Hi everyone, I'm back with the next part. Please do let me know what you think. Just a note that I've changed the play from Heer Ranjha to Devdas.
Part 2
"Bhai, why do you give her such a hard time!" Rashi complained. Arjun rolled his eyes as he threw himself on to the sofa and switched on the TV. He knew exactly who the "her" was that Rashi was referring to. "Bhai!" Rashi repeated joining her brother on the sofa. "She was so mad at you yesterday." "Must you harass my friends?" Rashi asked. Now that caught Arjun's attention. Flipping the TV off he turned to Rashi. "I don't harass your friend, I can't help it that she walks around with a stick up her a*s and can't take a joke." Arjun replied. "A joke bhai?!" Rashi exclaimed. "At the start of the year you made her think you were one of the professors for a whole week!" "The whole campus was laughing at her." Rashi said with a shake of her head. Arjun grinned as he remembered back. "I can't help it that you have gullible friends can I?" he replied picking up his Iphone. Rashi rolled her eyes. "I know it's your last year and I know you Seniors think you can rag on the Juniors but Bhai that was too much." "And making her pick up your dry cleaning and bring you lunch!" "Seriously is was too much." Rashi replied. "Too much is if I had let her think I was one of the professors for a whole month, but .it was just a measly week." he said with a laugh. But it had been a damn hilarious week. Arohi racing after him with his lunch. Arohi's "Good Morning Sir." as she passed him. As far as ragging goes, it was a good one but still it wasn't as bad as she made it out to be. Talk about holding grudges! After finding out he was actually just a student she'd gone from giving him big smiles to even bigger glares. If looks could kill then he'd have been dead a long time ago if it had been up to Arohi. But he had to admit he liked getting her all riled up. She was damn feisty when she was mad and a few times he'd baited her just to see her cheeks turn pink and her eyes shoot daggers at him. She was NOT his type, but he was willing to admit to himself that there was something about her that he found intriguing. "Bhai." Rashi repeated pulling Arjun out of his thoughts. "Can you just for my sake, promise to be a little nicer to her." Rashi begged. Arjun could see that Rashi wasn't going to lay off until he agreed." "Fine, I'll be nice, happy now!" "Now be a good little sister and make me a sandwich." he said. Rashi smiled and happily went to go do her brother's bidding.
"Arjun, you should go to bed now." Arjun heard his mom say as she placed a glass of milk on the desk next to him. A distracted Arjun shook his head. "Just need to get through this last chapter mom." His mom smiled lovingly down at her eldest son. At 22 his hard work was paying off. He would be finishing his Bachelors this year and then writing his LSAT and from there she knew he had plans to go to Australia to finish his law degree. He'd applied last year and considering how good his grades were she had no doubt that he would get in with a full scholarship. Sending a little prayer up to her god she prayed for all her son's dreams to come through. He was the oldest of her 3 children, Rashi younger then him at 19 and then Raj her youngest at 15. But from all her of children Arjun was the one that from a tender age showed the most drive. If he wanted to achieve something he wouldn't stop until he had mastered it. Nothing was done half way and she had no doubt that this time would be no different. She knew he wouldn't be satisfied until he was a Lawyer with his own firm. And she would be the mother of that lawyer, she thought with pride as she straightened her shoulders and put her hand on his shoulder. So deep was he in his work that he didn't even notice, which made her unbelievably happy. Nothing could break his concentration and even though she knew he was quite the catch. Good looking, intelligent, from a good middle class family, and even though she knew girls were always throwing themselves at her son she knew he wouldn't let any of that interfere with his plans. He was a good boy she thought lovingly as she moved away towards the door. He would accomplish what his father was never able to. He wouldn't spend the rest of his life running a dingy little garage and wasting all of his potential like his father had, she thought bitterly as she shut the door behind her.
