We arrived at the concert, five minutes late. Rahul pulled the car in the parking lot, right in front of the auditorium. The auditorium was small, wasn't fancy as such. No guards on the door. Looked like anyone could just walk in.

'Krunal's Auditorium' the nameplate swung downwards. The orotund noise of music coming from inside indicated that the show has already begun.

'Finally. Let's go now.' I said.

Ok Deb! remember that you haven't told anyone about Lilly. So, in order to avoid any suspicion, don't cheer too much for her. I made a mental note.

We walked in. In the front; there was a stage compatible for 5 to 6 people. There were seats to the left and right; separated by a walking pathway leading to the stage. From the extreme left there was a trail leading to the backstage, and to the extreme right I could see washrooms.
The event didn't receive much publicity. Even the Audience looked dull. Not more than 50 people, all jaded. A band of 3 people were playing guitar on the stage. Thankfully, it wasn't her band.

I should look for her backstage.

'Hey listen, you guys. Go take a place.' I said. 'I will join you in a while.' I screamed to overpower the loud noise, coming from the stage.
'Where you going?' Abhishek yelled back.
'Backstage.'
'why?'
'To say 'hi' to... umm... a friend. Will be back in couple of minutes. Save me a seat.'

I surged toward the back stage. There was no door just a big curtain separating the area behind the stage. Outside voices, dwindled as I closed the drape.

All performers wore dark colored, glittery clothes. Actually, 'cloths' is not the word, it's more like a costume. I don't know what's the deal with rock stars and black clothing?

Most of them had spikes with every shade of color, other than black. It was hard to tell who was a boy and who was a girl as most of them had the same length of hair and had a heavy makeup on.

They looked like bullies. I was the odd one out, wearing normal cloths. I started searching the one who invited me. Carefully finding my way, not wanting to push any of them. Don't know what they will do, maybe smash their guitar on me.

She wore a black top and black shorts; both had a shining glittery silver finish on them. She had matching black high boot on.

Her hair, a little messed up. Dark red lipstick and strong makeup on. Mascara making her eyes, bolder than usual. A large earring clasping on left ear.

I found Lilly sitting at a corner, alone. She was doing something with her guitar strings. She looked smoking hot, I drew in a sharp breath.

'Hi' I greeted.
'Hey. You came.' She said with a huge smile.

Keeping her guitar aside, she gave me a hug. My body got paralyzed for a few seconds. I guess it might be normal for a guy who, hugged by a girl he likes. My body trembled, after the hug.

'You alright?' She questioned.
'Yes, just a little cold, nothing else.' I said. 'so, how are you?'
'I am good. My performance is little late, so I was just tuning my guitar.'
'Glad I didn't miss your act. So, everything's done?'
'You bet.'

'You nervous?' I immediately regretted asking.
She might have done a lot of shows. What a stupid question. But I can't help it. I get nervous around her.

'No, not really. This isn't my first time.' She said with a smile.

Why is her smile so perfect?

'Oh, Well I don't know what to say then?' I genuinely didn't know what else to say.

Never asked any musician about their work before, never had any experience with the music instruments or about music concert for that matter.

She laughed. 'You know, on second thought. I am a bit nervous.' She smiled. I wanted to kiss her in that very instance.
'Don't worry. You will be great out there.'
'You think so?'
'I know so. I will be cheering for you... I mean for your group.' I corrected myself.
'Thanks.'
'Where are your other band members?'
'They just went outside to get a little break.' She said.

'So, when is your performance exactly?'
'We're 3rd last.'
'Great. I'll go than, my friends are outside and you should also get back to....' I stopped to search the right word. I had no idea what one does with a guitar instead of playing it. 'To revise your stuff.' I gave a cut-paste answer.
'Ok.' She smiled.

I swear, one day my heart will explode if she keeps on smiling like that.

'All the best then. I will see you after the show.' I said.
'Great.' She said with a grin. As I turned around to leave a thought hit me.

'Lilly.' I called her.
'Yes.'
'Can you tell me the name of any of your group members?'
'Sure. There's Charlie, Arjun...'
'That's enough.' I interrupted her. 'All the best.' I said leaving the backstage area.

