Chapter 29

When you have a companion, a true friend- you are most confident"Sure, my pleasure" and his right hand cupped my left side of the cheek and his thumb sliding to wipe out the tear in my eye which was a blend of insecurity, happiness and love.

Did I use the word love!!!! Because next feeling I had in me was fear. His eyes were speaking love and I was scared to feel love in his eyes. My heart started beating way too fast with a mere thought of it.

I hugged him tight to avoid the gaze of his love lust eyes. Did I mention who he is?

Yes it was Joshan, my angel, my rescuer, my best friend and god knows what because what I am feeling for him right now is beyond my imagination and it blooms the fear buds in my body.

"I thought you'll be surprised shocked to see me Pearly Poo?" he asked in my ears making the thistles in my body rise.

"I am shocked to see you but I was too scared I thought I would have to quit because I had no partner and even if I had any random partner, I doubt if I would be comfortable with him." I was rambling with words not sure if what I was saying made any meaning.

"Oh my Pearly Poo" he hugged me again cooing me.

"So I saved one of the dancers here from your wrath." He started teasing.

"Do you think I bite?" I asked in horror.

"Last time I had to take an antidote." Joshan mocked.

"Do you have the number of medics?" I played along. I was back to being myself in his company.

"Why?"

"Because I am biting you again." And I lunged towards him making a face to bite him again and he escaped playing the same catching game again.

"So I can see happy and cheerful couples all around me" Sussie acknowledged and the crowd boooed to it excitingly. I also shouted with Joshan on my side I felt some extra bubbled up and he also was looking at me in his most smiling gesture. The different Josh who was not a player, only my bestfriend.

"Lets start with the moves first, hold your partner like this" Mitchelle said as he demonstrated with Sussie his hands on her waist and hers on his shoulders and twist of the abdomen with left ,left and right movement of feet,

he showed few steps with only feet movements and made us practice.

I was staring at Joshan as he was not very fond of following.

"Concentrate on your feet. Don’t gawk at me. I know I am too damm sexy here." Joshan said breaking my trance.

"Why you did not see Mitchelle. He looks so hot with is sexy ass." I knew Joshan was a little conscious about his ass.

"Is it that’s why you are focused on anything but moves?" Joshan said "you I felt were serious about this dance thing but now I do not see the passion."

”Sorry this was about you I was checking if you were fine following the steps?” I bit my lip feeling guilty all of a sudden

"I would if my partner cooperated but she's somewhere lost.” Joshan snapped

"Look into the eyes of your partner, you'll get the feel and rhythm would follow" Mitchelle said lifting my chin to make me look into deep brown eyes of Joshan and I followed.

Mitchelle was strict when he was professionally concerned and he had also appreciated my moves so I did not want to disappoint him.

Then when I was gazing into Joshan's eyes we caught the rhythm of the song "so much in love', our feet synchronized and me and Joshan were dancing and singing the number with our eyes. I stared at his eyes with shivers passing my body but I couldn't take my eyes off him neither did he blink once I swayed and he moved with changing steps at every changed beat.

We were not dancing technical Salsa but we did was what our heart guided unaware of the outside world till the music was no more audible and our eyes ere still locked into each other followed by roars of claps as everybody was clapping and cheering for us.

I felt flushed and was blushing pink as I hid my face in between Joshan's neck and shoulders. He did hug me back but I felt he was equally embarrassed so I lifted my head to look at him and apologize and when I saw his face, my heart started beating more wildly. I saw a feeling other than expression of embarrasment and making me feel like a crap. 'sorry" I mumbled.

He shifted me away from him and asked "For what?"

"For embarrassing you in front of..."

Joshan cupped my face with his both hands. Others were now busy learning the moves and so we were not being watched like earlier. He kissed my forehead more lovingly than ever, “You can never embarrass me. I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks partner" and he winked at me mischievously lightening the mood between us.

It was amazing, the dance, the music, the flow of steps and your best friend on your side.

We did it for the week. Even after the dance we spent time together in some diner or Deren’s house or even Joshan’s favorite place, his terrace.

Later we would continue our gym class. I never asked about his girlfriend. I did not want to. I was enjoying Joshan’s full time company. I did not want to share it with any of his shitty whores. Also to add we would talk about anything and every thing other than his girlfriends. These are the best days of our friendship.

“We have an announcement to be made.” Sussie announced and every one stopped to lend her ears.

“We have organized a competition for all the participants of the workshop. It is sponsored by the leading brand Jacoste and the winning pair gets a prize of 5000 dollars, runners up gets 1000 dollars. Interested couples can give in their names to Mitchelle and also get the rules and regulations from him. So gear up for a big show. Yooooo”

“Yooooo” everybody shouted in anticipation.

“Vow Josh lets get ourselves registered.” I said excitedly.

“Crazy I am not interested.” Joshan completely denied.

“Sweety please!! for me.” I begged.

“No bestie I can’t, learning is still okay but performing before audience. No I aint in for that.” He did not budge.

“Joshan you are a terrific dancer and I am sure we are going to be able to make it” I tried to convince him.

“But Poo baby I haven’t ever participated in any of the dance competition. It sounds so weird. Just enjoy learning baby.” He stressed.

“You are not trying to understand Josh”

“See there is no harm participating and who knows if we are able to make it we would be able to collect for the orphanage.” I pouted with my most innocent face.

“Pearly if it is about money you know I don’t approve of it.” I could see disappointment on  his face.

