OS - MY SINCERE APOLOGIES - Part 6 Page 21 - Page 15

Rashi had befriended a group of girls. They called themselves "BBB which stood for Brave Beauties of Bombay" The BBB's had a vibrant lifestyle. The BBB's were senior to Rashi in the university but Rashi managed to join their little group. These girls lived by the principal, work hard and play harder. Being part of BBB, it became much easier to adjust to Bombay and the lifestyle of Bombay.

That particular night Rashi along with the BBB's attended the same party at Rahul's place. One of the girls, Reena recognized Kunal standing in the balcony. She was overjoyed when she saw him, but her excitement fizzled out when she remember something. She had to tell her friends about him. "Hey girls do you see that Guy over there? Guess who is that? He is KUNAL – THE GREAT KUNAL". Rashi glanced towards Kunal and did not find anything special about him. She questioned Reena back. "What so special about him? You sound as it you have spotted some film star."

Reena retaliated, "Rashi he is more special than Shah Rukh Khan to me. Don't go by his looks, Kunal is a sweet heart. Oh what a charmer he was. He was engaged to my elder sister some years back. However fate had something else in store for them. Kunal suddenly left the corporate world and decided to work for the benefit of underprivileged children. He left the choice to my sister – she could be with him but she would have to be prepared a simple and difficult life. My sister chose to be practical and broke the engagement. I was heartbroken because I lost the chance of being his sister in law. My sister was adamant and forbade any of us to even talk to him. She was so very angry at him that she could not realize that he had done the right thing for both of them."

Reena was a lively young girl. She could not remain emotional for too long. An idea struck her, "Rashi, BBB has been very kind to you. We do not just admit anyone and everyone into our group, so you have to prove yourself worthy of us. If you can get Kunal to the dance floor and dance with him for atleast three songs, you will prove yourself worthy of being a BBB.

Rashi the princess of Kalakari, was nervous but confident that she would be able to complete the task at hand. She walked up to Kunal – "Hi I am Rashi." He just raised his right eyebrow implying, so what you want me to do. He continued smoking without looking at her. First attempt failed.

Second attempt: "It's such a lively party. I love making new friends. I just came from Rajkot and life in Bombay is much different from where I come from. Have you ever been to Rajkot. It's not as big as Bombay but it's nice". Again do I really care about you look from Kunal.

Final desperate and honest attempt by Rashi: "I really need your help. I am new to the city, trying to desperately make friends. I am here with some friends and they said that if I manage to dance with you on at least three songs, I will be worthy of their friendship. See it may sound childish to you, but I am lonely and desperate without any family in this big city. Please, please, please, dance with me as a favor to me. I will do anything in return to return your favor."

She heard him say yes, she was thrilled. Then came the condition attached to his yes. "Yes I will dance with you, but I want something in return. I ask for some seconds' everyday of your life for the next one month. I will not ask you do anything unethical, or illegal. Do you promise to my condition, and then I will dance with you".

Rashi was thrilled. She did not bother to find out how many "seconds" of her time he wanted her to commit. She agreed to his condition. The first song was a fast number "Just Chill". Kunal seemed to enjoy the dance. Rahul was ecstatic to see Kunal shaking a leg after ages. Kunal had an idea, he told the DJ to change the next few songs to slow romantic songs. The next song was "Aankhon mein teri
Ajab si ajab si adayein hai" from the movie Om Shanti Om. They hesitated for a bit but swayed beautifully to the music. He led the dance. He took her hands and put them behind this neck and Kunal held Rashi by her waist. They were dancing for the first time, but they synced naturally.

The final song was even more sensuous. "Sajde me hi jhukta hoon" from Bachna e haseeno. Kunal was enjoying the dance with Rashi, it was while since he had let his hair down. He wanted the dance to get more intimate, but he restrained himself as he had met this girl for the first time and he did not want her to get the wrong idea. Rashi was the first girl he had touched or danced after ages. He was enjoying it. He agreed to dance with her for a cause he kept reminding himself.

Just as the third song ended, he pulled her with him to the exact corner where he was standing before she approached him. " Ms Rashi, I did as you told me, now you will have to commit 28,800 seconds of your time daily for the next one month ."

"28,800 seconds." Rashi was fumbling with her phone to calculate how many hours it calculated to. "Eight hours" she "You said some seconds, you did not say 8 hours, this is cheating. Eight hours every day for one month, for dancing on three songs."

"Well I gave you most of the facts, but you did not do you math, is it my fault? You have to keep your side on the bargain, don't you?"

Rashi could have, walked away from the deal, but she had someone who had beaten her at her own game. He indeed seemed a Kalakar. She was eager to know what he wanted her to do, if she enjoyed she would continue, otherwise it would be TATA Kunal.

"Okay what do I have to do?" she asked. "Give me your number and I will contact you tomorrow and give you the details." He went back to smoking and being thoughtful.

This part was entirely dedicated to Kunal and Rashi's first meeting. Tell me how you feel about it.