. Then she spotted him again. He'd moved a little further away. But he was still in her line of vision. The girl was leaning back into him, eyes half-closed. And he had both arms around her waist, holding her to his chest. Khushi stared at him as he moved one hand slightly above her lehenga, touching the bare skin of her midriff. Khushi drew in a sharp breath. "How dare he?" she fumed. "How dare he touch another woman that way!" She almost missed a beat, so focused was she on him and what he was doing.
The next part of the song was composed of a series fast beats that demanded some hardcore dancing. Khushi stood elegantly and moved into the first of her practiced poses, arms outstretched. As she moved her arms gracefully, she saw him again. He had that same mocking smile on his face as he caught her staring. He was running a hand through the girl's wild curls, combing them out. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled deeply, never looking away from Khushi. Khushi's lips tightened. She swallowed the rage she was feeling and spun around expertly. When she came to a stop after several spins she was out of breath, but still hopping mad. She wanted to tear that girl's hair out, one strand at a time.
Na Chand Hatheli Par Sajaya
Na Taaron Se Koyi Bhi Rishta Banaya
Na Rab Se Bhi Koyi Shikayat Ki
Na Rab Se Bhi Koyi Shikayat Ki
She danced mechanically now. Her heart wasn't in it. The smile on her lips didn't reach her eyes. She looked only at him. And he looked at his companion. He was laughing at something she'd said. And he bent his head to better hear her speak. She had a hand placed casually on his arm. And his other arm was still around her waist, holding her close. Something about the scene conveyed a degree of affection and understanding between the two that Khushi found disturbing. While she couldn't stand the physical closeness between Arnav and his unknown friend, the emotional closeness bothered her more. That the girl could make him laugh hurt her. That was something she'd had to lather her face with besan to achieve. And here was this girl making him laugh because of something she said. She hated this girl. And after the dance was done, she would make it her mission to find out who she was and tell her off. Arnav was hers. Only hers. The realization hit her with the force of a tidal wave. She almost gasped out aloud, but managed to hold on to her poise.
Har Gham Ko Humne Chupaya
Har Sitam Ko Haske Uthaya
Kaanto Ko Bhi Gale Se Lagaya
Aur Phoolon Se Zakhm Khaya
She looked only at the two them as she moved to the music, keeping time with the expertise of long years of training. They were holding hands now. Pain stabbed at her like a physical thing. Her eyes filled with tears. Luckily this portion of the dance was performed sitting and involved only hand movements and facial expressions. She was sure she got the despair and pain inherent in the words to come through on her face. She felt lost enough, she thought wryly. She beseeched him silently to look at her. But he seemed involved with his lady friend. Tucking a strand of curly hair behind one ear. He seemed oblivious to the fact that a dance performance was on.
Haan Magar Dua Mein Jab Yeh Haath Uthaya
Haan Magar Dua Mein Jab Yeh Haath Uthaya
Khuda Se Dua Mein Tumhe Maang Dala
Maang Dala Allah Maang Dala Allah Maang Dala
Tears now ran down her cheeks as she sang the beautiful words, willing him to be hers. He finally looked up from his companion and straight at her. Her gaze caught his. He saw the tears. And he felt her pain. Then he bent and kissed the girl fully on her lips. Khushi saw them liplocked, and felt her heart plummet. As the chorus began to play, she was supposed to pirouette several times in succession. Tears blocked her vision as she spun lightly. In the middle of her sixth spin, she felt herself trip. She slipped on something that her tear-blurred eyes had missed. She fell to the floor awkwardly as her ankle twisted beneath her.
She looked up from where she sat, grasping her ankle, to see him smiling broadly at her. Not a happy smile. But a victorious one.
Hum Par Yeh Kisne Hara Rang Dala
Khushi Ne Hamari Hame Maar Dala
He mouthed the words along with the song, emphasizing the last sentence. He pointed to her silently as he mouthed "Maar daala!" The girl was nowhere to be seen. He stood alone. Khushi understood. She'd been played like a violin.
She came back to the present as he snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"So, I won the sangeet and our bet Khushi," he said again, languidly.
"What do you want? Tell me quickly. I don't want to talk to you for longer than I have to!" said Khushi furiously.
"I want you to learn English," he said seriously.
"What?" she asked incredulously.
"You heard me," he said, lounging against a pillar outside the hall where the sangeet had happened.
"Why?" she asked.
"I get what I want. And I want you to learn to read and write English properly. I have engaged a tutor for you. She will come everyday for 2 hours."
"I don't see why I have to.." she didn't finish because he interrupted.
"I don't see why you're making such a fuss. I thought you wanted to learn English. I've heard you say at least a couple of times to Di that you wished you spoke English, and how it would improve your career prospects."
"That's true. But Nanheji is going to teach me. I'm to teach him Hindi and he's to improve my English," said Khushi.
"NK couldn't teach a goldfish to swim," sneered Arnav. "No, I've hired a tutor. A nice woman," he said, unknowingly emphasizing the word woman. Khushi's ears caught that inflection in his tone. She knew he disliked NK, and had always put it down to his general dislike of the human species. But now, he'd revealed something more of his feelings. He disliked NK as a man. A man who spent time with Khushi and enjoyed her company. That made her feel a little better.
"OK," she said. "I'll do it."
"Good. You start tomorrow. Come home at 11 am. She'll be there at 11.15," said Arnav.
"Alright," she turned to leave.
"Khushi, wait." He stopped her with an arm on her shoulder. She shrugged it off and turned to look at him.
"Why were you crying while dancing?" he asked.
"Go to hell," her eyes spat disdain at him.
"That's not the answer to my question."
"It's all the answer you're going to get I'm afraid," she walked away slowly, her ankle was still throbbing painfully.
"Khushiji! Let me help you. Oh, that ankle must hurt!" NK appeared out of nowhere and held Khushi's arm. She leaned into NK, gladly accepting his support. Then she looked back at ASR. His eyes were narrowed, his lips a thin line. He didn't look happy.
"Oh, Nanheji! Do you think you could carry me to the car? I don't think I can manage the walk," Khushi said, lying through her teeth.
NK wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Of course Khushiji!" He swept her up easily. She threw both arms around his neck. She peeked at ASR from behind NK's cheek. He was fuming. She could tell from the way his fingers were curled into tight fists at his sides. From his stormy eyes. From the aggressive posture. He was not a happy camper. Two can play at this game, she thought. She smiled mockingly at him, and then looked back at NK who was trying to get her attention.
Arnav watched NK walk away. Khushi in his arms. He wondered if he'd made a mistake. If in going all out to win, he'd lost something far more important. He wondered in fact, if he had really won. Winning wasn't supposed to hurt.
OK...different in tone from the first part. But true to ASR and KKG's personalities. He will, I think, do anything to win. Note that what he chooses on winning is for her benefit. He wants to help her. But his ego can't let her beat him. Tell me what you think people.
Cheers!
Vidhya