"Are you nervous?" Neha asked as she walked Arohi over to where the auditions were being held for the "Devdas" musical. "No...no...okay maybe a little." Arohi replied. She'd performed many times before for her dance classes. She'd been learning Kathak since the age of 4 so she was no stranger to having people watch her dance. She'd also been trained and self taught herself other forms of dance. She knew she could play the part of Paro without any problems. But she'd never auditioned for a part before. It should be interesting she thought as Neha opened the doors to the auditorium and the two of them walked through. "Hey Arohi." Jai called waving her over to where he stood with a group of people. As she made her way over she was surprised to see Arjun leaning against a table, one of his many girlfriends draped over him. Seeing her he gave her a mock salute earning a glare from her. "Why is he here?" she asked Jai once they reached him. Glancing at Arjun, Jai replied. "Don't worry about it, his girlfriend is trying out for some part so he's just here with her." Arohi rolled her eyes. "Does his girl firend even know how to read?" she asked and then instantly felt bad for making such a mean remark. Look at what she was becoming because of him she thought to herself as she threw another glare his way. Arjun cocked a brow and gave her one of his irritating smirks. "Whose Arohi?" she heard from behind her. Arohi quickly turned around forcing her attention away from the devil. The director of the musical turned her over to the Choreographer. "He will teach you a small part of the dance to one of the songs, which you will audition with in 30 mins." said the director before he walked away. Arohi nodded and followed behind the Choreographer, as she passed Arjun he heard her say "I think you'd be the perfect person to play Paro's mom." Gritting her teeth she stomped past him.
Arjun was bored out of his mind, glancing at his watch he wondered why he was even still here. He'd been talked into escorting Tania to her auditions, his plan had been to leave minutes after getting there, but then he'd seen Arohi. And now 45 minutes later, his interest piqued at seeing Arohi auditioning for a musical, he was still here waiting to see what part she was auditioning for. "Okay Arohi Ahluwalia it's your turn." he heard which had him turning around and watching the dark stage. He saw her walk out onto the stage, a lit diya in her hand but in the darkness he couldn't see her face. And then the lights slowly turned on...
Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka
Mausam Ne Li Angdaayi Aayi Aayi
Lehraake Barkha Phir Chaayi Chaayi
Jhoka Hawa Ka Aayega Aur Yeh Diya Buj Jaayega
Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka Na Maine Bujhne Diya
Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka Na Maine Bujhne Diya
Oh Piya Yeh Diya Na Bujha Hai Na Bujhega
Mere Chaahat Ka Diya Mere Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Oh Mere Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Is Diye Sang Jal Raha Mera Rom Rom Rom Aur Jiya
Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya Oh Mere Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Faasla Tha Doori Thi Faasla Tha Doori Thi
Tha Judaai Ka Aalam Intezaar Mein Nazrein Thi
Aur Tum Wahan The Tum Wahan The Tum Wahan The
Jhilmilaatey Jagmagaatey Khushiyon Mein Jhoom Kar
Aur Yahan Jal Rahe The Hum Aur Yahan Jal Rahe The Hum
Phir Se Baadal Garja Hai Garaj Garaj Ke Barsa Hai
Ghoom Ke Toofan Aaya Hai Par Tujhe Bujha Nahin Paaya Hai
Oh Piya Yeh Diya Chaahe Jitha Sathey Tujhe Yeh Saawan
Yeh Hawa Aur Yeh Bijliyaan
Mere Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Oh Mere Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Dehko Yeh Pagli Deewani Duniya Se Hai Yeh Anjaani
Jhoka Hawa Ka Aayega Aur Iska Piya Sang Laayega
Oh Piya Ab Aaja Re Mere Piya
Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka Na Maine Bujhne Diya
Oh Piya Yeh Diya
Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka Na Maine Bujhne Diya
Oh Piya Yeh Diya
Aye Piya Piya Piya
(Movie: Devdas)
The whole room watched in silence as Arohi danced. She was the epitome of grace. Her whole body, mind and soul were involved in the dance. Arjun who had stuck around just to have something else to tease Arohi about, was left floored. He'd never imagined that seeing her dance could leave him speechless, but it did. Her movement was delicate and graceful. She seemed not to even see the audience as she danced, her mind completely taken over by the music, her body moving on it's own accord. Even after the song ended, silence filled the room. His and everyone else's eyes glued to her as she stood now obviously uncomfortable on the stage. And then the applause started, snapping him back to reality. Arjun blinked and shook his head quickly looking away from her as Jai ran up the steps to the stage and hugged her. A feeling of irrational irritation going through Arjun at seeing her laughing in Jai's arms. Shrugging it off he looked at Tania who was back at his side, leaning on him. "That was amazing Arohi." said Ronnie the director of the play. "But you were only taught the first minute of the song." "Where did the rest of it come from?" he asked. Arohi blushed. "I improvised, it's such a beautiful song I couldn't help but continue." she said. Ronnie clearly looked impressed. "Come by this afternoon to read some lines." she said before she turned around.
