CHAPTER 35- DANCE PRACTICE


Mehran stood by the pool, a beer can in his hand and his gaze fixed on the water. There is no breeze, the weather is dry and so the pool stood still and calm. He admired the calmness. Amreen had been looking for Mehran, tomorrow is Sangeet, they are to do special dance numbers, Mehran too must do, last minute decision and now she has to convince him too and also request him to come for practice tomorrow. Her search finally ended when she saw her brother standing by the pool staring at the water. She noticed his sad expressions and recollected the dinner episode.


'Hey bro!' Mehran is startled by her voice, but he managed a small smile


'There is a surprise for you.' she said with a smile. He looked at her


'What surprise?'


'There are two surprises, one you will know now and another tomorrow.' Amreen said. Mehran doesn't say anything, he silently sipped his beer. Amreen went on to tell about the Sangeet function and the dance. She laughed at Mehran's horrid expressions.


'Me? Dance? Are you out of your mind.' He snapped and Amreen laughed some more.


'Yes.' She pinched his cheek.


The brother-sister duo got into argument over it which ended up with Mehran agreeing – only after Amreen threatened she will jump into the pool. Amreen huffed with happiness and hugged her brother. Mehran still looked apprehensive. Nevertheless, it will be a challenge. Plus, Mehran has made up his mind, if the practice session is embarrassment he will step down from the whole thing.


Mere Saaiyan superstar


Mere Saaiyan superstar


Main fan hui unki...


'Pause! Pause!' the choreographer called and the music instantly stopped. Umaira and the girl gang dancing to the tune also stopped dancing. They looked puzzled at the choreographer. The woman walked up to a girl in the extreme left and advised her that she was doing the steps wrong. She also corrected Umaira's steps. Umaira and her girl gang comprising of her second, third cousins and some who are friends of Huma were to dance to a song in the Sangeet as the tribute to the couple. They had been practicing this since when in Delhi, they are still far from being perfect – reason, skipping many practice sessions.


'Start!' Choreographer clapped her hands as everyone took their starting positions. The music started and everyone began shaking their hips, hands, and legs to the beat of the music.


'I will look like a fool, Amreen. Please.' Mehran whined as Amreen dragged him towards the venue, where everyone is practicing. Mehran was fine with the decision in the night but as morning happened he developed cold feet.


'I was under influence of alcohol when I agreed. You right how I am when drunk...'Mehran had said in his defence when Amreen had reminded him of last night. But his sister had transformed from a mild deer into a fierce lioness and didn't take "No" for an answer. She literally dragged her brother forcefully till the venue -with little help from Shadab and Junaid.


Mehran looked around and smiled when he saw Umaira dancing on stage. There are many girls dancing with her but Mehran has his eyes only for Umaira. He is in daze.


'Hey! You are from the groom's side.' Mehran snapped out from his trance and turned his head to his right and saw a young woman standing beside him. Her head slightly tilted and her lips pressed together. Mehran nodded.


'You wait for five minutes.' She said and walked away. Mehran again turned his attention back to Umaira and smiled admiring her.


Umaira gulped water from her bottle, she fanned herself with one hand as she wiped sweat off her face and nape. With all the dancing, she is exhausted. It has been only five minutes since she has been sitting when the choreographer interrupted her.


'Ma'am, we have a last-minute change in the routine.' She said and Umaira sighed throwing back her head.


'What is the need for it?' she said her head still back and her eyes closed. Choreographer goes on to explain there will be special performance from the groom side as well but since they are last minute addition they will need help. Umaira looked at her, the desperate face 'Please, Ma'am the groom side are eating my head.' She pleaded.


Umaira smiled and nodded, 'Sure.' Choreographer is relieved.


Mehran felt like an idoit standing on stage, from ten minutes they are standing awaiting their partners. Junaid smirked at Mehran, he already has a partner, Amreen, hence he is looking less Idiotic than Mehran. Finally, Mehran saw few girls coming towards the stage where they stood waiting. A woman in front caught his attention and he smiled -Umaira.


Umaira looked at Mehran and is surprised to see him. Mehran is universal bad dancer and to see him on stage is a shock. Umaira quickly composed herself and climbed on stage hurriedly walking and standing next to Mehran lest any other girl took him as a partner.


'I am glad you have come to my rescue.' Mehran whispered. Umaira giggled placing her palm over her mouth.


'Bacha Lena.' Mehran whispered worriedly. Umaira nodded still giggling.


Main toh Aivanyi, Aivanyi loot gaya....


Main toh Aivanyi, Aivanyi loot gaya....


'Stop...Stop!' The choreographer clapped her hands and the music instantly stopped, every one dancing too stopped.


'You!' she said frustrated as she walked towards Mehran. This is the nth time in half an hour that the rehearsals have been stopped for him.


'Hold her wrist, like this.' She demonstrated. Mehran nodded nervously. Nine out of ten times there is a halt in dancing it is because of Mehran. At times, he is forgetting the steps, and at times he isn't moving his hips, hands, or legs properly and at times he isn't holding Umaira properly, her wrist or her waist or her hand, he felt very conscious and nervous then. Umaira looked at a terrified and sweaty Mehran and she chuckled.


'Don't laugh...please give me five minutes.' Mehran said the choreographer. She didn't look happy, she tapped her wrist watch with her index finger and frowned


'There is no time for rests, Mr. Ali.' She said sternly. Mehran opened his mouth to argue when Umaira held his hand, she squeezed his palm gently and when he looked at her she blinked slowly, 'You can do it...we will do it.' She assured him. Mehran nodded still little apprehensive. 'Don't worry I will try my best to not make you look a big idiot than you already are looking.' She chuckled. Mehran smiled at her, she is making him feel little at ease.


One hour later, the choreographer took break from them when Shadab's parents and Huma's parents arrived at the venue and the choreographer got busy with rehearsals for their performance. By the time, Mehran was done dancing, he is breathless. He hasn't danced so much in all his life. As he sat on his chair under the fan Umaira forwarded him a bottle of water. 'Thanks.' He said uncapping the bottle. Umaira sat beside him, she is sweating as well.


'Here.' Mehran forwarded her the bottle. She took it with a smile. Mehran joked about his pathetic dancing, Umaira laughed very hard. At one point, she almost fell off her chair.


By the time, Mehran finished making fun both were breathless and red face.


'God save me! I hope I don't embarrass myself.' Mehran said as the elevator opened to Umaira's suite. 'All the best.' She patted his back and he smiled.


'Bye!' Mehran waved at her.


'Bye!' Umaira smiled waving back at him. Umaira stood watching as Mehran disappeared behind the elevator door. Umaira smiled to herself and turned around walking towards her room. All the while she thought of Mehran dancing and she chuckled.


'Silly!' she said to herself as she unlocked her room.

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