Everyone gathered in Nishant's backyard where he had already set up the music system. With the music system set up in one corner of the backyard, the group wasted no time in getting into the groove, eager to practice their dance routine for the upcoming annual function.
"I think we should select the songs now" Ujjwal suggested.
"Hip-hop wala sequence Fein by Travis Scott par karenge" Nishant suggested.
"Iski tarah uski choice bhi bekar hai" Saisha said, scrunching her nose.
"Tujhse kon pooch raha hai" Nishant said.
"Main Kahan fas gayi iss aadmi se saath" Saisha said.
"Toh mat kar na" Nishant said. Samaira jumped in between their banter and said "tum dono thoda acche se behave Kiya Karo" Samaira said.
"What if we do Chogada for the folk part?" Gaurika said. Impressed by her choice, ujjwal immediately agreed.
"For Bollywood I think we can do Chammak challo" Samaira suggested.
"Tum gadi wala aaya song bhi bolti toh hum uspe bhi kar leta main" Neev said, with his face imitating the blushing emoji.
"Pagal ho gaya hai tu pyaar mein bilkul" Nishant whispered in Neev's year.
"Tu bhi hoke dekh ek baar" Neev whispered back. Nishant's eyes diverted towards Saisha who was sitting there in her all black outfit that accentuated her beauty even more. He immediately looked away as their eyes met.
"umm... uh..hip-hop song ke liye we can do there for you by Martin Garrix" Saisha suggested to divert the conversation. Nishant was about to refute but stopped because it was actually a good suggestion.
Now that all the songs were decided, they immediately got back to practice.
With the catchy beats of "Chammak Challo" filling the air, they moved with effortless grace and enthusiasm, their bodies swaying and twirling in perfect harmony.
Nishant watched from the sidelines, a grin spreading across his face as he marveled at their natural chemistry and synchronized movements. Samaira's hair bounced with each energetic step, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she matched Neev's every move with precision and grace.
As the music faded and the energy of the dance practice lingered in the air, Nishant couldn't help but break the silence with a hearty clap, his face lit up with excitement. Following Nishant, everyone started clapping.
"Ab pata chala mujhe ki Samaira ke chemistry mein itne acche marks kaise aate hain" Nishant said. Everyone laughed at his witty comment.
"Okay but on a serious note, Samaira and I just click when we dance. It's like we can read each other's minds" Neev said, looking at Samaira with literal heart eyes.
As the upbeat rhythm of "There for You" by Martin Garrix filled the room, Nishant and Saisha stepped onto the makeshift dance floor, their energy palpable and their determination evident in their expressions. Saisha's movements were sharp and precise, her body moving with fluidity and grace as she effortlessly executed each hip-hop move with confidence. Nishant matched her intensity with his own, his footwork precise and his movements powerful as he danced alongside her.
As the song came to an end, Nishant and Saisha stood together, breathless and exhilarated, their faces flushed with the thrill of their performance. The room erupted into applause, their friends cheering them on with admiration and awe.
In the heat of the moment, Nishant and Saisha gave each other a hug. their bodies pressed together for a fleeting moment of connection. But as quickly as it had begun, reality came crashing back in, and they both pulled away,
Nishant's brow furrowed in confusion as he took a step back, his eyes meeting Saisha's with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
"um..sorry.." Nishant tried to apologise.
"Forget it! It was just in the heat of the moment" Saisha said, trying to be the bigger person.
Sensing the tension in the air, Ujjwal acted quickly to diffuse the awkwardness. With a charismatic grin, he swept Gaurika onto the dance floor, his enthusiasm infectious as he urged her to join him in a lively garba dance to the tune of "Chogada."
Gaurika couldn't help but laugh at Ujjwal's antics, her initial discomfort melting away as she found herself caught up in the joyous energy of the dance. With Ujjwal leading the way, they moved gracefully in sync with the music, their steps fluid and their smiles radiant.
In the end, the entire group went onto the stage for a collective performance on the song Criminal. The day ended with them cooking Maggi and some french fries for snacks.
August 9 - Annual function
Backstage at the school's annual function, a bustling atmosphere fills the air as performers prepare for their acts. Samaira, Neev, Saisha, Nishant, Ujjwal, and Gaurika gather in their designated area, getting ready for their performance.
Students from different classes had already performed and theirs was the finale act of the day. Their parents were eagerly waiting for their children's performance.
"Can you believe it's finally here? Our moment on stage!" Samaira said enthusiastically.
"Let's focus, everyone. We need to make sure we're all in sync for the performance." Ujjwal said.
As the group huddles together, a mix of nerves and excitement fills the air. They exchange encouraging words and gestures, building each other up for their moment on stage.
Neev said, locking eyes with Samaira "Hey, whatever happens out there, just know I've got your back."
"And I've got yours, Neev. We've practiced for this moment, and we're going to rock it together." Samaira said, ensuring Neev.
On stage, the spotlight illuminates Neev, Samaira, Saisha, Gaurika, Nishant, and Ujjwal as they stand in formation, ready to begin their performance. The stage is adorned with vibrant decorations, setting the perfect backdrop for their act. The audience erupts into applause, eagerly anticipating what's to come.
With a cue from Neev, the music starts, filling the auditorium with an infectious beat. The group moves in perfect synchrony, their movements fluid and graceful as they weave through their choreography.
As the performance reaches its climax, the entire group comes together in a breathtaking finale, leaving the audience cheering and applauding wildly.
