In my Devil's Arms

The Costume party was in full flow.

People were dressed as various characters. Mythology, History and Fables was the theme. Kenny in her costume was checking all the preparations when she stumbled upon a covered space.

" Myra what is this", she said.

" Ohh a special stage for a special performance. You work so hard. This is a surprise for you", she replied.

" Okay", she smiled.

" You rock that lehmga", said Myra " And Fuchisa pink is your colour ".

" You are the stylist", she said.

" I'll style you for your wedding too. Pretty please", she batted her eyes.

Kenny laughed a carefree laugh. Kiara looked at her and crossed her fingers.

" Thank you Shiva", she said.

The girls all dressed as Queens from various era.

Kenny was Queen Padmavati of Chittor.

Shai dressed as first female ruler of India Raziya Sultan.

Kiara was Queen Laxmibai of Jhansi.

Grace was Queen Victoria

And Myra was Queen Jodhabai Akbar's chief queen.

This was Myra's idea. Kenny prepared a small speech too.

Meanwhile

" Uncle I am too old for these kind of parties. Kindly spare me next time", said Gaurav.

He was dressed as Wolverine.

" You are the one complaining with that level of fitness", said Salman. " I look like the superman with a pouch.

" Ohh come on be a game", said Alok. " We are not that old." He was Thor. Even Payal was present in the party. On Gaurav's insistence she started helping Kenny. She was dressed as Black Widow.

" You all look just fine", said the old king Randheer who eas dressed as Professor Charles. " We look way better than Bhanu and Kamini.

Looking at them the 4 men burst out laughing again.

" They must realize that we are grown ups now and this kind of behaviour embarass us", said Kenny.

She was standing with Kiara, Rahul and Rakesh. Rahul dressed as Hercules whereas Rakesh dressed as Sindbaad the sailor.

" What was mother thinking dressing as Bella", despaired Rahul. She stopped looking 17; 17 years ago".

Rakesh grimaced. " She bought five kilos apples to choose that one".

" And look at the fatso, balding Aladin next to her", said Kiara shaking her head.

Her father carried a lamp attached to a waistband and a carpet bag.

Just then the parrot on his shoulder squawked loudly.

" Its hideous", said Kenny.

" Swear to God its just a big Turkey and no parrot", said Kiara angrily.

" I am Payal", the newcomer introduced herself to Myra. She was friendly. Myra welcomed her.

" I am the dress designer", said Myra.

" That's really cool", said Payal." When I gather money I shall be a dancer. Dance calls me."

" Thats good. Follow your dreams", said Myra.

" I don't think they are going to show up after what costumes we gave them", said Shai

" Shame. It would have been a great show",replied Myra.

Kenny checked her watch. He was late. Of course. Spending night with groupies. Why should it affect her?; That man was pure incarnation of...SATAN....

And at that moment he arrived. The Satan with his commotion of devils.

As if manifested from her thoughts. She closed her eyes and shook her head. Shiva he was real.

Everyone stood open mouthed. Even the girls who orchestrated it.

" Guess we stopped the party again", smirked Ro.

" GREETINGS FROM SATAN", bellowed Raj. " WISH YOU ALL A GREAT PARTY."

Kenny paled seeing this.

" Where to sit", Maddy looked around.

As per instructions one of the servant unfurled the curtain from that corner.

And the sight horrified Kenny further. Human skeleton, hounds, dead zombies decorations. Goblet with red wine imitating blood. Chair had wines interwined making to look like snakes. A board read

Welcome to the hell

" That's our place", said Solly.

" Hurrah", said Parry as he pressed the toy making kid sound.

Everyone burst out laughing. Their task done the men moved to their place.

" What the hell were they thinking", said a fuming Alok.

" As if everything they have already done was not enough", said Salman grimacing.

" Its that Kapoor girl", chuckled Gaurav. " She is getting a raise."

" You did it", Kenny said to Myra.

" Sure. I'll take your punishment. You can fire me", she replied.

" I don't want to..."

