#2 [AR+D3] Sajda (FF) Chap12 (A&B) Pg80 March16 - Page 33

awesome update khushi

Wen r u gonna update khushi???

kahin toh i get a first comment... 😆

nw it's nov. So plzzz khushi... Can v get an updateee...

Tk ur time khushi 😊
Wud b waitin !!

Clarifications:
I am not sure if questions were asked. I haven't gotten time to reply to comments and my memory fails me right now. It was a long time since I read them when they were first posted... Will answer them next time =)
More questions/doubts, please do ask and I will answer in next update again :)
New readers: Add to your buddy list to receive pmz =)

Previous: Chapter 8 Page 42


C h a p t e r 9

All of them walked in the rehearsal room as a crowd to find someone already present there. They all stopped and Sharon spoke up after exchanging looks with everyone else. "Excuse me?" All of them were wondering who the elegant looking lady was.

When she turned, Kriya smiled seeing it was Shilpa. Shilpa walked up graciously to them. "You all must be the dancers I've heard so much about."

"That's right. Who are you though?" Rey replied back.

She replied affirmatively, "Riddhima. Ms. Riddhima Gupta, your new dance teacher."

All of them smiled ad introductions were done. "We already have less time. Let's get started. Firstly, let's get this clear. I'm not here to boss you around. You all dance because you have a passion for it. I teach because I've been where you all dream to be off some day. You will make the decisions for yourself. I'm always here to guide you all whenever needed. Clear?"

Everyone nodded in response. She continued, "Well then, go ahead and do what you originally did plan. I'll stand back and watch; correct if need be."

They all smiled at her and her positive attitude. Then, they all began. They started discussing on the different dance forms they could do and Kriya wrote it all down as they were finalizing.

Rey suggested, "Bull and matador, that style is always attractive. We can try doing it. It's also new for us."

"Yes, and Swayam here knows a bit about it! And with Sharon opposite him, the sparks are bound to fly." Vicky commented.

They all looked at him with a glare. He clarified, "I mean both of them always end up arguing. The fire needed for this kind of dance would naturally come out."

Sharon looked away, a bit shy but agreed for the dance with Swayam after a bit of convincing from Neha. Next, they planned out the song for their group dance and looked for some steps as well and worked on them. Kriya helped with the music and soon, they were enjoying themselves coming up with their own step.

In the middle of it, Karan walked in and without making a fuss, stood by the side. When they turned to look at him, he said. "Don't let me stop you guys. Just observing, if that's alright?" He added the question looking at Shilpa.

Kriya passed him a smile of gratitude for being there. They resumed their hunt for the steps and unknowingly, Kriya did a step that dazzled them all, even Shilpa and Karan. It had been a long time since they had seen her dancing.

Sharon complimented, "WOW! That is one step that even I can't do!"

"And you say you don't dance?!" Rey asked back.

"It was just random. Really guys, it wasn't that good." Kriya said.

"You give yourself less credit" Swayam replied.

Riddhima walked over and suggested, "You know guys, how about Kriya join you all?"

Kriya freaked and replied instantly before others could agree. "What, no! I can't do that."

"Just think about it Kriya. Sharon can't rehearse for all the dances. It'd be too much for her. You can really help them out. And you really are good. If you weren't, I wouldn't be saying this."

Others were quick to agree on it. "But guys, that was just ONE move. I really don't know how to dance. Especially a couple dance..!" she objected.

Swayam teased, "Oh don't worry about that. Rey is really good at them. He'll teach you and my promise, if there's a lift, he won't drop you. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"I'm not afraid of falling Swayam. But'" She trailed off, not knowing how to explain to them why she didn't want to dance. She gave Karan a helpless look. He blinked, encouraging her to go on with what they said. She really didn't think it was the best idea and she made a pouting face. But he sticked to this decision and nodded his head sternly.

"Alright, I'll do it." she announced and they all rejoiced.

Sharon hugged her. "Thank you so much Kriya!"

Kriya wasn't comfortable with this. The only person she had ever hugged was Karan and this warm feeling of friendship was new to her. When Sharon pulled back, Kriya gave her a weak, undecided smile.

