Part Thirteen: Dheere Dheere
Manali University: Festivities begin…
One of the most important days at Manali University had initiated with an opening assembly where the entire student population and faculty gathered in excitement to listen to Dean's encouraging words of wisdom and get inspired by the purpose that the University promoted among its talented and gifted student body. It was a tradition to give students a pep talk to boost their confidence for their approaching competitions and showcased display that was held in the evening. Recruiters from the Showbiz and Media field were welcomed and given the first class treatment by everyone at the University. Directors, Producers, Modeling agencies, Music companies, Theater productions, and Record labels were all anticipating success in their hunt for fresh and youthful talent. They could already sense the excitement that filled each and every corridor and classroom in the building's magnificent architect, impressive would be an understatement to describe the grandeur that the entire town of Manali displayed for their out of town spectators.
"Shaan do you have a second?" Sir.Shekhar called out to Shaantanu as he approached him the busy hallway after the assembly.
"Yes, of course Sir…what can I do for you?" Shaantanu smiled with confidence at Sir.Shekar who was immensely happy to find him in the midst if the busy crowd.
"Just wanted to tell you that I know of your plan of pulling Khanak in for the last bit of your performance this evening…and kinda loved the idea…mujhe pehlay pata hota toh tum dono ko duet gaane ki punishment deta…" Shekhar smiled informing Shaan about his take on Shaan's modification to his performance.
"Thanks Sir…Khanak se baat karni abhi baaqi hain…I better paly safe, aggar surprise shock ban gaya toh performance per asar par sakta hain…"
"Yeah…good idea…I am sure voh maan jaaye gi afterall tumharay gaaney ki tareef karney se voh kabhi thak thi nahi hain…" Shekhar agreed with Shaantanua as the walked through the crowd together. Shaantanu was on his way to find Khanak who was taking care of Tara's hyperventilation with Sam.
"Okay Sir…I'll see you around then…?" Shaantanu said as he spotted Khanak and rest of the gang across the main garden.
"Yup! Make me proud Khandelwal…I have got expectations and people coming to see you." Shekhar patted him with confidence before walking past him, oblivious to his confused facial expression as he heard him say the last bit of his sentence.
Shaantanu stood there for a moment, trying to absorb the new revelation that his favorite professor had dawned on him. "People were coming to see him…" Why? Was he prepared for that kind of attention…? Will he be good enough for their expectations?..Doubt filled his mind as he tried to remain calm about the situation, he knew that Sir. Shekhar wanted his talent to reach the pinnacle of success but he had no idea everything would be arranged so soon. His thoughts would have lingered on in the same direction if it wasn't for Abhay's loud voice that called out his name from distance, trying to get his attention to come over and join in with the rest of the crew.
"Hey Shaan! Tu kub se vahaan statue ki tarah kharah tha…kya hua dude koi problem hain kya?" Lucky questioned directly as Shaantanu walked up to them and searched for Khanak who was busy tending to Tara.
"Na..Nahi aisa kuch nahi hain…main bus..actually guys voh main sooch raha tha Khanak ko bata de kay voh humey gaaney join karay gi at the end…Sir.Shekhar also thinks it's better to let her know before hand…" Shaantanu revealed his decision to Abhay and Lucky who couldn't agree more with his chain of thought.
"Yeah sure…bata de ussay, vaise bhi I am sure voh tujhay manah toh karay gi nahi..thoda naraaz hogi per phir maan jaaye gi…" Abhay assured Shaan and smiled as he drank out his soda can while Lucky nodded his head in agreement.
"Theek hain…I'll go and talk then…vaise baaki sari tayaari hain na?"
"Yup…no worries dude…everything is covered, bus tu apne pehlay pyaar…I mean guitar kay saath time per aajaana... aik final rehersal kar sakte hain, if you want…"
"Yeah…Khanak ke saath final rehersal kartey hain…20 mins mein…what say? I'll meet you guys with her in the music room…" Shaan suggested while his eyes roamed in distance and spotted Khanak by the fountain.
"Yes Rockstar! We'll see you in 20 mins..." Abhay and Luky saluted Shaan as he smiled at them and then rushed over to the fountain where Sam and Khanak were attending to Tara and her nervousness before her photography competition.
"Tara calm down…tu jaanti hain na tu kitni achi photos leti hain toh phir itna kyun darr rahi hain…" Sam commented on Tara's abilities as Khanak held out a water bottle for Tara to drink from.
