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There was chaos everywhere on the backstage. We all were running here and there. It was ‘The Day’ for all of us. The day of Zonal competition. The makeup room was buzzing with artist running from one end to another to get into their best looks.

Finally we were on stage. That half an hour was the most exciting and thrilling hour of my life. I had always been on the other side of the stage, watching others perform and thinking that one day I would also showcase my talent.
Today I got the opportunity and I made the best use of it.

After our play got over, there was applause from every corner of the auditorium. Our college was shouting and cheering for us. When the winners were announced, it was unbelievable for our ears to hear that we won the Trophy. All the participants were called on the stage to hold the Trophy. Not only the Trophy, we grabbed almost all the awards. Rohan won the award for the best direction. Sheetal was awarded best Actress and Shruti was awarded for best screen play. And I was awarded for best supporting actor. This was something beyond my expectation. But it was a day which I will remember for the rest of my life.

Everybody was in a party mood. Our college faculty arranged a special party for us. There was food, beverages and lots of other mouthwatering dishes. But the best part was the camp fire which was organized by Drama club after the party. In the chilling winters of December, this was a great idea.
We all started playing pass the parcel game. It was decided that whosoever losses will have to do what everyone suggests.

First was Shruti. Everyone told her to act like our principal Mrs. Khandelwal. She did that easily. Chetan was asked to do 100 push-ups. Priyanka had to sing a song. Though her notes were not proper but the song she chose was very nice. Then came my turn. Everyone forced me to dance. I was shy to dance. Then Rohan got up and asked Shruti to play “Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani”. This too was one of my favorite songs. Then he started dancing with me. I was just looking at him. Looking straight in his eyes and trying to read but failed. It was a close dance. Everybody cheered and clapped.

Rohan came and sat near me,” So Miss Mathur, what are the other hidden qualities in you. See, you can dance so well.” he said with his million dollar smile.

“No I can’t dance. It was because you took the initiative, that’s why I could do some steps. Otherwise I don’t know how to dance.” I smiled

Then came Rohan’s turn. Some said to play guitar, some shouted for song but then unanimously we all decided on one thing and Chetan announced,” So, Mr. Philosophy honors we want you to speak on something ..But…But…Not on life…Something else. We want you to speak on Love today. So, start” grinned Chetan.
Rohan stood up and started,” Love, Ishq” and he paused and looked at me. I was blushing. But why I don’t know.

“Love is like a flower- you’ve got to let it grow. It’s a promise, a souvenir, once given to someone, never let it disappear. I think it’s the strongest passion because it attacks the heart and the senses simultaneously. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, but loving someone deeply gives you courage. I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like. But I do know that when we die and when the time will come for God to judge us, he will not ask us ‘ How many good things have you done in your life?’ he would rather ask ‘ How much love did you put into what you did’, and he paused for a few seconds, “There is a famous saying said by Napoleon — ‘ I have seen only you, I have admired only you, I desire only you”. Saying these lines he finished and sat down.

There was silence for a minute and then everyone whistled for him. I was just looking at him. What great thought on Love. Those last lines took my heart away. For whom were they said? Well I think it was for me? Or may be for someone else? I am not sure.

Everybody was busy eating pizza. I was searching for Rohan but couldn’t spot him anywhere. Then I saw him coming from the college building. He came towards us and said, “Friends, I am sorry I’ll have to leave. There is some emergency. You all carry on with the party and enjoy and I’ll see you all on Monday.” He said and picked up his bag and started moving towards the gate.
I again stood there looking at him but he didn’t turn back. But suddenly as he reached the college gate he turned, looked at me and waved saying ‘bye’. I was stunned and my feet couldn’t feel any sensation.

When he turned and waved, my heartbeat crossed 110 beatings per second. I couldn’t believe my eyes. But before I could react he was gone.

When I reach home everyone was sleeping. I quietly locked the main gate and went to my room. Changed my dress and sat near my window thinking about the whole day. Sleep was far from me so I thought to disturb my Delhi friends.
Though they knew about Rohan as I had earlier mentioned him many times in my talks but today I wanted to share my inner feelings. So I video called them.
Shweta almost blasted on me, “Have you gone mad? It’s 12 O’clock! And you want a video chat”

“Shut up and listen to me” I said

“What’s up girl? You had a party today, right! Was the food not good?” Said Preeti laughing like mad.

“Will you all keep quiet and let her speak. There must be something important, that’s why she has called us so late. Ishika tell us, what happened?” Said Pratima, making those two headless girls go quiet.

“Girls, he turned and waved at me!” I said in a dreamy tone.

“Is the DDLJ scene being repeated once again?” Laughed Preeti.

“Yes, there the boy was waiting for the girl to turn and here the girl is waiting for the boy to turn” joined Shweta.

“Are you both nuts? Do you even realize what I want to say?” I said almost shouting at them.

There was silence for a moment and then they all started laughing like a clown.
I wanted to jump inside the screen and give them a punch right on their nose.
I told them everything. Right from the beginning of the camp till the end and waited for their special comments.

“Ishika, I want to ask you something” said Pratima in a serious tone.

“Yes go on, ask.” I said

“Do you like him? Do you have feelings for him?” Asked Pratima and the two headless jokers started laughing.

“What makes you both laugh so much today? I am asking her a serious question” shouted Pratima.

“At midnight, you are asking her a serious question! Let her go off to sleep and we will talk to her tomorrow.” Said Shweta in a sleepy tone.

“You go, always ready to sleep anytime, anywhere” said Preeti.

“It’s very important for you to decide Ishu, what you want. So better for you to think twice and then answer” said Pratima.

“You are right. I mean, I don’t know myself what I want. I should first analyze my own thoughts and then come to some conclusion.” I said agreeing with Pratima.

“Okay then girls, see you all tomorrow with the same episode of Ishu’s love story’. Said Shweta, and we all started laughing.

But I couldn’t sleep. Pratima’s question forced me to deeply think about my true feelings. Have I really started liking him? Or is it just a feeling which will go away sooner or later?

Then I thought that if I need an answer to my questions I have to first try to find out Rohan’s feelings. Then only I can come to some conclusion. I wanted to be sure before putting my foot forward.

Now I was waiting for Monday morning. I didn’t plan how I would get my answers but I will definitely try my level best to at least get some hint. Thinking about all this I went off to sleep.

Will Monday be just another day or will there be something special, is yet to be discovered.

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Cover Image by Giorgio Trovato 

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Chapter 6 ‘The Winning Trophy‘ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 7 ⬇️⬇️