Arnav stood still contemplating what had
just happened. Here he was with Khushi still in his arms as the audience
applauded, bringing them both their attention back to the hall.
What had just happened? What had he just
done? Did he aid Khushi to win? Didn't he say that he wouldn't be there to
support her if she fell?? Then why did he unconsciously move towards the stage
to dance, to aid her. He let go of her waist and stood still. His eyes
occasionally darting sideways studying her. Khushi stood as usual mesmerizingly
beautiful. Her fingers played with her saree pallu, giving away her hidden
tension and turmoil. Was she also just as confused as he was?
Arnav last recalled standing with the
audience, waiting in anticipation for Khushi's last performance. Did he want
her to win? Was he hoping she would lose? He didn't know. He wasn't sure of a
lot of things when it came to do with Khushi. It was like something in him was
slowly being inched open. Didn't she say he had locked his heart away. Then why
was he actually feeling more alive
tonight, especially after her last performance of mocking him. He should
have been angry. He deserved to be angry. Yet he laughed. Yes, as Di said for
the second time, he laughed out loud. Was it her performance or the fact that she
was the only one who noticed little things about him. Little things that meant
nothing to anyone else but seemed to be everything to her. How did she do that
when he always was looking for a reason to be angry with her, to hurt her, to
push her away. Yet she pushed him away when she was hurt. Because he hurt her
with his words. He had failed to notice that she was not acting but was truly
hurt. Why was she at his pool in the first place and what made her upset? Was
the competition too much for her? Was she worried that if she had lost, he
would demand something from her, something that she could not give? Again he
wasn't sure but he stood with a
strong fascade, waiting for her performance.
But it did not start. Nothing. She stood on
the stage, alone. Completely alone. Where was her damn partner and why had she
not shown up!!! How could she let Khushi down at her moment of need when
victory was truly within her grip. He felt his anger increasing. Nobody did
that to Khushi. Nobody had the audacity of treating her that way, apart from
him. But it was different with him, he reasoned. He was doing it to protect
her. To push her away so that she wouldn't get burnt by him. He had a reason.
Though his inner resolved was no longer convinced.
He turned his attention to buaji and Payal
and watched as Payal tried numerous attempts in vain to get hold of Sarita.
What were they now going to do? He watched as Payal shook her head signaling to
Khushi and khushi's shoulders drop, dejected. No, this couldn't be happening. She
stood still searching the crowd but she still stood there. It reminded him of
the day when he had forced her to model for the calendar and she stood there in
red saree, looking similarly at him, hoping that he would agree to her wearing
the saree and not that stupid dress. He couldn't say no. How could he? Even
when he didn't want to, her beauty and innocence took over him and he could not
let those eyes look away from him in disappointment.
Could he allow that today?
Without an answer, he felt his legs took
over him and carried his body towards the stage. He removed his suit jacket and
folded his black shirt. What was he going to do? He still wasn't sure. He
walked towards the light crew and DJ who stood still, more like shell shocked
at the fact that the great ASR was contemplating talking to them. He had that
effect on others, yet not on her. He smiled.
"Dim the lights and once I'm on stage, switch them back on." He commanded.
They nodded with their mouths wide open. "What's wrong?"
"Sir, you are going to dance?"
"Who said anything about dancing?" Arnav
asked them. Was he going to dance?! He was not sure. It was ages since he last
dance. Actually it was at Di's pre-wedding do, before mama left him completely.
He closed his eyes. What was he thinking? He immediately backed away from the
stage and turned, but not before his eyes caught a glimpse of Khushi retreating
towards his direction. Was she going to admit defeat? He face sullen. No!!! He
would never let that happened. As long as he was still alive and breathing,
nothing would hurt her, Nothing. Not even him.
He turned around and marched towards the
stage with new found resolved.
"What m'm..mu'.usic sh'sh'should we
pl'pl..play?" The DJ stammered.
"I don't know. Play something you think is
suitable!" ASR barked.
The DJ scrambled his CDs and ipod
collection and found the perfect song "Teri Meri". He had been watched Khushi
the whole evening. Who couldn't. Who wouldn't. But one thing he did notice was
her eyes were only on ASR and likewise. Could there be something?! His
suspicions further confirmed when after her last performance, he stood aghast
expecting the mightly roar of ASR but found him smiling and laughing. ASR
laughing? The ASR! The mightly ASR???!!! And now he was about to dance?! He
knew the Raizada family for a long time. He was their faithful DJ and had
entertained in all their parties. They were known to throw amazing parties but
tonight, he felt it was different, more special. Tonight, he had finally witnessed ASR becoming
more humane. Could this be because he had finally found his khushi?! He wasn't
sure. But he was going to help them on their journey of realization. He watched
ASR stand in front of Khushi, blocking her path of stage. The DJ closed his
eyes, mumbled a slight prayer and pressed play!
An Amazing Read !
ReplyDeleteArnav's point of view of this sequence was worth reading. The emotions that you portrayed through your words was fitting. The urge to save Khushi from the world as well as himself just reflected the selfless love that Arnav possesses when it comes to her !
Well,we couldn't thank the DJ enough for putting in the perfect song, can we ?
Thanks.:)
Hanee - thank you for such a lovely os. Teri Meri was the highlight of the Arnav/Khushi romance for me. This one shot beautifully captures Arnav's internal battle of brain v. heart. And I enjoyed the refreshing angle of the DJ ^^
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lovely
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful one shot..Thank you.
ReplyDelete