At that moment Rahul and Rakesh invited her and Kiara for a song and dance performance.

Kiara on drums, Rakesh on keyboard and flute too. Rahul took guitar as he assisted Kenny the lead singer.

" Those sticks are wrong in her hand. She needs a sword", said Maddy.

" If this parrot does not stop squawking I am beating him with this", said Parry raising his cactus toy.

At that very moment Bhanu's parrot actually squawked loudly startling everyone. It flew and hit one of Maddy's head thinking of it an apple.

" Ha ha ha ha", laughed Shai and Myra. Grace was trying in vain to control her laugh.

Kiara looked and said,

" The parrot still is better than Bhanu". She smirked looking at them.

" Your friend dressed those monsters perfectly", said Rakesh.

" They arrived here naked. This won't hurt them Kenny. Ignore and enjoy", said Kiara looking at her sister. She looked scared.

" I need to apologise ", she was about to go to him but Rahul caught her hand.

" Sing", he said smiling at her.

Song : Iktara

Album: Wake up sid

As Kenny's soulful voice echoed in the park Raj remembered their meeting, the mountains, the temple, their dance, the confession she made holding her hand and the way she fell...

Finally he remembered her defeated face as she left the party. His insides burned. He drank the whiskey in a single gulp.

Rahul was now dancing with her. She smiled at him.

" I must say your brothers are good performers", said Parry.

" Then I'll open them a circus", he retorted angrily.

The four royals got a standing ovation.

Others also performed. People were enjoying. So were the men.

Kenny and the other girls performed the scenes from the queens lives. As Kiara performed her fight scene Maddy screamed,

" THERE IS HER SWORD. NOW SHE WILL SAVE THE TEMPLE GIRL".

Kiara was startled for a second. She really wished to save a girl then. Who?

" This moron", grimaced Raj. " Neutralize him", he said to Solly. Solly pulled Maddy back.

Lastly Kenny spoke how the brave queens of this world inspired her to be her own person and chase her dreams. She got another standing ovation.

She tried to go to him a couple of times more but was somehow held up. And lunch was announced.

She tiredly marched to the royal's table.

" She looks weak", said Raj. " Was the fall that bad or is she ill"?

As the toast was made Kenny still was ashamed of the vengeful dress choice of the girls. She looked pleadingly at Raj. He raised his glass in her salute mouthing" Beautiful".

She immediately looked down.

After lunch the party broke up. A smoked ice cream was for desert. Kenny refused as she was full. The men were all by themselves as others ignored them. Even mocked them.Her failure. She decided to apologise.

Kenny moved towards the group.

" She is going to him again Rahul", said Amar Khurana.

" Stop her before its too late", said Mohit.

" A queen belongs to a hero like Hercules not the Satan", said Rakesh.

" Absolutely ", he said as he moved towards Kenny.

Unbeknownst to them DEATH was also on the move. It was slowly creeping towards one of them.

As Kenny was about to reach the table Rahul called,

" Hey Kenny".

Startled she suddenly turned. Her head spinned . The lehnga was heavy. It caught her leg and she collided with a waiter carrying icecream on Raj's table. And everything fell. She bathed in icecream.

A hot piece of coal was used to create the smoke. As it fell the coal pieces fell too. One other waiter carrying wine lost balance as wine splattered over it and caught fire.

She was literally again amidst fire.

Kenny panicked.

" No", she cried weakly.

" KENNY", Raj ran towards her in despair.

He reached her with the speed of light as he shook her. She inhaled a lot of smoke.

" Fire everywhere", she sobbed. " My bike"..

" Kenny open your eyes", he wailed.

" The dress ", she said looking at him ..." Sorry".

" Kenny I deserve it"..

" So tired. Want to sleep.In your arms Sahib". Her eyes felt heavy. She snuggled to him smiling. SHE WAS IN HER DEVIL'S ARMS.

SAHIB he knew that word.

" Goodbye", she said as those beautiful greens closed spreading darkness in his world.

" Noooooo", his heart piercing scream echoed as his body shook in fear gathering her in his arms.