We were sitting under the huge tree behind the canteen which was incidentally the same tree where Siddharth had snubbed me the first time. I had given him a playful glance as Yug had chosen this spot to settle down in. He looked sufficiently embarrassed so I didn't say anything out loud. 

With a slight breeze, canteen coffees and Shreyas strumming his guitar, it felt perfect. 

"How is practice going? Have you guys settled upon a song?" Yug asked after a while. 

I nodded, "Yeah, it has been fun for me, at least. I have never sung a duet before so I enjoy the novelty. We have a couple of songs in mind but we are working on an original. I don't know if Angad has told you anything about that." 

Angad had his eyes closed and I couldn't tell if he was napping or listening to us since he didn't respond. 

"Yeah, he said something about that. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with." Yug said. 

"Me neither," Siddharth agreed but his tone seemed a little insincere. 

I hadn't brought up the fight he and Angad had had a few days ago. It seemed like a sensitive subject and I did not know how to approach it tactfully. When I had texted Siddharth that night he seemed entirely aloof. I wanted to broach the subject, give him any reassurance, ease his mind but he did not seem interested. Then I figured this was probably for the best. Their issues did not concern me. Their friendship and band predate my involvement with any of them. So I had decided to never involve myself in their matters. 

"How is your group practice moving along? Any progress with my fellow juniors?" I asked trying to steer away.

There were four categories we were preparing for, Solo for both Male and Female voice, Group category with 15-20 singers, the duet Angad and I were singing and finally the band category. 

Since Angad was focusing on the Solo male, duet and obviously Red Wagon's performance, Yug, Shreyas and Siddharth had taken over the group performance. Last I had heard they had way too many society members vying for a spot in this category and these three were having a hard time making picks. 

"We have finally made the cuts that were needed, we will be using the next week to polish up our set and we are hoping for the best. Shreyas is being surprisingly patient with the kids." Siddharth answered and looked over at where Shreyas was laying down with his head in Deepani's lap.

He looked up at his name and gave him a pointed glance.

"Hey, he is very, very patient. He is almost a saint compared to you guys." Deepani defended her boyfriend and threw the twig she was twirling in her hands in Siddharth's direction. Siddharth scoffed and Yug looked at me and shook his head vigorously. 

I laughed.

Things seemed to be progressing swiftly for our Rhapsody. The registrations had been sent in last week and we were pumped for this competition. Virat and Hina had equally high expectations. 

"We have a chance at a perfect season this time. If we compete in all categories and win then that will be a first for Maurya," Hina had said when we informed her of the registration. This was important for them too since this would be an accolade for the KGV party. What role they would play in this I failed to understand but at least they were nice and supportive. And next election season they would be able to list Rhapsody's achievement under their time in power. 

Politics. Bleh. 

My consolation was that they weren't as despotic and unbearable as the YLF goons I met on the Fresher's day. So my motto over here was to choose the lesser evil. 

"We should probably get to class, guys," Yug said standing up and dusting himself off. 

Everybody murmured in agreement and started gathering their things. Angad did not stir. So I guess he was napping after all. 

"Angad, get up. It is time to get to class." Yug said nudging him gently with his toe. Angad groaned but did not move or open his eyes. 

"Don't you have class, Meera?" Siddharth asked and I shook my head. 

"I am staying for the practice session we have later," 

"Too bad we have to leave for class then. Hope you don't get bored, Elvis" Yug said and nudged Angad with his foot. 

Angad finally opened his eyes and sat up. He groaned again and then tried to straighten his mussed up hair.

"Yeah, don't worry about me. It's just an hour I have a book and my phone. I'm good." I reassured him.

"Alright then, we'll see you later."

They started walking towards their classes and I put my earphones in and picked up my book. Before I could flip to my page Siddharth broke away from the group and jogged back in my direction. I took my earphones out.

"Hey, I was wondering if you had plans after practice?" he said as he stood in front of me. 

I craned my neck to get a look at him but the Sun's glare made it difficult. So I put my hand over my eyebrows to shield my eyes and spoke.

"No, I was gonna head home and get a head start on my assignment. Why do you ask?" 

"I thought we could go to that coffee place I told you about," he said. 

"Sure! That sounds fun," I said enthusiastically. 

"Great, I will see you at practice," he gave me one of his rare smiles and jogged away. 

***

Angad was currently talking to somebody on the cell phone so I was taking a break from our lyrical brainstorming session.

I strolled away from him and stood next to Yug who was surveying the group practice session. Shreyas sat with his guitar playing for them and Siddharth stood in front of the kids clarifying a note, telling them repeatedly the progression of the song, singling people out and just generally being very strict.

"Ah, I remember the days I would do this for the school choir, everyone hated me by the end of practice hour," I reminisced. 

Yug laughed. 

"We're doing the Good cop-Bad cop routine here. Sid has to be the stickler and I will go in later to rally their spirits so they give their best performance for me, their idol." 

"That's crazy, has this actually ever worked for you?" I asked chuckling.

"Oh Yeah," he said. "Just wait for it."

