Seven Vows Part 1- Published

Memories

His father was just leaving for office with his elder brother when Sreedhar stepped out of his room with the shoulder bag. " Sreedhar if you want you can take the car. Tilak can come with me in my car" " No need Papa. I will go by bus. I might stay at Gautham's place for couple of days. Bhaiyya has to visit garment factories. It will be difficult for him" He took blessings from his parents and hugged his brother. Tilak patted his cheeks " By the time you are back Sudhir will also be here. Currently he is in our Gurgaon office to sort things out " Sreedhar smiled Gurgaon office was set up and was run efficiently by Murali Bhaiyya. It was his idea to set up new garment factories in Gurgaon as part of the expansion plan of Varma Textiles. Apart from wholesale, Murali wanted to venture into retailing and had plans for show rooms also. Sreedhar closed his eyes and a tear fell from his eyes. Tilak steadied his brother. " Sreedhar please dont think too much. Just go and have some good time with your friends. Sreedhar nodded. " Beta we will drop you in the bus stand, come with us anyways " told his father. Sreedhar said bye to his mother, bhabies, his niece and nephews. His eyes scanned the balcony to see whether she was there. She was not. He sighed and followed his father. Up from the room's window Suman observed him and told in her mind " Dont search me Sreedhar , I cant come. This threshold cannot be crossed " Sreedhar got the ticket for Delhi and got into the bus. As the bus started moving his mind wandered " This is unfair. How do you decide Sreedhar Varma is the best male dancer in the college. If the trials has to be held for inter college fest for who will represent the college for the Jodi dance it has to be both male and female. It is not which female will dance with Sreedhar Varma" came a voice from the back side of the hall. It was the students meeting of AR college where the Youth Festival committee was announcing regarding trials for various competitions to decide who will represent college in the inter college festival. Sreedhar so far was the best dancer and had won the jodi competition hands down with any female partner given to him. He came through trials in his 1st and 2nd year of graduation. But his performance has ensured from 3rd year men's trials was not held. And no one questioned it also. Girls loved to dance with Sreedhar. He was the college hearthrob. It was the prestigious competition which decided the overall champions. Now everyone's eyes scanned the crowd to see who has dared to challenge the existing formula " May I know your name please " asked the coordination committee chairman and Sreedhar's friend Kailash " Suman Rajput 1st year BA Mass Communication" told the girl getting up. Sreedhar looked at the girl. She was tall, fair with piercing eyes. Not much of a make up, her hair in a bun and wearing a pale blue salwar. She looked confident " See Miss Rajput" Kailash started to explain, but Sreedhar cut him off " Miss Rajput trials will happen for both male and female" Kailash looked at his friend open mouthed. Kailash, Gautham, Shekhar and every tom, dick and harry was arguing with Sreedhar that day evening in college hostel. " Are you mad. You are the best dancer. Why did you have to relent to her. We could have told. The whole college knows " " She doesnt know and she will think it to be unfair. I can win through trials " But his friends were not happy and the next day when they met Suman in the college canteen, the first question Gautham asked was " Miss Rajput havent you registered for the dance trials. Without knowing anything about the dance you have raised question" " Hello I have registered for female solo category. I am a trained Kathak dancer" retorded Suman back. " Still playing solo and playing jodi is different Miss Rajput. Since you are not participating we feel you shouldnt have questioned " Well the end result was Suman's registration and the final team picked was Sreedhar and Suman with other 3 groups for the complete performance. Now the team meeting was called to discuss on the song " Yaar this year we will go with Hamma Hamma A. R Rahman's rocking number, the charbuster" The entire support team clapped hands and cheered. Sreedhar looked at Suman. The girl looked uncomfortable. " Guys we are not going for Hamma Hamma" he told. " Let me think about another song, we will discuss tomorrow" The meeting was dismissed and as she passed Suman gave a smile to him. He smiled back at her. One out Sreedhar caught Kailash by collar " What are you guys upto. Do you think I am an idiot. Do you know what you have done. On what basis you selected me and Suman best jodi" " Arrey yaar Sreedhar she dances and we selected through scoring only " " Scoring. You want me to believe that. Everyone of you were offended by her asking the question for trials. So you want to get back to her. Yes for solo trials I agree Suman was the best. She has a flair, her dance flows, but when she came to dance with a man the girl was clearly uncomfortable. She liked to play in the distance and near she mis steped multiple times. But no you want to get at her and enjoy the uncomfort she feels. Look at the song selection" Jaisa roop socha tera vaisa roop tera aaya nazar humkoGore gaalon pe, bheege khoten pe yaara fida hogay what lyrics to make an already uncomfortable girl, more uncomfortable. Do you realize what you have done. Last year JJ college was at our neck. We won the dance, but Sachin and Manjusha of JJ college bagged the best pair. This year they have the same pair and they are doing much better in other areas. And you have tagged me with a girl, with whom leave pair award, but getting the first prize itself seems impossible. Dont you guys even think about the prestige of the college" he glared at them. His friends were silent. " Arrey yaar what to do now" asked Gautham finally." Whatever needs to be done now I will do. AR college cannot afford to lose overall trophy. Dont interfere" he retorted once again and climbed the hostel steps towards his roomDelhi Vasant Vihar. The conductor was announcing and Sreedhar was jolted back to present