Chapter 11

Sandhya's POV I have been trying to avoid Dr Rathore, as I know he wanted to know a few things but I didn't want to tell. I avoided being alone with him. The whole week passed in more or less the same manner. Everyone was excited about the party. Finally, we would have a party in the evening. All the girls were very excited because of the beauty pageant. They had two rounds one was traditional Indian outfits and another was western wear... I had already chosen my dresses. I got ready in the traditional wear by 6 PM as the party was at 6:30. My aunt was so happy to see me dressed up like this she clicked at least a hundred pictures of mine. I reached the party venue. My friends were already there l joined them. All the interns were clad in traditional outfits. Our western evening gowns/ outfits were to be kept in the green rooms. Whoever was shortlisted, would go to the second round, which would be western. Vikram's POV " Hello, everyone. Welcome to this party which is organised every year to welcome our interns with open arms to make them comfortable with their seniors and have a good, healthy and cordial working relationship." Aakash was saying, as he was the anchor. " Now, first of all, I would like to introduce myself to all of you, I am Dr Aakash Khanna. " " May we have all the interns on the backstage please," he said again. " Ladies please come on stage one by one, acc to the numbers allotted to you." The music was flowing in the air and the girls started going on stage one by one. Aakash was announcing their names. We could hear the people clapping for the contestants. They were numbered in the alphabetical order and I think she would be the last one. She got up on the stage and just than Aakash said, " Last but definitely not the least Ms Sandhya Rajput." There was a very big round of applause. She was looking so pretty. I couldn't even take my eyes off her. She took a round of the stage and then stood on the place which was scheduled for her. Then they were asked to take their position on the stage and men started coming on the stage and they also took their places. Out of all of them, 5 girls and 5 men were to be selected for the first round. " Now the contestants with the following numbers please step forward and rest of you please take your seats off stage." He announced the numbers one by one and then he said her number too. She stepped forward. Chirag and Ajay were also selected. " Our judges would ask questions and you have to answer." She was standing there and almost every guy was looking at her. I was getting a bit uncomfortable. " Hey, Sandhya is really beautiful. I think I should talk to her. " Gautam said. " What? Why? " I was confused about what was he talking about? " You suggested to me that I must have a girlfriend or pretend that I have a girlfriend and introduce her to Mehul and Megha, so I guess she could be that girl and she looks fabulous. Don't you think? " " Yes, I mean... No." I was still looking at her. " You are confusing me Vikram." Gautam was looking at me with confusion. " She is fabulous, yes. You must talk to her, No. " " But why?? " " I don't know, Just don't, Please. " Gautam gave me in weird look. " Don't tell me, that you... " I cut him short and said, " No !! of course not, I don't know. But just don't, I am not comfortable." I was behaving strangely. He rolled his eyes " Oh no !! not again. Whenever I want to talk to a girl, One of my friends has a problem. " He said very dramatically, I punched him. He was laughing now. It was her chance to answer the judge's question. " Ms Sandhya, Do you like fairy tales? If yes, then which one and why? " She smiled. " Good evening to all of you. And... Yes, like any normal girl, I like fairy tales. They fascinated me as a child. I have read many, almost all of them. But, Beauty and the Beast, is my most favourite fairy tales. I really like that because it tells us that outer appearance is not that important, as beauty is not eternal. We should value inward characteristics such as kindness, over other superficial qualities, such as wit and appearance. The handsome pampered prince transformed into a hideous beast as punishment for his cold-hearted and selfish ways, the Beast must earn the love of a beautiful young woman to return to his former self. Beauty (Belle) valued the inward characteristics of the beast and fell in love with him despite his outward appearances. So one must look for people's inner qualities than outer appearance. That's all, Thanks." " Wow, she is good, really good," Gautam said, I just nodded. There was a very big round of applause. " That was great Ms Sandhya, Amazing. Do you mind me asking if you have a beast in your life?? " Aakash asked her in a full flirting mode. She just shrugged and said, "Well I think, I am the beast in the story. " " What?? Are you kidding?? Or are you, fishing for the compliments Ms Sandhya? Any person with normal eyesight can see that you are very beautiful. " He just smiled at her and I suddenly wanted to wipe that grin off his face. Or break his teeth. But why did she say that she is the beast?? Is she not aware that she is gorgeous?. Did some stupid, arrogant man reject her? I am acting strange, I liked the fact that... that man rejected her. But hated the fact that, she might have liked him. I needed to meet a psychiatrist. My thoughts were getting complicated and contradictory. I was not sure what was going in my mind. " The shortlisted contestants, please go to the green rooms and change into westerns. Rest of you, please enjoy the party, while the judges plan their next round," he announced. They all went to change. The music was flowing in the air and everyone was enjoying drinks and snacks. After 15 mins... " Contestants, please come backstage and make your appearance when you are called for..." Aakash was saying again. He started taking names of the girls one by one. Ruchika came on stage and she was looking very nice. They kept coming on stage one by one. But my eyes were looking for her. " Ms Sandhya Rajput... She is looking amazing. Isn't she? " She was breathtaking in the beautiful evening gown. I just kept looking at her. Mesmerized by her beauty. " Close your mouth Vikram. " " Hmmm ?? " " I said, close your mouth. You are looking stupid right now. Staring at her, as if you are enchanted by her." He was laughing at me. I punched him hard and still, he was laughing at me. Then all the men came, both Ajay and Chirag were looking very good. " Ok, everyone as you all can see that the competition is too tough, judges are not able to decide between two girls and two guys. So they just decided that they must look for their inner qualities as well. The contestant has to speak about themselves they have to tell us about their qualities. Or anyone or their friends can tell us about their qualities. Whoever comes up with more qualities will be declared as Miss and Mr Intern."