"Haan Tara…Sam theek leh rahi hain…hum sub ko tumhari creativity per poora bharoosa hain…please aise mat preshaan ho…" Khanak consoled her further and gave her a side hug while sitting on the bench next to her,.
"Tum dono such keh rahi ho na…?" Tara asked with a doubtful tone as she looked at Khanak and then at Sam.
"Yes babes! Humne kabhi tujhse jhoot bola hain?" Sam assured her once again as Khanak held on to her hand and gave her a warm smile.
"Hello beautiful ladies!" Shaantanu interrupted as he approached them with his unique style. Khanak gleamed seeing him but maintained her composure.
"Hi Shaan! Kahaan thay tum abb tak…?" Sam questioned as he looked away from Khanak.
"Yahi tha…assembly mein late aaya tha iss liye peechay tha…abb batao tum dono mill kar future Rebecca Ruth ko preshaan kyun kar rahay ho…?" Shaan diverted him attention towards Tara who had nervousness written all over her face.
"Shaan itna over confidence mat do mujhay…I am already nervous…"
"Tara come on! Yeh nervous honay ka time nahi hain…Tumharay portfolio ko hum sub ne dekha hain aur voh bahut acha hain…infact uss din Lucky tumhari tareefay kartey kartey almost behoosh hogaya tha…jub itni support ho toh phir darr kiss baat ka…?" Shaan explained calmly as Khanak and Sam both watched in awe because Tara was finally beginning to smile.
"Thanks Shaan! You are the best aur tum Lucky ko keh sakte ho kay voh mujhse baat kar sakta hain…I think maine ajj subah bahut over react kar diya…he was just being sweet like always, lakin main ussay manaa loongi…" Tara informed Shaan with a smile and then went off to prepare for her final round, dragging Sam with her purposely to leave Shaan and Khanak alone for some time.
Khanak too wanted to follow Tara and Sam but as she got up Shaantanu held her back by her wrist gently.
"Aik minute rukogi Khanak… mujhay kuch baat karni hain…"
"Jee boliye..." Khanak turned with a slight blush as he loosened his grip on her tiny wrist.
"Meri ajj ki performance tumharay liye kitni important hain…?"
"Bahut important hain Shaantanu…app aisa kyun pooch rahay hain?"
"Mera saath dogi tum….?"
"Haan Shaantanu…main toh hameesha…"
"Khanak meray satah gao gi..?"
"Kya?!" Khanak exclaimed with a shocked faced as Shaantanu came forward with irrestiable pleading eyes.
"Please…sirf akhri verse…Main jaanta hoon tum bahut acha gaati hoon aur mujh se yeh baat itnay dino se chupa rahi ho…Please…"
"Main..per…app ko yeh…Sam! Uss ne bataya na app ko?"
"Hmm…lakin kya farq parta hain…poocha toh maine hain na…?"
"Lakin Shaantanu app kay sangeet kay saath meri awaaz ka toh koi jur nahi banta…" She presented her argument and turned away from him.
"Jub hum dono kay beech itna gehra "jur" ban chukka hain toh phir tumhari awaaz aur meray music mein kyun nahi…?" Shaantanu whispered slowly as he stood right behind her. Khanak was frozen in her spot after hearing his justification that had left her speechless. The way he considered and pointed out the depth in their relationship was simply beautiful.
"Main yunhi khara raho ga tumharay pass jub tak tum maan nahi jaanti…" Shaantanu teased as he inched closer, almost brushing his hand with hers. She smiled as she loved they way his slight touch made her feel. He couldn't see her smile but knew that she would eventually give in.
"Aap jaantey hain main app ki zidd se nahi jeet sakti…" she spoke up in her softest tone and turned around, clashing in to him. She would have looked up but decided not to, their height difference was useful in maintaining her breath, she was sure his eyes would have hindered her breathing patterns in this particular moment of closeness.
He smiled widely observing her shy eye lids struggling in his presence. He simply loved the way she would not allow them to look up at him. Her fragrance had taken over his senses completely and a part of him wanted to pull her closer and engulf her fragile figure in his strong arms but he resisted. He wanted that moment to be special and not planned.
"Main tumhara intezaar karoonga…Rehersal room mein…dus minute mein vahaan final rehersal kay liye aajaana…" He said gently and then moved away from her. They shared a quick glance and then went their separate ways with smiles on their faces.
