By Your Side..Forever & A Day!

20. Sailing in the ScholarShip

Happy Reading :)
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Aryamann's PoV :

In case you haven't noticed #18 : It's not always love or mosquitoes that ruin your night's peace. Sometimes the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming day's events also can be the cause of deprivation.

And there I was, attending UEL's scholarship ceremony, half asleep on the front row reserved for very incognizant persons, I mean, VIPs. The Principal's welcome speech hit my ear drums through the microphone like a slow-mo death march.

"Wake up, sleepy-head!", cooed Trisha into my right ear, bending over my shoulder from the second row reserved for the scholar students' families, making me jerk out of my sleep-deprived state.

But the only thing that caught my complete attention was Tommy's name being called out, which made me aware of the fact that the presentation was already half way through.

"Next is the Ace constructions' scholarship for excellence in the field of dance which is awarded to Miss Tamanna Sen!", announced the Principal, which was followed by a huge round of applause. "And she gets to train for six months under the esteemed Akram Khan Company", he added and Tommy cheerful climbed the stage to receive the honours, dressed in the typical graduation-type black cape and cap, with a smile plastered on her pretty face.

One of the most important person in my life was being felicitated by one of the least, correction - the least important person in my life. How ironic!

Just imagine if the background score played "Aa dekhe zara kisme kitna hai dum!" and their conversation went the sarcastic way -

"Congratulations for stealing my son!"

"Thank you. But wasn't really a big deal. You created the vacancy yourself."

"Don't forget I'm his father and I'll get back my place in his life!"

"Good luck with that, UNCLE!"

...and she decends the stage with a nasty grin and comes running towards me the filmy bridal style. Huhahahaha! I feel so important. LOL!

Well, in reality she did come running towards me, not for seeking a place in my life, but in her dream choreographer's academy. I was glad even Marcus was awarded the dance scholarship. He certainly deserved it as the team captain.

"Six months with the great Akram Khan...", she dramatically described as if his name was a banner, "...an opportunity to learn both Kathak and Contemporary dance styles; its a chance worth dying for! Thanks a ton to your company, Aryamann!"

"Did I hear Kathak?", interrupted Trisha. "I guess, you'll only be one quality away from being Maa's photocopy after half a year."

"And that is?", I enquired and "Cooking!", the Sen sisters exclaimed at the same time and chuckled.

"My daughter will learn it eventually. She never fails to make me proud", chirpily declared Dr Sen from behind us, followed by a father-daughter bear hug moment. Tommy, being the sentimental Tommy, hid deeper into his chest and secretly tried to wipe away the teardrop sliding down her left cheek.

"Thank God they didn't ask everyone for a Thank you speech, or Tammy - the cranky daily soap queen would have gotten' all mushy like, "Thank you, Baba, I love you! Thanks, Sha, it's all 'coz of you. You're the awesomest and I love you! Thank you, Aryamann, I love you…" She paused right there since Tamanna was shooting death daggers at her visually.

"…your company, I mean, I love your generous company", she corrected rather unwillingly. Trisha and her teasing - best friends for life!

"Hello, Sir. I recon you're Mr Sen", interjected a man unfamiliar with me. He seemed like he was in his early thirties, blond haired and his muscle-fit shirt screamed that he worked out regularly.