(Hurried update - bet it has loads of mistakes)
Farhan stood in the corner of the studio and faced the team, dancing. He was recording a video of their latest moves, but his attention was fixed on one particular dancer.
He had been observing her for a few days now. Enough to know the smaller affectations, the milder whims that she acted on, when she danced. The gentle manner in which her eyes drooped when she was really feeling the song, or how her eyes brightened when she felt the step fit the song well, or the tiny frown that reached her eyes when she couldn't follow Vicky's movements.
There was always a session in the morning when they all danced together. His sojourn away from the Studio had made Vicky want to practice with the team more often, thereby allowing Farhan this indulgence.
He had never noticed this candour in her before. He had always noted the rigidity in her movements, the way she had reacted to her body movements. It was only her pleasant manner of teaching and the way she broke down the steps for the younger students, that had made Vicky keep her. He knew that to be the reason.
But this; this new side of hers was as genuine as could be. It had started off as a routine, where he checked the steps of each dancer, and fit the routines for the latest numbers. It was only after that, did the team brainstorm to set new steps for the students. In these sessions, he had noticed Isra take more initiative day by day. At first he had been surprised, but soon he had been impressed. She was the first, after Geet to learn routines. She was the first to wrap her head around the song and it's beats and she was the first to grab his attention.
He was only thankful that she was unaware.
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"No!'', said Maan emphatically.
"Maan bete, you have to understand. You are the only one she listens to.", pleaded Mohinder.
Maan stood in the middle of the drawing room, at the Handa's residence. He had come to meet Geet on one of her days off, but had run into her father and grandmother. Over the years, Mohinder and Maan had become well acquainted with one another over business and the grandmotherly bonding. It had therefore come as a surprise to Maan that Geet had been his daughter. For one who prided himself over his knowledge and awareness of his contemporaries, this bit of coincidence had humbled him, to an extent..
A friendship with Geet had only increased his interaction with Mohinder. Maan knew that Mohinder lamented over the fact that Geet showed no interest in his work. He also knew that Mohinder enjoyed conversing and discussing the evolving world of construction with him. He could only be glad, as Mohinder provided a calming perspective over his conjectures. This morning however, the seniors had entreated him to talk sense into Geet about her marriage, an appeal that had staggered him.
"No Uncle, I do not agree with the idea. She is not that old, and neither is she over Nik's death. She needs time."
"Arre arre, she's been laughing and smiling just like before, for the past one month now, and you say she hasn't recovered. How can you say she hasn't recovered?", spoke Nanima from her corner.
Maan closed his eyes at his slip. He knew Vidya Aunty well. His proximity to Geet would only be misconstrued and he had no wish to let her know, that Geet had confided this to him.
He gestured that he was on his way to the terrace to meet Geet.
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Vicky stared dumbfounded at the woman standing in front of him, looking at him expectantly. Meera's arrival on the scene distracted him, as he saw her look at her mother in alarm. She ran towards the door, clearly wondering what her mother had asked him, for him to look that shocked.
''Errr...mom...er..th-th-this is my...err.'', she stuttered.
Mrs. Shergill looked from Meera to Vicky, something akin to suspicion coming to her mind. Vicky saw Meera notice the look, with fear and hopelessness dawning on her face.
''I'm her boss, Vikram Khurana'', he said with authority, pulling on his most charming smile.
He saw the look deepen in Mrs. Shergill's eyes and so continued looking at her, his arm stretched out. It took a few heart-stopping moments, before Mrs. Shergill shook his hand and invited him.
He stood in the familiar room, looking around like it was new to him. There were changes, he could see. Once he had been asked to take a seat, he pulled a chair that showed him both, mother and daughter. He could see Meera's mind thinking fast, to cover up the reason for his arrival. She abruptly got up to go to the kitchen and was out in a jiffy with a glass of water for him. He noticed her mother's eyes light up with approval.
''Would you like tea, s-sir?'', Meera asked, her voice shaky.
''Yes please, Meera", he replied with all the decorum he could muster.
Turning to her mother, he asked pleasantly, '' I hope I haven't disturbed you, Mrs. Shergill, by turning up unannounced. I needed Meera's help and it couldn't wait. I assure you I won't take long."
"I assure you Mr. Khurana, it is a pleasure having you here.", her mother replied, his previous comment having put her to some ease. He noted that she spoke in clear crisp diction, with each sound clear and independent. The kind of diction he heard as a kid in school from... He had a hunch, and he acted out on it.
"I would have come sooner, ma'am", he rallied on, ''but I was unable to find the address. In the office records it was short and clipped, quite like, how we used to learn to write in schools."
Meera walked in with a tray and handed him a cup. She sat next on the chair next to her mother, fidgeting nervously trying not to betray his lies.
"Oh, but in schools one needs to teach children not to ramble on.", said Mrs. Shergill, her voice firm.
"Absolutely, ma'am", Vicky replied with his smile. " A skill your daughter possesses. A result undoubtedly from having great teachers."
Meera spoke abruptly. "Sir, you will be pleased to know that it was my mother who taught me all my skills, having been my teacher in school." There was a hint of a knowing smile on her face, when she looked at him.
Vicky feigned surprise and awe, and looked Mrs. Shergill. She had a smug pleased look on her face, that made Vicky rejoice.
She had played right into his hands.
Hey guys - sorry for being late; this update happened achanak se.
And sorry bout the lack of Maneet - but more masala coming your way soon. I hope I find the time to update sooner. How many of you forgot the story??😆
Ishaani
