Drafts Of Her Heartbeat

Agnise

Getting on stage was a challenge for me. Everytime I went up there, I could feel my nerves taking a toll, no matter how many time I have done it in past two years, it is always the feeling of first time in my heart. The butterflies never seem to leave me alone. Taking a deep breath, I gently touched the stage with my hand and kissed it, paying my respect and asking for blessings from it, so that I don't trip over my dress or embarrass myself, in any way.
Once the music started, I was transported to another land. It has always been like this. It's easy if you let the music carry you with itself, the flow and rhythm is natural, when you not only feel the music, but also start living it. Ganesha Vandana, is what I choose for the opening act. What better to start our theme and journey with, and I know we need all the blessings in the world to win, because we are competing against the best.
Moreover, we have our sponsors present here today, and I need to ensure them that they have invested in the right team. I know it will seem weird that I don't even know the name of sponsors or the people present here, but what can I say? Vidyut sir can be quite secretive when he wants. He did not wanted us to feel pressurized after knowing the name of sponsors. Still I gotta win their trust tonight. It is very important to have a bond of trust and faith between the team and sponsors, so that we can progress without any conflict. No conflict means ni distraction, no distraction is equal to full focus, and full focus always results in success. Too much formule? Well that's me!
Flying with the song, I devoted it in my way of praying to the Almighty lord. Maintaining an eye-contact with the audience, I never focused on them. It was like everyone infront of me was a blur as I felt the beats pouring inside my veins. Finally the act cake to an end. Bowing down, I showed my gratitude towards the audience and left the stage.
"Superb Arohi!" Piya was the first one to hug me.
"Amazing as ever, bub" Rahul complimented me.
"Ok. Hush now. Boys leave. I need to change." I told them.
"But didn't sir told you to come up in the same attire?" Arjun asked.
"Yes he did, bht like he says some orders are meant to be broken." I replied with a wink, "now gi and find Abhi, he will lead you all on the stage, I will join soon. Riddhi and Piya help me with unpinning this dress and jewellery" I asked politely.
The boys left us girls to change, actually me to change and the other two to help me. British team was already on stage by the time I was almost done.
"Ok you two leave, I will be there soon. Just need to find my accessories." I said, shooing them towards the stage.
Finally wearing my watch and bracelet, adjusting my jacket, I made my way towards the stage.
"Where is your captain?" I heard the anchor asking my team-mates. Instead of shouting and replying, I made my way directly on the stage.
I could see Vidyut sir impressed that I changed. I knew he wanted me to be in formals but said otherwise so that I don't feel pressure. I acknowledged him with a nod, moving forward to greet Mr. Richard, I.C. Representative.
"Nice to meet you personally young lady." Mr. Richard said while shaking my hands.
"Pleasure is all mine, sir." I replied with a smile.
"Looking forward to see you in action." he said, to which I just replied with a smile and nod.
Taking steps to greet the next person in-line I turned but stopped in my steps. No, this cannot happen, not now. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. After all those months of hard-work and over-coming everything, this has to happen now? How can I face them? No, get a grip Arohi. You are not a culprit, not one to him definitely. Also I cannot allow anybody to see my hesitation. With a smile plastered on my face, I took heavy and slow steps to greet him.
"Arohi?" I could hear the wonder and shock in his voice. I flinched when we shook our hands. His touch feeling like venom to my body. I just hope nobody noticed it.
I just gave a nod and was ready to move to next person, one whom I wanted to see. I wanted to move but his grip on my hand was too strong, but I am not weak girl, with a bit force I was able to free my hand from his hands and move further.
"Arohi, my child!" Mr. Yash Khaitan said. Yash Khaitan, a man with honour and love, not bought from money but with love and humanity.
"How are you?" I whispered.
"Well. Now that I have seen you. But...." He was teary eyed.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Khaitan" I said loudly, enough for people on stage to hear and nod. Moving forward I signed the pledge and descended down the stage with my team.
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There she was infront of me, healthy and breathing. I could feel my breathing rhythm starting to fasten it's pace. No matter how much I tried to control it, like every other situation of my life, I couldn't. I failed, miserably.
I could see the shock evident on her face. Like she never thought of facing me, encountering me. Like she thought we will never cross each other's paths, again. Dressed up in semi-formal look, she was representing a diva.
Just line of eye-liner and a pink shade of lipstick, she had no other make-up on her face. Yet, she looked radiant, but the colour of her face drained as her eyes zeroed upon me. Shame, I felt a great wave of shame boiling within me.
Finally making a decision, she came forward to greet me. To say I was surprised will be an understatement. She greeted me with a smile, even after..... "Arohi?" I never realized when the word escaped my lips. I could not even hide the wonder and surprise in my voice.
I could not find the strength to remove my eyes from her face. The simplicity still evident as ever. Smile was plastered on her face, but eyes spoke something else. Like she just wanted to get over with it. I even saw her flinch a little as my hand touched her's, but she was quick to cover it.
She never replied to me verbally, but did acknowledge me with a nod, a forced nod. I gulped down my saliva. She tried to remove her hand from mine, but my grip was strong. Like I did not wanted to leave it. Heck, I surely did not wanted to leave it, not without getting my answers. But she had something else in mind as she snatched her hand from mine forcefully, but discreetly so that nobody else could catch up the tension between us.
Moving forward she greeted Dad with a smile. Even asked about him politely. The forceful smile replaced with genuine one. She was surely uncomfortable with the situation but she made sure not to make dad feel uncertain about her, or allow him to catch up on her uneasiness.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Khaitan" and with that she moved forward with confident steps and signed the pledge, descending down with her team.
It was then it registered to me she was the first female captain everybody were talking about, leader of team India, Rebel Angels, the team I was sponsoring. Which means I was her sponsor and we had another meeting coming ul together, one where she will need to talk with me.