(Next day)

(college)

(Marketting class)

All the students were busy chitchatting with each other. The class had the appearance more of a fare, with laughter and loud voices booming through the class. Ananya and the rest of the gang were talking as Veer was a bit quiet today. Ananya noticed that he had been even quiet in the journey to the college and the even more weird thing was that in the morning when she went to wake him up, he was already up and not only that, he had also freshened up. What she didn't know was that Veer didn't sleep for moment last night. It had been a sleepless night for him as the words of Ananya (the figment of his imagination) kept ringing in his ears and he just couldn't get those words out of his mind and moreover he was hell confused about his own feelings. He was thinking about the same when his chain of thoughts was interrupted by a slight nudging. He turned back and saw Ananya who mouthed the question which had been eating her up "What happened". He smiled and shook his head in a 'no'. She also smiled back and before they could utter any other word the professor entered the class.

After the usual greetings the Professor asked them to settle down.

Professor: "So students attention please. I have an anouncement to make. Okay students our college is going to celebrate the birthday of its founder and hence there's going to be a function. So you all can participate."

All the students cheered hearing this.

Prof: "Okay now listen to me. Is function ke liye humne specially do couples ko choose kiya hain jo ki apne apne dance fields mein expert hain. Let me announce okay. For the traditional indian dance, I have chosen Ananya and Abhinav and for the salsa dance I have chosen Veer and Madura."

Both Veer and Ananya were shocked out of their wits and were gaping at the professor, unable to digest what he just said. It was when all the students cheered for them that they came back to reality. They looked at each other and then stood up abruptly.

Veer: "Sir.."

But prof. interrupted him : "Yes Veer I know you are very much excited for this and no need to say thanx I would have always chosen you when it comes to salsa. After all you are an expert in it."

Veer again tried: "Par sir..."

But again to his poor luck, the proffesor interrupted: "Don't worry Veer! I have chosen for you an equally capable partner. Best of luck. Though I know you don't need it."

Veer sighed in frustration and turned to Ananya who was also confused and irritated.

Now Ananya thought of trying: "Sir...wo...actually..."

Prof: "Haan bolo Ananya. You know you and Abhinav are best in tango form of dance and that's why I have chosen you both. I have so much expectation and I, as usual, kinow you wont dissapoint me this time also. Right?"

Ananya: "right sir."

Prof smiled: "Good luck. Ya you were going to say something. What was it?"

Ananya sighed: "nothing sir."

Prof: "Okay. Off you go students. Start practicing from today. We have the function after one month. And the others who want to participate come to me. Okay!"

Students: "yes sir!"

As soon as the proffessor went out of the room both Veer and Ananya fall back on their seats with a morose expression while their friends broke into fits of laughter.

Veer was highly irritated: "What's so funny? Saare ke saare pagal ho gaye ho kya?"

Rahul: "hum toh nehi par lagata hain tum dono pagal ho jaoge dard e judai ke gham se. (Then he put his wrist melodramatically on his forehead) Hai yeh bedardi jamana aisa hi kyun karta hain humesha. Sir ko bhi jaichand banna tha."

Riya: "Oye nautanki ab yeh jaichand kahan se aaya beech mein?"

Rahul chuckled: "Arey yaar sir ne humare Prithviraj – Sanyogeeta ko alag kar diya (pointing to Veer and Ananya) toh hue na wo is jamane ke jaichand."

But the next moment his chuckle turned into a shriek as he got a smack on his arm as a reward for his witty comment from Veer. He was rubbing his arm when Abhi and madhura entered the room.

Abhi: "Hey guys! Heard about the announcements? Sir just told us. Veer tumne suna?"

Veer: "Haan."

Madhura stepped towards Veer and smiled standing in front of him: "chalein veer?"

Veer: "Kahan?"

Madhu: "Dance ke liye."

Veer: "oh um haan. Actually hum sab chalte hain rehearsal room mein. Practise kar lenge wohi."

Ananya: "haan haan humein chalna chahiye."

Saying this they both got up from their seats and walked out of the class alonwith the others.

*******************************************************************

(Rehearsal room)

Soniya: "okay guys now lets decide the songs for our two charming couples. So guys tell me. Kaun sa songs choose karein? Mujhe seiously samajh nehi aa raha."

Soham: "umm...bandh mere pairon mein payalia yeh kaisa rehega?"

Rahul shook his head: "Soniya tu ne exactly kya sochkar is gadhe se pyar kiya tha? Iska upri maale mein bhusa bhara hain yaar. Oye dhakkan tujhe salsa dance ke liye gaana choose karna hain. Kisiki engagement party ke liye nehi."

Soham pouted while the other chukled and Soniya glared at Soham.

Arnav: "Veer-madhu tum dono batao yaar. Tumhein kaunsa song sahi lagta hain."

Madhu: "umm...I don't know. Veer?"

Veer shook his head and then turned to Ananya who was standing beside him: "Pari tum batao."

Ananya smiled: "Sholo si yeh wala kaisa rahega?"

Veer: "Yup. Yeh perfect rahega. Madhu?"

Madhu nodded excitedly.

Veer: "Okay ab traditional Indian dance ke liye song choose karna hain. dance ke liye kaunsa song choose karein? Pari tum batao."

Ananya shrugged her shoulders: "pata nehi prince. Tum bolo."

