They were not just popular, they were loved by all the students of Delhi University. They got countless Facebook friend requests and their YouTube videos had gone completely viral. The entire University was talking about VAYU and the three were visible everywhere. Their songs were being played in buses, autos, and the metro.
With more shows under their belt, their popularity kept growing. But on the downside, Yuvi’s differences with Anamika increased as well. Anamika had no clue why Yuvi would behave strangely around her. She felt like he was unhappy with her about something but didn’t dare ask him what. Her popularity was killing Yuvi from inside. Vikrant calmed him down whenever he was about to lose control. But his grievances against Anamika didn’t affect Yuvi’s performances. Instead, it got better with every passing show.
As the days passed, they managed to get many sponsors for their stage shows. They were living their dream. Their immense hard work had eventually paid off. Even their college was extremely proud of them and let them sit for exams despite having low attendance. Even the sponsors made good profits from the shows. With every show, their popularity kept increasing. They had become one of the most known music groups in Delhi.
Auditorium, Rajhans College
22nd August, 2012
VAYU was preparing for their next show which was going to happen in their college itself for an event organized by the seniors. The seniors had requested them to sing some special songs for their performance. The enthusiasm was at its peak. The band members were backstage getting ready for the show. Vikrant wanted to beat his previous acts and had requested Yuvi to give him a drug to consume as he felt he gave his best performance when he was high. He recalled an earlier time he had consumed drugs after which he had given his best performance. Yuvi took it very casually and gave him a small packet containing marijuana from his pocket. Vikrant took out a small paper from his pocket and emptied the contents on the paper. He then rolled it up.
‘This helps you, right?’ Vikrant asked before lighting the roll.
‘Yes. You very well know that I smoke before every show. Don’t you? Come on now, don’t be a kid. Take a puff,’ Yuvi added.
Vikrant was feeling awkward doing it around Yuvi, so he went to the dressing room instead. By the time he came out, he was feeling very high.
‘Are you alright?’ Anamika asked Vikrant. She was concerned about his health and could sense something fishy going on.
‘Baby boy is on drugs,’ Yuvi teased him.
Yuvi was so used to taking drugs on a regular basis that it was a routine matter for him. He thus could understand it was the first time for Vikrant and he was having a hard time dealing with it.
‘I am alright,’ Vikrant said trying hard not to close his eyes.
He peeped into the auditorium to see how many people had gathered so far. It was a packed house. His eyes were getting heavier with each passing second as a result of the drug and as he tried to take the support of a pillar nearby, his eyes fell on the girl. The same girl he had spotted in the metro! She was standing right next to the stage and applauding the band. Dressed in a red one-piece dress, she looked extremely sexy. She was screaming, smiling, and enjoying herself at the same time. Suddenly, their eyes met. Just when he raised his hand to wave at her, she turned the other way. He tried to regain composure as his performance was due to start in a few minutes. He was already feeling unhinged from the marijuana. Just then an idea struck him! He thought of proposing to her right there. Though it needed guts, he had never been more sure of anything before this. And he anyway had nothing to lose. He didn’t even know if he could see her again or not. He wondered if they were from the same college. If yes, then why hadn’t he seen her in college ever? No, she must be an outsider. How could she get entry into the college? The show was just for seniors. Was she his senior? Before he could get his answers, he saw his girl walking away from the stage talking to someone on the phone. Vikrant became restless. He couldn’t take the fact that the girl was walking away. The drug was showing its effect. The more stress he took, the more unhinged he felt. Those few seconds felt like an hour for him. Without even giving it a second thought, he got down from the stage. Yuvi and Anamika were surprised to see him leave even before their performance had begun. They were clueless and didn’t know how to react. They had no option but to continue with the show without Vikrant, even if it meant facing the seniors’ anger. Vikrant left abruptly without informing anyone.
Without caring about anything, he ran after the metro girl who had left the college premises in a hurry. He saw her get into an auto. He hurriedly waved out to another approaching auto.
After getting in, he told the auto driver, ‘Bhaiya, us auto ke peeche chalo.’
The auto stopped outside Vishwavidyala metro station. Seeing her get out, Vikrant got out too. He was careful to stand at a few meters distance from her lest she sees him following her. His phone kept ringing but he didn’t care to pick it up. He thanked his stars that his phone was on silent mode else his cover would have been blown off. Anamika and Yuvi were both calling him continuously. They sent him numerous text messages. But he ignored all of them. Both of them got into the same metro without the girl knowing about it. She had no clue someone was following her. He kept some distance from her and watched her like a love-struck boy. She was busy listening to songs on her iPod. He saw a few guys purposely trying to touch her or brush their body against hers, which annoyed her a great deal. More than her, Vikrant was annoyed but he didn’t let his anger show because he did not want to create a scene in the metro. She got down at Saket and he continued with his chase. Then he saw her get into an apartment. That was it. She disappeared in a second and he was left staring at the empty road.
