After our disastrous first class, we made it an unspoken rule to sit as far as possible. We sat at the polar ends of the class, she in the front and I sat at back (a friend called this position best due to its cinematic view). We used to sneer at each, tried to answer the questions before each other and most importantly best each other in the internal examinations. Today was the result of the first internal.
Even if you sleep the entire duration of the Coaching class, it surely taught us one thing ; competition. The only element common between me and Tanya was competition, the urge to show each other down.
The infernal clock struck quarter to 3'o clock. Usually we used to escape this pseudo central jail as soon as the bell rang but today we were all anxious about the results. The bell index rang, but we ran towards the notice board, like a predator runs for its prey. After managing to overcome the crowd, when I saw the first name on the list, my heart froze in my chest.
CENTRE MERIT LIST
1. Armaan Awasthi. 156/160
2. Tanya Sehgal. 155/160
3. Sara Advani. 120/160
.
.
.
Pushing of growing crowd brought me back to my sense. With a cruel smirk, I turned back. My eyes feasting upon the horrified face Tanya, her eyes sober, her face red. She saw my smirk and for the first time I felt bad. " Happy Armaan, you topped. You must be so happy, right." I shrugged my shoulders. Yes, I was happy but seeing her face, I felt uneasy but my ego wouldn't allow me to show it. " Grow up Ms. Sehgal. Marks don't matter. But do try to defeat me next time, tooth fairy". I turned to pick my bag but not before I noticed her very rare smile. So tooth fairy had a smile, I chuckled.
The news of results defies laws of physics in India. The news travels to your parents and relatives (via family WhatsApp groups) faster than speed of light in vacuum. That day was no different. As I reached my humble dwelling, I noticed the evening wasn't the same as usual. "Ah, Armaan finally you came home, good result but I expected better. Now get ready, we are going to a office dinner hosted by T Mills and Fabrics. Better be on your best behaviour, we have new clients to meet. They insist on bringing the whole family" my father said adjusting his cologne. "Yes sir" I muttered, the sir part rather feebly.
If you asked anyone about me, they'll always use words like ' good boy, sensitive, intelligent, nerd even a wallflower' but no one knew that I was broken. My greatest longing was love from my family. I was quite distant from them. I am not implying that it was their problem. As they say 'with great power comes great responsibilities ', I must concern that with great money and fame comes less family time. As the business increased, my parents working hours also sky rocketed. At 4, I was happy living by myself without meeting them for days with only a necessary call every six hours to make sure everyone was alive and sane. I wasn't used to affection, not familial care. I passed my childhood with material riches but emotional poverty. I lived my childhood on survival instincts rather than warm family nights, books my only solace and isolation my only comrade.
A sudden brake broke my line of thoughts and brought me back to the grim reality. I opened the door and a cool breeze welcomed me. The night was still young, it seemed that the atmosphere was cool and sparkling like a bottle of finest champagne.
It wasn't the first time I was in a high class party. Apart from cliche music and disgusting food, one has to perfect his fake smile and Victorian era etiquettes. 'I am struck' I mentally cringed. "There is our client" my mother said pointing towards a small family sitting near the windows. 'At least I can look out' I chuckled at my only solace. Neither did I know a personalised atom bomb was about to explode. " You" said the girl, obviously sitting with her parents. "No, not again" I groaned. Even with over the top make up, I couldn't ever forget those brown eyes. " You two know each other" her father asked. "We err... are sort of classmates" Tanya injected, even if I wanted to say 'mortal enemies'. We quickly sat down and ordered a few snacks. The adults started their usual conversation from business to politics to the war in Syria. I could swear that neither one of them even knew the capital of Syria, but both of them tried to beat each other. Our mothers weren't different. They started from complementing each other's sarees then how their cousin's son's brother-in-law got into a good engineering college and then finally the sore spot, our coaching's internal marks.
Both me and Tanya were super bored by now. We kept mustering fake smiles but when the sour spot came, she kicked me under the table. A WhatsApp message followed.
T: *You deserve this. Next time I'll outscore you*
I grinned and mental chuckled 'Two can play this game'. I replied back;
A: *In your dreams tooth fairy. You can't beat me,EVER!!*
T: *Really, let's bet. Whoever loses will become others servant for whole day*
A: *Agreed, but what now. You can't be enjoying this rubbish party. Even soap commercials are more interesting*
T: * Do something, anything*
"Stop fidgeting your phone" her mother said in a stern voice. I don't know what possessed my mother, she said "Go play with her". We were in a party, how can we play and what, but suddenly a weird idea struck me. I quickly messaged her;
A: *Say yes*
I gathered some confidence and asked "Tanya, will you like to dance". Much to my satisfaction she nodded. We quickly stood up and left our table towards the floor leaving our very amused parents behind.
I thought everything was going all right and we could sneak off but Tanya whispered " They are looking at us. We have to dance. I hope you know how to?". 'Obviously, I know' I mentally cringed.
I sighed noticing there're was no other way and asked her to put her left hand on my shoulder. Suddenly, out of nowhere the track changed into a slow romantic ballet. ' I officially hate you Aphrodite' I mentally yelled.
I placed my left hand on her waist and held her right hand with mine. I stepped back and she stepped forward. Two and a half beats, I step forward and she stepped back. An occasional twirl and side step. We never talked, just went with the flow. Songs changed, couples on the floor changed but we went on and on. Somehow we continued our rhythmic movement for half an hour, avoiding stepping on each other's shoes or any other embarrassment . I was surely feeling uncomfortable but there was certain thrill in her eyes which was just captivating. For a moment I just wanted to dance until oblivion, but a hand on my shoulder brought me to my senses.
"Time to go Armaan" my father said merrily, obviously he had successfully brokered the deal. A small dinner followed but we never made any eye contact, both of us still lost somehow in our dance.
We bid farewell to the Shegal's and with utmost silence traveled back home. Only once the silence was broken when father said " Good job Armaan, you helped us in getting the deal. What an idea to dance with their daughter". " Everything isn't business, father" I replied feebly.
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UNTIL THE END (#Watty's 2017)
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