As per my logic which had to be obvious, the next performance was showing me and Manik fallen in love, which I suppose won't ever happen. But, I was excited to listen the song which was selected for the situation.

{A/N: PLUG IN 'TOOTA JO KABHI TARA' FROM 'A FLYING JATT'. IT'S MY FAVOURITE,THO. LET ME KNOW IF YOU ALL LOVE IT TOO. I'M OBSESSED WITH IT. *slurps*}

Kisi sham ki tarah
Tera rang hai khila
Main raat ik tanha
Tu chaand sa mila

Haan tujhe dekhta rahan
Kisi khaab ki tarah
Jo ab saamne hai tu
Woh kaise yakeen bhala

(As much as I hated this situation of us being imagined and portrayed, I liked the song way too much. I need to get it in my music library asap. Besides, DhruLya's, I mean Dhruv and Alya's chemistry was setting the stage on fire. They looked damn cute too.)

Toota jo kabhi tara sajna ve
Tujhe rabb se maanga
Rabb se jo maanga mileya ve
Tu mileya toh jaane na dunga main

Woh.. Oh..

Haan maine suni hain
Pariyon ki kahaani
Waisa hi noor tera
Chehra hai tera ruhani

(Flabbergasted would be an understatement to what I felt after listening the song ahead. Every single bring present there was too ecstatic seeing their dance. The overall environment, created on the stage, was romantic in it's own way. Too soothing and calm. The supporting dancers were like the icing on the cake. I wonder how did they even manage to prepare these many performances in a single day.)

Aa tujhko main apni aaja meri
Bahon mein chupa lun
Haan apni iss zameen ko
Kar doon main aasmani
Zindagi rok doon main
Ab tere saamne
Pal do pal jo ruke
Tu mere saath mein

("Dhruv is seriously my cutest buddy!", I heard Manik exclaiming in  pleasure, with sheer proud. He was mesmerised too, seeing himself being portrayed by his best friend. Out of excitement I asked him, "Is this song your band's composition?" He replied snapping his neck towards me, "Yeah. I wrote the song, but my buddies helped to bring it till here, to life.")

Toota jo kabhi taara sajna ve
Tujhe rab se maanga
Rab se jo maanga mileya ve
Tu mileya toh jaane na dunga main

Itni bhi haseen main nahi o yaara ve
Mujhse bhi haseen toh tera yeh pyaar hai
Haan itni bhi haseen main nahi o yaara ve
Mujhse bhi haseen tera pyaar

(That was really good to know. He was a fabulous lyricist. This song haf taken my heart with it's first verse itself and now when it was nearing it's end I wanted nothing else, but my iPod, ear plugs and this song. For the first time I flashed a true smile to him and he smiled back. Again, he was so sweet to me even after my ignorance towards him. Was Mukti Di right? Is he really a moonstone? Too precious to let go of?)

Ke tera mera pyaar ye
Jaise khwab aur dua
Haan sach kar rahan inhein
Dekho mera khuda

(I shifted my attention towards Alya who seemed to enjoy the performance. It was better to stay away when I very well knew that I was severely accident-prone, not clumsy. She was purely and fully into the dance. The two of them had maintained a continuous and cute eye lock whole throughout the performance which made them look like a real couple, hence fulfilling  their basic agenda to perform.)

Toota jo kabhi tara sajna ve
Tujhe rabb se maanga
Rabb se jo maanga mileya ve
Tu mileya toh jaane na dungi main

The performance ended on a very fantastic note. I was seriously impressed by Alya's dancing skills. Also their prettiness in the attire which they wore for the performance, was not at all ignorable. They looked like the couple in the snow ball showpiece.

As the song replayed naturally in my head, I realised the jist of it was connected to stars, a falling star that fulfils all our wishes. Did he know about my obsession with stars? Might be a lucky guess. The self-centred me soon drew to realise that stars might be his favourite too. Similarities galore? Yeah? Yeah.

~~~

After Dhruv and Alya's performance, the host asked all the guests to proceed for some snacks and stuff.
The ceremony continued later, that too at a level much higher and energetic af.

I loved the atmosphere there, but at the same time I was tensed and bewildered about the things which were going to take place in line, supposedly from tomorrow. In between this break, I being the most impatient soul dragged Alya to a corner and asked about the plan. She soothed the fire of impatience in me by saying that I got to trust her on this and that she won't share a single bit of the plan with me. With this sentence I was pushed back into the same black hole of tension and nervousness. She continued, assuring me again by saying that she won't share the plan as she knew how tensed the surroundings currently were for me. So she wanted me to apparently enjoy my, but not mine pre-engagement customs or whatever. I was relieved partially, but showed the opposite to her, as Alya was being heights of caring towards me and I didn't want to be a spoil spot. Well, that was our love.