What do I have to do to get noticed by you? Change my hair, change my clothes, change the way I walk, or change the way I talk? It’s been a while since we have known to each other—at least I know you—yet I am invisible to you. Your one look makes me go weak in the knees. It takes me to a place that I can’t even describe. Is it wrong if I want more of you? I knew the day I saw you that we were meant to be together. It’s our destiny… then why is it taking so much time for us to come together? What should I do to make you realize how much I love you? How desperately I wish you come to your apartment’s terrace right now and give me a flying kiss. I left my show for you but still you are not aware of my feelings. Why? What do I have to do to get noticed by you?
A tear came rolling down his cheek as he looked at his reflection in the mobile screen. Why wasn’t he able to gather the courage to talk to her? What was holding him back? He left his show abruptly and ran from there to approach her, to talk with her, to share his feelings with her but he did nothing. As he walked back towards the college, he realized what a blunder he had made. He immediately took out his mobile phone and checked his messages. There were many. He opened one of them sent by Yuvi.
Dude, what happened to you? I didn’t expect this from you. Do you realize how important this show was for us? Anyway, we have left the college premises. The show has been cancelled.
The last line kept reverberating in his mind. The show has been cancelled. He didn’t know how to react. He felt guilty and called Yuvi to apologize to him but Yuvi’s cell was unavailable. He decided to tell Yuvi and Anamika the truth. He walked back alone helplessly. All he could do was to wish that things would fall in place once again.
An Ending and a Beginning
‘What do you think of yourself? Were you out of your
mind? Do you even know what you have done and how badly it has affected our band’s image? I am getting so many messages about our cancelled show. Everybody is asking us for a valid reason to justify your abrupt escape. What am I supposed to tell everyone?’ screamed Yuvi at the top of his voice. ‘Will you fucking care to speak up?’
Anamika was standing beside Vikrant while Yuvi gave him an earful. Vikrant, Yuvi, and Anamika had met later in the night after the cancellation of the show on Vikrant’s request.
Vikrant had managed to convince them to meet him by apologizing for his mistake and promising not to repeat it again. He had also convinced them that whatever he did had a strong reason behind it. Anamika consoled him and told him not to worry about it.
‘At least tell us what had happened? What was going on in your mind?’ she asked holding his hands as a sign of support.
After a long silence, Vikrant spoke teary-eyed, ‘I love her. I am crazy about her. I want her anyhow. Help me.’
‘Who?’ both Anamika and Yuvi asked in chorus.
‘That girl.’
‘Which girl?’ Anamika asked first.
‘The metro girl.’
Yuvi and Anamika were getting irritated now. They could not understand what Vikrant was trying to say. This continued for some more time until Vikrant told them about the girl he had seen in the metro a couple of times. They were surprised to hear that Vikrant had a crush on a girl. According to him, it was love.
‘Dude, are you still on drugs? I mean, you have not even talked to her, you don’t even know her name, and she hardly knows about you—except from the fact that you’re part of a band. That’s all she knows. You also don’t know much about her expect for where she lives. Grow up. I don’t want you to get into all these complications.’
‘What’s my fault, Yuvi? Aren’t you in a relationship? Did I ever tell you to stop fucking around? No, right? Then how can you say this to me? I am saying that I really like that girl. Yes, I am confused about a few things but I want to give it a try. Just when I need you people the most, you are demotivating me,’ said Vikrant losing his temper.
‘We are with you Vikrant. Now forget everything and let’s chill out for the day and then plan the best way to approach your girl,’ Anamika said patting his back.
We never choose love, love chooses us. It is that unpredictability that makes the journey so worth it. In every age, in every place, love is certain to be there; Vikrant had found it in that girl. He felt like he had searched his whole life and had finally found the one meant for him. Life on earth is just that brief moment you spend with your loved one. Meeting that stranger had made him realize how precious and fragile life can be. He could give up everything for that one moment with her, for that one moment would be better than a lifetime of never knowing her. He could not imagine a life without her now and wanted to meet her again. He was happy that his friends had understood him and were willing to help him out of this situation. Yuvi though was upset with whatever had happened but he let it pass because even he loved someone. However, he warned not only Vikrant but even Anamika to be very professional and not let such things hamper their success. Many dream to achieve what they had and Yuvi didn’t want to lose it due to a small mistake. They all hugged each other as a sign of support and togetherness. Anamika kept forcing Yuvi and Vikrant to come along for a day’s trip with her and Anurag.
