Chapter 2

Koeli

@Koeli

Chapter Two

Prerna chewed on her nails as she looked at the photo spread on the bed. After the morning encounter with her would be dance partner that didn’t go quite well, her father gave her a few pictures of her sister and Anurag to enlighten her. She cannot forget his shocked expression upon seeing her. First, she didn’t understand why. Later, it sinked. ‘He probably thought I was my sister. That is the reason he couldn’t suppress his astonishment’, she concluded. His expression changed when Prerna’s father introduced her to him. She saw the pain then. His expression was raw and he couldn’t hide that. He didn’t take her extended hand that she advanced towards him in greeting. He turned and just left without a word. Prerna definitely felt offended, but when her father explained the pain Anurag is going through because of the loss of his dancing partner, Prerna’s anger changed quickly and all she felt was sympathy. And now looking at the pictures she understood the chemistry between the two. They were just phenomenal together. When her sister smiled it reflected on his face. Their posture, their grace, was unreachable. If they could bring out such chemistry in those mere pictures, what were they in stage she wondered. No wonder they were the best their country has ever produced. And slipping into her sister’s shows wouldn’t be an easy task. And especially looking at Anurag’s she knew that he is not going to settle with mediocre. Prerna was told by her father that the final decision would be Anurag’s. If he rejects her, her father will not have a say. Even though she was not very keen on performing, the fighter in her emerged after hearing that statement. She loved challenges. And when someone thinks that she cannot do certain thing she had always proved it wrong. ‘The game is on Mr. Basu. You will not be able to reject me. I am trained under the best. I will be there at your place tomorrow at 6:30am as you have desired. She collected all the pictures carefully and kept it in the bedside drawer. She took the pictures of her sister and her from the table and promised her that she is going to do her best.

Anurag was pacing in the room, rubbing his palms. He was very nervous. He didn’t expect Prerna to be his partner. He had almost forgotten about Pranati’s twin sister. And looking at her he thought that Pranati is back in his life. At first he thought it was real. But then when Mr. Sharma introduced his daughter his monumental happiness crashed into pieces. Angry at himself for mistaking Prerna with his Pranati. How could he not see it? It was Prerna and not Pranati. He knows Pranati inside out. How could he not see those tiny freckles around Prerna’s nose that was not there on Pranati’s. His Pranati would have leapt on him the moment she saw him not caring who was there in front of them. And how could he not distinguish the touch? He was very disappointed with his behavior. Nobody can be his Pranati. He held his pounding head. He will not be able to face Prerna let alone dance with her. She was Jeeta Jagta Pranati. She will keep on reminding him about his love and the loss. It would be nearly impossible to focus. ‘What sort of game did Mr. Sharma play? He thought that by making his daughter, my dance partner, who was a clone of Pranati, he would be able to get that chemistry out of us? He is out of his mind. That chemistry can never be recreated no matter how many look alike he brings in. I can never have that chemistry with anybody because I can never love anyone like Pranati. She was my motivation, she was my success, she was my best friend and love and the best dance partner I could ever have. Mera bas chale to main aaj hi reject kar do. Par meine bola tha Ki meye ek Chance dunga. Good that I have kept the final decision for me”. Anurag purposely kept their session at 6:30 am in the morning. Girls like Prerna who belongs to a rich family would never be able to make it. Since she is not a professional, she will not be interested at all. Anurag 1 Prerna 0 he thought. He will just give her 3 chances. If she fails, then she will be out.

Grumpily, Anurag tossed and turned in his bed and wondered angrily who the hell is pressing the calling bell of his house. He was not expecting any visitor in the morning last that he remembered. When the ringing didn’t stop he threw the pillow on the ground frustrated and stomped towards the door. Upon opening before he could figure out what was happening a hurricane moved passed him. Correction, a blabbering hurricane. Correction, a blabbering hurricane that has the most addictive perfume on it. Correction, it was not it, but a woman. Not just a woman it was Pranati.

“Before you zone out again, Mister, I am Prerna and not Pranati. And I was expecting you to be ready for the session. But it looks like the bell woke you up.”

I tried to say something when she interrupted me again...

“I am five minutes early because I don’t like being late. So, apologies for that. But I was not expecting a half naked man with a bed head, looking like nothing but zombies. I expected you to be an early riser. You know about meditation and all. But I was wrong. My father warned me that you are very strict. But right now you don’t look like you are disciplined. I expected someone more professional you know. But well you can go and change and if you are making a cup of green tea than I would like to have it if only it is not too much of a demand. If you don't want to share then also it’s perfectly all right because I have my...”

Anurag didn’t know what got into him, maybe the woman who stood in front of him blabbered away without letting him talk and her high pitched voice irked him maybe because he was half awake and half asleep. He covered her mouth with his palm earning a stunned stare from her. Her big eyes curiously scanned his face. “Chup ho jao. And stay right here. I will be back in sometime. Do you get me?” He asked. She was too shocked to react so he asked her again, “do you get what I am saying?” She had the audacity to roll her eyes. Anurag gritted his teeth in frustration. “Jawab do”, he demanded. Prerna uncovered her mouth, holding his hand.

“Much mein haath daal ke rakkhoge to jawab kaise dungi? Antaryami to Tum ho nahi Ki bina bole tumko pata chal jayega.”

“Argh! Kitna bolti ho Tum.”

“Ajeeb insaan ho Abhi to bolne ke liye bola tha. Ab jab Bol rahi hoon to bolte ho Ki mein zada bolti hoon. Decide karo pehle.”

“Shut up.. tumse behes karna ho beykar hai.” He turned to leave.

“Don’t forget the green tea.” Prerna giggled as he stomped on the wooden floor loudly in frustration.