Meanwhile, Khandelwal clan had reached Manali safely and checked in to one of the small cottages that were near the university. Madhavi and Daadi were elated at Sunil's decision and Khusboo couldn't help but shower her loving husband Akshay with subtle romantic gestures frequently. Overall, this journey had finally brought back the most missed smiles on Khandelwal's faces, smiles that actually reflected happiness and bliss.
"So what's the plan Dad?" Hum Shaan se kub milne vaale hain…?" Akshay asked joining Sunil and Madhavi in the cosy living room area with Khusboo. Daadi was taking a quick afternoon nap after settling herself in some warm clothes that suited Manali's cold temperatures.
"Bus ajj toh voh hum subko apni performance kay waqt he dekhay ga…it's a surprise Akshay so please thodi dair aur intezaar karlo…" Sunil instructed hi oldest son and smiled while Madhavi arranged for coffee.
"Okay Dad…I just can't hardly wait…Chotey se itnay dino baad milo ga, loads of cataching up to do…" Akshay said excitedly, noticing Khusboo aiding Madhavi in fixing hot coffee to stay warm in cold temperatures. He loved it when Khusboo helped around like a true traditional daughter-in-law.
"Hmmm me too…vaise Shaan ko Manali kafi pasand aaya hoga…ussay cold wheather acha lagta hain aur phir yahaan kay scenic mountains bhi kafi khoobsorat hain…" Sunil smiled as he reminisced about his younger sons like and dislikes.
"Haan meray betay ko yeh jagah such mein bahut achi lagi hogi…Voh apni vacations bhi hameesha Manali type locations per karta tha…Mumbai is definitely not Shaan's type…" Madhavi agreed with Sunil as she handed him his mug of coffee.
"Well then I must add kay meray devar ki choice kafi achi hain…even I love cold places…Mumbai mein reh kar toh hum sub garmi aur pollution kay used to hogaye hain…vacations bhi vahi kissi resort mein spend kartay hain…how boring…" Khusboo commented as she settled herself on the couch with Akshay who was sipping away his coffee.
"Baby, we'll go some place nice next vacation…I promise…" Akshay assured his wife as Sunil and
Madhavi watched in awe. They felt blessed to see things getting back to normal again. Khusboo and Akshay were lacking their usual spark ever since tensions at home increased, but now everything was getting back to the way it was suppose to be.
Back at the University
The gang had completed theur final rehearsal with ease. Khanak's voice gelled in beautifully at the last verse, just as they had expected. The way her vocals heightened the ending made the song come alive even at its lowest points. Abhay, Lucky, and Sam were happy for Shaantanu as Khanak's support added to his magic and with her by his side they were certain that by the end of the evening showcase major recruiters would be chasing after him for his commitment.
"Khaaannaaak!! I love you! Dekha main kehti thi na kay toh BAHUT ACHA gaati hain…" Sam came rushing towards Khanak after the song ended. She gave her best friend a suffocating hug like always.
"Thank…You…Sam…" Khanak sruggled under her grip as the guys watched the two girls with wide smiles.
"Oye! Sam…Khanak ko saans toh lenay de…" Abhay spoke up as he realized Khanak's facial expressions while approaching them. Sam pulled back and smiled at her proudly. Shaantanu watched them from distance as he packed up his guitar with Lucky.
"Khanak mujhay such mein Sam ki baat per yakeen nahi tha…but tumhari awaaz ko sun kar I have become a beliver…bahut achay vocals diye hain Shaan kay gaanay ko tumne…" Abhay complimented Khanak and gave her a side hug. He was aware of her modest nature and so his genuine compliment meant a lot to Khanak.
"Thanks Abahy…bus abb Sam kay saath ainda koi secret nahi share karogi varna ajj gaana gavaya hain kal na jaanay aur kya karvaye gi…" Khanak said playfully, glancing back and forth at Shaantanu as she conversed with her friends.
"Okay phir hum chaltey hain….Lucky bhi Tara se nahi milla kub se…I think uss kay completion kay results showcase se pehlay announce honay vale hain... we better be there…" Sam informed Khanak as Lucky and Shaantanu joined in.
