For the first time ever, Swayam hated the idea of rehearsing with his team. They had changed their dance strategy so as to highlight Taani's strength as a classical dancer but he had not thought about the possible problems that could crop up. Who would choreograph her part?? He knew that when it came to fusion all the dance styles had to be given equal importance or else the entire concept of fusion would fall flat.
"Main kaise manage karunga Rey? Vishakha toh Taani ke sath co-operate karne se rahi.. And Neha.. uski choreography mein bollywood element aa hi jata hai.."
"No no Swayam.. Classical dance choreography bahut sensitive issue hai.. Agar upto the mark nahi raha toh it can even hurt sentiments."
"Solution de rahe ho ya dara rahe ho Rey?"
Sharon was on adjacent desk and was listening to the conversation. She couldnt help but smile. A hyper Swayam was something she rarely got to see and with a sense of guilt she admitted to herself that she found it rather cute. She was continuously stealing glances at him and was enjoying the fact that he was blinking too often and whining like a schoolboy. Rey caught her staring at Swayam. He left his side to join Vicky on another bench... so that she wont have to strain her neck to look past him. He winked at Sharon who tried to look stern but ended up looking embarasssed as usual. She mouthed 'whatever' and turned her attention to Swayam once again.
"Swayam, dont worry. Abhi footloose semifinals mein time hai." She scolded herself mentally for not measuring her tone before speaking. It had too much concern in it. She prayed that he wouldnt notice it. He was indeed too disturbed to notice.
"Agar Kriya hoti na toh Taani ka part achhe se choreograph kar deti."
"Agar Kriya hoti Swayam, toh Taani ko dance karne ki zaroorat nahi padti."
He turned to look at her and tried to fake a smile. "yeah right.. Pata nahi mujhe kya ho gaya hai?"
Thats when she realised that he was actually very tensed. Suddenly it wasnt cute anymore.
"Main help karoon?" she heard herself say.
He stared at her for one long moment and then out of nowhere started laughing. At that moment the Professor entered and the class settled down. He started his lecture for the day and there was instant silence in the classroom...
She stared at the blackboard without comprehending a word. Her mind was in a state of shock. Did he actually laugh? She remembered the day when Swayam had danced on stage for the first time. She had doubted his dancing skills and made fun of him. Later on she had got on to the stage herself and ended up slapping him.Today she felt as if she was the one who got slapped. HE HAD LAUGHED. Swayam Shekhawat thought Sharon Raiprakash was incapable of choreographing a classical dance?! She didnt know why she felt an unexplained rage. She was fuming with anger.
She was lost in her thoughts, trying to come to terms with her own disappointment. When the bell rang, it took her by alarm. The period was over. She thought she felt his eyes on her but was too mad to look at him. She got up from her desk and left the classroom without looking back..
"Sharon.. Sharon" He called after but she had already left. There was no point in going after her. He knew he wouldnt find her now. The entire period she was behaving so odd.. But what had happened?? Maine aisa kya kar diya? As far he could remember she had asked if he needed her help. He had laughed at her question. His laughter stemmed from the disbelief that Sharon Raiprakash would ever offer to help a rival team. He knew she had softened towards him but also knew that her competitive spirit for footloose was exclusive of what she felt for him. Now he knew that he had been wrong and couldnt help but laugh at this thought. Was she really willing to help the weakling team with something as important as choreography.. just for his sake? He still couldnt believe it!! He was so shocked at her words that he had started laughing. Later he realised that it had been an awkward moment. She had taken offence. May be she thought he was mocking her. He had to clear it out with her. He did not want any misunderstandings with Sharon... not when everything had been so wonderful between them lately.
She did not return for the rest of the classes. They were done for the day and everyone had gone home. He too started on his way back when he saw her car parked in front of the college. She hadnt gone home? Where was she then? His gut feeling told him that she might be in the rehearsal hall. Should he check? He had to talk to her anyway.
He reached the rehearsal hall in no time but it took him a while to realise why his insides were vibrating. He could hear the sound of ghungroos fill the air around him in a powerful rythm. He could almost feel it echo within him. He felt an unexplained anxiety and the moment he pushed the door open, he was convinced that something was in store for him. What ensued was an experience he would never forget...
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