Veer: "Wohi jo soham ne kahan?"

Ananya: " umm...okay."

Abhi: "fine!"

Rahul: "Okay guys lets start then. Pehle kaunse gaane pe rehearsal suru karein?"

Veer: "Pari you do first."

Ananya: "Okay!"

Abhi came in front of her and extended his hand to Ananya which she hesitantly took and Abhi led her to the centre of the colossal room. Rahul who was sitting beside Veer smiled as he saw the eyes of his buddy narrowing as soon as Ananya put her hand in Abhi's hand. Rahul knew that Veer was not happy at all to let Ananya dance with Abhi. He knew that Veer wasn't comfortable, actually for a fact he wasn't comfortable to let Ananya dance with any other man. He knew that his buddy actually was in love with his best buddy but had still not realized and Rahul prayed to God that he would realize before it was too late. Rahul's chain of thoughts broke as the music was put on.

The music began and Abhi and Ananya took their position.

choori pehenke kangan pehenke

(Abhi went to Ananya and going behind her, he hold her hand and stroke lightly on her hand.)

jhoomka pehenke jhoomar pehenke

(He then strike her long ear ring and dragged his finger to her head starting from her forehead without touching)

o babariya

(He took hold of Ananya's hand and twirled her out of his arms)

Bandh mere pairon mere payalia (3)

(Ananya bent down and showed as if she was tying her anklet)

Dil mera dil dol raha hain

(Ananya put her hand near her heart while dancing)

naachan ko yeh bol raha hain

(Ananya twirled around)

O sawariya

(She pointed at Abhi who was smiling)

Bandh mere pairon mein payalia (3)

(Both Abhi and Ananya took hold of each other's hands and began to dance going in rounds)

Veer abruptly got up from his seat startling Rahul badly and strode out of the room. He was fuming with anger and....jealousy. He just couldn't stand the intimacy between Abhi and HIS Ananya even if it was a dance practice. The torment, the restlessness, the anger was too much for him to bear. He was walking through the corridor outside with huge steps. Thankfully the corridor was empty or else seeing him with those handsome eyes red with anger and his handsome face turned dark with rage he would have been subjected to a thousand of rage. Just before turning to an alley that led to the staircase to the ground floor as it was the second floor Veer stopped on his tracks as he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. It was Rahul standing there with a serious expression.

Rahul: "We need to talk."

Veer: "About what?"

Rahul : "About you and Ani."

Veer: "What about us? I don't understand what you are trying to say."

Rahul: "Really? You don't? Than what was that? Why you left the practice? Why you just couldn't stand Abhi and Ani toghether? Tumhein bikul pata hain ki main kya keh raha hu. Mere saath aao. "

Saying this he took Veer to a nearby semi dark classroom.

After switching on the light and closing the door, he turned to Veer who was sitting on a desk by then and sat in front of him.

Rahul: "Ab batao."

Veer: "Kya batoun?"

Rahul: "Yahi ki mere kitne bacche honewale hain. (Veer looked at him incredulously) Arey dumbo mujhe yeh batao ki tum wahan se uthkar aise kyun chale aaye?"

Veer turned his gaze from Rahul's questioning eyes and looked down to the floor.

Veer (still not moving his eyes from the floor): "kyunki mujhe accha nehi laga Pari ko Abhi ke itni kareeb dekhkar. I know I'm being illogical and all. Leking yakin mano yaar maine bahut koshish ki, Par khudko samjha hi nehi paa raha hu. Mujhe gussa aa jata hain jab bhi main Pari ko Abhi ke saath dekhta hu. Pata nehui kyun par ek ajeeb si bechaini si dil mein hoti hain yaar. Ek darr sa lagta hain jaise ki main Pari ko kho dunga."

Rahul: "hmm...aur tumhein pata hain aisa kyun ho raha hain? Aur is feeling ko kya kehte hain? Kya kisi aur larki ke liye tumne kabhie aisa feel kiya?"

Veer: nahi kabhie nehi. Aur haan mujhe pata hain ki is feeling ko kya kehta hain. Jealousy. Shayad. Is it true?"

Rahul: "yup it is. You are damn jealous man. And now don't tell me you don't know why ir I'll kill you for sure."

Veer (shocked): "yani tum kehrahe ho ki main....mujhe....par aisa kaise ho sakta hain?"

Rahul: "Haan main bilkul yehi keh raha hu. Aur ho sakta nehi mere bhai aisa hoi chuka hain. Yeh jalan, yeh gussa, yeh bechaini, yeh darr sab cheekh cheekh kar yahi keh rahe hain."

Veer spoke in a low voice more to himself than to Rahul: "Main...mujhe...I love her."

Rahul sighed in relief: "Finally. And yes you do. Aur aaj se nehi, Abhi ke aane ke baad se nehi, balki usse bhi pehle se, bahut pehle se."

Veer: "tumhein kaise pata?"

Rahul smiled: "kyunki tumhare aankhon mein dikhta hain buddhu. Ab yahi pe baithke baatein karte rahoge ya jaake usko kahoge bhi."

Veer chuckled seeing his enthusiasm.

Rahul took hold of his hand and dragged him along: "Ab chalo bhi jaldi.

Veer was really happy at the realization and just couldn't wait to see the same joy reflected on Ananya's face when he would confess his feelings to her.