The lights were off in my room when I entered. I saw Ronnie sleeping, snoring slightly. His blanket like always lying on the ground. Tucking him in, I sat beside him and caressed his forehead lost in thoughts.

I felt the guilt rise up in me. Even if I didn't wanted to be selected, Karthik did. It was his childhood dream, his parents last hope. His words still echoed in my brain as we were left alone in the prop room. People rushing out either to their room or to celebrate for getting selected by India's most elite music production.

His eyes were cast down as he tightened the strings of his guitar and placed it inside his case. I couldn't decipher his expression but his aura gave it out. He was disappointed in himself.

"It's not your fault, Karthik. Don't be hard on yourself", I said my voice laced with worry. He nodded and sat down on the chair with a plop. His guitar sliding down to the ground. But he didn't care, his hair fluttered and he raised his moist eyes.

"Our song wasn't that bad. And our performance was on point. Then why?" He voiced out. And it was true our performance was better than some of the groups that got selected. I scratched my jaw trying to think about what all the winning groups had in common.

"Do you remember their lyrics?" He asked suddenly. I furrowed my brows and nodded trying to understand what he was getting at.

"I don't want this,
But I don't wanna lose it too,
I just want to live in this moment,
With you,
Watch the sunset while swaying our legs,
And fall asleep under the tree waiting for the dawn,
I want to live with you from dusk to dawn..."

Karthik sang the first group's lyrics,  my eyes shined as I remembered the other winner's lyrics.

"When you will turn back...
When you will turn back my gardens will lit up again,
Th rains will fall to replace our tears,
The flowers will bloom to celebrate our union,
Two hearts will hence meet again,
Your eyes keep shedding tears,
They are the same eyes that captured my heart,
Those strange eyes have made thousands of vows,
The rain will fall to replace our tears..."

I sighed realising how great their lyrics was.

"No wonder they won", Karthik said with a sad smile on his face. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the table.

"All of them were love songs", He whispered making me frown. I raised my head to look at the irritated expression on his face. Then he turned towards me suddenly.

"You were the one who suggested to sing a funny and jolly song. Look where it landed us", He said his eyes brimming with tears. His accusing gaze was making anger boil inside me.

"I never forced you to sing this song. Don't forget your own words 'Love songs are outdated and cliche'. Now that we lost, I am the only one to be blamed. Wow. You are a loser", I retorted anger getting the best of me before I walked out of the prop room. I was too angry and lost in my emotions to comfort the sad Karthik.

Looking back I should have asked him what tormented him instead of being such a mean bitch to him.

***

Author's  P.O.V:

The dark wind kept him awake as Siddharth thought about the strange voices he heard in his dream. That woman loved him.

"I love you Sid"

Her voice kept echoing in his mind as he tried to fall asleep.

"Don't leave me..."

The anguish in her voice made him shudder. Why was he hearing such a sad voice? Who was that woman?

"Why can't you love me, Sid? Why her? What should I do to become like her? So you will love me. Please tell me"

He started shivering as her sobbing voice echoed in his brain. Just then he realised the voice was too familiar. Nobody called him Sid except....

That's when he drifted to sleep. His vision contrasted between pink and black, and gradually calmed down. His body was swaying back and forth.  And he was engulfed in a warm embrace.

"Why are you, upset princess?" He found himself asking the person in his arms. The woman's presence was very light as if she was just an illusion.

"Why does Karthik despise me so much?" She asked her voice raspy giving him the shivers. This felt almost nostalgic and then he realised  she said 'Karthik'. Did Karthik know her too? He wanted to ask her who was she but different words tumbled out leaving him helpless.

"Ah I think he is jealous," His voice spoke but not from his mouth. Siddharth frowned, it almost felt like the voices were already recorded and the woman in his arms was just his imagination. Almost like a scripted play.

"Jealous? Of what?" She asked.

"Of us", His voice spoke out. It continued.

"He believes that I stopped giving him time because of you", Siddharth felt his brows furrow at such a ridiculous reason. Who was this woman? The question made him angry. He wanted to look at her face but his neck was stiff, unmovable.

The scene changed suddenly to the two of them sitting on the dinner table.

"Why can't you love me, Sid? Why her? What should I do to become like her? So you will love me. Please tell me"

The woman asked her voice pleading as she held his hand tightly. Siddharth wanted to comfort the person but he was helpless. His body and voice wasn't in his control. His heart was beating loudly as he heard her sad voice. It ached too much.

"Rosie I think we should talk when you are more collect. As of right now, you are acting like a crazy woman"

His ruthless voice echoed at this point Siddharth wanted to punch himself. It frustrated him as his body snatched his fingers out of her grasp and walked away, leaving the crying alone in her misery. He could feel her heartbreak as he walked away, her gaze on his back as she pleaded him with her eyes full of tears to turn back.

But he didn't.

***

So this is chapter 34. I hope you'all love it.

This book is coming to an end soon. I wanted to thank you all for for always supporting me. Seriously you guys are amazing♥️