Kal: A PV Story (Chapter VI, Page 23)

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Indu Ghosh

@InduG64

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+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

#111

😊

Edited by InduG64 - 13 years ago

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Samanalyse

@Samanalyse

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 13 years ago

#112

@Indu: Thank you so much! Your words mean a lot since, like I told you, you are one of the biggest reasons this story ever saw the light of day.

I grew up reading Anne (all seven books and the Chronicles!) and I guess I am more influenced by my favourite authours than I ever suspected. It is wonderful to think that bits of my favourites show up in my writing, almost like a tribute! I wonder what you wonder too...has that made her weaker or stronger? In some ways Palak and Ansh's fears are well-founded and yet, do they underestimate their sister just because she seems not to dwell on pragmatic things?

I will try to get the next part out by next weekend. promise!

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Samanalyse

@Samanalyse

Sparkler

+ 3

Posted: 13 years ago

#113

~ IV ~

Ansh and Palak watched and listened, enraptured, as Payal's concert went on. There was something about her music that had the power to transport her listener to the world of vivid beauty that she inhabited, even if just for a few moments. Payal had just begun a lively taraana, to conclude her recital, when Palak was jarred out of her proud and peaceful trance by an abrasive voice:

"BOLI SI SURAT AANKHON MEIN MASTI DOOR KHADI SHARMAAYE...AYE HAAYEE"

Palak whipped around in annoyance, seeing Ansh do the same, only to set her eyes on one of the most loathsome human beings she had ever had the misfortune to meet, Vikram Arora. Vikram was their senior, and it was well known among the students that he had only gotten admission in their school to continue with +2 because of his father's influence. However, far from being ashamed of this fact, Vikram strutted around the school like he owned it, sporting expensive, brand name loafers, as though the shoes prescribed for the uniform were not good enough for him.

At this moment, much to Palak's horror, she discovered that not only was Vikram butchering a favourite song, but he was doing it with his eyes narrowed at the TV screen above them, a smug expression on his face. Sitting a few rows away with his feet resting audaciously on the table top, he was surrounded by his "gang," a motley crew of his classmates, who either liked to take advantage of his extravagance or the feeling of power it gave them to be around him.

"EK JHALAK DIKHLAYE KABHI, KABHI AANCHAL MEIN CHUP JAAAYE"

Vikram's gang laughed boisterously and high-fived each other, completely drowning out Payal's concluding notes.

"Oh ho, it looks like our Vikram has lost his heart," one of them exclaimed with a nudge at the grinning Vikram, who looked very pleased with himself.

"After all bhabhiji is so innocent and beautiful," another one added, snorting loudly.

Before Palak could register the utter rage that was bursting from the pit of her stomach, she caught sight of Ansh's hands balling into fists, blood rushing to his face. Furious as she was, she had to be the sensible one and get them out of here before things got out of control. She turned her back to Vikram and co. and laid a hand gently on Ansh's fist, trying to ease the tension:

"Ansh, let's get ice cream for everyone and go. Payal will be waiting to see what we thought, plus you have to tell everyone about your first rank!"

She smiled at him hopefully but deep down she had known this wouldn't work even before she tried. Ansh's eyes were fixed on Vikram with a desperate rage, that, to be fair, Palak also felt simmering inside, but she knew that nothing good could come of her and Ansh challenging a group of five older boys, and more importantly, that Vikram was all talk. She took a deep breath, ready to take a firmer stand with Ansh when one of Vikram's cronies was heard again:

"We all know that she can play the flute, Vikram. What else will you make her do?"

Vikram smiled indulgently as the gang burst out into raucous laughter once more, finally replying, "You know how it is with these inexperienced girls. Half the fun is teaching them---"

Before Palak could discern what was happening, she felt Ansh's hand withdraw from under hers, saw a blur whip past her and the glass dish topple over with a clang, sending melted chocolate ice cream and fudge all over the counter top.

"Ansh, stop!" she shouted jumping off her seat and trying to catch up with him, but he was already standing at Vikram's table.

"Care to repeat that, Vikram?" Ansh asked through clenched teeth.

By this time, Palak was standing beside Ansh and noticed that some of the boys at least had the decency to look ashamed on finding that Palak and Ansh had overheard their conversations, but not Vikram. He raised a single eyebrow at Ansh:

"I was just saying, Scindia, that I would love to take your adorable little sister under by wing, and teach her..." he paused to gauge Ansh's reaction, "the ways of the world."

Ansh lunged at him, but Palak was prepared this time. She caught Ansh around the waist and held on for dear life. She was almost as strong as him and held him at bay, though he struggled against her, but she couldn't pull him away. Just when she felt her grip slipping, another, arm joined her: Tom Uncle. The two managed to drag a volatile Ansh away, and Palak threw Tom Uncle an apologetic look as Ansh banged open the front door of the shop and walked out angrily.

"I'm so sorry, Tom Uncle," Palak said hurriedly, "I'll help you clean that up," indicating the counter where Ansh's spilled ice cream had gradually spread.

"Don't worry about that Palak," Tom Uncle said, his voice laced with concern, "just make sure Ansh is alright. That Arora boy is bad news. I am just glad I got there in time." He reached into the freezer behind the counter and pulled out a family pack, "and here take this ice cream for your family..it's butterscotch, Payal's favourite."

"How did you...? We didn't even order this yet!"

He smiled at her and pinched her cheek, "I didn't want your mother to worry about what made you forget. Now hurry after Ansh. We don't need him getting in any more trouble!"

Palak thanked him, touched, paid for the ice cream and made her way towards the door, only to be stopped in her tracks by a loafer-clad foot.

She tried to dodge him, but he blocked her.

"WHAT?" she asked acerbically

"Ooh, you better check that attitude of yours, and tell your brother to do the same. We are all going to have to get along now that you'll be seeing a lot more of me...you know, when Payal and I are---"

"--I highly doubt my sister would take a second look at your pathetic excuse for a face, much less appreciate your flat-ironed hair and your fake American accent, so don't get your hopes up, sport."

Vikram looked taken aback for a split second, before his characteristic smirk returned:

"Challenge accepted."

He docilely stepped aside, opened the door for Palak and gestured her out. Palak closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before she resolutely walked ahead, searching for Ansh.

-------

I figured out a way to keep the story from going back to Scindia House until I find out the fate of the baby! Tell me what you think, because I have a feeling this part won't make much sense without the following one, which I will post soon, now that I know where to go.

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Mohini Singh Narayan

@MSN_Vanny

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 13 years ago

#114

Wow! 👏 That was a beautiful part!

I audibly gasped at the statement of that freak! 😲

I loved it! Perfect way to stall, I might add! 😉

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saf24

@saf24

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

#115

Awesome update Samana; Loved it.

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--Iqra--

@--Iqra--

Rocker

Posted: 13 years ago

#116

Aw! That was brilliant! 😳 I just love overprotective older siblings, they are just so cute. Beautiful Work, very well-written! Please, please update soon! 👏

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MelodiousDreams

@MelodiousDreams

Rocker

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

#117

I hope you post the next part soon! That was one dhamakedaar update...Quite a shocker, but all the more exciting because of the unexpectedness!

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Sunrio80

@Sunrio80

Voyager

Posted: 13 years ago

#118

It's magnificent update, beautifully written and the bonding and protectiveness of an older siblings were there! Hope you update soon

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kdsubs

@kdsubs

Dazzler

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

#119

Great update Samana - but what a disturbing disruption to Payal's concert. Vikram sounds like a creep. Keep him away from that kid please - my momma hackles are up!! Good stalling technique btw.