*****------*****------*****.

The four idiots were sitting on the corner seats towards the right side. I strode towards them.

Rahul and Naina sat together, after the painful, silent, car ride, they were talking to each other. It looked more like an argument than talk.

Abhishek sat towards their right and beside him was Kiara. She saved me a seat.

'Where were you?' she asked as I sat.
'Backstage. Did I miss anything?' I tried to change the subject.

Why is she asking me so many questions?

'Nothing much, a guy shouting 'come in from the back door'. I don't think there is an age limit to these songs.' she said. 'By the way, who is this friend of yours?'

'Charlie.' I used my back up name.
'Who's that? Never heard of him before.' She doubted.
'I will show you, when he will perform.' I said, a little annoyed.

The more she asked me about it; the more I feel guilty of not telling her about Lilly. And the more I feel guilty; the angrier I became.

'When is that?' she interrupted for the third time.
'Will you stop with the questions?' I raised my voice.

'Look, I don't need to take your rage, ok!' Kiara flipped on me. 'I had enough of it from Naina when I was with her. All her blabber about Rahul this and Rahul that. I just thought Rahul might have irritated you too, with his relationship melodrama, so I was trying to just...'

'Hey!' Abhishek interrupted Kiara. 'Will you two, stop! I need some silence. Take your relationship problems somewhere else.'

'We are just Friends.' Kiara and I said in unison.

'Yeah right! And I have 3 legs. And the earth is flat. Look, I don't know what you were talking and I don't care. But please, I want to enjoy my time in peace. So, you mind, keeping it down.' Abhishek said.

'Sorry.' Kiara said in a meek voice, turning her head back on the stage.

Silence grew between us as the guy on the stage shouted 'Do me a little'.

'Ok I am sorry.' I said to Kiara. Her silence made me contrite.

'He's performance starts after two more performances, I guess.' I said. 'It's 3rd last, to be precise.' I said as she continued to stare at the stage.

'I am sorry.' I said. No response.
'I am sorry.' I said again this time in a singing tone. She kept a straight face.

'I am sorry that you have to do it on your own, I am sorry that I went ahead and added to your grief.' I started singing the song 'Put the blame in me' in a funny tone. It did the trick.

'Shut up, Deb.' She said in a flat voice with no anger.

I took it as a good sign and continued to sing for another few seconds.

'Shut up or else, I will cut your jeans and put it in your dumb mouth.' She said, I laughed.

'I hate you.' she said after a while.
'I know, love you too.'
'You always find new ways to annoy me.' she said.

Technically, you annoyed me first. I wanted to say.
'I said, I am sorry.' I said instead. There was no point in arguing.

'That doesn't mean you won't annoy me again.' She said.
'Well, if we are going to get married one day, then you should get used to it.'

'huh?' she looked at me with big eyes.
'why you so surprised! I was just kidding about our stupid pact. Don't tell me you can't remember?'
'Oh, I remember.' She said 'If we both remain single at the age of forty, then we get married to each other.' She said in a dramatic voice. I laughed.

'But I don't think I will remain single for that long.' Kiara said.

'Hey Missy! what makes you think I am going to stay single for that long, anyways? I mean between the two of us I am definitely the more beautiful one.' I said. Kiara started laughing.

'Now welcome our next group. Fate of five' The anchor said with the least possible enthusiasm in his voice.

He looked like a part timer and really bad at his job. Or maybe he just didn't care.

There wasn't much applause, just 3-4 people clapping. The crew hopped on the stage, 3 guys dressed like maniacs and then there were 2 girls.
A black-haired Rock star and a beautiful princess with guitar in her hand. I forgot to control my excitement.

'Let's go.' I shouted. Since there was no noise, my voice went straight up to her like an arrow piercing the air.

She looked at me and grinned from ear to ear. But she wasn't the only one looking at me.

The people around, also gave me a cold stare. They had a look of 'what the hell is so interesting about this?'.

But most importantly my whole gang turned to me with allegation.

