Nirav was a constant pain in my ass.

I didn't think he could get any more annoying than he already was, but then he continued to surprise me every step of the way. He had stopped invading my personal space after a few sharp words but every so often I would see him reach forward to touch my shoulder or place his hand on mine and then think better of it and retract it. 

We were currently in a meeting with the seniors and Nirav was sharing his ideas about how we could spruce up our events. They were listening to him politely but I could tell they really wanted him to shut up. I knew I did.

"So what I am saying is we should approach the brands for sponsorship. If our event is bigger and the prize money is better, students will be attracted," he finished his big speech.

"Yes, Nirav I see your point but you're ignoring the facts I stated, no brand is going to want to sponsor a tiny college event. We use money from the department fund." Shweta, the president, explained to him patiently. 

"But when the union does the fest they get a lot of sponsors and they--" he started when Mihir another postholder cut him off.

"Freshers and their enthusiasm, Nirav, man, Union fests have celebrity performances. There is more foot traffic, more people equals more sponsors. It is simple math. Now if you have any ideas about how we can effectively utilize our tiny budget and reuse the decoration come fest time please speak up, otherwise no sponsor talk," Mihir finished. 

I liked this one. Mihir was very no-nonsense. everybody else walked gingerly around Nirav's feelings but he regularly shut him up. 

"Actually, why don't we let Nirav try and get us sponsors. I mean if he is so confident we should let him do it. We could use the money." Karan, another senior, interjected. 

"I am with Karan, let him go out and try his luck," Shweta agreed. "What is the worst that could happen? It will count as experience."

"Thank you, I will get you the best sponsors there are," Nirav said in a very sincere tone. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Alright then, Meera can accompany you and this is your task for the day. Get back to us by evening," Shweta said noting it down in her notebook. 

My head shot up in surprise. Did she just say I  had to go with him?

"But Shweta I have practice today," I said.

"Meera you always have practice, try skipping one day to do something important for your department. You are also a postholder, please try and understand your duties." Karan interjected.

"I would like to respectfully counter that. I am always present for meetings and complete my share of work. I don't think I have shirked my responsibility as Cultural Secretary so far," I said, fuming a little. 

I was offended at the implication. I had made it a point to never miss a meeting because I knew people would immediately jump to my involvement with Rhapsody and point fingers. 

"Alright, alright, everyone shut up, and Karan, Meera has attended more meetings than both you and Bhavya combined. Bhavya is not even here today." Mihir said. Bhavya being the other second-year post holder who was indeed MIA today.

See? This is why I liked Mihir. No nonsense and unafraid of being controversial. 

"And Meera, talk amongst yourselves and figure it out. Let's get to class now," he said with an air of finality. 

***

"There's no way in hell I am going out there in all this heat to hunt for sponsors we will never get with you," I fumed as we walked out of the department room. 

"Why do you have to speak up every time someone says anything? Can you go a few minutes without opening your mouth? You know I have to get to the practice to prepare for the competition but you just had to get me involved. Now I have to skip it to roam about aimlessly. We are not getting any sponsors."

Nirav kept up with me very easily despite my pace. 

"Look, I didn't think that they would make you come with me If you just had a little trust in my skills you would reconsider that,"

"That's exactly it, I have zero faith in your 'skills'. You just have to one-up every person in the room. Nirav is the best man for every job." I said throwing up air quotes. 

"It's not like I am keeping you hostage. You are free to leave," he said and walked away. 

Did he sound... hurt?

That was so unlike him that I stood there baffled for a second before realizing that I felt bad about snapping at him. It was so strange because the usual response he elicited from me was annoyance and frustration. 

Did the stuff I had said finally get to him? He definitely did not seem like the type who would take it to heart. I shook my head and headed in the other direction to look for my friends. 

***

An hour later I was still contemplating whether or not I should accompany Nirav for his fool's errand. 

We were sitting outside the canteen with our teas under a tree. 

I couldn't just go because I felt a little bad about what I said. I had to practise with Angad after this class and I couldn't skip that. The competition was fast approaching and we needed to work on our song. 

"Hello, Meera, you paying attention?" Vahni snapped her fingers in front of my face to grab my attention.

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"What's wrong?" Smriti asked.

"It's nothing important. I just feel bad about snapping at Nirav."

"What?" Vahni's jaw dropped open. 