"You were amazing." Jai said putting an arm around Arohi. "Yeah, you blew everyone away." "There is no way there can be a better Paro then you." Neha said coming up beside them. Arohi smiled, she was pretty proud of herself. She knew she had the talent but it was nice to be appreciated by others. "I'm going to go quickly change." "I'll meet you guys in the Cafeteria." Arohi said heading towards the back of the auditorium. A permanent smile on her lips as she walked down the hallway. She was in a great mood, today nothing could ruin that mood she thought happily to herself. "You look proud of yourself." said a voice close to her. Arohi quickly turned to see Arjun leaning against a wall with his arms folded across his chest. Ignoring him she kept walking, only for him to fall in step next to her. "What do you want Arjun?!" she snapped, walking faster. "You don't have anything I would want." he replied, making her stop in her steps. With her hands on her hips, her eyes dark with anger she asked "Then why are you following me?" "Following, I'm not following you." "It's a hallway and I'm walking beside you." was his cheeky reply. "I don't want to walk beside you, you be my guest and go infront." she replied, still glaring at him. Arjun shrugged and said "Suit yourself." starting to walk infront of her. Arohi rolled her eyes and started to walk behind him only to have him suddenly stop, and turn around. Having her come crashing against him. "What are you doing?!" she snapped feeling flustered as she felt his hands settle on her waist to keep her from falling. "What am I doing?" he asked in surprise. "I should ask you what you're doing since you're the one following me?" he added, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Arohi's eyes widened in anger as she pushed his hands from her waist. "Shut up!" "Just shut up!" "Don't you have anything better to be doing then hanging around here wasting everyone's time." "These rehearsals are for people that have actual talent, not for losers like you that are only good at one thing." Arohi snapped. Arjun's eyes that had been filled with humor a very moments ago turned hard and cold. "And you think just because you were applauded by a few people over your silly dance you have talent?" he said meanly. "You were okay, but I've seen much better so don't let it get to your head that you're some great dancer!" "This is just some school play, you're not performing on Broadway!" he added. Feeling her finger pointing into his chest he stopped, his gaze shifting to the finger and then back to her face. "Easy for a no talent like you to say!" she snapped. "You'd never be able to act or perform." she added with a smirk. Arjun stared at the smirk on her face and saw red. All he wanted to do was wipe it from her face. As Arohi made to push past him, he caught her elbow and forced her back until she was pressed against a wall and he was infront of her. "Let me go before I scream!" she snapped looking up and down the vacant hallway. "You think you're the only one with some talent around here?!" "I bet there are a 100 girls on this campus that could play this character better then you, but Dev...if Arjun Singhania decided to play the main character no one could do it better then him!" Arohi shook her head at his arrogance, rolling her eyes as she struggled to get away from him without touching him too much. "You don't believe me, well let's put a little wager on it shall we." he said, his eyes filled with steel. "Wager?" Arohi repeated looking up at him. "If I get the part you will do whatever I want, but if I don't get the part then I will do whatever you want." he said with a smirk. Arohi's eyes widened. "I am not making any type of bet with you!" she snapped, pushing at his chest. A slow smile made it's way to his lips. "Are you scared you're going to lose Arohi?" he asked softly. His face so close to hers now. Arohi swallowed and stared nervously, her gaze shifting unwillingly to his lips and then quickly moving away. "I'm not scared, I know I would win." "You have no chance in h*ll of playing Dev." she replied. "Well then it shouldn't be a problem." he said with a raise of his brow. Arohi paused to look at him again, and maybe it was that cocky attitude or that prideful grin or maybe it was just plain old revenge, but she couldn't help herself when she said "FINE!" "But no surprises." "If I win, you are my lackey for the whole day and the whole college will see the great Arjun Singhania fall. "You will do my bidding, whatever I want and after that day I never want you to look at me or speak to me again." she said. Arjun smiled. The girl had guts. He had to give her that. "Fine, and if I win, you will do whatever I want for the day." he replied, slowly tracing a finger along her jaw as he repeated "Whatever I say." making a shiver run down Arohi's spine. "And you'll stop glaring at me every time you see me." he added. Arohi pushed at his chest until he finally moved away. "Deal!" "I'll go start making my torture list for you right now." "I have a good 24 hours to fill with exciting activities for you to perform for me." she said with a cheeky smile. Arjun grinned. "I don't need a list, there's usually only one thing I like doing with a girl and even though you barely pass for one, that will be the activity we will be doing." he said with a wolfish grin as he turned on his heal and walked away leaving a flustered Arohi behind.
