My eyes started scanning, as I snooped in the backstage. She stood at a distance, talking with her crew. She saw me and gestured to wait. Mumbling something to her groupmates, she came up to me.

Before I could react, she hugged me. I avoided paralyzing like last time and hugged her back.

'Thanks a lot for the support.' She said excited.
'Don't mention it. You were great out there.'
'You really think.'
'Yes. I mean you saw the crowd right, not to offend the other groups but the crowd looked bored until you showed up.' I said. 'I mean you and your band.' I corrected myself.
'Aww. Thanks, I am glad, you enjoyed the show.'
'So, any other friend of yours performing next?'
'No. We are done actually.' She said.

'And what do we have here.' A girl's voice startled my thoughts. I turned around. It was the same girl who performed alongside Lilly. She wore the same outfit like Lilly.

'Looks like you got a chick for yourself, Lilly.' She winked. Her sudden comment changed my expression to complete amazement from the initial befuddlement.

What the fuck did she just called me? From what angle do I look like a chick? Which chick has hair on its face. Which chick wears clothes. I mean does chicken wear jeans and T shirt and...... wait jeans! The god damn jeans. I should have thrown them away, I hate... Did Lilly notice my jeans. Why didn't she say anything? My mind went into an overdrive.

'Shut up. Be nice.' Lilly said to her.

Yeah, that's right listen to her or else I will take off my jeans and I will stuff them in your mouth.

'Oh my!! protective and all, ha!' She said and nudged Lilly.
'Excuse her. She acts weird sometimes.' Lilly said to me. I smiled.

'Anyway, this is Debashish.' Lilly said to her. The girl extended her hand for a handshake. I shook it.
'Hi Debashish, I am Charlie.' She said.

What? My internal organs screamed. I was a vortex of emotions. I grit my teeth to suppress a smile.

'Charlie, ha.' I said.
'Yes, I know it's little boyish type.' She said
'No! not at all. It's perfect.' I said controlling my laughter.
'So, you know each other for how long?' She sounded too friendly, like an old friend.
'Just a couple of days.' I replied.
'So, she's the one who invited you. You like the show?'
'Yes, it was pretty good. And you guys performed really well.'
'Thanks, you came alone?'
'No. Came with some of my friends, they are outside, Enjoying.'
'That's great!' she said.

'Anyways, listen I just wanted to ask you something.' Charlie directed her attention towards Lilly. 'In the audience, did you notice a guy, had jeans on with white T shirt, quoting 'I am the best?'. Do you know him by any chance?' She asked Lilly.

It was Rahul. she was talking about Rahul. why she wants him?

'No. not quite sure, what you talking about?' Lilly asked confused.

'I have been asking about him to others as well but nobody seems to know him. You sure you didn't notice? he had short hair, the one on the right side; 5 row, 6th seat from the right. Wait, now I remember, he sat 3 seats away from Debashish.' She said and looked at me.

'There were two girls and a guy in between him and you. Do you know him by any chance?' She asked. I had a little choice. I shook my head. Though now I was certain that it was Rahul.

'Why do you need him?' Lilly asked.
'Because throughout the performance, he was shouting my name. I don't even know, who he is?' she said. 'Never saw him before. I think he might be stalking me!' She continued.

I let out a small laugh. They looked at me, confused.

'What happen?' Lilly asked me.
'Nothing. I just remembered an old joke. Nothing else. So, what you going to do about this 'stalker'?'
'I don't know yet. The whole thing is just weird.'
'You might be overthinking it. Maybe he's not a stalker, maybe he's just a guy who liked your performance and asked someone about you.' I said.

'I guess! You never know people, these days. I have to find him though to get the answers. But I am way too tired.' Charlie yawned.

'so you staying to find this guy or heading home.' Lilly grabbed her guitar.
'Heading home.'
'Then do me a favor; take this guitar with you, please. I don't want any load.'
'Ok, sure.' Charlie took the guitar. 'Nice to meet you.' She said to me.
'You too.' I greeted as she walked away from us. My phone buzzed.

'You free now?' I asked Lilly.
'Yes.' She said 'you want to go see the last performance? I can say hi to your friends.'
'No.' I said in reflex. 'I mean, can't we go somewhere else, I don't want to go outside, aren't you tired after the whole gig.' I said. Going back to the concert means disaster. Its better to avoid 'who's the girl, deb?' questions.

'sure. but what about your friends?' She said. my phone buzzed again.
'Give me a sec.' I exempted myself.

Deb! we are about to leave. Fight broke out between Rahul and Naina. Things are rough, so we decided not to stay for the last performance. Text me ASAP.
It was a message from Kiara.

I won't be able to come with you guys. Charlie got into some trouble here. But don't worry about me, you guys take Rahul and Naina back. I will ask Charlie to drop me off. I texted Kiara back.

What? You sure?

Yes. Just make sure they are okay. Bye. I texted.

