"I spy you!" - 28

She hurried her steps and entered the hall. In a hurry, she tripped on the carpet. A hand with an iron grip held her and made her steady.

The body heat soared. Oh, who is this man? Why is he coming behind me like this? Thought Vasupradha. Of course, she suddenly understood. He is also a part of the office. That means he is a colleague! No wonder, he is wearing the (most famous) mask!

Inside the hall, there were many people already. All of them were dressed in some or the other film personality’s dresses.

She looked out for Durjaya and suddenly spied him in the dress of Aamir Khan in Gajni. He was wearing a bunion which looked like a bare six pack! And a wig of slight hair and a deep wound mark!

She just went and sat beside him. He just gave her a customary glance and started looking at his watch.

Suddenly she realized why he was seeing the time! He was trying to see at what time she is coming in and as what!

She smiled to herself and was scared immediately that her brush moustache may come off!

There were two people who were not in any fancy dress. They were peering at everyone. May be they were the judges, suddenly thought Vasupradha.

The judges went up the stage. Durjaya was restless. He looked at the door again and again and then called her over the mobile. She could not contain her laughter. She just moved to the end of the row and received his call.

“Yes, of course, I am here. Only thing is you did not recognize me! Let us meet after this speech is over” she whispered and came back and sat next to him smiling to herself.

“There are three prizes. The third prize goes to... “ One of the judges announced and continued, “The second prize goes to ....”

Then the other judge picked up the mike. “The first prize goes to the person who is in the makeup of .... “ He did not tell the name. He went on narrating an incident. “There was this famous international actor. Once there was a competition to dress up like him. Out of curiosity the actor came as himself. Funnily he got the second prize!” There was a buzz among the audience. Many of them knew about who the judge was talking about. “Yes!” continued the judge. “The prize goes to Charlie Chaplin! The person in the dress may come on the stage please!”

Durjaya nudged with his elbow and said “Go!” and not knowing in the world that it was Vasupradha!

Vasupradha felt very uneasy now. Dressing up like Charlie Chaplin was fine. But going on the stage in front of colleagues... that too when she was yet to be accustomed with most of them.

But her legs stood up and she walked to the stage. The man in the Mask was in the first row.