'Charlie is on the stage.' I tried to explain.
'Who is Charlie? And why I don't know him?' Rahul said.
'You were absent on the day we met.' I replied. 'Anyway, let's cheer him guys.'

'Atleast, now can you tell me which one is Charlie?' Kiara asked.
'Sure.' I said glancing at the stage.

So, who looks like a Charlie? Wow!! None of them... all three of them looks like jackasses.

'Can you?' Kiara said.
'Yes. It's... that guy.' I pointed to a guy, standing on the left side of Lilly. He wore torn jeans which people apparently called fashion. He had green colored spikes and a guitar.

'Wow... he looks.....' Kiara stopped to find a right word.
'Awesome??' I suggested.

'How about awful.' She said. 'Is he even in our college?' she continued.
'Yes. He is. You probably never saw him.'
'That's ridiculous. I know most of the students, even the juniors. how come I never saw him before?'

'Come on guys, now don't think too much. Let's cheer ok.' I said and turned my attention towards the band. 'Let's go Lil...' I froze.

Kiara looked at me as my brain furiously searched for explanations.
'Let's go Li... light up the stage Charlie. come on Naina cheer for my man.' I said quickly. That was close.

'I am not cheering for anyone.' Naina replied.

'Let's go Charlie!! Charlie rocks. Let's go Charlie... you're the best!!!' Rahul shouted.

He just wanted to agitate Naina. Abhishek tried resisting a laugh.

I just hope this 'Rahul and Naina' matter doesn't get out of control.

Finally, the set-up got completed on stage. They plugged in the electric guitar and started singing.

Lilly stood in the middle, she continued to sing and play the guitar, simultaneously.
She started with the song 'I love rock n roll', the song that she told me in cafeteria and the song I had been playing continuously for the past few days.

Then from rock she went into a more soothing romantic song. Halfway through the song, the crowd started cheering. They liked her voice. Her melodious voice.

Lilly seemed fully engrossed in the music. She closed her eyes and kept on singing. Her melodious voice filling my heart with a tingling sensation.

I don't want it to stop. The fear of missing something kept me from blinking.

My eyes remained fixated on her, whereas my group members eyes remained fixed on the so called 'Charlie'.
Except for Rahul, his eyes were on Naina and mouth kept on roaring 'Charlie rocks.'

'Excuse me, I need to go.' Abhishek got up from his seat.
'Where?' Kiara asked.
'Toilet, want to join?' Abhishek laughed at his own comment. She gave him the finger.

After that distraction my eyes went back to appreciating Lilly's beauty, running along her curves.

Her beautiful face. Her rose like lips which curves to form 'the best smile in the world.'

Her cute shoulder length hair that remained fixed at its place.

Why aren't they coming on her face? I guess they do that just when I am around. My heart proclaimed.

You are weird. Said the devil voice in my head. It was so peaceful until that voice showed up.

After the song was over, the crew did some extra tuning and concluded the performance.
All five of them came forward and bowed down to say thanks.

'That was awesome.' I shouted. Thankfully this time people's applause overpowered my voice.

I should go meet her.

'I need to go.' I said.
'Where?' Naina asked.
'To say 'That was an awesome performance.' To Charlie.'

'But he only played guitar and was standing at the back. The girl, in the center, did most of the job.' Kiara said.

'Yes, I know but I should say something nice, right. He was really nervous when I met him earlier, backstage.' I stood up.

'Text me when you guys decide to leave.' I said.
'Can't we come with you. Say hi' Rahul questioned.
'NOO! ahem... I mean, that might be too overwhelming for him.' I said

'Ok then. We'll call you when we decide to leave.'
'Good. And listen, don't leave early, try to stay till the last performance. I heard its good.' I said and found my way towards the backstage.

Hey beautiful people, thanks for the support so far.
You might have read it my message board but if you have not than listen lovelies,

4 New updates will be coming in upcoming days.

Thursday - KIARA
17TH MAY Friday - CONCERT
Saturday - ICE CREAM
SUNDAY - THE DRIVE
MONDAY - ??? (Something a bit crazy)
So remember to vote & comment
Happy reading :)

ALSO Shout out to MyCrazyScribbles for the insane support. ✌️