PART IV

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The hall was set. It was beautifully decorated. Everyone was busy chatting with their acquaintances while holding a glass of wine. A soft music was playing in the background. Balloons were spread all over the ground. But all these beautiful things were nothing when compared to that girl who was busy serving all and taking care of everyone and everything. Clad in a white anarkali she was looking like a fairy descended on this planet just to make it more beautiful. Every colour suits her but white becomes more beautiful on her. It perfectly enhanced her complexion and brings peace to the eyes of the beholder.
My trance was broken by a sudden tap on my shoulder.
Hey!! Where are you lost? I've been calling you lately but you seem to be engrossed in something.
Sorry I was just looking at the decorations. It is beautiful.
Yes and the credit goes to the lady dressed in white running here and there. Ikshu is just mazing in everything.
Yup so true. By the way Many many happy returns of the day. Wish you a very happy birthday.
Akshat and rahul hugged each other and Akshat gave him his gift which he purchased just in the evening.
Thanks dude!!
You came!! I thought you will come after the party. Is your watch working properly? Oh how can I forget Mr. Patel's watch is always running behind.
Stop with your taunts okay. I m just hmm hmm 2 hours late. You know it was a very busy day and yes the credit goes to you.
Now don't make lame excuses. Accept it that you're late. It will not make you small.
Ok I accept. Any punishment maa'm?
Yes you will perform today. Come on make this evening even more special by singing a song.
Come on Pratiksha you can't be serious. I hope you are joking.
Am I looking funny? I am very serious. Either you sing or promise me that you will not light up a single cigarette tomorrow. The choice is yours. And please make it fast I don't have the entire night.
O god! This girl is seriously insane. Ok I agree. I will sing a song.
Great!
With that Pratiksha grabbed a mike and made an announcement.
Ladies and gentlemen on this very special occasion my best friend Akshat is going to sing a song for all of us. Please give him a round of applause.
Pratiksha handed the mike to me and showed me a thumbs up. Althought I was a very good singer and have a passion for singing but singing in front of so many people was a first time for me. With a little self talking and motivating myself I began.
Hai apna dil to awara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega
Hai apna dil to awara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega

Haseeno ne bulaya
Gale se bhi lagaya
Bohat samjhaya, yehi na samjha (x2)

Bohat bhola hai bechara
Na jaane kis pe aayega
Hai apna dil toh aawara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega

Ajab hai deewana
Naa dar naa thikana
Zameen se begana
Falak se judaa (x2)

Yeh ik toota hua taara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega
Hai apna dil to awara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega

Zamana dekha saara, hai sabka sahara
Yeh dil hi humara, hua na kisi ka (x2)

Safar mein hai yeh banjara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega
Hai apna dil to awara
Naa jaane kis pe aayega.

The hall echoed with the sound of claps. Everyone enjoyed this iconic old song sung in a new avatar. Praises started to pour in and everyone applauded me for my wonderful performance.
You were amazing dude. I mean you are an amazing actor undoubtedly but your singing is equally astonishing. You really made my birthday memorable.
Thanks Rahul. It's just my another passion beside acting. I love singing but have never singed in front of this much people.

Rahul made an excuse as he headed outside to drop his friend.
Pratiksha was looking at him intently. She knew he was a good singer as once she listened to one of his recordings on his phone. But he was very shy when she told him to sing in front of her. Today was no different he just agreed to sing because he can't live without his cigarette and it was Rahul's birthday.
She was lost in his voice. There was fun, naughtiness and a cute charm in his singing. His voice hit her heart and his song was ringing in her ears. She was mesmerised.
Everyone complemented me. Seems like you didn't like my singing.
I didn't like it.
Really? That's why I was telling you not to tell me to do this. Now look you didn't like it. Come on Pratiksha you could've given me some other punishment.
With that she hugged him.
The world stopped for Akshat. He was in some other world. It was not the first time she was hugging him but this time it felt different. Her perfume was creating havoc in his senses. Her front touching his chest was adding to the misery. Moment which felt like a decade for him ended.
I didn't like it I loved it. Your performance was truly amazing. You know you can even have an alternate career as a singer. Akshat you were really amazing. Everyone enjoyed a lot. And thank you too for making this evening more special. And sorry too that I forcibly made u sing.
Akshat are u listening to me? Hey..
She shook me as I was standing like a statue with my eyes fixed on her.
I am sorry. Well thanks.
I gave a speech in your honour and you are just saying thanks with a straight face.
So what do you expect me to say?
At least smile. Look at you as if you have seen some ghost.
Ok madam thank u so much. It was my great honour to hear those praises from you. Really it has been my good luck that you are showering applauses upon me.
That's better. But seriously you are so talented. Now whenever you will be late on set you will sing a song for me and I know I will have this honour everyday.
That's really bad. You know I am a shy singer. I can't sing like that. It was Rahul's birthday and you gave me a punishment that's why I agreed. It's not gonna happen everyday.
Ok ok. I was just joking. No punishment for late coming because I know nothing can change this habit of yours.

Rahul joined them and three of them chatted while having their dinner.

Ok now I will take your leave. And one last time for this year Happy birthday.
Thanks Akshat for coming and for your wonderful performance.
It was my pleasure buddy. Ok bye.
Hey are you coming tomorrow? Or planning to take a leave for another day?
Ya it is 2 days holiday for me. I'm  gonna resume shooting day after tomorrow.
So another day of extra work.
With a sad face Akshat made his exit but he was stopped mid way.
Hey I was just joking. You know I can't be away from work for a long time. I will be joining tomorrow. Look at your face how it fell just by the mention of extra work.
With that she pulled my cheek which she always do whenever I made that sulking face.
With the mention of her joining tomorrow my face lit up. How will I tell her that it is not that extra work that made me sad it's her absence that makes me restless. I can't think about that day when our show will get over and I will never be shooting with her again. But as for now there was no such plan and I can happily think about many more special moments with her. With that I bid them adieu and drove home in my car taking away lots of sweet memories with me.

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