Part 9:
Akash came to the campfire in the college ground. It was going darker, and Khanna Sir and the students had lit a campfire. Akash saw Manya sitting on a log.
He walked upto her and sat down. He nudged her playfully, and she laughed. She pushed him back and whispered,
M: Akash!
A: Yes, Cinderella?
Manya looked up and smiled shyly.
A: Can you say...chuppi rustam?
Manya rolled her eyes.
A: KAha kyun nahin ki tumhi Cinderella thi?
M: Kaise kehti--
Om clapped his hands.
Om: Hey guys, mujhe ek idea aya hai! Kyun na hum ek game khelein??
Everyone clapped and cheered.
Om: Okay..how about musical chairs? Or rather, logs?!
Everyone clapped and joined together logs. Manya stood behind Akash as Khanna Sir turned on the music of the song "Ishq Hua" from Aaja Nachle.
One by one people went out from the game. Now the only people left were Akash, Manya, Karan, Om, Roopa and Kiran. As the music ended, Karan tripped over and Roopa pushed him, sitting on the log. Karan groaned and took one log away.
Akash shrugged his eyebrows at Manya as she stuck her tongue out at him. They continued playing until the only people left were Akash, Manya and Om.
Manya saw Om about to take a seat when the music nearly ended. She jumped quickly and took a seat just in time. Akash was sitting next to her, laughing.
OM: Not faaair!
KS turned on the music again, clapping.
Aisi chali jab hawa...Ishq Hua Hi Hua...
Just as the music ended, Akash and Manya both grabbed the seat at the log. Akash sat down and Manya nearly sat in his lap, only her side touching the log. She grinned sheepishly and pinched Akash's lap. Akash flinched and stood up, staring at her, shocked.
Everyone hooted as Manya sat back on the log, laughing.
M: I WON!
A: Nooo way! Cheater!
M: Main? Aur cheating?!
A: Haan! Tumne mujhe pinch kiya!
M: Acha? Kahan?
She stood up and put her hands on her hips.
M: Kahan pinch kiya?
Akash flushed, embarrassed.
A: Woh, uh..
M: Haan, bolo na...!
A: Manya!
M: Akash!
Thunder suddenly struck as rain poured down. Everyone raced inside the college building as the water pounded on the grounded heavily.
As the rain fell, everyone raced inside. The water blew out the fire in the middle. Manya was running inside when Akash grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
A: Aye, Cinderella...! You owe me a dance!
Manya laughed.
M: Cinderella, huh?
A: Hmm...Cinderella. The girl who danced my night away aur chori chuppai baag gayee...!
Manya laughed. Roopa peered outside from the canteen and tapped Goppu's shoulder. Goppu nodded and put a radio on the doorstep, laughing. Music filled the rainy night.
Tum Kya Jaano Dil Kerta Tumse Kitna Pyar...
Rehte Hai Mujhko Bas Tumhara Intezar,
Aisa hai yehh deewanapan,
Jab tak na dekhun tumko aye na karaar...
Lag Jao MEre Seene Se Yaar...
Akash held Manya's hand as the swayed to the song, laughing and staring into each other's eyes. He held her hand and swung her around, pulling her back close to his body.
He suddenly picked her up in his arms, laughing. He spun her around and placed her back on the ground, spinning her back into his arms.
Tujhko dekha tujhko chaha, tera hoga..
Jaane jaana main tere khwaboon mein kho gaya,
Aa choom loon main tujhe baar baar...
Lag Jao Mere Seene Se Yaar...
Akash stopped his car in front of Manya's house. She got out of the car, soaked wet. She looked up at Akash and waved.
A: Manya!
Manya stopped and turned.
M: Hmm?
A: Woh--aaj raat...I mean din...bahut...acha...
Manya laughed.
M: Good night, Akash.
A: Yeah..good night..
As Manya entered her house, Akash looked up at the sky.
Yeh kya ho raha hai tujhe, Akash? Aaj tak ladkiyan tujh per merti ayee...aur tu hai kii...?
M: AKASH?
Akash looked up.
A: Yeah?
M: Gaari mein bait jao. Bimaar ho jao ge...
Akash laughed as Manya went inside.
Kuch To Hua Hai
Kuch Ho Gaya Hai
Do Chaar Din Se Lagta Hai Jaise
Sab Kuch Alag Hai
Sab Kuch Naya Hai
Kuch To Hua Hai
Kuch Ho Gaya Hai
Akash saw Manya's room's light turn on.
A: Yeh kya ho gaya hai mujhe? Kya...kya mujhe pyar...? Agar tho yeh pyar hai...tho woh dekhe gi...
Akash looked up at the window.
A: Dekhe gi agar tho pyar hai...
Suddenly, the wind flew and the curtains rose. Akash looked up and saw Manya, her hair flying with the wind, come on the terrace. She smiled and waved to him. Akash laughed and jumped up, whispering in his mind,
A: PYAR HAI!!!!
Manya watched him, smiling confusedly.
A: NIGHT, MANYA!!!
Manya waved to him, laughing. She shut the window and smiled.
M: Pagal!
From one side, Manya smiled to herself, thinking of Akash. On the other, Akash laughed, waving his hand through his hair, thinking about Manya...