“No Josh it’s about my attempt, your attempt to do something together and for a noble purpose. Just you and me dancing for a creative purpose and yes the incentive is mindblowing. Please Josh please.” I was on bended knees now. I was acting very desperate. I don’t know why but I wanted to participate I wanted to win.

“Josh see I missed my chance during vacations and life has given me another opportunity. I know ‘Together we can do it’” I dug my greygreen eyes deep into his and requested without uttering a word.

He just hugged me and said, “You know I cannot deny any of your wish BFF”

“Really you should have told me earlier, I would have taken the most of it.” I mocked.

“Thank god you cannot take my virginity.” He mocked.

“F##K you non-virgin  a##hole I am not a rapist but I am glad I scared you though.” I left his hug and smiled sarcastically at him. Oh my god his blush was unimaginable.

“So when do we start the practice?” Josh asked now completely accepting the participation.

“Yeah!!!!. I squealed as I hugged him to thank him.

“Right tomorrow onwards after the class at Deren’s” he offered.

“Okay fine.”

“But on one condition.” He added. God what does he want now? “no gym after practice”

I pulled his cheeks playfully, “my sooo vereeee caring bestie. As you say, so I agree.”

We were now taking the whole salsa thing very seriously. I and Joshan were doing excellent as appreciated by Sussie a lot of times. I know why because we had a purpose to win and I was studying some extra steps from net and you-tube videos so that I can learn some more and different steps.

 Joshan took the song selection under his custody and even proposed to add a theme to the dance. I wonder how one can add a theme to salsa. But Joshan always adds a tinge of perfection in whatever he decides to do. He is such a sweet heart.

We were practicing too hard. We were missing college when we were not able to practice in the evening and even most of the times we would sleep at Deren’s with me snuggling to his shoulders and would die down forgetting the entire world. He was so damm comfortable.

 It should be illegal to be such a good bestie specially if he is a player and you know someone else deserves this place. If it was ever possible I would hide him and keep him for myself.

Silly me!!!!! I think I am so tired that I cannot think straight.

Actually I can put the blame on the entire salsa thing. Joshan has taken a love song for the competition and the steps and the lyrics are so intimate that my hormones come rebelling over me. Especially his sweaty body which looks so hot and sexy and when he makes me stare into his eyes with our lips inches apart as I wear extra high heels as forced by Joshan because he feels that they add to poise and grace to the dance. He gets extremely particular for the task in hand.

Sometimes he lifts me from my ass coming close to kiss me and then sway away and next moment he is scolding me for not pointing my toes. He is extremely sweet and caring at one time and at another point he gets extremely sincere and dedicated to his job in hand. He says that he does not want to keep any coin unturned. I just adore him and it is increasing day by day.

He took his own time and thousands of choices to select the costumes. The start of the song, its end was all melodramatic as he wanted it to be. He said he wanted to touch the heart of the judges, giving a new dimension to salsa. Sometimes I would get extremely nervous that I do not trip or make a silly mistake that would ruin the entire thing. I was so scared that I was getting nightmares about it. But Joshan would always comfort me and remind me that I was not doing it alone and he would always be on my side whatever the consequences.

One day I woke up and I was crying hysterically. Same day he was supposed to pick me up for college. I was so upset that I did not get ready for the college almost forgetting that he is going to pick me up.

‘What happened Martha?” Joshan asked my mom without greeting her as she was trying to sooth me.

“nightmare.” My mom replied shrugging her shoulders.

Joshan took hold on me, hugging me sideways, “Tell me what did you dream.’

“I hmm.. dre..amt that hm.. I and you wer..e dancing..g and I was wearing a long gown… then my heels got tangled in my feet and I tripped. All over…. Finished” I said sobbing in between and now crying. “I know you are working so hard. I am scared. You better take someone else as a partner. I’ll ruin everything.” I cried into his chest now leaving a wet patch on his Louis Vuitton shirt.

“Stop Pearly” he cooed and shouted sternly then,” Will you just stop crying”. I was so scared that I started staring at him speechless.

“Go to your room and change and come.” He commanded.

“But we are already late for the college?” I hesitated to go with my sore eyes.

“Just do as said” and he directed me towards my room.

I changed and came down to see him waiting in his audi. I hugged my mom and rushed to the car not getting further late as he was already pissed up.

“Where are we going? This is not the route to college” but he was so pissed he did not answer.

I was shocked when he parked the car in the same orphanage for which I wanted to win.

He extended his hand for me to hold as he led me to the children’s ward.

He had brought cookies for all of them. He distributed them to all of them and asked them to pose for a picture. They had the best of their smiling faces when they stood for the photograph. He clicked their pictures and left the place.

Once we left the place he said, “Can I have your mobile?”

I handed him non questioningly.

He transferred the picture of kids in my mobile through blue tooth

“Hey look here” he showed me the picture and said,” whenever you feel a little scared about the dance thing watch these smiling faces. They’ll inspire you.”

I was stunned speechless fighting back a tear in my eyes as I hugged him whispering,”How thoughtful.”

He is nothing but a miracle

Is this ever possible

Will I wake up one day

To see he’s an angel

Sent to me by heaven’s

What good have I done

That sun has shone

Brightly so bright

And I have all the right

To claim him mine

He’s so very surreal

He makes joy real

How much I want to be with him

My inners need him

Only if it was possible

But he is a shining star

So close to me

Yet very very far!!!!!