The Hardest Choice

The Crescent

"Hey Anu, how are you? You haven't come to school for around 15 days. Is everything okay?" Akshara asked Anukriti as they proceeded to the main building of the school. Akshara was two years younger than her but they have been good friends from the last two years.

"Yeah I'm good. I just didn't feel like coming, so I didn't come", Anu stated.

"Do you know that you have come at the right time? Crescent is after 15 days, i.e. on 21st May. Selections are starting from today. Want to participate this time?" Akshara asked.

"They have told the students at such a short notice. Have they gone nuts? It is the biggest interschool event and they are taking it so lightly."

Crescent was the biggest interschool event in whole of Delhi and Sunsoft International School had won the third prize for three years in a row. But this time, the school had got the information late.

Students thrived hard to participate in this event. Anu had taken part in grade 9. But last year due to health problems she hadn't participated and so this time she was not going to miss the chance. This was going to be her last ever event. For her, Crescent was more of a fun experience, a source of making new friends, rather than a competition.
********

Shreya was on her nerves about the selections for the group dance when Anu met her in classroom.

"Hey Shreya", Anu greeted.

"Hi Anukriti. Wassup? I am getting really nervous for the dance selections. You know what Rakesh sir has selected me for the partner dance. I don't know who will be the jerk I will be teamed up with. I am a classical dancer and this is going to be an adventure for me. "

"You will be the best my dear. I am damn sure about that. You can handle any jerk with your lovely smile. "

"Except Nikhil, "she said, laughing.
********
" Hey Anu, in which event are you going to take part?" Mridul asked her as she strolled in their class, searching for Nikhil.

"No plans till now but most probably the play I would be taking part. That's what I have thought till now. And you?"

"The group dance. By the way don't you think that this competition would be straining you greater than your ability?"

"I will manage. You need not to be concerned about it, "she said but deep down she knew that he was right. This would indeed be a strenuous experience. But she wanted to right now, cherish her every moment.
" Where is Nikhil by the way? Any idea? "

"He has already went to the dance room. This time he is not performing the solo dance. "

"Oh. He is one of the best dancers of the school. He had won the second prize last time. A herculean task, especially when you are competing against the best 49. OK bye I am going to get the information about play. "

"Bye."
******
After having garnered the information about the play, she was just rushing to the auditorium when she saw Nikhil at the stairs.

" Hey dear. You have shed a lot of kilos. It seems like you have started crash dieting. "

"You know that I am a big foodie. So dieting is impossible. By the way with whom you're paired with?" she asked so that she could divert his attention from her.

"With Shreya," as he had said her name, she chuckled. He resumed," I can't give my best if I see her irritating face."

"I know that dear. She would be sulking even more than you at this shock. Bye. Meet you afterwards. "
********
As she reached auditorium, it was her turn to get shocked. She was astonished to see Satvik at the street play rehearsals. He was engrossed in learning his dialogues. He had always been a perfectionist and strived meticulously towards his goal which in this case was to give his best. So he didn't notice her presence.

As soon as she came, Akshara handed over the script and asked her to mug up her lines. She did not want to be scolded by Mrs. Mehta. After all she didn't want to screw up the good impression she had made from last two years.

The play was about a sister praying to Yamraj (the Indian God of Death) for the life of her brother who was dying because of lung disease which happened due to excessive smoking. She was playing the sister and Satvik had been playing the role of Yamraj.
***********

For a few days she was extremely busy with her play practice, perfecting every minute detail. But today she had got some time and so she thought that she could watch the dance practice. Fortunately, when she suspiciously went in, the dance instructor wasn't there. Nikhil and Shreya were the first pair that she could see, but she didn't disturb them and rather sat down at the extreme corner.

"Hey Anu, what a nice surprise to see you here! Want to try some dance moves?" Mridul asked her, smiling.

"Me? You gotta be kidding. I am one of the most awful dancers and you know that. "

"Just try."

"Fine."

But as she agreed, Nikhil and Shreya came and Nikhil said, "Want to shake a leg with me?"

"You are an amazing dancer and you know that I have an aversion to dance. "

" What's the harm in trying it out?"Shreya said casually. "You will be enjoying it if you just shed your worries."

"Okay. "

With that Nikhil kept his hand at her lower back and they started swaying away with the music. They had an awesome chemistry or as people said when they looked at them that they are too busy making their own chemistries.

After some time she swirled around and was held by Mridul. She danced with him for sometime, looking at his light brown eyes. His height was around 5 feet 9 inches, much more than her 5 feet 2 inches. He also had a great physique to compliment his height. He was a down to earth person which made him even more desirable. So there was no doubt that there were many girls who liked him and one of them was Anu's best friend Shreya.

It was very obvious that Shreya was getting envious of the fact that she was being closer to him and Anukriti could see that. This emotional turbulence was very visible through their expressions. Mridul at that point decided to leave, and said, "I think that l should leave. You talk to Shreya. It seems as if she is very eager to talk to you."

Mridul and Nikhil walked out together from the dance room and while leaving Nikhil commented, "Do you still have feelings for her? She's got over with you now. So no chance."

"Jealous of me, eh? But I assure you that I will not be the troublemaker in your love story. But the chances of her accepting you are nil."

"Why are you trying to demotivate me?"

"I am speaking the truth." Deep down in his heart Mridul was jealous. He didn't want Nikhil to propose her. But what he said to Nikhil was not due to jealously but it was rather a concern for his heartbreak. He knew the truth and could imagine the catastrophe that would happen if he got to know it.

Note:This chapter and the next chapter are filler chapters. Sorry for late updates.
Please read, vote and comment on the chapters if you like it.
Thanks for reading till now,
Love,
Arpita Gupta