'Actually, they had to leave.' I said. Lilly's face had a look of confusion.
'Don't worry, nothing serious, they just had other plans already.'
'umm.. okay.' She had no idea what to say.
'So, you have any place in your mind we can visit at this hour?' I said looking at Lilly.

'Yes, there's a great little place; shop to be precise around the corner if you are interested in a walk.' She said.
'Why not.' I said 'Lilly! are there any other exit to this auditorium, beside the main exit?'
'Why?'
'Nothing much I just don't want to go through the parking lot area.' I said.

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

'So, this is the place.' I whispered looking at the tilted board 'cool down'.

We came to an ice-cream store that was at walking distance from the auditorium. She told me that they had great flavors. We both ordered chocolate chip.

The streets were quiet except for some dogs howling. We thought to take a walk rather than just sitting in that shop. Street lights guided our way.

'It's pretty good.' I said as the moonlight fell on her face.
'I know.' She replied. The night air was chilly. A cup of hot coffee would have been a better choice over an ice cream.

'So... I am a chick, ha?' I asked
'Don't worry about her, she's ditzy.'
'It's ok. These jeans weren't my first choice.' I said.
'I think they are cute.'
'Don't pretend, it's ok. these weren't my first choice.' My nose felt funny. I tried to control the sneeze for a while but it eventually came out. Street light flickered.

I won't be getting out of bed tomorrow.

'You all right?' Her voice filled with concern.
'I am ok. By the way, you play really good guitar! You planning to be a Rockstar or something?' I questioned.

She laughed 'No, not really. I just like to play it. I don't want it to be my career as such.'
'I see. It's just a hobby than.' I said. She nodded.

'So why you chose B.A?' I asked.
'It was a temporary thing.'
'A temporary thing?' I looked at her, confused.
'Actually, I want to become a wedding planner.' She said. her eyes glint like the night stars.

'Fascinating!' I had zero clue about 'Wedding planner'. Why people need a 3rd person to plan their wedding? I never heard of any colleges offering this course.

'I have applied for it in an institute. If everything goes well, I might get selected, fingers crossed.' She said digging back into her ice cream.

There's an institute for wedding planning? I didn't know that either. Maybe it's better to just shut up or I might come across as stupid.

'All the best, I have a hunch that you will get selected.' I said. She smiled.
'What about you? What you like to do? Other than eating of course.' She chuckled.

I didn't know what to say. I don't have plans like her. I just wish I was as defiant as Lilly. I wish I was so certain.

'Well, there's sleeping.' I said, she laughed. 'I like to travel; hike and I would like to learn guitar as well.'
She stopped and turned to me. 'If you are willing to teach me.' I added.
'Really?' she said, unable to control the enthusiasm.

'Yes. I genuinely wanted to learn for a long time but never found a good teacher. When I saw you on stage; I thought about it.'
'I don't know if I'm a good teacher or not'
'We can find that out if you are ready?'
'Sure.' she grinned.
'When you want to start?'
'Anytime you say.'
'Great, I can finally be the hero in a movie, having a guitar.' I said doing a dramatic pose. She laughed.

'I thought you didn't like Bollywood.' She said.
'I like the music. Not the movies.'
'Why you hold a grudge over movies? Not all movies are bad, you know. Sometimes they do give some good tips.' She said finishing her Ice cream.

'Really! Like what?' I asked.
'Like unique proposing ways and also ways to get over a break up.' She said.
'unique? I don't think its unique, they use the same formulas, even for the ending! Especially the train formula! Still going on since DDLJ. And breakup I don't think it's really helpful? Have you tried any of them?'
'Not all of them but the method that was shown in the movie 'jab we met' it was helpful.' She winked.

'The one where the actor burns down his ex's picture and then flushes it down the toilet?' I asked.
'Yes. Why? You never tried any of those?' Her eyes wide open, expecting a 'yes'.

I don't think locking myself up, smoking, drinking, vomiting, crying and repeating it again for 3 months can be termed as a breakup aid.

'It's just a lie. All these films. I don't buy it.'
'Why are you such a hater?' she said with a sweet, puffed up look on her face. I started laughing.

'Not a hater, Lilly. Just a logical man' I bopped her nose and continued walking.
She on the other hand stood still, arms crossed.

'You don't believe in love?' she asked.
I stopped, turning around. I gazed into her eyes.

'I mean... I do believe in love, sort off. But I just don't believe the 'ending up together and happily ever after' kind of stuff. Doesn't happen in real life.' Turning my back again towards her, I resumed walking. She started walking just a few steps behind me.

'Maybe if you could give it a chance?'
'I already tried!' I blurted out, at her question. It was sudden, I didn't have any time to process. I stopped at my own comment.

My response stumped her for a second, but after a moment's hesitation, she came by my side.

'Try again, then!' she whispered, still looking ahead, as we started walking side by side.

Her fingers brushed against my hand sending a current through my entire body. I chose to stay quiet, so did she.

'Silence speaks louder that words' they say. I guess they were right.