Kya Yhi Pyaar Hai?

D-DAY

CHAPTER-25
KIARA'S POV

"Check on the mic and ear piece" Aarav said as he adjusted the volume
I showed him thumps up indicating that it's alright.
"Kiara you did checked on my boots? Do they fit?" Jaanvi said
I nodded my head, looking at the script.

"I haven't seen Swastik these days. What's up with him?" Tany asked
She and Jaanvi are both sitting on the stage sipping on milkshake.
I smiled at the thought of swastik.
It's been 8 days since our last interaction since then we haven't really met. But for the first time this doesn't makes me sad instead this makes me happy. Why?

Well because he has been giving his time to music these days. Though we didn't really talked because this man have gone crazy over his passion and spend most of his day in audi but that doesn't mean that I didn't noticed the way he looks more at ease. Sometimes just like my teens I stood outside the audi and listened to him play. Though I could've just brag in but I didn't because I wanted to give him the space he need with his music.

Today is the d-day. It's finally Utsav today and soon the fest will start. Its 5 in the evening rightnow and it's total chaos as everyone is just rushing around doing something or the other. I am revising my script one last time before I go to get ready. The wether is surprisingly good as of now.

The main fest is happening in our on campus stadium. Where the stage is set in middle ground. Right outside the stadium is gaming area where many unique games are organized. In football ground a huge food court is set, where nth food trucks of every type of food is there.

The stage is done setting up. Final settings are being done by Aarav and Keshav. Manthan being the foodie he is, have taken duty in managing the food court area. Tany has taken it upon herself to make every participant look pretty though its not an official duty but people are happy with her. As for Jaanvi, she have decided to be in audience with her friends after helping me dressing up.

It's Ahad and his team that are surveilling the whole fest. Helping juniors out. In these few day he and I have became good friends. Though he might not be the friendliest person you could meet he is good at heart.

"Kiara go get ready, in 2 hours we are starting" Ahad said as we walked up checking the stage.
I nodded and was about to walk away when Tany came running to me with a bag in her hand.
"Eat first okay" she said handing me the packet

Giving her a finger heart and a wink, I along with jaanvi started walking to our dorm.
"Are you nervous?" Jaanvi asked
"Saying that I am nervous would be an understatement " I said
Though I am not someone with stage fear but it's natural for everyone to feel nervous. But today I am more nervous for Swastik. It's his big day. I prayed to God for giving him strength.

"You will rock it" she said
I put my hand over her shoulder giving her a side hug. These two girl are my biggest suppor I must say even more then Swastik. Words can't express my gratitude for them.

"Lets make you prettier" she said rubbing her hands as we entered the room.

°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

With a dazzling smile I started I entered the stage and looked around at the crowd. Everyone looks enthusiastic as ever.
"We here at THE ELITES UNIVERSITY celebrate our youth ever year through our grand fest of Utsav. It's been years old tradition here, we don't need famous singers, celebrities or influencers to entertain us. Do we?"

"We don't " the crowd shouted

"Exactly we have enough exceptional talents here. Students on and off campus are going to showcase their brilliant art. And to not forget our Utsav ritual. That is?"

"Flying the paper planes" the crowd shouted

"Yes. The flying the paper plane. So,  for those who don't know let me explain what it is. Before entering you must have been given a paper. Make a paper plane of it and fly it for the artist you believe to be the highlight of the fest. Time doesn't matter it's upto you. Fly it whenever you want" I explained

The crowd hooted.

"So without delaying any further let's began" saying that I moved to side of the stage

The first performers are kathak dancers. Who are setting the stage on fire by there elegant moves. The grace in there movement and the sound of ghungroo being the plus in their performance.

I looked down at myself straightening the crease of my white shirt. I have opted for a white shirt above it is a black strap crop top with black leather mini skirt. Keeping my hair open with minimal make up, I have completed my look with a long black coat and ankel length boots for footwear.

This outfit was chosen by jaanvi and I don't regret wearing it. Good cloths always boost up my confidence and I can feel it.

I looked down at the performance sheet.
It was bullshit written by Olivia that anyone on or off campus can participate. They have already segregated the performer. 40 artist which the organizers committee have selected will perform. Though Swastik didn't went for audition but with the help of Ahad I have got his name written, even got a piano set up on the backstage.
I just wish he shows up.

Contestants after contestants went on. People danced, sang and laughed together. The night went on like that.

As I walked on the stage again to announce about the last performer my heart thumped in my chest. Anticipating for him to show up.

"That was an phenomenal performance daksh. I must take humor lesson from you" I complimented the guy who did stand up comedy. He mockingly saluted going off the stage.

"So guys now here comes the last performance of the night. It's something I have been waiting for since weeks. This performance also decide the fate of my hairs " I said chuckling
Somehow the whole campus knows about our bet. So, after lots of convincing Olivia and her team added this line.

The crowd boo-ed.
"Lets welcome my arch nemesis with a round of applause " I said
Immediately the lights were dimed.
I walked down the stage and sat in the first row where the boys and other organizers where sitting.
"Do you think he will come?" Keshav who is in my right said

I crossed my fingers discretly, deciding not to answer him.
"Don't worry he will" Manthan said who was beside keshav
"FYI he hasn't replied to any our message today" Aarav said who was seated beside Manthan

"Will you really dye you ha-" a junior asked but was cut off as the spot light fell on the piano.
There he is.
Swastik
Clad in black shirt with black pants. Hairs set up and sleeves of his shirt rolled up. His face shinning due to spot light or maybe because of his aura. Looking as beautiful as midnight stars.

My heart skips a beat at the seneric sight. His finger as always moved like a magic spell on keys.
Though I don't understand the meaning of the piece he is playing but the way my heart is drumming and the way the once chaotic stadium is client only the tune of his magic is flowing is enough to make me understand it's beauty.

Something he have made himself. Though from far I can't see his face properly but the emotion he wants to convey are somehow reaching me.
Feeling of peace and solace.

As he hits the high notes and ends the piece, the whole stadium becomes quite. He stood up from the stool and bows to the crowd. Several paper planes fly is the air along with people clapping and cheering for him. For the first time since I have came I saw him smiling this widely.

With his performance the fest ends. As decided several music tracks are played in background.

Too stunned to react I just kept sitting gwaking at him. He roamed his eyes in the crowd of people wishing him, cheering for him. His friends pulled him in hug, keshav jumping like kangaroo, Aarav pats his back and Manthan putting his hand around his shoulder.

They all laughed at something making me chuckle.
"Are you alright?" I looked at Ahad who don't know when came and stood beside me
I nodded again turning my gaze at Swastik. 

I feel like I just fell in love again with him.
Today here in this stadium I promised him in my head to always make sure that he smiles this way no matter what.
As his gaze shifted me, his smile changes into a smug smirk. I playfully glares at him making him laugh. Rolling my eyes at him, I clapped my hands into a slow mocking clap.