Riddhima turned to look at Armaan. She noticed the expression on his face. Even though she was hurt by his words from other night, she walked over to him and asked, "What's wrong?"

At first, he was surprised she asked. But then let go of that and replied back. "I was studying the files once again and I think I've found a starting point. We need to meet tonight." He replied and was about to turn when Rey walked over.

"Ma'am, would you please show us a couple of ballroom dance steps please?"

"Yea sure, but I don't have a partner."

Rey looked at Karan who was standing right there. "Sir?" he asked.

"Sure, my pleasure," he replied and extended his hand towards Riddhima.

Walking over to the middle of the room, he places her hand around her waist and held the other one. One of her hand was in his while the other lay on his shoulder. She whispered, "I don't think this is such a good idea."

He spun her out and brought her back in, "Why? We're coworkers and we're just helping them out with a simple dance. What's wrong with it?"

She let go of that point as she couldn't really debate on that. Their next position was something like this. He spun her out again and while bringing her back in, she was in front of him, arms crossed around her waist while they moved along side to side.

He whispered in her ear, "I'm sorry about last night."

"You should be," she replied as she faced him again.

"I know I was a bit too rude and I should have controlled my anger."

"If you're worried about this coming in way of the mission, then don't worry. I've learned to keep personal and professional feelings aside. It won't trouble you again." She replied back with complete coldness in her tone and expression.

He stood their numb, not really understanding why she was so highly mad at him. He, for once, was not worried about their relationship affecting the mission. Why would she think that?

Before they could carry on the conversation, the dance ended and everyone clapped for them. Karan put on a fake smile and left at once. Shilpa replied, "You've seen for now. I would walk you guys through the steps but it's getting late. You all should head back home."

They all nodded and started gathering their things. "Anyone need a ride home?" she asked.

"Thanks, we're good. We usually go home with Rey and then spread out from there." Sharon replied.

Shilpa nodded and looked at Kriya, who replied, "I have my own car," and then smiled.

While walking past Kriya, she stopped for a slow movement to pass her the message, "Come fast."

Kriya quickly nodded and turned around. The guys were chatting around while heading out. Kriya walked with them.

Sharon asked again as they reached their cars, "Are you sure you don't want to come along. We usually hang out at Rey's place and then leave after dinner."

"No, I'm fine. I need to get home. Karan must be waiting for me." she replied and added, "Maybe some other day?"

"You're always welcome. You don't have to ask, 'kay?" she replied back. She smiled and turned to sit in her car. Waving a final good bye to everyone, Kriya zoomed away.

"There is just so much to this girl that fascinates me!" Sharon commented as they watched her leave.

"She's a real mystery." Rey added.

"A girl? And a mystery to Reyansh Singhania? Impossible." Swayam teased. Everyone laughed.

Rey replied, "Very funny. I might be a Casanova. Not a mind reader. Let's go."

The silent giggles continued as they opened their own cars.

***

Kriya walked in angrily, unaware that Shilpa was present as well. "Karan, what the hell? Why did you have to force me into the dance group?"

Walking inside the living room, she saw her there. Karan was nowhere to be seen. "Oh, sorry. Forgot we had company. Where's Karan?"

Shilpa replied, "That's alright. And I don't know. He said he'd be back soon. Don't be mad at him for that. It was me who proposed that idea."

Kriya recalled that and her anger shifted from Karan to her. "Yes, and you had no right to. I was alright the place I was. I could have still been close to Rey by handling behind the scenes things."

"I know you would have. But we cannot control what happens on stage."

Kriya considered that. "Alright, you have a point. But really? A couple dance? Couldn't you have kept me in a group dance, at least? Couple dance can get intimate. I understand I need to get close to him, but I'm sure I don't need to get that close to him."

Shilpa smiled, angering Kriya further. "What? Why are you smiling?"

"Karan has indeed taught you well'keeping your distance from the missions."

"Well, he is Karan." She eased up and then realized the trick. "Hey, no changing the topic! I need an answer."

"Group dance would give you less time with him than a couple one. By doing this, both of you can rehearse alone and you will have the opportunity to learn more about him. And besides, you will have to learn to not let the proximity affect you. This mission, Rey is your age so you both can bond well as friends and there isn't much danger either. As you go on, you will realize that you will have to do things you don't like. But that's the life we chose. After a while, it won't affect you."

