Chapter 23

anu14

@anu14

Chapter 21 (B)

Rini and Nilesh stepped up on the stage amidst thunderous applause and shouts of delight. The entire college had turned up and the venue was packed with people. The dignitaries up front were engaged in conversation with VP sir, who no doubt was praising the students for lining up such elaborate cultural festivities, at the same time explaining what to expect in each and every one of them.

Both Nil and Rini looked at each other before Rini took a deep breath and began, "Good evening everyone! Respected dignitaries, college trustees and board members, staff and students! Welcome to St. Louis College of Arts, Commerce and Science!"

Nil took over and said, "It gives us great pleasure to have you all in our midst tonight. Jaise ki aap sab jaante hain, St. Luis is a staunch believer of traditions. Hamare college ke inception se lekar aaj tak, har tradition ko poori zeal aur enthusiasm se nibhaya hai."

"You are absolutely right Nilesh, aur aisa hi ek tradition hai naye students ko welcome karna. On behalf of the existing pool of students and college authorities, I, Rini Shah and Nilesh Kotian take great pride and pleasure to welcome the students of the new academic year! Welcome one, welcome all!"

The crowd broke into ear splitting applause and when it died down, Nil said, "St. Louis is and amalgamation of academics and activities. Yahan studies ke saath saath, har activity ko equal importance milti hai. Be it dance, sports or any other extra-curricular activity. And who better can explain it all, than the person who has lent his years, efforts and support to us. Please give a huge round of applause to our dearest Vice Principal Sir!"

VP sir straightened his blazer, took his speech prepared for this event and made his way onto the stage. As he took over the podium, Nil and Rini stepped down into the Backstage. Amar was joined by Simmi, both of whom kept praising them.  Rini chided Amar for lingering around, though she was pleased inside, and pushed him quite literally, towards the changing rooms to get ready. Grabbing the moment of diversion, Simmi said softly to Nil, "Great work so far! Mujhe pata tha ke tum bohot acha karoge. Thank you for doing this with Rini. Uska confidence both boost hoga."

Nil, who still hadn't forgotten the online incident, replied in a detached manner, "Friends always help each other. Dhokha nahin dete kiski ko."

"Nil! Kab tak is baat ko lekar baithoge? I have apologized. I am making an effort for a fresh start here."

"And maine apology accept bhi kar li hai. Agar nahin karta, toh do you think main dance karta tumhare saath? I have forgiven doesn't mean I have forgotten Simmi. Tumne trust toda hai mera. Time toh lagega. Anyways, this is not the time or the moment. Humein Freshers' par concentrate karna chahiye. Ye issue hum baad mein bhi sort kar sakte hain."

Nil's tone and demeanor made it clear that the topic was closed. Simmi sighed and mumbling something about getting ready, left for the changing rooms while Nil watched on. He couldn't think much of it as a slight commotion began in the technical area. VP sir's speech was to be accompanied by his PowerPoint presentation. But the laptop operator had forgotten where he had saved the file.

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"Ab tak Presentation display kyun nahin hua?" Niyati hissed in her mic. "Hey Krishna ji! Ek kaam bhi thik se nahin hota tum logon se?! ek minute. Main abhi wahan aati hoon."

Rey entered the Backstage with Kria as he was to perform after VP sir was done with his speech. Niyati rushed past him and he turned around in time to see her walk towards the control panel from where all the lights, sounds, AVs were controlled. He saw her do something on one of the laptops and half expected the lights to go off any minute. A memory of another night, long time ago revisited him. Lights gone, crowd's booing and Taani's repeated apologies. He was about to go her aid when the PowerPoint flickered on the screen, dazzling him and leaving him completely disoriented.

"Kya hua Rey? Aap thik toh hai na?"

"Huh? Haan! I'm alright."

"All the best. Waise toh aapko iski zaroorat nahin hai.. phir bhi."

Rey smiled and walked towards the stage. He had turned around to look at Kria once when he caught Niyati looking at him. She had the same strange expression on her face. On noticing that he was watching her, she quickly busied herself in work.

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                    "Thank you sir for your kind words", Nil said. "Now main ek aise person ko bulane waala hoon, jisne poore St. Louis ko pareshan kar ke rakh diya hai."

"Arre? Aisa kya kar diya hai us ne jo har koi pareshan hai?" Rini played along.

"Kya kiya hai? Arre pooch kya nahin kiya hai?! College ki har ladki us par marti hai aur har ladka use jalta hai. Do you know who I am talking about Rini?"

"Of course I do! Buckle your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen. Kyunki aapke hosh udhane aaraha hai, the heartthrob of St. Louis

Reyaansh Singhania!", Yelled Rini and Nil together.

In donon ko main chodoonga nahin thought Rey as he stepped up.

http://anmoltv.info/weed.php?file=g0ah9zwv40xp7 (I tried searching a better quality video all over the internet. Could come up with only this. Sorry please do watch from 8:00)

The crowd went wild! There were applauds, whistles, frantic screaming (mostly from girls), chants and what not. Rey's performance had set the mood for the night. As he made his was backstage he was mobbed by all his friends who kept congratulating him on his amazing performance. He looked around but couldn't find the face he was looking for. He probably thought his dance could appease her, but it was likely she never saw it.

"Maine kaha tha na? aap bohot acha karenge. You were amazing", Kria said hugging him. He just mumbled a thanks.

"Chaliye abhi jakar change kar lijiye. Nil and Simmi ke baad phir se aap boys ko perform karna hai."

"Hmmm. Abhi jaata hoon", he replied a little distracted.

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"How are we doing people?" Rini asked. "Are you all having fun?" The crowd screamed in affirmative.

"Kaisa fun hai ye? Because I can't hear you people! I'm asking you all again, are you all having fun?" The crowd yelled even louder

"So get ready for some Ballroom dancing fun. Kyunki apne quick quickstep se aap sabko impress karne aarahe hain Nilesh and Simmi!"

The lights dimmed and the helpers dashed onto the stage to keep the props in their marked locations. They had less than a minute to set everything in place. Just as things looked set, Nil and Simmi walked up on the stage and took their positions. The crowd kept cheering them on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMRGn3m7qM4 (Again... please do watch it)

Precap: SwaRonShi's paso doble and Boys' group performance.

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]