They both sang the song so nicely. Everyone looked at them in awe."Wow!What a coordination between the two!"
"They looked like a real couple in love."
Mrs Smith smiled and looked at Mr.Davidson.
"What do you think? Isn"t our decision perfect?"
"Yes. They made for each other. We should not take long for their engagement."
"Yes. I have to talk with John because he will not agree so soon. I know him."
"Hmm yes, You are correct. But he also needs time. He got his sister after so long. It is normal for him to be protective. You should not worry. From her features, I can guess that Dolly is a good and intelligent girl. She would take the right decision. Although I want her to make my granddaughter -in -law, I would accept whatever decision she took. It is not compulsory for her to marry Henry. If she rejects him, then also I have no problem."
"Thank you for your kind words. I hope she would like Henry and accept him."
"I too hope so."
Dolly and Henry were waiting for the result. The anchor went to the stage and announced.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. That was an excellent performance. Now I am going to announce the five lucky pairs, who is going to the next level. Next level is the most challenging level for a pair of unknown persons." They all were very excited. Dolly heard her name is also announced by the anchor for the next level.
"As I said before the next level is the most challenging level, so it is the last and final level. The pair who would complete the challenge will be the winner. Now I am going to tell you about the rules and regulations of this level. In this level, you have to dance for twenty minutes."
"It"s cheating. Dancing is not so tough."
"Is this any challenge at all?"
"Anyone can dance and get the award."
The people present there started complaining. The anchor smiled.
"I know that you will tell these, but it is not so easy for a new pair of people. All the selected pairs listen carefully. You have to dance for twenty minutes. But these twenty minutes are not only for simple dance. You have to look at each other"s eyes and dance. You can not look away for even a second. You must have an eye to eye contact and dance for twenty minutes. The name of this game is "Eye to eye " game.If anyone looked away, the pair will be out from the game. "
Both Dolly and Henry stunned. Henry was happy with the rule of the game, but Dolly was not satisfied at all. How could she make eye contact and dance with a stranger? That is also for twenty minutes!
. Henry was looking at her. He knew she would not feel easy at all. She must have some hesitation.
" Miss Dolly don"t worry. It"s only a game. You are not going to do eye contact with me in real. Ok?"
Dolly nodded and got ready for the dance.
By the time, John and Zinu too joined the crowd. Charlie was busy with Karl for a long time,but now he returned to the hall.He looked at Dolly. Dolly and Henry were already on the dance floor.
Dolly looked around. She saw Charlie in the crowd who was staring at her. She felt pain in her chest. What if it was Charlie in the place of Henry with her. She would happily join the dance. But, today she had to dance with a stranger. She sighed. The song played from the stage. All the pairs took position to dance.
Henry took her hand in his one hand and kept the other hand on her waist. Her whole body s.h.i.+vered. Henry smiled.
"Miss Dolly. Please relax. We are only dancing, not doing anything else. Just look at my eyes." He whispered to Dolly"s ear.
Dolly tried to relax and dance. She tried to concentrate on the dance. She looked at Henry"s eyes. Henry too looking at her eyes. Both their eyes locked. Dolly felt bad for Charlie and herself.
On the other hand, when Charlie saw the interaction between the two, he felt like something hard hit on his heart. When he saw Dolly was looking at Henry"s eyes, he could not control himself. He left the hall and reached the road.
Dolly started dancing. She was trying hard to lock her eyes on Henry"s. But she failed. She could not look continuously at his eyes even a single minute.
"I am sorry," she said softly and left the hall. Henry wanted to follow her but stopped by John. He signalled Zinu. She nodded and followed her.
"Dolly, what happened? Why have you left the compet.i.tion in the middle? You were doing great."
"Zinu.I want to go home.Please."
"Ok. Let"s go." Zinu said and left with Dolly. On the way, Dolly didn"t utter a word. Zinu too did not ask her anything.
Inside the hall, Mrs Smith and others were surprised to see Dolly"s action. They never thought that Dolly would leave the place like that.Mr. Davidson was also confused. But, he told Mrs Smith not to worry.
"Don"t worry. It will take time. We should leave now too. Good night."
Mrs Smith nodded and wished Mr.Davidson and Henry good night. John also excused himself and left with Mrs.Smith.The party will run till midnight. Most of the employees will stay back.
After leaving the hall, Charlie walked in the road for a long time to calm down his mind,but he couldn"t.Everytime he tried to forget ,Dolly and Henry"s face flashed on his mind.
"No. I can not see her with someone else. I have to do something. I have to leave this place forever. I will leave the country. How can I bear her go away forever? No. I can not."
N He called Karl and informed him that he had some emergency, so he is leaving. After calling him, Charlie directly went to a bar of a club. He drank there until the morning. The bar manager came to him many times to stop his drinking, but he didn"t stop.