"Yea, thanks for the advice! It's not like Karan isn't enough to be the psychologist." She replied sarcastically, throwing herself on the couch. Shilpa let out a chuckle as Karan walked in.

"Come on." He said and walked up to the dining table. Both the girls followed. "Today when RDX mentioned about the dance event being a big event, I thought of checking into it and found this." He kept a picture of a lady around the age of 27.

"She is Khushboo Garewal. She's a diplomat and I remember her being in several meetings with Adithya Singhania." Saying so, he kept a few other files on the table that proved that.

"What does that have to do with the dance?" Kriya questioned.

"And, look at this list I pulled up from the dance event." He put forward the list and there was one highlighted name on there.

"She's the host?!" Shilpa exclaimed.

"Yes. That makes me wonder' If she is such an influential diplomat, why is she hosting a mere dance event?"

"She definitely tops the list of suspects right now." Kriya commented.

"I tried pulling up her file but it comes restricted."

Shilpa voiced out their thinking. "And that only happens when someone highly influential is covering for her."

"Definitely our number one suspect. We need to find out all we can from the Singhania's ' even Rey ' and see if we can find a motive. We'll also have to be extra cautious on the even day and before that, just in case she is lurking around."

"That's all good. The event is only a week away. We have only then to find out what she could possible want from them to go to an extent of hurting an innocent college student." Kriya questioned.

"That's what we need to find out as soon as possible. I will talk to Singhania's. Kriya ' you stay close to Rey and see if he knows her by any chance. Shilpa ' you keep a look out on Khushboo. We can trace her address from the registration office for the event and follow her from there on. Find out what she does, who she meets, where she goes; her everyday schedule; anything suspicious on her. If she so badly wants something, she'll make a move soon." He gave the orders. Everything was crystal clear. They now had to gather more information. They had a suspect and one way or another, it would lead them to the motive.

***

Shilpa was about to leave for her hotel room again. Kriya asked, "Why don't you stay here with us? We are on the mission together'"

"We are. But I can't be seen here with you two. Remember, you're a student, and Karan and I are co-workers. Anyone would get suspicious if they saw me live here." She replied back.

Kriya said, "Again, you have a point." Shilpa winked and walked out the door.

***

Kriya walked back to the dining table where Karan was again re-reading the meetings between Khushboo, Mr. Singhania and other members.

She shut the file and said. "Relax bro, we'll figure it out. You can't overstress yourself."

He sighed, hating the fact that they had nothing on Khushboo and the file was restricted. "Why does Mr. Singhania mean so much to you?" she questioned as she moved the files away to put out their dinner.

He replied. "He used to be my father's really good friend. He practically raised me till I was 12 years old. I owe a lot to him. We stayed in touch over the years."

She ruffled his hair, advising, "And you can't help him if you overstress yourself right now. Come on, eat and go get some rest."

"And your dinner?" he asked.

"I'm not much hungry." She replied and was about to walk out when he stopped her.

"Hey, is everything alright with you?"

"Yea, why do you ask?" she asked, puzzled.

"For starters, you NEVER miss dinner. Secondly, you NEVER give me advice."

She laughed as she sat down across from him. "No, it's nothing. I've just been thinking. All these missions mean we're saving everyone's life, which is the best feeling one can ever have. But what about our life? The things we want? We have to sacrifice it all'"

He made her understand. "-Which is the best possible thing one can do for humanity. We make this world a better place for others to live in. Along the way, if we have to sacrifice our little happiness, then that's alright. Nothing can be bigger than a person's life. Remember that."

With a nod, she smiled and asked. "You say as if you've been through this."

"These are the things every person in our line goes through. You'll get through it too and by the end, you will make the same decision I once made. I know that."

***

I'm sorry I haven't gotten time to reply to the comments.

I really do appreciate them!

You all know that 😳

I will reply to them as soon as I get some time.

Leave your likes and comments!

Eagerly waiting for them.

I really need some good response right now... Loosing my confidence :/

-Khushi.

Next: Chapter 10 Page 57

res

amazing update