The Other Half

Chapter 36

(Sangeet: A Musical)

Anjali took Arya's mic. "You know me so well, don't you Shyamji?"

He smirked at her.

"Teri nazar toh hai farebi," her melodious voice was a shocker for Shyam. It was evident. "Teri hui ye jaan ke bhi." She stepped towards her husband, who had surprised etched on his face. (Your eyes are criminal, yet I yes I do)

"I'm burnin' a fever
And I'm a believer
Nasha hai nazaqate e e...
Inn aankhon ko chhodo
Adaa mein karodo
Chupi hai shararatein."

Her eyes twinkled at the gobsmacked expression on his face. The crowd roared at her boldness.

"Oh Ishq asar kare Dinah Dinah
Dil ka hashr kare Dinah Dinah
Ek nazar kare Dinah Dinah
Lakh daketiyan."
(Oh love has overwhelmed me, yes I know
It has drowned my heart, yes I know
With just one look, oh yes I know
You stole millions)

Shyam placed a hand over his heart dramatically, eliciting a louder roar from the audience.

"Arya?" Anjali called. Arya was frozen.

"Uh, 7-4." Then she smiled. "7-4. Jijaji, please help your nightingale of a wife down. We're only done halfway."

Shyam complied, still looking at Anjali in wonder.

Arya looked at Khushi. What next? She asked with her eyes.

Khushi pointed to herself.

"Track 2 from the brides side, Arun!"

The stage darkened again. After a good fifteen minutes, one spotlight hit center stage.

Choomantar (Abracadabra)
Choomantar ho (Abracadabra come on)
Aaja chal gum ho jaayein (Let's go get lost somewhere?)

Arnav looked at the still empty space. Who's track was this? Was she late? He looked around to see his significant other missing.

Dhoonde jahaan (Even if the world searched)
Hum bhi na jaane hum hain kahaan (They couldn't find what we couldn't ourselves)
Chhoo le zameen se wo aasmaan (Maybe they'd look in the clouds)
Chal lo re lo re chalo re o re (But would we be there, anyway?)

He turned around to see Khushi, dressed in a simple jeans and bright pink top, wearing headphones, a college going bag in her arms, making weird moves, cute faces and then she burst a chewing gum bubble.She sat down, facing the audience, tapping her chin.

Thodi si yaari yaara raahon se nibha le
(Let's make some bonds to the journey too)
Apne pe bhi to kabhi apni chala le
(Let's put some belongingness to ourself)

Arnav knew he had to do something. He rushed up, trying to remember the next few lines.

Palkon ki daali pe jo sapne lage hain
(These eyelashes that you wish upon)
Khwahishon ki garmi se wo pakne lage hain
(They are fuelled by your determination, ready to fly)

He sat beside her, raising his eyebrows to her in question, in challenge. She got up but he held he her hand. It was one of her favorite songs, of course he knew some lines.

hmm.. ruko zara, (Wait a sec)
Dekhen to kya hai ye maajra (Let's see what's going on here)

Arnav got up, pulling her chin to him.

hmm.. sabhi tarah (Like everyone)
Khwahishon se hai ye dil bhara (Your heart is filled with dreams too)

Her eyes were twinkling.