So, I'm going to stop giving recaps now and start with the chapter right away. I don't want to type like an idiot and eat and hog space for nothing.
Starring SwaRon, KriYansh and ViHa
(Reyansh's point-of-view)
I burst through the double-doors to the rehearsal and came running it, breathing hard, struggling to catch my breath, looking around with wild eyes. "I'm LATE!" I screamed frantically, knowing Sharon was probably waiting in here somewhere with a fork and knife to cut me up, then serve to me to any cannibals on duty. But just the boys were there, my two best friends; Nilesh was doing a casual, warm-up incline on one of the treadmills and Vicky was, as usual, lounging on the light, polished wooden floor. "Sharon's later," Nilesh cracked, giving me a little wave. "Whew!" I sighed in exaggerated relief and then turned my eyes onto Vicky. Now that I was saved from the hungry cannibals, I could afford a little bitterness. Vicky's eyes were closed; he was smiling; his tall, lean body was stretched out, his hands locked behind his head, the picture of peace. "Vicky, when it comes to doing nothing, nobody can beat you," I told him. Not a muscle twitched in his face – Nilesh just watched the two of us silently, trying to survive the calm before the storm. There was a long, awkward silence before Vicky mumbled, "I hope you're not waiting for a response." I rolled my eyes. "You're such a pest, Vic," I told him, trying to break the shell. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," he told me, his smile growing wider at my attempt. "Hog dandruff!" Nilesh muttered, turning the setting down and jumping off the treadmill. "My lawyers, however, think otherwise," he cracked. "Get up, Vicky," I said, lifting off my shirt and beginning to stretch. Vicky raised his head and opened his eyes. "Does this count?" he asked. "Vic, just freaking get up," Nilesh retorted, shooting him a look of annoyance and loath. Vicky sighed and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
Simmie entered the rehearsal hall, dressed in black elastic tights and a red-and-white striped tank top, her thumbs a blur over her Blackberry, her sneakers clicking on the wood floor. "Hey, guys," she said mechanically, not looking up from her phone. Then, she caught Vicky and raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. "Sitting up straight today, Vic?" she asked him. "Call me wacky," he said lightly with a wink, climbing to his feet. Rene came in and exchanged a wave and smile, before walking over to the ballet bars and flipping on them. There was silence for a while and Vicky dropped down and stretched out again. The only sounds were the hum of Nilesh's treadmill, Rene's deep breathing as she stretched out at the ballet bars and Simmie's skilled fingers working away on the Blackberry. "Ah, the harmony of mortal worthlessness," she cracked, finally putting away her phone. "Simmie, you look like a peppermint candy," Nilesh commented, taking in her outfit. "Mujhe nazar mat lagao, chichore," she cracked. "Just be thankful I didn't wear a midriff." Sharon entered the rehearsal hall, her cheeks flushed pink for some reason, her eyes sparkling with adreline. "What happened, Sharon? You're late," Simmie said, then regret washed over her face. I knew why; Sharon hated it when others checked her for being late. I winced, waiting for the outburst of temper – but Sharon sighed and nodded timidly. "I know," she said softly. "So sorry. I was in the locker room and it took me a while to freshen up." "Freshen up before rehearsal?" Rene asked, looking confused. "But you never do that. You know you'll sweat anyway, you always freshen up after the rehearsals." Sharon sighed again and shot Simmie a look; something I couldn't describe flowed between their eyes and Simmie brightened, turning to us. "Let us all do three back-to-back routine choreographies for a warm-up," she said with a smile, that was so open and natural it almost fooled me – and it would have fooled me, had I not seen the look she and Sharon had just exchanged. Sharon turned to the huge mirror, slowly stretching her legs apart and relaxing into a centre split – I stared at her in surprise. "Sharon, you never start with a split. You always start with flips on the bars," I said gently. She turned and raised a sharp eyebrow at me. "Stop checking on me, all of you," she said softly but coldly, climbing to her feet. "Let's do the choreographies."