"YOU WHAT?!" Neha yelled making Arohi wince. "Are you crazy?" "Why would you make any sort of bet with him?" "This is Arjun Singhania, honor roll student, top of his class, Champion of the College football and rugby team, not to mention most popular guy in College." "There isn't anything that he can't do when he puts his mind too it." Neha said with a shake of her head and directed a pitying look at Arohi. Arohi gulped. "Neha, I coud not help it, whenever I see that stupid smirk on his face all I want to do is wipe it from his lips and now I finally have a chance. "I saw 2 guys reading lines for Dev yesterday." "Both were very good, I even read with one and the director was very happy with our chemistry." "There's no way that Arjun would get this part over one of those guys." "I know it looks like I'm playing with fire but really odds are against him, not me." she said. "For your sake I hope that's true, because if you lose god only knows what Arjun would do to you." Neha replied, making Arohi remember the tremor that had gone through her when he'd skimmed her cheek with his finger. "I won't lose." she said shaking her head. This was the only way to get him permanently out of her life. She hated their constant run ins, and his stupid comments and she hated the way he made her feel unsettled. How when he was around she felt off kilter. This was the one way to make all that stop. As Neha and Arohi passed the main Concourse Arohi noticed Arjun sitting with his friends Romit and Ajay. The 3 of them laughing over something. As Arjun's laughing gaze met Arohi's, his lips twisted into his usual taunting smirk. Rolling her eyes she quickly looked away but not before Neha said "Even though you don't like him Arohi, you have to admit he's so good looking." Arohi stared at her friend as if she'd grown another head. "Good looking compared to what?!" she snapped. "If someone is ugly from the inside then physical beauty doesn't matter." she added forcefully as she turned to give him one last parting glare. Arjun who was watching her, pretended to be wounded by her look, falling against his friends and holding his chest as if he was dieing. Seeing him put on his act made her seeth in anger. If it was the last thing she'd do she would bring Arjun Singhania to his knees. Their laughter followed Arohi and Neha as they walked away.
Arjun stretched as he climbed out of bed. He'd been up late again last night studying. The LSAT was just a few months away and his career, hell his whole life hinged on him doing well and getting accepted into the Law degree program in Australia. He's been planning for this for years and now his dream was so close to becoming a reality. Hearing a knock on his door he called "Come in" and smiled when he saw his dad. His dad was probably the most gentle, laid back person he knew. He preferred quiet to noise, staying home or working in his garage to going out to any functions or parties. And he was also the person that knew Arjun best, he was the one Arjun went to when he was feeling frustrated or angry about something or when he just needed some good solid advice...he was Arjun's calm. "Good morning son." his dad said. "Another late night?" he added seeing Arjun yawn. Arjun nodded and then yawned again chuckling as he shook his head. "I just need a shower and a cup of coffee and that should wake me up." he said. "Okay, but remember your health is important too." "I don't want you over doing it son." his dad said, his brows furrowed in worry. "I'm not," Arjun reassured him and then asked "Did you need something dad?" "Yes, I wanted to know if you could come by the garage today I got a 1970 Chevy in a few days ago, I'm planning on rebuilding it. I just thought you'd be interested in having a look." his dad replied. A grin spread across Arjun's face. His dad's passion for car's had rubbed off on Arjun from a young age. He had fond memories of his dad working in his garage, and Arjun running around at his feet. As he got older, time to time he would also work at his dad's garage helping him out. "He's too busy to be coming over to your dirty little car garage!" his mom interrupted as she walked in, holding Arjun's cup of coffee. Arjun sighed. Here we go again he thought. "This is the most important year of his life, he doesn't have time to look at your toys." she added with contempt. "Mom you let me worry about what I do and don't have time for." Arjun interrupted. His dad put but a calming hand on Arjun's shoulder. "There's no hurry, come by when you have some time." and with that his dad walked out of the room without even a glance at his mom. And thankfully before his mom could launch into another tirade about how his dad wasted away his chance at becoming something important, Arjun got a phone call. "Saved by the bell" he muttered as he ushered his mom to the door and picked up his phone. "Rehearsals for Dev are this afternoon, are you ready?" Romit asked cutting right to the chase. "Rehearsals?" Arjun repeated, momentarily forgetting about his bet. "Arjun!" Romit yelled. "Oh yeah, yeah rehearsals, they should be fine." "I haven't had a chance to look over the script yet, but how hard could it be." Arjun replied nonchalantly. "Arjun, are you crazy, if you to lose that girl is going to make you out to look like a complete fool." Romit said in disbelief not believing how lightly his friend was taking this challenge. Arjun frowned at Romit's comment. "I'm not going to lose!" he barked. "I'll be at campus in an hour, we'll go over the stupid lines and that'll be the end of that!" Arjun replied. "If you say so." his friend replied not sounding convinced as Arjun hung up. Grabbing a towel, he scowled. Why did he make that stupid bet with that infuriating girl anyways? He just had to wipe that know it all look off her smug face that's why. And now he had to get the part orelse she would make a laughingstock out of him around campus. Hating her with a passion he walked into the bathroom. Once he won this bet he was going to make her rue the day she decided to play with the big boys. If she thought he'd given her a hard time until now, she'd seen nothing yet.
