Karthik's p.o.v:

"Karthik you aren't lying to me, are you? Please don't sing a nursery rhyme in front of the judges. I beg you-", My mom's dramatic cries were cut off when I placed the earphone away. I usually did this whenever she was whiny, act like I was listening when I was not. Scratch that, I always zoned out people. I was the type of person who was subconscious in presence, always immersed in thought process. And those thoughts were so lame that even I cringed sometimes. Like why am I even thinking about this?

"KARTHIK SINGH ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?", My mom screeched through the phone.

"Yeah yeah mom, I am listening to you. I swear. You were asking me if I have prepared a song or not, right?", I tried to calm her.

"Golu look don't be a disappointment like your dad in music. You have a gorgeous voice but your broody attitude just freaks me out. Before sacrificing anything because of your ego remember, I still have that bat with me. You get it?" She lectured, her voice giving me chills. I nodded then realised it was a phone call.

"Yes, I promise mom. The audition will start in 20 minutes, I have gotta go", I said hurriedly walking backstage. As my mother bid farewell, I spotted Siddharth sitting on the stairs.

"Hey buddy", I greeted, my voice startled him making his phone fall. He stared at me like a deer caught in headlights then sighed in relief.

"What were you watching on your phone?" I asked playfully. Picking up the phone and passing it to him.

"Umm nothing", He said nervously standing up.

"Relax buddy, you are acting like I am your mom and I caught you watching a blue film or something", I said trying to settle his nervousness. He chuckled and walked away.

Weird.

He spoiled my mood because of his irritating act just now. I grunted in annoyance and entered the hall. The hall was lively having the perfect vibe for an audition. I smiled and sat near Nidhi who like always had booked a seat for me.

My eyes unconsciously went to Rosie. She sat there extremely nervous. I wanted to wish her luck but my laziness restricted me from doing so. Her blue blouse and black high waisted jeans made her look glamorous. Her black eyes were shining, brimming with innocence. Her looks were deceiving, she appeared like a weak flower but knowing her I felt that it was just a pretence. A facade, in reality, the girl was broody and indomitable.

The more I tried to understand her, the more she confused me. Her character was quite similar to mine and her interests matched mine. Maybe that's what made me want to be closer to her. Our eyes met but she quickly turned away to look at the stage. It annoyed me.

Why is everyone acting so weird?

I sighed and drummed my legs on the floor. The beat playing on the stage buying me. The song was pretty catchy making me want to groove. I cheered as the song hit its high, whistling in encouragement.

As the song ended Manav got down the stage, I smiled and showed him a well-done sign. He dabbed in reply and settled down. The next performances were pretty much the same, but I could see the faults in all of them.

Like how Prerna's voice cracked in most of her low notes and the guitar drifting away from the real song. Reviewing other's work can help you review your own. A trick my mom taught me, which became a part of my habit.

Then I saw the hall getting silent as a girl started playing the harmonica. It was a clever choice as most of the students opted for guitar or piano. But the music she played didn't impress me as it was too smooth and uniform. Music is supposed to have its crest and trough. But she missed it all producing a pure stagnant song. Then she started singing her voice was gorgeous but breathy, almost nasal. And frankly, it didn't suit the song. But the lyrics were powerful and left me in awe. At the end of it, everyone was standing. I stood up and that's when Rosie's name was called. She confidently stood up, the nervous look from her face gone. Like a tigress seeking vengeance, she ascended the stage. Her legs slipped and she fell on her knees.

I could see her glaring at Pari as if she was her prey and that frightened the poor girl and she ran away. Her innocent eyes from before were burning with fire as she started singing.

That's when I realised Pari and she sang the same song. Did Rosie steal her song to win our bet? I felt guilt creeping in as the hall broke into discussion. But her voice silenced us all.

After singing her song she went towards Siddharth who was as uncomfortable as before and she said something in his ear and stomped off. The chatters were getting louder as people tried to comprehend what just happened. Who was the actual thief? Rosie or Pari. But to me it was obvious, Pari discretely stole Rosie's song with Siddharth's help. The reason for this deed was still unknown. I sighed and stood up as my name was called.

Taking my place in the middle of the stage I picked up my guitar. Looking around the hall I tried to relax my nerves. And started playing the guitar on a soft almost dull note. My cheery voice accompanied the guitar.

My mind starts racing when it rains,
Tell me is it a boon or another bane?
I can hear my heartbeat in your pain,
My pain keeps increasing,
I can only find peace when my heart stops,
How much pain of yours have I carried?
Till your pain carried me away,

You say you don't love me,
But I can only see the love behind your fake smiles,

I hummed, the guitar got duller with each note my cheery voice trying to overtake it. Then there was a pause, I stopped humming and looked at the stage with lazy eyes describing the tale with my calm demeanour.

Why is life caging us?
If you live or I breathe,
Does it matter?
Today I will take away all your pain,
The glass you spread on my way,
I will walk on it every day,
The scabs will appear like love bites,

Without me,
You wither away,
Without you,
I can't cry,
Weren't I your star?
And you my stardom,
I am waiting for you,
How can I confess that?
I am waiting for you...

I increased the frequency of the guitar, playing a cheery song but my voice contradicted the instrumental music. It was dull like the guitar was before. The song was an experimental fusion of mismatched tunes that blended well. They were two different music, one sad and the other happy. Music befitting for soulmates who never met. That was also the title of the song.

I felt my stomach drop suddenly as anxiousness kicked in. My restless eyes ran through the mass of people sitting but nobody eased my heart. My hands were playing the guitar intensely as my stomach did somersaults. I closed my eyes and an image entered my eyes. A black rose lying on the ground, something was weird about this rose it felt as if it was breathing. I could feel it, the life in it and then red blood dropped on it like a dew, frightening me enough to open my eyes. I felt my fingers sting that is when I realised I was playing the guitar directly with my fingers. The plectrum lying near my leg, but my fingers didn't lose their power and the music got intense as the last verse flew out of my lips.

It wasn't my fault,
Nor your mistake,
We both faced torment,
From the ones we loved,
And time wasn't enough for our love story,
I wish there is a story,
Where the story doesn't end before us,
Where you leave everything to meet me,
Where the cloud thunders away all the pain you rained on me,
Where you don't stop yourself from loving me,
Letting the evening go in my arms,
How can I describe the feelings of my heart?
I have loved you more than I have ever loved myself,
How lovely is this story of us?
The one I stole for both of us,
Don't let this story go,
As I have never waited for a story to begin,
Like ours.

***

This is chapter 18. I hope you all loved it.

What do you think about the sequel so far?

Who is your favourite singer?
(Mine is Sanam Puri)

Happy belated Friendship Day! (I was going to post this chapter yesterday but since it was my birthday as well I kinda took a break)

Vote, Share and Comment.

And I love you guys❤