Simmie put on the music; it was loud, and it sounded like the band was in the room with us. But as soon as I recognized the song, I abruptly stopped flowing with the choreography. None of them noticed, until Simmie bumped into my hard, muscular body and fell down. Sharon reached for the remote control and switched off the music, staring at me. "Rey, what happened?" she asked me. It had taken me less than a moment to recognize the song; it was the same song Kriya had first danced to, Destiny Child's Lose My Breath. There was no mistaking in it. "Nothing," I said, trying to smile. As I danced, I messed up the perfect diamond formation, going into position for a triangular one. I expected a tantrum from Sharon, but she turned to me, looking soft-hearted though a little annoyed. "Rey, it's the diamond formation first – then when you come to the base, we make the triangular one – then the circle when Vicky pops in the centre, got it?" she asked me gently, brushing her wet, tangled hair off her forehead. "Yeah, sorry," I said. Simmie and Rene were looking at her with a weird, confused expression and I shrugged in their way. In the triangular formation, I bumped with Rene again and sighed, helping her up – I was so involved in the song and thinking of the moves Kriya had done that I couldn't even do the moves I could do in my sleep. Of course, thinking of Kriya was much more relaxing than sleep. I don't remember how many times I messed up in that rehearsal and how many times I was surprised when Sharon gently corrected me; she seemed so soft-hearted all of a sudden, not the Sharon I'd known just yesterday, not my best friend… Simmie and Rene kept shooting her weird looks and exchanging those incomprehensible looks with each other that I had earlier seen between Sharon and Simmie.
"Hey, it was a great rehearsal," Vicky said cheerfully, patting the perspiration off his forehead with a white face towel as we gathered up our stuff and prepared to shower. "Even though you stunk up practically every choreography piece Sharon tried to get us done." He winked at me. "Hey, watch it," I said edgily. "Hey, friends have got to be honest with each other – right?" Vicky teased, punching me lightly on the shoulder. I scowled. "Wrong," I muttered. "Fine, then – I take it back. You were awesome today," he said, grinning. I couldn't help laughing at that; Nilesh sighed and rolled his eyes – sometimes, I think he feels out of place between us. We hurried out and to the showers in the boys' locker room.
This was again a bonding of the Dazzlers' team and emphasis on the mellowing effect Swayum and Kriya have on Rey and Sharon.
Next chapter: The Weaklings and Dazzlers sit in the classroom. Their English Literature Professor tells them to give their favourite phrases. Swayum and Vicky have a competition to find out a more expressive phrase to describe a fart (YES, A FREAKING FART!). I'm doing a Nilesh-Simmie part as well … It's high time the other couples come in.
PLZ review! I love you all. Your comments make me so happy Have a nice day, bye.
NEW PROMO:
Side-commentary: Har dil mein hain kuch nayin aahatein…
*Many shots are being cut shown in the single line of the side-commenter. Swayum is watching over Sharon's shoulder as she's on a computer. Rey has Kriya backed up against a wall; Vicky and Neha are staring at each other, grinning like fools.*
College ka project kahin ban na jaye dil ka project.
*Rey and Kriya… Kriya is backed against the wall; Rey lifts her face with his index finger.*
Rey: There's something odd I feel with you, Kriya… It's unnatural. You're-you're really special.
*Kriya blushes and smiles to herself. Cut to Swayum-Sharon; Sharon's fallen asleep on the desk with all papers spilled. Swayum pulls her into an embrace and carries her to the bed. In background, Swayum's voice: "You're so sensitive, even you have no idea. I know you better than yourself, Sharon – you just won't accept it." Cut to ViHa.*
Neha: Neha want to eating ice gola. Coming?
Vicky: Yes! Let's go.
*Both of them are at a bandi. Colouring leaks down Vicky's cheek; Neha wipes it away. Eye-lock, piano tune…*
Side-commentary: (V) Dil Dosti Dance, Monday-to-Friday, Shaam Saath Baje, only on Channel V… Lol, I just had to add that.
You all must have noticed how I portray Vicky and Neha more sensibly; I just think they need more realism in view of the show – they're a bit too filmy. So my ViHa special will be more intense. In clarification, I think I should tell you that the couples are actually working on a project together – and I mean ViHa, KriYansh and SwaRon are one group in the project, dividing the work three ways and doing it. The other three couples will be another group. This is going to happen pretty soon; I just had a brainwave, so I added the promo. Have a nice day again, and REVIEW!