He strolled in and placed his hand on Siddharth's back who immediately understood the gesture so he stopped and took a step back and walked towards me, he took Yug's place and I watched fascinated as Yug used positive reinforcements and compliments to bring everybody's enthusiasm back. I was watching manipulation in real-time and I was impressed. I guess it wasn't that bad because if they could get them to sing better, the end justified the means. 

"That is a great Good cop-Bad cop routine you have there," I said to Siddharth. 

He gave me a smug glance. I could really hear the difference because this particular time the group was singing better than their last few sets. 

"Okay props to you and Yug," I admitted, "they do sound better."

"Thank you," he said.

"Meera can we get back to this? We have less than a week to prepare now." Angad said as he came up behind me. 

I looked at him incredulously

"Excuse me? You're the one that's been stuck to their phone like glue." 

"Forgive him Meera, he tends to forget the world doesn't function on his schedule," Siddharth said drily. 

Angad flashed Siddharth an annoyed look.

"This doesn't concern you," he said.

"I'm sorry but I think the productive use of the society member's time concerns all of us." Siddharth retorted. 

Things were quickly escalating here and Shreyas seemed to either not care or not realize what was going on. I tried to grab Angad's attention. 

"Let's get back to our notebooks Angad and finish the song," I said extra chirpy to melt some of the tension here.

Angad did not break eye contact with Siddharth till I was practically tugging at his shirt. 

"Meera you really think you can pull me with a scrap of my shirt in your hand?" he asked sounding a little bemused. I breathed a sigh of relief. At least they weren't pummeling each other which is where this seemed to be heading. 

"No but I can easily tear it," I said.

His eyes shone with mischief and he opened his mouth but I cut him off,

"Shut up, I know what you are going to say. Don't say it." 

"But I was just going to--" he tried but I cut him off again.

"No, I have no desire of seeing you without your shirt." I snapped and he chuckled. 

"Meera, we are still up for that coffee right?" Siddharth piped up suddenly and I turned to him.

"Of course we are, who else is coming? Angad you in?" I asked.

"Who else is coming?" Siddharth echoed. 

"What plan is this. I didn't know we were getting coffee," Angad said and looked at Siddharth in confusion. Then a second later his expression changed as if in realization and he smiled widely at Siddharth. 

"Oh, coffee. Yes, I am in. Let me confirm with Yug and Shreyas. I am sure they would love to come." he said and walked towards where Shreyas was sitting. 

Siddharth stared after him but didn't say a word. I looked down and saw his fists were clenched.

"Hey, you okay Siddharth?" I asked gently.

He turned to me and tried to smoothen his frown. 

"Yes, I am fine," he said. 

Angad walked back to us and said,

"Shreyas is taking Deepani out but Yug is in. Nikhil might come as well." 

Siddharth was returning Angad's triumphant look with a glare. I stood there absolutely baffled at this exchange. These were moments I felt like the history they shared with each other was important for context. 

I knew there was a wordless conversation happening here I just didn't know what.

***

Nikhil ended up joining us for the coffee and Siddharth's mood had improved a little. He was still giving Angad the cold shoulder and Angad still seemed similarly triumphant. All in all, it was sort of awkward and not as much fun as our usual hangouts. I left directly after. 

I was still thinking about it when my phone rang.

It was Sarah. I answered it immediately. 

"Hey, girl. You've been busy." 

"Speak for yourself, you've been pretty MIA too." 

"I guess I have been. The competition is soon and you don't have to give excuses, I know you're busy." I rushed before she could feel guilty about missing my performance. 

"Yeah, you're being very understanding and I think that will make you gracious to the next piece of news as well." 

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Okay, I am sort of seeing someone," she said in a breath.

It took me a second to comprehend and then I was yelling. 

"What!? How am I just hearing about it? Tell me everything!"

Sarah laughed as she took in my outburst. When my line of questions finally stopped she replied,

"It is very recent and you're obviously the first person I have told. His name is Matt and he is in my class. We hit it off one time in the lab when we both had to stay late to complete our project. He is great and you will really like him."

"I am sure I will. I am so happy for you. I cannot wait to meet the first guy who successfully captured my best friend's fancy." I gushed. 

She spent the next hour detailing how met and what their first two dates had been like, what Matt was like and she honestly seemed lovestruck. I thought back to when I would do this to her in school. I would tell Sarah every detail of any time Parth and I would spend together. 

Ah, well. First relationships and everything, am I right ladies and gents?

When we finally hung up I checked my phone and I had several text messages from Smriti. She had tried to call me but since I was talking to Sarah she had to deliver her news via text messages. Nirav had managed to get a sponsor! 

It was a small knick-knack store that had just opened. They had agreed to become cash sponsors for our event and if this exchange went well then they'd be willing to sponsor subsequent events as well.

I sat up and scrolled down to Nirav's contact and messaged him my congratulations. This was such good news that I actually had a smile on my face while typing it out. 

He had done it. He had promised and delivered. 

Everybody had doubted him but he had gone and proved himself big time. I couldn't wait to see the look on Karan's face when he realized those measly first years had done what he claimed was impossible. 

That night I slept with a smile on my face. I didn't wanna admit it in case I jinxed it but things were going well for me. I guess the new Meera could eventually be happy Meera.