"Yes…meri fianc mujhse naraaz thi ajj subah tak…but Shaan ke kehnay se maan gaye…Chalo hum toh chale princess Tara ki ghulaami karnay…app loog bhi vahi aajana…Tara wouldn't want you to miss her competition's results…" Lucky reminded them once again as Sam and Abhay followed him out the door, once again leaving Khanak and Shaantanu in eachother's company.
Shaantanu was watching Khanak's hesitant posture as she tried to choose between leaving and staying, he knew that her heart and mind were in constant battle with one another and smiled at her confusion before speaking up.
"Vaise meray gaanay ka saara credit lena koi app se seekhay madam…Ms.Lyricist se lead singer ki partner ka safar kuch zaayda jaldi pura nahi kar liya app ne?" He teased her, making her cautious instantly.
"Shaantanu mera aisa koi iraad nahi hain…main…I mean…app ka…mujhay please galat…"
"Arey oh! Ms.Masoom main mazaak kar raha tha…tum toh aisi ghabrati ho kay achay khasay mazaak ki band baj jaati hain…"
"Shaantanu! App iss barey mein mazaaq kaise kar saktey hain…? mujhay aisa mazaak nahi pasand, app shayaad iss baat se abb tak bekhabhar hain per mujhay app ke music per kissi aur ka haq ya credit bilqual nahi pasand…yeh toh app ki pehchaan hain aur main ya koi aur kabhi bhi iss pehchaan ko app se alag karay mujhay yeh bilqual acha nahi lagay ga…" Khanak spoke her mind without looking him in the eyes but the seriousness in her tone was conveyed efficiently and her words were once again able to leave a lasting impact on his heart.
"Haq toh uss awaaz ka banta hain Khanak…voh awaaz jo ajj meri himmat ban kar ajj mera saath de rahi hain…main ajj apnay music ka…apni har aik sur ka haq uss awaaz ko dena chahta hoon…apni khushi se…bolo iss bharose ka saath nibhao gi?" Shaantanu hook his finger under her chin and lifted it gently, she was now looking up in his honest eyes as he made his offer.
"Hameesha…" Khanak satated simply without taking time to think and formulate an answer to his question, the moment she looked in to his eyes she knew her tounge would not oblige to any of her restrictions and she didn't mind the blunt honesty either because it was pure like her heart.
Shaantanu smiled at her genuinely, her compliance had given him all the confidence in the world.
He felt like he could face anything if she stood by him just like she was today. His constant motivation from the start, she had been his guiding light in the darkest hours and the warmest gleam in his brighter days. She was his constant and he could never change that…he simply couldn't go back from here…not without her.
"Adi Bahiyaa ajj shaam ko arahay hain?" Shaantanu asked suddenly, breaking the silence that they were enjoying the moment before.
"Jee…Mohit bahiyaa mumbai se vapis agaye hain…voh closing dekh lay gay…app ne Bahiyaa se pehli hi baat karli ajj shaam ki excuse kay liye…?" Khanak recalled her conversation with Adi about Shaantanu during breakfast.
"Hmm…per Bahiyaa se aik aur zaroori baat karni hain… lakin voh main kal karo ga…" Shaantanu informed Khanak with a certain glint in his eyes that she was able to see but not comprehend. He was definitely up to something.
"Acha koi khass baat…?"
"Haan hain,per uss barey mein hum kal baat karay ge…vaise ajj lunch mein kya lai ho..? mujhay bahut bhook lagi hain…" Shaantanu changed the topic with ease bringing up his hunger which always got Khanak's attention.
Khanak and Shaantanu got busy with Khanak's home made lunch for some time and then joined the rest of the gang in the auditorium for Tara's award ceremony where she was awarded 1st place in photography and creative designs. Khanak's competition for creative script writing was also recongnized by a renowned production house that approached her for her writing talent. Although Khanak's event was not hardcore competition like Tara's, Shaan felt immense pride as he watched her get recongnized and praised by media affiliates and Sir.Shekhar. Khanak felt accomplished but politely requested for some time to think about all the great oppirtunities that were being presented to her. Even in the midst of chatter and crowd somehow her eyes would always find their way to Shaantanu's. He was standing at a distance with the rest of the gang, waiting patiently for his turn to praise her upon her achievement.
Coming Up: Evening Showcase, Khandelwal's surprise, and Shaan's decisions….
P.S: Not edited properly as i had planned to update on friday but decided to post this up for the sake of my ardent and loving supporters...I hate making people wait so here it it...Read, Enjoy, and as always Share Your Opinions...
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