I suppose this might have come as a shock to them because after every department meeting I would meet them and rant about Nirav. Anytime he would open his mouth to say something stupid in class I would look at Smriti and roll my eyes. They were both used to my annoyance, anger and frustration at his antics. But I suppose this was new. 

I quickly gave them a brief explanation of the meeting and our subsequent conversation.

"Now I know I'll feel like a monster if I do not go with him, the problem is that I have to meet Angad for practice after this class and I cannot skip that. It is for that competition I told you guys about." I finished. 

Smriti seemed deep in thought when Vahni said,

"It is okay if you do not go, I think. He'll get over it" 

"I know. I can probably just apologize later but you should have seen his face, he didn't even argue," I said. 

"Meera you can't be serious. You are talking about a guy who has been getting on your nerves since day one," Vahni sighed.

"I could take your place," Smriti offered, "I could go with Nirav."

I turned to look at her in surprise. 

"Smriti, now you can't be serious," I said.

"No, I am serious. It is only a matter of a few hours. Besides I need to get my mother a gift for her birthday next week. He is going to a market right?" 

"Yes, I think so," I replied. 

 "Great, ask him to meet me after class. I don't have his number."

Vahni gave me a look I understood perfectly. Why was Smriti willingly going to a marketplace? Especially with Nirav of all people. If she was doing it so I didn't feel guilty anymore then she was the nicest person I had ever met. Lucky me.

"I will text Nirav and send you his number but you could probably just get it off the group," I said and immediately drafted a text message to him--a brief apology and that Smriti instead of me will be coming along. Then I shared Smriti's number. 

"Thank you so so much, Smriti. I will be eternally grateful for what you're doing today. Just don't engage with him too much. Nod politely and he'll keep chattering happily," I said and hugged Smriti.

She laughed and said, 

"Noted, not too difficult."

***

Our GE class ran late because the teacher could not stop rambling about the text we were studying. Apparently, that was her PhD topic and she had so much in-depth knowledge that she didn't notice everyone slowly losing their patience. It was the last class of the afternoon and as the seconds ticked away on the clock behind her desk the groans of the students became more and more audible. 

When finally someone had the guts to stand up and tell her that the class had gotten over 15 minutes ago she coloured slightly and hurriedly took our attendance. I thanked the boy a million times over because Nirav was waiting at the main gate for us and Angad was waiting for me at the stage. 

We jogged to the entrance and saw Nirav talking to his buddies from that party. Thankfully the older creepier ones weren't there or I would've run in the opposite direction. I called out his name and he excused himself and stood in front of me with his obnoxious smile. 

"I suppose we're good now?" I asked. 

"Your apology was a little dry but I am gracious enough to accept it," he said smugly.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help a small smile. 

"Okay, this here is my best friend. No harm should befall her. You will bring her back safe and sound." I said nudging Smriti forward. 

Smriti did not seem to be regretting her decision even now and that eased my apprehension. I suppose she would have an easier time breaking the ice.

As soon as they were out of the gate I ran. 

I ran and I didn't stop before I was just out of view from the stage. Angad had been waiting for me probably for the past 20 minutes. I calmed my erratic breathing and smoothed down my hair. I had this ridiculous urge to go to a nearby washroom and apply a fresh coat of lipstick but I laughed it off. It wasn't like I was trying to impress this man. We had made it perfectly clear we weren't heading in that direction. Not like I wanted that. 

Where was all this coming from? I realized I was stalling. Deep down I was nervous about this practice session. It was just him and I. I envisioned us singing together and the scene in my head was strangely intimate. I almost blushed at my imagination. Why was the prospect of seeing him making me act like a schoolgirl with a crush? 

I didn't even like him for gods' sake!

That's it, I declared to myself. I stepped into the view of the stage and quickly stepped back for I was met with the most comical sight. 

It was late in the afternoon on a slow sunny day so most of the college had emptied out. This particular spot where the stage was situated was almost deserted save for a few maintenance staff. Right on the centre of the stage, I could see Angad who was dancing his cheesy boy band moves complete with a rolled-up paper microphone and imaginary hat. I was too far away to make out the music clearly but I could hear the beat faintly and Angad was giving the performance of his life. 

I watched for a couple of seconds before I whipped out my phone and recorded a small snap of his performance. Only then I came into full view and clapped for him enthusiastically. He stopped abruptly and the sheet of rolled-up paper slipped from his hands as he faced me and cleared his throat. 

