clashing connection

Aditi

I touched my lips, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I could not believe I had come so close to.... kissing Jai. Wasn't I supposed to dislike him? Weren't we supposed to be gonoeting against each other? Yet, I was drawn to him, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stay away from him. He was easy to be with, as easy as breathing. There was no need for overthinking, calculating every move, and wondering whether I was saying the right thing. He made it easy to be around him and hanging out with him here, and there was the most fun I had had in a while. There were the butterflies in my stomach again, just the thoughts of him were enough for them to start fluttering. I took a deep breath and diverted my attention to my makeup in hopes of calming the butterflies.

I had done a simple makeup look, light eyeshadow and blush, eyeliner, and lip tint. More importantly, though, I was in love with my outfit. I was dressed in a gorgeous red and white chaniya choli (long skirt/ghagra and a blouse, with a dupatta).
The dupatta was draped over one shoulder and tucked on the other side of the skirt. The skirt was covered in traditional designs made of multicolored threads. My mother had bought this piece from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, and to say I was in love with it would be an understatement.

"Aditi, are you ready?" My mother asked.
"Yes!" I replied, hurrying outside.

"Arre waaah! Mari dikri ekdam sundar lage che." She said, clutching my shoulders and spinning me around to take a better look.
(Ohhh, woow! My daughter is looking so beautiful!) I giggled, basking in her praise.

"Now, let's go quickly. Jai's mom has already booked the cab." She rushed, putting on her shoes.
I rolled my eyes at her hurry but obliged. Putting on my footwear, I joined her in the car.

~~
"My gosh, they look so good together!" My mom squealed, clutching Jai's mom's hand. Jai's mom, Vasu aunty , chuckled.

"Looks like they're our fans." Jai murmured, the heat of his palm on the small of my back searing.
"Looks like? It is so obvious that everyone from across the building can probably hear them." He chuckled, and even I smiled, the incessant 'click click' of a camera capturing the moment.
The words my mom had spoken repeated themselves in my head on loop as we settled in the car and headed towards the event. I glanced at Jai, who was texting in his phone. He was wearing a red kurta, which had yellow, white, and blue threaded patterns on the left shoulder. He always looked good, but in traidtionals, he was on another level of good, better than good. I had been tongue-tied the first few seconds, unable to even say hello as I took in his appearance. He seemed to have been in the same dilemma. His gaze was ravishing, and only when our mother's joined us did he look elsewhere. It was true that our outfits complimented each other's but... I'm sure it was because of the red and white theme. Realizing I was staring at him like a cree,  I gazed out of the window.

~~
"Just let us off over her. We'll walk." I insisted as the cab inched along in the traffic. It was already 7 and we had to reach by 7:15.
"Are you sure miss?" The driver asked, glancing in doubt at my attire.
"Yes, if I can dance in these, I surely can walk a little." I replied.
"Okay then." He pulled up at the side and let us off. I started speed walking, Jai trailing after me.
"Why are you going so slow-" I turned my head back to glance at him, the words dying on my tongue as I realized he was making sure my ghagra didn't touch the dirt. He was half bent and had the bottom of my ghagra between his hands.
"Thank you...." I said softly, newfound admiration for him taking place.
"It's no trouble. Let's go or else we'll be late." He shrugged it off with a shy smile. Grinning, I continued walking.

~~

"Kitni photo loge yaar, mere gaal dukh gaye hass hass ke. Bas kardo ab." Rohit groaned.
(How many photos will you guys take? My cheeks are hurting from smiling so much. Please stop now.)
"Haina... bas ab baadme lenge." Mahika agreed.
(You're right... enough, we'll click some more later.)
Everyone sat on the floor in a wide circle, and more and more people from our college joined us.
"When will it beginnnn?" Aisha whined.
"I don't knowwww." I replied.
We waited patiently, complimenting each other's outfits.
Suddenly, the lights went out, making many  people gasp and shriek.
Aisha clutched my hand, a slight tremble to her voice as she called out my name.
I squeezed her hand, reassuring her of my presence.
"Jay adhya Shakti...."
The beginning of the Aarti (song of prayer) was sung as the spotlight on the stage brightened, drawing our attention to the man of the hour.
Everyone got on their feet in a flurry of excitement as he continued singing. With enthusiasm, we joined him, clapping along the beat.
It was surreal, experiencing Aditya Gadhvi sing live.
After the Aarti, a round of cheers went around, and our chairperson joined him on stage. After the mandatory speeches and welcome ceremony, the real run began.
"Mumbai, are you ready for an unforgettable night?!"
"YESS!" W answered collectively.
"I can't hear you.... garba ramva taiyaar cho ke nai?!"
(Are you ready to play garba or not?!)
"HAAA!" We shouted at the top of our lungs.
"Aa thai ne vaat."
(That's what I'm talking about.)
His band began the first song as we all stood in a circle, excitement thrumming in our veins.
Immediately recognizing the song, we started off with a simple step. We moved in the circle, clapping once on the outside, twisting inwards and clapping once again. We continued this for the first two songs, after which the faster songs began.
We performed and learned all sorts of steps from each other, having the time of our lives.
We were in the middle of performing a particularly complicated step when Jai walked up to me, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"I uh... could you teach me how to do this step?" He asked.
"Of course." I smiled, grabbing his hand and entering the space between our circle.
Now lift your right leg and imagine you're kicking a football, as soon as it touches the ground , kick with your other foot. It's two kicks facing outwards and four kicks in a circle. "
He nodded solemnly, attempting it. He somehow managed to trip on his own foot, landing on the ground with an 'oomph'. I clutched my stomach, trying my best not to laugh while he mock glared at me.
"Go on, I know you want to laugh." He grumbled. Man, he was cute.
Unable to hold it any longer, I burst into laughter, lending him my hand as support. His warm grip sobered me up, and I stopped laughing.
"Are, itna zor daal kar kyu uth raha-" (Hey, why are you getting up with such forc-")
I stumbled on a purse, landing on top of him. His hands felt large on my sides, his touch gentle, making me feel tingly all over. I was annoyed by myself, havunv such thoughts was not okay. He chuckled, taking in my annoyance.
"Kyu, ab hassi nai ari? He asked with a teasing lilt.
(Why, you don't feel like laughing now?)
"Hmh. Tujhe sikhane ke chakkar me sab hua he ye."
(Hmh. This all happened because I was trying to teach you.)
"Mene thodi giraya." (I didn't make you fall.) He said, feigning innocence.
"Zyada hoshyari dikhai na..." (if you start acting too smart...) I threatened him, narrowing my eyes. He raised his hands in surrender.

Getting up quickly, I tried to teach him again.
"Mere movements follow kar. Peeche khada ho mere aur kar."
(Follow my movements. Stand behind me and do it.)
I began moving to the beat, hoping he would follow my lead. I looked back, and sure enough, he was mimicking me well enough.
"Ab samjha?" (Do you understand now?)
"Haa... thanks!"(yes)
We rejoined our friends, dancing along the music and sharing secret glances with each other that did strange things to my belly.