Chapter 11: Chapter 11

“I seriously thought you’d blast at him,” Vaidehi admitted on their way back to class.

Ankita chuckled and strolled along.

“Are you seriously letting him sing again?” she asked curiously.

“Hmm? Well, yeah,” Ankita shrugged.

“Why though? Won’t he mess it up?”

“He might. But let’s see. He’s got a great voice. And I want that. I want that for my songs. It’s the kind of voice I’d always wanted.” Ankita looked dreamy.

“He’d sound fab, especially for the latest one you wrote,” said Vaidehi excitedly. Ankita always told her about the songs she used to write and compose. It was her dream to be a filmmaker one day, and she made sure that knew the ins and outs of the art, from story to screen to music, everything.

“True! I can’t wait to hear that in his voice! Now, if he’d only stop freaking out!”

“What’s your plan anyway?” asked Vaidehi.

“Well, there’s a literary meeting next week, I’m going to make sure he does it right.”

***

By the end of next week, Punit found himself facing a much smaller audience of around forty-five, and still, he was cold and clammy.

Ankita slowly circled him while strumming her guitar. She brushed her shoulder against his to get his attention. “Turn to me,” she reminded in a whisper.

And he did. His face shining with sweat, he turned to her, showing his back to the audience.

When you feel that you’re going to chicken out, keep your mind on the lyrics and the music, feel it, sing it, focus... He pondered over her words, which she said a zillion times over the week.

His head and chest pounded so hard that he was certain he’d pass out, so, he tried to concentrate on Ankita’s mini synthesizer on the table. It was set to play a pre-recorded track as Ankita did the guitar and him the vocals. The only problem was that there was something stuck in his throat. Something like a potato.

He looked up and noticed Ankita wink at him, encouraging him to stay calm and sing.

His cheeks burnt red, and he hoped that it was just a feeling and not something that the rest of the world could see.

***

Punit’s and Ankita’s performances became the talk of the school. In more ways than one. For one, though Punit’s performance had a shaky start, it turned out to be surprisingly marvelous. In fact, too marvelous that rumors started making their rounds.

Seriously, why ‘this’ song?

Because they wanted it, that’s why!!!

That sounded like a proposal, right?

Did you see the look in his eyes?

Did you notice her blushing?

They chose this song on purpose.

They’re attracted to each other!

They’re in love!

No wonder they keep moving around together! I always knew it!

Ankita couldn’t help but notice something strange in the way people were ‘appreciating’ her. They always had this weird smirk plastered onto their faces. It was even worse when she was with Punit. Heads never failed to turn. And then, one day, it reached her ears.

“Do you guys have something going on?” Vaidehi asked out of the blue.

***