"Meera? How long have you been standing there?" he said cautiously. 

"Your elaborate bow was really something," I said and burst out laughing. 

For a second I think he was embarrassed but he recovered very quickly and picked his paper microphone back up and twirled.

"Now we are calling one lucky fan on the stage tonight to dance with us. Yes, one of you is going to join us here," he announced in his performer's voice. 

"Oh me! me! please pick me!" I jumped up and down. 

He pretended to deliberate for a few seconds and then pointed his paper mic at me and yelled,

"You, beautiful girl in the red shirt,"

I ran up and joined him on stage. 

Then the song changed to 'All Star' by Smashmouth and I burst into laughter once more. 

As they brayed the "Somebody once told me..." Angad just shrugged and rolled with it. 

He held his hand out and I took it in mine. By the chorus, we were both singing loudly and dancing badly to the beat. 

"Hey now, you're an all-star, get your game on, go play

Hey now, you're a rock star, get the show on, get paid

And all that glitters is gold

Only shooting stars break the mould"

"I am shocked that your playlist even has this song," I said a little out of breath from the dancing. 

"What are you even talking about? Shrek rules. Of course, I have 'All Star'" he replied.

"Shrek totally rules but where is the Linkin Park, the Led Zeppelin, the AC/DC, the Gun n' Roses?" I asked. 

"You don't think that's all I listen to," he said and picked up his phone. He scrolled through it and showed me a few pop songs on his playlist. 

"There is a separate playlist for all my Bollywood hits," he said and put it away. 

"I guess I underestimated the diversity of your music taste," I admitted, "Sorry I was late, by the way, my class ran long and I came as soon as I could,"

"That's okay. As you witnessed, I can keep myself pretty well entertained," he winked. 

My heart fluttered dangerously and I struggled to suppress the smile that overcame my lips.

"Yeah if I was on time I would've missed Angad Mehra's best performance yet." I played along.

"You're welcome," he said.

"Maybe I should share it with the world," I said nonchalantly. 

His head snapped up abruptly, "What do you mean?" he demanded.

"Oh just that so much genius shall go waste if I didn't share your little performance with everybody."

All traces of humour were gone from his face as he started slowly walking towards me and I backed away equally slow.

"Meera are you telling me there is a video of me doing that?" he demanded again. 

"Maybe..." I drawled.

He lunged for my phone and I dashed off the stage. 

I laughed gleefully as I ran around the compound and he chased me threatening murder if I didn't delete that video.

But I couldn't go fast enough to outrun his long strides and I was panicking slightly as he closed in. My breath got caught in my throat as his arm snaked around my waist and pulled me back. I squealed as he reached for my phone, snatched it and held it high above his head. 

I jumped trying to reach for it but he kept it away and out of my reach. 

"I promise I will delete it," I pleaded, laughing.

"No you have to tell me your passcode," he demanded firmly but I could tell he was amused. 

"I am not giving you my passcode. I am not budging till you hand it over," I said.

"That's fine by me. I quite enjoy this," he said smirking and then glanced down at me.

It was only at that moment I realized just how close we were standing. My hand was on his shoulder while the other trying to reach my phone, the soles of our shoes touched and we were almost chest to chest. 

I jumped back and narrowed my eyes. 

"Oh c'mon it's nothing we haven't done before," he said and handed my phone back to me. Then he laughed at my scandalized expression. 

"Now you better keep your promise and delete that video,"

"What if I don't?" I said cheekily.

"Then I will tell everyone you drunk kissed me," he said and my mouth fell open.

"And that you obsessively stalk me everywhere I go," he continued.

"You wouldn't dare." 

"Oh try me, Ms Sehgal." 

I realized dimly that we were treading dangerous territory. This playful banter, the proximity, the laughter. If I let myself go on for a few more minutes it would be fresher's party day all over again.

I straightened up and nodded. 

"That's fair enough I guess," 

Which, to be honest, it was. He was surprisingly good at this negotiation thing. Or maybe I was the loser.

I also wanted to text Smriti and check up on her. If she was alive and sane. I drafted a quick "Everything good?" text and pressed send.

"Great. Shall we begin our practice m'lady?" Angad asked.

"We shall, my good sir." I smiled and we settled on the stage next to our bags and his guitar and actually did practice for the next hour.