With one final bow, the group exits the stage, their hearts full and spirits soaring from the exhilarating experience they've just shared with their audience.
Backstage at the annual function, after Neev and Samaira's performance -
"Wow, Samaira, you were amazing out there!" Neev said, breathless from the performance.
"Thanks, Neev! You were pretty incredible yourself. We really nailed it!" Samaira said, smiling brightly. Other members were busy changing their costumes. Neev went towards the changing room and Samaira went in the other direction.
"Hey, Neev, great job up there. And Samaira, wow, you two really have chemistry on stage." Vanshika said with a smirk on her face.
"Thanks!" Neev said with a cold expression on her face.
"Accha...If you don't mind main yahan baith jaaun" she said gesturing towards a chair next to Neev.
"baith jaao" Neev said, caught off guard by the sudden request.
Without missing a beat, Vanshika approaches Neev and, to everyone's surprise, sits down on his lap, her actions deliberately provocative. Before Neev could say anything, Samaira who was returning back to give Neev's ID card to him, freezes in her tracks at the sight before her, her heart sinking with disbelief and hurt.
"um...ye sab kya ho raha hai?" Samaira said with a look of disbelief on her face.
Neev's eyes widen in shock as he struggles to find the right words to explain the situation, realizing the gravity of the misunderstanding that Vanshika's actions have caused.
"Samaira, it's not what it looks like! Vanshika, what are you doing?" Neev said, frantically getting up from the chair and pushing Vanshika aside.
Vanshika, feigning innocence, smirks as she looks up at Samaira. "Oh, Samaira, don't be so naive. Can't you see? Neev and I were just having a little fun." Vanshika said, with a sly smirk on her face.
Samaira's world shatters as the weight of betrayal and doubt crushes down on her, her mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions.
"Samaira...dekho...aisa kuch nahi hai" Neev tried to explain himself but Samaira believed what she saw with her own eyes.
Samaira threw Neev's ID card to his chest and said "I...you know what! F*ck you and dobara apni shakal mat dikhana mujhe" Samaira said, walking away from the scene.
Neev reaches out desperately, trying to grasp Samaira's hand, but she pulls away, hurt and betrayed, her faith in their relationship shaken to its core.
As Nishant arrives backstage, they are met with a surprising and concerning sight. Neev is on his knees, his expression wrought with emotion, almost teary-eyed. Standing beside him, Vanshika wears a smug smirk, her presence adding an ominous air to the scene.
Followed by Nishant, all the friends arrived at the scene.
"Bhai...tu...aise neeche kyu baitha hai? Kya hua" Nishant asked with a worried expression on his face.
Neev looks up, his eyes filled with a mixture of anguish and frustration, as he struggles to find the right words to explain the situation.
"Oh, don't mind us. Just a little drama backstage, you know how it goes." Vanshika said.
"Shut up! And get lost" Saisha said. The girls immediately knew what Vanshika was upto. This time Saisha and Gaurika were aware of the situation and now their task was to make Samaira believe that Neev was wronged.
"Who the hell are you to tell me to get lost" Vanshika shouted back at Saisha.
"Get out of here before I do something that you will regret for the rest of this year" Saisha said with a fierce expression on her face. Vanshika exited the backstage leaving the friends alone.
"Yaar.... I swear...main..I swear to my mom, Samaira totally misunderstood the situation..." Neev tried explaining.
"Listen, it's not what it looks like. Vanshika is trying to twist things. Samaira, she saw a misunderstanding, but I swear, there's nothing going on between me and Vanshika." Neev said in an attempt to desperately explain his side.
"We get it Bhai...hum jaante hain tujhe aur tu kitna pasand karta hai Samaira ko" Ujjwal said assuring Neev that his friends are by his side.
"Iss Vanshika ko toh main dekh lungi" Saisha said.
"Saisha... Gaurika...tum dono hi please samjhao na Samaira ko" Ujjwal said requesting the girls.
"Of course we will ! But Samaira is hurt...it will take some time. She hates getting betrayed and she has been through this kind of situation before. I don't know how well she will digest this" Gaurika said.
Neev went inside the changing room to change his constume with a gloomy aura around him.
"Ise kuch der akela chhod dete hain" Nishant said, taking everyone out of the area. They all sat down on a bench to talk the situation out.
"9th class mein ... Sam was approached by a guy just like Neev did. Eventually, she agreed to date him but it didn't end well...she caught him cheating. I know 9th grade was too early for that stuff but it was the hormones. She didn't take that betreyal well and it took her almost a year to get over that guy and now she hates him to the core." Gaurika narrated the entire story.
"So if we don't clear Neev's name as soon as possible, she will probably never talk to him again" Saisha said.
"We need to find some evidence..." Nishant said.
"Are there any CCTV cameras in that area ?" Gaurika asked. Nishant and Ujjwal immediately got up from the bench and went back inside to see if there are any cameras. To their misfortune, there were no cameras in that area.
"Abhi kaafi late ho Gaya hai...Samaira Ghar chali gayi hai aur Neev ko hum dekhte hain...tum dono ke parents wait kar rahe honge. Kal subah zero period mein kuch aur sochte hain" Nishant suggested. The girls went back to their homes and the boys went and assured Neev that they will take every possible measure to turn the situation around.
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Aesthetics of the dance performance. (Ps. This is what I imagine how the characters look like)
1. Samaira and Neev
2. Saisha and Nishant
Ps. This is the most accurate representation of saisha and Nishant. This is exactly what I wanted them to look like.
3. Gaurika and Ujjwal