~~~

After sometime we assembled back in the hall to see the further performances. The next performance, as the host said was going to be a surprise. Let's see, what they have in store of us.

Suddenly, the lights of the hall were dimmed and two spotlights were focused on two men standing on the performance portal, wearing blue tuxedos. Who were they?

ABSLAKWLLSYBAKBH.

Dayum.

It was Appa and Malhotra uncle. Weren't they the most tired ones? The most tensed ones, with a mountain of responsibilities burdening their back amd shoulder. They had clearly denied to indulge in any sort of 'youngsters' shit, as they said. What was it now?

And the next moment I heard the music being played.

Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...
Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...

(This Sangeet was real time grand with unpredictable things happening then and when, and here and there.)

Jashnbazi ki shaam hai...
Jashnbazi ki shaam hai...
Tirkit taal pe thumke lagaye jaalima...

(The two men gave their hands to their respective mistress, who now made their way on the platform. Dressed beautifully in dark pink sarees, Amma and Malhotra aunty were looking lit af.)

Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...
Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...

(The dance continued and for once I tilted my neck towards Manik. I could see the same, indeed a wider grin playing on his face, evident that even he was amused seeing our parents in this avatar. It was completely mutual. I couldn't even think Appa wearing tuxedo plus dancing on a clichè bollywood song. It was surely a first.)

Teri shaitanio se mehfil rangin hui...
Tu diwana hua main bhi shukeen hui...
Duniya jalti hai to jale..
Duniya jalti hai to jale..
Raat bhar jaalima ke sang nache balma...

(They legit looked like trained artists. I will hug Amma and Appa tightly for this surprise. They were amused too, seeing themselves as their expressions no where coordinated with the song. They were a clear depiction of their happy and shocked inner self. And then again, realisation hit me, what I want to have would snatch away their smiles. Nandu, nothing has happened as yet, they could understand hopefully.)

Ai yai ya..
Ai yai ya...
Hey ai yai ya..
Ai yai ya....

Zindagi hai ek latifa..
Dil walo ka dil khalifa...
Mare mauke pe chauka ye Tafri kre...
Khul ke jeene ..aahhhaa..
Ka salika....aahhhaaa..
Hum se sikho betarika...
Pal mein sadio ki hum
Mauz tagdi kre...
Aao tum bhi le lo maza...
Aao tum bhi le lo maza...
Warna dur khade mast maza dekhna...

(And the moment, unwanted, came. I and Manik were dragged to the stage by all of our friends. They pushed us towards each other more and more as the lyrics passed. Now the stage was completely occupied by both mine and his family and friends, everybody were dancing freely. They were doing steps of bhangra, perks of being in a Punjabi majority.)

Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...
Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...

(I noticed Alya indicating me to step a little side from Manik. I understood her intentions and stepped where Amma, Appa, Mukti Di and rest of my people were dancing. Later, I didn't care to turn my face to see Alya as I know she was doing her job, successfully. Even I started dancing carelessly with my folks and hence relishing the happy moments.)

Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...
Tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur tukur...
Dekh taka tak...

The song ended with everyone hooting. But it wasn't the end, there was something more interesting to it.
Some men with those traditional punjabi costumes and dhol on. They played the instrument loudly and everyone continued dancing. Additionally, a background punjabi music was being played too. Just for once, on not being able to control my curiosity, I snapped my neck towards Alya and Manik. Alya was trying to be near him whilst acting to dance with his friends, where as when she came close, Manik tried stepping aside. This was a clear indication that he was least interested in dancing with Alya. What the hell was the problem? This continued once or twice till my eyes were on him but later being nudged by Mukti Di I turned my attention towards the dance and my group.

~~~

After what seemed like eternity the music stopped and we all made way towards the dining hall to fill up our empty and growling, stomachs. The dinner was being served in a buffet style, but for mine and Manik's family a special table was laid. We all sat in order, Appa and Amma the side opposite to mine, Manik's parents beside them followed by Alya beside me on my left and Manik exactly on my right, rest were Manik's friends and Mukti Di and Abhi Jiju on my opposite again. The waiters served the dinner and that was it. Had it been possible, I would have started gorging on it the moment the first dish was served, but I maintained decency and waited for others to start as I knew Amma was sitting in front. She'd find one or the other way to bring in notice of mine to maintain my manners and have my food slowly, bite by bite with constant chewing and not direct swallowing. Urghh. It was my Amma though, Mrs Gargi Anirudh Murthy. Keeping all the thoughts aside, I shifted my attention towards the serious business in hand right then, my plate that was full of Punjabi gravies, Roti and Biryani.

I thanked heavens that our family, unlike those Bollywood movies', didn't insist Manik to make me eat or vice versa. The reason was very well known. All of us were foodies and for  exclusions who wanted us to make each other eat, they were hesitant and were waiting for someone else to take a step ahead. Well, they were Manik's friends of course.

