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Chapter Sixteen [A] - Bonfire
Khushi supervised the food buffet skillfully, while the teachers and students settled down, by setting down their luggages and choosing tents to be shared with their friends. Giggles, laughs, slaps on the back, etc., was exchanged while Khushi kept on glancing on all of them with a wistful smile. She saw Payal approach all freshened up.
Payal: Hey Smiles!
Khushi: Hey Pumpkin! All set? (shifting the paper bags and setting them away to make space for Ramone's dishes)
Payal: (leaning on the table) Yup! You're not gonna believe that we got Rachel to stay with us! (grinning) She's freshening up now!
Khushi: (instantly turning) Really? (seeing Payal nod enthusiastically) Wow!! Now nobody'll stop us from having fun!! (hunching her shoulders in excitement)
Tanya: Hello Diner Girl! (smugly) And... (looking at Payal up and down) her Friend! (haughtily) Stop wasting your time talking!! I've been told to keep an eye on you two!! (her fingers indicating her eyes and then pointing to the two)
Tanvi: And remember K, you're not here like us students, but as a service girl! Get it? (leaning forward with an index finger pointing to the two girls)
Payal: Why don't you go and stick up your ass somewhere in this Forest, huh? (stepping forward with a fork)
Tanvi shrieked in fear and jumped back to hide behind Tanya for protection, who shrugged her hand off and stepped back in reflex.
Payal: That way, even the animals will be lucky to get a treat of two girls, a combo of thin and plump, you see!! Hmm? (biting back her laughter on seeing Tanya's eyes widen)
Tanya: What?! (grabbing onto Tanvi's top)
Khushi: Stop it, Payal! (pulling her back) You don't need to--
Payal: (cutting in) Come on!! They have to be on their guard, Khushi! Or how will they cope with the weird sounds and creepy crawly things out in this open, huh?
Before Khushi could say anything, Ramone intervened.
Ramone: Oooh yes, gals! (the spoons clinking against each other) She is right! (pointing to Payal) You have to be very, very careful! (his voice dropping to a whisper) Roar!
At the same instant, the two sister shrieked high and low, and sped from there to the group of students getiing their respective bonfires ready. Leaving the three behind to laugh at them heartily and exchange high fives.
After half an hour of rumbling about and helping, Aakash and Arnav finally were satisfied with the arrangements. Arnav looked around looking for Khushi and Payal, while Aakash discreetly went inside to get his Best friend's guitar out. And plunged it to his hands, surprising him. Arnav's head turned to see a guitar in his hand, when suddenly a roar and thousands of arms of his friends all around forced him to settle down.
Lavanya: Arnie, come on, sing a song now!! It's been a long time since we heard you! (pulling him closer)
Boy 1: Yeah, Raizada! Come on!
Boy 2: It's a nice time to do it, with a bonfire in front! Lucky Dude!! (slapping his back)
Aakash went on to find Payal and Khushi and approached them fast on locating them.
Aakash: Yello, girls!! Aren't you coming to hear Arnav sing? (his thumb pointing behind him to the bonfire)
Khushi: He sings? (surprised)
Aakash: (seeing Payal reflect the same surprise) Oh yes! A brilliant voice he has!! (nodding to himself) So come on! (jerking his head in that direction)
Khushi: Uh... Am sorry, but am kinda busy here! (waving her hands around to indicate the area and it's condition)
Aakash: (a bit gloomily) Oh! And Payal? (with anticipation)
Payal: Uh, well, I can't leave Khushi out--
Khushi: (cutting in) It's okay, Pumpkin! You go! I can handle this!
Payal: But--
Khushi: I've come here on a job and not actually to.. you know, for this camp, but to supervise! (nodding to make Payal understand)
Aakash: Hey, Khushi! Come on! You ain't any different from us, are you?
Khushi: Am sorry, Aakash! (hunching her shoulders helplessly) I've to get to work for dinner time's not far! (smiling half heartedly)
Payal: (nodding in negative) Then I won't--
Khushi: (suddenly) DON'T you say that! Pumpkin please yaar! Now go they guys are calling you! (raising her head towards some classmates of theirs)
Aakash and Payal had no choice but to go half heartedly. Aakash turned to give a reassuring look to her and eased some of her worries.
Ramone: You should've gone with them, Smiles! (setting the huge pot on fire) Have some little fun, Kid!! It'll do good for you too! (smiling wisely)
Khushi: Ramone, I've a job to tend to, and I can't take advantage of it and... (sighing heavily)
Ramone: Where does taking advantage fall in here? And having a little fun won't make you lose something, will it? (raising an eyebrow)
Khushi: I-- Ramone, I can't do that, when I'm here on a job. I've been let to come here with the rest, only for the reason of me handling the catering and that's it! And you know what B******, those two Devils are? (tilting her head obviously)
Ramone: (his eyes widening) Smiles? You actually used that word? (laughing out loud) Oh God!! My Kid has grown up!! (hugging her sideways and slapping her on the back)
Khushi: (laughing along) Stop it, Ramone!
