Daksh

The preparations went on till the afternoon. After that, all the coordinators went to get ready and we too left for home.

By the time we reached home, the ladies were already busy getting ready. After what felt like an eternity they are all ready. I went to my room to get changed.

I came down and we left for the venue after the ladies had their final touch-up. 

The principal received us along with a few other faculty. We walked in with them but my eyes were searching for that one face. Yes, Chaitra. She is nowhere to be found. And after some time the host invited us on to the dais.

"Now I request Chaitra to present our Chief Guest a bouquet and a badge." The host announced and my heart started dancing at the thought of seeing her.

She came holding a bouquet of red and white roses wearing a yellow and pink half-saree. She is looking like an angel out of heaven. I can't take my eyes away.

She handed me the bouquet and our fingers touched for a brief moment sending shivers down my spine. She smiled at me and started attaching a badge to my coat using a pin. She is standing very close to me and I doubt my ability to control myself from hugging her. I want to feel her scent. I controlled myself with great difficulty. When she was done she again smiled at me and left from there. I kept looking in the direction she went.

After some time the prize distribution started. Finally, it's time for the students with excellent academic performance. And the first name was Chitra. She was best in almost every subject and co-curricular activity. After the name was announced she came onto the stage.

"She is best in extra-curriculars too" Principal Sir included.

She came towards me.

"I didn't know you are a topper too," I whispered to her.

"There are many things you don't know about me, Mr. Chauhan!" She replied with a smirk.

"Well I would like to know everything and I will!" I replied with the same smirk.

She blushed and gave a small nervous smile before leaving.

After we are done with the official part of the event it's time for performances.

We decided to stay back and enjoy the performances. We took our seats.

I heard some students talking in our back seats.

"I miss Chaitra di's anchoring yaar! She does it so well." one girl complained.

"Mee too! But Di is handling everything so she didn't want to stay on the dais unaware of the events going on backstage." The other explained.

"Is she performing at least?" The first one asked again.

"Maybe no. She didn't practice at all." 

Even I wanted to see her host the event and perform but given her responsibilities, she made a wise decision.

After some time Chaitra came to Akshaya who was sitting beside Nithi di and said something to her. Even though Akshaya sat with us she never spoke in an informal manner with us that may lead others to figure out our relation.

After that Akshaya left and Chitra's phone went off. She walked out and I followed her to steal a few more glances at her.

She answered the call with twinkling eyes and a wide smile on her lips. It's a video call.

Phone conversation

"Nanna! Enti one hour lo 2nd call?" (Dad! Why are you calling me for the second time in one hour?) She asked with amusement in her eyes.

"Maa Chaithu bangaram half-saree lo butta bommala undhi kadha! Choodalanipinchindhi thalli."( Our dear Chaithu is looking like a doll in that half-saree. So I wanted to see her again) Her dad replied with immense love radiating from his voice.

"Thank you, Nanna. I love you the most!" 

"Love you too thalli. Enjoy the event and send us the pics of you."

"Okay, Nanna. Bye!"

"Bye Chaithu!"

She cut the call and went in unaware of my presence and I followed her.

After some time they all came to their seats after ensuring everything was ready. Chaithu is sitting beside Divya. I asked Divya to sit beside Naksh so that I could sit beside her.

We both exchanged our seats. She gave me a small smile when I sat beside her. We both fell into a comfortable silence. She is enjoying the performance while I am enjoying looking at her.

Her eyes are filled with amusement, she is having a smile playing on her lips and her hair strands are falling on her face which she is tucking back with her fingers. I am mesmerized by her. Every small act of hers is affecting me.

And then she asked me something.

Chaitra

I wanted to talk to him. I don't know why but I just want to.

"Do you like dance?" I asked him without thinking twice.

He is taken aback by my sudden question but composed himself.

"Don't you?" He asked back.

"No, I actually want to get out of here," I replied honestly.

"Why? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" He asked concern evident in his tone.

"Nothing like that. I have already seen them practicing many times. And I was busy for the last few days. So I just want to have some time for myself." I said with a sigh.

"Let's go then" He replied back and was about to get up when I held his arm to stop him.

It's the first time I am holding him. I can feel butterflies in my stomach. He looked at me with a question mark on his face.

"Well I am the coordinator and you are the chief guest. Maybe we should just stay back." I said reconsidering my earlier decision.

"My family is here to fill my absence and I am sure that the remaining coordinators can handle the remaining performances. So just come." saying this he extended his hand a I took it hesitantly. We skipped out through the back door.

"I'll drive." Saying that he took the keys from his driver.

"And don't follow us." He ordered his guards.

I was hesitant to go alone with him. I guess he noticed it.

His next question was "Do you trust me?" 

I don't know why my heart said I can trust him with my everything. I nodded a yes and slipped into the passenger seat with him in the driver seat.

"So where are we going?" He asked.

"I don't know. Let's just see where the night takes us." saying this I lowered my window door allowing the night wind to blow on my face.

He kept driving in silence and a panipuri stall caught my attention.

"Stop!" I screamed and he applied breaks.

"What?" He asked.

"Let's have panipuri!" I said with great excitement.

"It's unhygienic. I will ask someone to make it in a healthy manner for you." He replied.

"Are you coming or not?" I asked in a demanding tone. He got down and we both walked towards the stall.

We had our panipuri and he paid the bill.

"So you liked it?" He asked walking beside me with hands in his pant pockets.

"Yes! But our panipuri is best." I replied feeling proud about my place.

"Achha?" He asked raising a brow.

"Yeah! Next time I will take you to eat panipuri with me when I and my brother sneak out to have them" I replied. Wait! Did I just tell him that I sneaked out? God! Distract him before he notices. Yes! Kulfi!

"Mr. Chauhan! Let's have kulfi." Saying that I ran to the Kulfi stall.

I took two kulfis and gave one to him.

He was about to pay again.

"I will pay for this." Saying that I paid the bill.

"I was about to pay!" He complained.

"Why should boys pay all the bills?" I winked at him and he smiled at me. That smile is so pure and contagious. I too smiled with him and we came back to the event.

"Thank you, Mr. Chauhan! I had a great time!" I said getting down from the car.

"Thank you, Chaitra! I had a great time after a long time." He replied in a genuine tone.

"I hope you will have lots of great times from now." I wished for him.

"I surely will!" He replied with a playful smile.