~~~

As the ceremony got over, I was all ready to run towards my room and inquire Alya about the progress in our plan. Also, the bed in my room seemed to be the most tempting place to go to after I danced and ate to my death. I felt it was inviting me. Too talkative.

Right? Right.

Atleast reply, huh.

I was walking quite fast. Mid-way I heard my name being called, it was Malhotra aunty.

"So Nandini, hope you enjoyed the function." She inquired as she reached.

"Absolutely aunty, it was fantastic. Everyone dreams of such organisations and I got it without any insistence." Organisation as I didn't see it like a function, credits to my nasty and rude inner self.

"Mujhe laga tum mujhe Mom ya kuch aur, aise kisi naam se bulaogi." I made a partial blank face on her statement as she never asked me to address her with mom or any of it's synonyms. She continued ignoring my blankness and silence.

"Chalo ab se bula lena. Mujhe bhi aur Mr Malhotra ko bhi." Mr Malhotra, that was cute. She was really cute and loved me too. She was already anticipating a bond between us, whereas I-. Let's not go there right now.

"Aye! Aye! Ma." I maintained a good indeed the best of my behaviour with Manik's parents as they deserved every bit of it. They were the most amazing parents.

"Acha beta, mujhe bolo tumhe wo song jis par tumhari dost aur Dhruv ne last me dance kiya tha, wo tumhe kaisa laga?" She asked, maybe she'd praise it too or even tell me something about it.

"That song, it took my heart completely. It was perfect with all the senses. Manik has written it fabulously." He really did. It's my official favourite song. I know I'm going overboard, but what to do? I liked that song way too much.

"Beta he just didn't write it, the voice behind that ethereal piece of music belongs to him Manik." Eff. He is legit goals. I have to admit it, he's perfect.

"Really Ma?" Still needed to ask.

"Beta, he always wanted to sing and dedicate that song for his soulmate, the one whom he considered his one and only. Now since he got you, he himself insisted the choreographers to take that song for the concluding dance of the musical portrayal." Simple conclusion- I need a break amd someone to talk to. I am bewildered to heights.

"He didn't tell me this. But that's so good to know." My voice lost it's boldness and I spoke in a slight broken and calm way.

"Acha chalo beta tum bhi jao so jao, kal subah Haldi aur Mehendi ke liye uthna hai."

"Ji maa. Good Night." I replied.

"Good night beta." Without wasting a single second ahead, I rushed to my room.

Why didn't he tell me, why? He deserved appreciation which I suppose he didn't get. I will surely deliver my share of appreciation to him, but not now. He might have slept. But, on the second thought does he seriously love me? That wasn't happening by any chance, no.

He will do the same what Harshad did. He will leave me after promising me a forever. No. This can't happen. I can'ty let my walls down. I have to talk to Alya.

~~~

When I reached the room, I found Alya sleeping, all changed to her night wear. I was still puzzled with so many thoughts going inside me. Just then, my phone beeped. It was a message. It was a private number and the message was 'Good Night. Sweet Dreams and Take Care'.

Who was it?

Since it was a WhatsApp message, I opened the person's display picture and was shocked. It was mine and Manik's picture from today's ceremony, not a perfect one but it was me and him sitting on the sofa in between the performances. It was Manik. But,why was he so eager to get the pictures even? And how did he manage to get them so soon? Maybe his sources, why should I bother? I replied- 'Hmm. Good Night to you too'.

I changed my clothes and slipped under the duvet. I thought it was better to give a full stop to my thinking process for today. Tomorrow's day was crucial. I turned my back towards Alya and suddenly a note kind of something caught my attention. It was Alya's handwriting. The message said 'PLAN SUCCESSFUL AND NOT TOO. LET'S HOPE FOR BETTER RESULTS TOMORROW. GOOD NIGHT'. Now that wasn't a good news, it wasn't bad either. I sighed and concentrated on sleeping. I was successful, but still the tension for tomorrow never left my mind. What will happen tomorrow?

__________________________

Hello people! The longest update is here. Right? Response is needed. 😃
The next update could be this week, but not sure. Please, have a look at my message board. I need to know from my readers.

And, that's how we are pacing towards the end. I have to make a request, please don't panic already, there are some happening twists lined up for you. I promise to make them worth reading. Keep calm. Okay? No bashing is allowed. Please.
Till the next time, Bye bye! Take care!
Love loads.
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