Another lame shot by me. :P Here it goes.
The Annual Day
The day we had been practicing for weeks now was finally here; our hard work was finally going to be put in tracks. There was a rush, almost a chaos. We were supposed to go to the original venue where we were supposed to perform our dances, plays and speeches.
Different classes were given different themes of countries. I found it pretty stupid, I had tried so hard to get away from this event but the teachers in my school are so' ugh! Everybody has to participate, they said. The girls of our class were given the 'German Dance'. It was the weirdest kind of dance I had ever seen. I and my best-friend, Payal were suppose to stand in the front. Payal was so damn excited that she opted for standing in-front herself while taking my hand with her.
Now I was there standing in the big Hall, all alone, but of-course others were there too, waiting for Payal. She had told me that she would reach here by car and she isn't here yet.
Our dresses were so fancy; it was a silk, black gown with back printed net on it. The black printed gave it a flow-y look so that when we dance it would look like we really are jumping. The teachers had told us that we should put up make and our hair was supposed to be in a bun. I, hadn't used make-up, a girl in grade 10 uses a lot of it but to attract boys, I was different. Since the teachers had strictly told us to I asked my cousin to give my eyes a Smokey black look and my hair was in a neat bun but my flicks were on my forehead and a few strands of my hair were in loose curls.
I went outside the hall into the huge garden where I could see many other students; some rehearsing, making final touches and I also saw him'
I ignored it and went a little close to the gate to look if Payal was here. I kept looking at my wrist watch and I suddenly felt being watched. I looked up and turned a little to see him standing with his usual group of friends, folded arms and staring me right in the eye. My heart skipped a beat. He raised his hand and waved at him. My heart skipped another beat. I smiled and waved back at him slightly.
He was wearing a black suit, in which he looked breath taking. He was supposed to be in a play. He used to practice with others all day long in the basement of our school. His hair was jelled up. God, he looked so good. He, Arnav Singh Raizada is my senior.
I turned to look beside me as I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"I told you, don't stare back at him. He'll think you're desperate. Play hard to get." 'Payal made a face.
"I was just' no forget that you freak I've been waiting since forever." 'I said pushing her a little bit.
"Oww! Khushi, I'm sorry na yaar. You know I am so having a haircut after this because this length of hair pisses me off and never sits down according to what I think. My hair was a mess." 'Payal pleaded.
"It looks fine." 'I said turning away.
"Because I fixed it." 'Payal winked and I laughed. She does not know how to wink at all and the way she does it makes me laugh every time. She hooked here arms with mine. "Let's go." 'We both said and went up to stand with the rest of the group.
*
"Khushi' keep smiling like that." 'Lavanya whispered in my ear.
"What? Why should I keep smiling?" 'I said but she had already run half way to the entrance door.
"Because you look pretty." 'The husky voice came from behind. I turned to witness him standing just 2 foot-steps away from me.
"Oh! Um' Hi. Lavanya' she is just crazy." ' I said looking here and there.
"Oh no, I agree with what ever she said in your ear." 'Arnav said smirking.
"Um' yeah. So how is your preparation?" 'I asked looked up at him. I didn't even reach his shoulder. No I did actually.
"Yeah, it's pretty good. Yours?" 'He smiled at me again.
"I've never danced before; I think I won't be able to do it." 'I said as I looked to my feet. Meet his gaze was so damn difficult!
"You'll do it, I know. Plus I can't wait to see you dance." 'He smirked again. Oh god why? Now he wants me to fall of the stage.
I chuckled. "You clean up nice. You look beautiful." 'He tucked the loose strand of my hair behind my ear. Oh no the heart-beat. All the blood in my body had rushed to my cheeks and they were for sure crimson.
"Um' thanks." 'I smiled like an idiot.
"Khushi, Mrs. Malhotara is calling us. Come quick!" 'Payal shouted for me as she kept coming towards us.
"Guess the shows about to start. I'll see you after your dance." 'He said as he put his hands in his pockets and left.
"Payal, PAYAL!" 'I voice was long gone.
"Yes, I saw that. I told you he likes you back. You cried buckets the other day when he sat there with Sheetal. Plus you look beautiful today." 'Payal smiled brightly.
"He said I look beautiful" 'I said in a deep whisper.
"He did?" 'Payal's eyes widened. I nodded in response. "See, bus ab bohat khush ho jao." 'Payal took my hand and pulled me to the backstage.
*
As Mrs. Malhotara kept repeating the instruction for the tri-zillionth time, we were finally free of her orders. I quickly ran to the corner so that the main stage was visible because I heard the announcement of the play. I saw as the curtains flew open, all I was looking at was him and smiled like an idiot once again. He caught my eye and smiled slightly just that it was visible to me. I skipped a beat the third time in a row and I smiled back at him.
*
It was our turn now and I was so nervous that my hands had started to sweat. I saw him sitting in the first row of the audience and my eyes unintentionally widened, he smiled at me. That smile, does wonders to my day! Best of luck, he mouthed.
The whole dance was jumping and twirling, for a second I was enjoying this shit but then time and again I realized he was looking at me, intensely. I smiled and danced again, enjoying the moment. There was a round of applause in the end, we bowed down and went to the back stage.
*
"Khushi I wish you could come to the senior ball." 'Payal said forlornly.
"Its okay, next year when I have a boy-friend I'll come to the ball." 'I said happily.
These after-senior balls were always held and I used to be one of those losers who'd stay back because they were for couples. I had always wanted to go but then I needed a guy to take me. Once Payal and Akash forced me to sneak inside but that epically failed and I was caught.
I waved Payal and Akash a goodbye and also my other friends who were leaving with their boy-friends and then suddenly I heard someone clear their throat.
"Oh Arnav, you scared me." 'I said as I kept a hand on my heart.
"Sorry." 'He said. "Your dance was so good, it was mesmerizing." 'He smiled.
"Thanks and so was your play. It was quite catchy." 'I chuckled.
"Speaking of dance, why aren't you going to the ball?" 'He asked, curiosity written on his face.
"Well, I ' just ' umm' don't have a guy to take me too." 'I said, embarrassed.
"Oh well, I don't have a girl who I can go with." 'He smirked. "Would you like to go?"
"What? Me and you? To a ball?" 'I suddenly freaked out like a 6 year old freaks out after seeing a chocolate.
"Yes, you and me, to a ball." 'He said as if imitating me. "I want to be the partner of such a good dancer." 'He smiled and took my hand in his.
I looked up and smiled at him. "I've always wanted to go with you." 'He whispered in my ear, intertwined our hands and we left for the ball.
Anupamaa
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