"What the hell are these lines?" Arjun muttered as he read them out loud. "I sound like a whiny 16 year old teenage girl saying this!" Arjun snapped. "I just want you to know that whatever that girl does to you, I'll still be your friend." Romit said with a reassuring smile. Arjun's left hand middle finger shot up at his friend in response to Romit's comment, but his gaze didn't shift from the pages he was rapidly skimming. "Just shut up and quickly run these lines with me." "We've got that damn audition in 1 hour." Arjun snapped. Over the next 10 minutes the two together read lines only to be interrupted by a peal of laughter. Arjun's eyes narrowed as he looked at Arohi standing against the open door frame of the classroom, holding a box of ladoos in her hands. Walking in with that smug smile on her face she said "I have no words to describe the effect your butchering of the script has had on me." "If the director wants this to be "Devdas the Comedy" then yes you are the right person to play it." "If the director wants his Devdas to be a JOKER then again you are the right person for the job." "If the director wants the audience to throw tomatoes at him, then again you are the perfect Devdas." she said with another laugh. Arohi watched as Arjun clenched and unclenched his fist. She could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears. A triumphant smile lit up her face. His eyes only darkened as he saw that smile. "Listen!" he began angrily only to have a ladoo shoved into his mouth. His eyes grew round as he choked on it. "I was just going to wait until the end of the day to give these out in honor of me winning the bet, but after this incredible performance you've given I think we already know who the winner is." she said with a smile. "Romit here you take one too." Arohi said, placing one in Romit's hand. Seeing Arjun take a dangerous step towards her, Arohi quickly turned around and fled with one last parting shot. "I won't bother wishing you luck, because even luck won't help you now." Arjun looked at Romit who was about to bite into his own ladoo. Ripping it out of Romit's hand, Arjun threw it across the room. His whole body trembling with rage. She would rue the day, rue the day! he repeated to himself.
"Arohi, don't you think you're being a little over confident." Neha asked later on that afternoon as Arohi bit into a ladoo. "Over confident, if you had seen the way him and Romit were killing the lines you would not be saying that." "I might or might not get Paro's part, but there is no way in hell Arjun will get any part in that play other then the mute guard. And that would even be difficult for him to play because if he doesn't speak then how will he flirt with all the girls." Arohi said with a laugh. Hearing her phone ring Arohi saw Jai's name flash across the screen. "Hi Jai." she said, only to be cut off with. "The list of up in the cafe for who's playing which character." "Really!" Arohi said happily as she jumped up from her seat. "Neha and I will meet you in the cafe in 5 minutes." she said as she motioned for Neha to get up. The two raced over to the cafeteria where a large crowd had assembled around the list. Forcing their way through, Neha made it to the front first. "Arohi!" she screamed "You're playing Paro!" Arohi squealed with delight. Seeing Neha hesitate Arohi grabbed her hand and said "let's go." not even bothering to ask her to check for Dev, so confident she was in his loss and her win. "Wait!" Neha said worriedly as she stared at the paper hanging on the wall. Slowly turning around she dragged Arohi out of the crowd of people. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Arohi asked worriedly seeing how pale Neha had gotten. "Arohi, she began hesitantly. Arohi stared at her friend with growing alarm. "What is it Neha?" she asked, squeezing her hand. "Arohi, the part for Dev has been given to Arjun." Arohi's eyes widened in shock as she staggered backwards barely stopping herself from falling. Oh my god what had she done she thought to herself as she slowly lowered herself into a chair. What.had.she.done.
Okay there it is. I hope it was interesting..i promise it will get better. Thanks for reading. PS If you would like to be taken OFF my PM list just delete me from your buddy list. I don't want to send updates to ppl who might not be interested in reading this. Take care