Prof. Smith: Khushi? (pulling her shawl tighter)
Khushi: (straightening) Oh! Hello, Professor! Anything you needed?
Prof. Smith: No, kid! But aren't you gonna be joining the rest of your friends? (mildly surprised) They have, as you can see, lit a bonfire and having fun!
Khushi: I--, Ma'am, I can't, for I've to stay here and supervise!
Prof. Smith: As far as I can see, you've done a good job so far and everything is set, if am not mistaken, right Mister--? (nodding her head in askance to the guy next to Khushi)
Ramone: Ramone, Ma'am! (nodding) Uh yes! Everything is set, only dinner's got to be cooked!
Prof. Smith: That's good! (smiling widely) And I think the chefs can handle that part, why Ramone? (nodding to him)
Ramone: (leaning in gratitude and returning her smile) Definitely Ma'am! And she really has got to loosen up a bit! She's been working ever since we reached this place! (his arm draped around Khushi in a fatherly manner)
Khushi's eyes widened and she nodded in negative and pleaded silently. But today nobody was ready to take her pleads. And as Luck had it, Prof. Smith dragged her out and sent her to freshen up and warned her that she would check in on her.
Khushi came out all, scrubbed clean and smelling of fresh lavender, as she wore her hoodie properly and tied her hair in loose plaits.
A familiar tune hit her ears and she turned to see Arnav strumming the guitar and his eyes narrowing in concentration. She smiled and approached the group, as a melodious voice hit her ears along with the tune.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQLKHXhSHno[/YOUTUBE]
Arnav's eyes opened the instant Khushi sat down, and she shifted for comfort, sitting next to Payal and Aakash.
I don't want another pretty face,
I don't want just anyone to hold,
I don't want my love to go waste,
I want you and your Beautiful Soul!
Arnav's eyes turned to see Khushi directly staring at him. He smiled his lop-sided smile, as he saw a faint blush creep up those cute cheeks. He looked down and continued strumming his guitar.
You're the one I want to chase,
You're the one I want to hold,
I won't let another minute go to waste,
I want you and your Beautiful Soul!
Lavanya had deliberately sat opposite to Arnav so he could see her. She smiled triumphantly on seeing Arnav looking at her with his lop-sided smile and winked at him. She saw him respond by looking down at his guitar.
I don't want another pretty face,
I don't want just anyone to hold,
I don't want my love to go waste,
I want you and your Soul!
Lavanya smiled shyly as she took the song to be dedicated to her.
I don't want another pretty face,
I don't want just anyone to hold,
I don't want my love to go waste,
I want you and your Beautiful Soul!
Beautiful Soul... Ho.. Beautiful Soul... Yeah!
The sound of applause broke into three minds, pulling them out of their thoughts. Khushi tucked her hair behind and turned to exchange a wide smile to Payal and Aakash. While Lavanya tried to get Arnav's attention, while slapping her arms, trying to desperately get the mosquitoes away from her.
Lavanya: Arnie baby!! (hugging him tightly and breaking away) That was such a sweet song!! Thank You, baby!! (dropping a kiss on his cheek)
Arnav smiled, acknowledging Lavanya's display of affection, but felt a bit awkward under some scrutinizing eyes of the teachers, who didn't mind it so much. For they knew this was the age for all this. His eyes turned to find Aakash with Khushi and Payal, speaking animatedly.
Excusing himself, he approached the three.
Arnav: Hi! (his guitar in his hands)
Aakash: Bro!! (leaning forward to hug him) That was amazing, yaar!! Nice choice of song though! (nodding knowingly)
His actions were met with an angry glare from Arnav.
Arnav: Thanks! (smiling suspiciously at Aakash, who winked to Payal)
Khushi: (smiling widely) You sang really well! I liked it! (nodding in acknowledgement)
Arnav: (grinning) You think? (raising an elegant eyebrow)
Khushi: (laughing) Yes, I do!
Khushi noticed the weird exchange between Aakash and Payal and eyed them suspiciously when they stopped it on realising that they were being watched.
Dinner's Ready!!
This announcement brought in a huge relief among all. In the next instant, a huge crowd had gathered around the counter, all pushing and turning and leaning towards the chefs, grabbing for plates, bowls, spoons, etc..
The teachers had to get them all settled down, which was definitely a very tough job, given the rebellious nature of the students.
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Annie
Edited by PhoenixRadar - 13 years ago
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