SS: The Synchronizing Forces (Chp 4)

Chapter 4

The compere came on stage and announced. “A very good evening to all ladies and gentlemen present here. Today, the theme of the performance is ‘The Five Elements’. They’re the synchronizing forces of life. The performance will be given by Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta. Please make yourselves comfortable and enjoy the performance. Thank you”

          “It’s Khushi Kumari Gupta, huh? Hmmm… I’ll make sure I remember the name.” he thought.

          The music started. She came. Arnav was dumbstruck, yet again. It was as if the whole place was brighter than before. “She’s BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!” he thought. Wait! He was stopped by his own thoughts. What the… She’s beautiful? What an understatement. She’s a goddess from heaven, who has come to earth, just for Him. “What crap!” his brain yelled. His phone buzzed. He wanted to see who the caller was. But, no, he couldn’t. His eyes were stuck to her. “Are you the same ASR who said you’ll never avert your eyes from your mobile? What’s wrong with you?” his mind mindlessly questioned him. “Just live the moment.” said his heart.

Earth. She was portraying earth first. Dressed in beautiful white lehenga bordered with white stones she was looking like an angel. Her veil alone was in green. Holding it in her hands she danced about, just perfectly. He could practically see plants around her. He’d bet he could smell the green grass.  All of a sudden she dropped the veil down and picked up a new veil. This was blue. The blue of the deep blue sea…

          Water. The next element.  With    the veil twisted from her right shoulder till the wrist, Arnav for a moment was jealous on the veil. She held the other end in the left hand. The other supporting artists carried her in a swift moment. They held her high for a minute and all of a sudden she jumped and landed gracefully and ran like a gazelle to the end of the stage, dropping the veil down on her way. She took another veil hanging from above. This one was white. She, now completely in white was…. No word could explain what a sight it was. All he could sense was one thing. He could feel what she was conveying through her actions. He mentally felt a gust of air caressing him…

          Air. The third element.  She swirled round and round. The whole sight was mesmerizing. It was as if the element would lose life if she wasn’t portraying it.  He wanted to go on the stage, for a moment, just to feel what it would be like to stand near her. Her steps were so free, calm and gentle just like the breeze. In a blinding movement she took another veil in her hand. This one was a light blue. The blue of a clear summer sky…

          Sky. The last, but one element.  Supported by ropes, she was now floating. Swinging from one end to the other, all he could compare her to was a peace bringing dove. She was in fact more breath taking than a dove. Arnav Singh Raizada, who never dances, in fact one who abhors dance wanted to dance for the first time. Just to for the sake of being with her. His mind reminded him ‘Hey buddy, remember that you hate her!’ but he chose to ignore it. Once again, she landed, leaving the veils on the ground. Her steps became more aggressive now. She picked the next veil, a blazing red one…

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          Khushi was hardly concentrating… All her concentration was in NOT to look at those eyes. Successfully, she completed four elements. ‘Now, the last one, just one more element Khushi, and your performance will get over. Then you can see him… no one can stop you…’  said her mind, compelling her to concentrate…

             ‘Come ‘on you’ve finished FOUR!!! Just one more to go… Nothing will happen if I sneak a peek!’ said her heart… She picked up the last veil, to portray fire… She could no longer control… She forced her eyes into his deep gaze… And that was it. She was rooted to the spot. It was as if he was Medusa, and she was turned to stone…

             She could no longer move. His eyes never left hers… It was like eternity…She didn’t know how long she stood frozen. She was shaken from her stance by the concluding boom of the song. All she could hear was her brain screaming “Gone baby, gone!!!!”

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