The Way We Were

Chapter 28

(Bal Bharati: 1991)

Khushi sighed as she found herself alone in the green room. Two years of higher secondary was coming to a close with the school's annual function marking the official start of the study break for twelfth standard students. They were supposed to take the board exams at different centers across the city, meaning if she wanted to talk to Arnav, today was her only chance. Her last chance.

And Arnav Singh Raizada had become Mr India. She had not seen him all day, amidst multiple group talks where she had seen almost everyone she had known in this school. Such was the respect and love she had received in her short stint as Vice Head Girl, and now an actor.

"Khushi, five minutes to curtains!" She heard a junior.

"Five minutes." She called back. Five minutes to her performance, which she had rehearsed thoroughly over a month. Yes, she had it pat down.

Five minutes later, she was fumbling as of the two headlights on stage only she occupied one of them. Where was Akshay? This was so embarrassing.

She gulped, turning towards the aisles to catch someone who could find her co-performer and get him on-stage. As she decided to bolt, a silhouette appeared near her. She looked up, calm beyond belief.

"I don't know a single line." He whispered.

Damn right he didn't. But it would be even more embarrassing if she bolted now. Forfeiting was different. She breathed. "Follow my lead."

Her red anarkali swished and she held his eyes while addressing everyone but him.

Jisko jee jaan se chahte hain
Jab usko nazron ke saamne paate hain
Tab aankhen bolti hain
Zubaan nahi
Ye hum jaante hain
Ye aap jante hain
Aise mein sawaal wahi karte hain
Jinhe pyaar kya hai
Iski hawa tak nahi hain

Khushi continued as rehearsed. This was Heer Ranjha, a play so close to her heart when she read it. The pain was hers to peruse. She ate a sweet she held and speaking her last words as Heer, fell down in a slump.

Khushi felt his feelings seep into hers as he neared her.

Ek baar aankhen khol kar mujhe dekho
Mai tumhare bina jee nahi sakta
Tumhare bina mai kuch nahi hu

His voice suddenly changed, charged up.

Mai tumhe chor kar chala gaya tha
Apne man ko behla raha tha
Ki mujhe koi farq nahi padta
Par tum toh janti ho
Ki mai toh tumhare bina jee nahi sakta

Her heart beat wildly as his palm caressed her forehead.

Jab Jo Kiya jab Jo kaha sab bhul jao
Bas wapas aa jao
Aaj kisi aur cheez ka koi matlab nahi
Kisi jhoot ka kisi sach ka
Bas ek cheez ka matlab hai
Agar tum nahi toh mai nahi
Tumne kaha tha na,
ki tumhare bina mera koi wajood nahi
Agar tum nahi toh meri zindagi ka koi matlab nahi
Yaha na sahi
Shayad kahi aur ek duniya hogi
Jaha tum aur mai kabhi alag nahi honge

She felt his lips on her palm, tasting the sweet she had.

Jab Jo bura kaha uska koi matlab nahi hai
Jab Jo bura kiya uska koi matlab nahi hai
Iss pyaar mein sahi aur glat ka koi matlab nahi hai
Ki mai hamesha hamesha tumse....

He was lying beside her, their bodies speaking a tune of their own. Khushi felt the lights dim. It was time to bow. She opened her eyes, planning to hold him back.