‘No yaar, you both go. I will join you guys some other time,’ Vikrant said.
‘Yuvi, at least you come with us. You can bring Kashish along if you want. It will be fun. Then even I can spend some time with you and get to know you more.’
‘You want your boyfriend to kill me?’ Yuvi added.
‘Won’t Kashish kill me?’ Anamika asked and they all laughed.
‘Come on, Yuvi. Now, don’t make excuses. At least you should come,’ said Anamika tried to convince him.
‘What will we do there? Neither Kashish nor I know Anurag much. I mean we are not friends with him,’ Yuvi asked puzzled.
‘Shut up. You know me, that is enough. You come along for me and not for him. And obviously I will introduce you both to him. You will not feel like strangers. Trust me,’ she said excitedly.
After lot of convincing, Yuvi finally agreed to go along with Kashish. Vikrant was not in a mood to go. Anamika was excited that at least Yuvi was joining them. But before agreeing, he had put a condition in front of her that if he didn’t like Anurag, he would stay away from him. Anamika agreed.
Satyam Cineplex, Nehru Place, Delhi
24th August, 2012
All of them decided to go for a movie to Satyam Cineplex. Yuvi and Anurag were supposed to reach early to buy the tickets. It was an awkward moment when both of them reached almost at the same time and stood one after the other in the ticket counter line. Being from the same college, they vaguely knew of each other but had never got a chance to talk. To avoid embarrassment, Anurag broke the silence.
‘Hi. So what’s up? We never interacted with each other much. But I hope everything is going well,’ Anurag asked Yuvi.
‘Indeed. Everything is good. Even the grades are good,’ Yuvi replied.
‘I hope we both didn’t disturb you. I mean you know how Anamika is. She must have forced you to come along, right?’
‘Not really.’
‘Where is Vikrant? He didn’t come?’
‘He is in Lapataganj,’ Yuvi smiled and said, ‘How’s it going with Anamika?’
‘I am confused as to what it is that she wants from me. You won’t believe it but we still haven’t taken our relationship to the next level,’ he said.
‘That’s not a big deal,’ Yuvi said casually. He believed if you are serious in a relationship and have made up your mind to be with the other person, then the physical act of love does not really matter.
‘Yes, I agree. But if you want your relation to sustain for long, you need to get close. Else how would you…you know…’ Anurag gestured shrugging his shoulders. Yuvi felt weird talking to Anurag about such intimate matters. He wanted to run away but kept put just for Anamika’s sake. He felt that Anurag wanted to take advantage of Anamika and was in the relationship only for sex. On the other hand, he knew that even Anamika was not serious about Anurag. Then why did the relationship last so long? Probably, that’s what relationships have become these days. Chalti ka naam gaadi.
Where Yuvi and Anurag were a complete mismatch, Anamika and Kashish gelled along well, especially when the topic of discussion was Yuvi. Though Anamika and Kashish had not interacted with each other ever before, they got along like a house on fire. Kashish was a bit shy when it came to expressing her views. But when the conversation drifted to a discussion on Yuvi, she completely let loose.
‘How do you manage to handle his mood swings? He goes crazy once he’s doped,’ Anamika winked.
‘You have not seen the worst of him after doping. I know him better that way and I know how far things can go,’ Kashish smiled teasingly.
‘Is it? Then I should try it once,’ Anamika added.
‘No no. He is best suited for me. No one else can handle him the way I do. He is mine,’ Kashish said holding Yuvi’s hand.
‘Who is what? What’s going on?’ Yuvi asked but Kashish pushed him inside the theatre.
They took their seats. Yuvi and Kashish took the corner seats while Anamika and Anurag came and sat next to them. The lights were put off and the opening credits started rolling on the screen.
As time passed, Yuvi tried to get close to Kashish. Kashish hesitated as Anurag and Anamika were sitting right next to them. But eventually Yuvi managed to seduce Kashish and kissed her passionately on her lips. Anamika was more interested in what was happening in the seats next to her than the actual movie. She saw Yuvi insert his hand into Kashish’s top. Anurag had no clue what was happening. He felt Anamika was staring at him in the absence of lights. He put his hands on her shoulder and brought her close. They gazed at each other for a while until Anamika took his arm from her shoulder and placed it back on his lap.
‘Now what? Why are you pushing me away?’ Anurag asked in frustration.
‘Nothing. Please, not here,’ Anamika replied.
‘Is it the first time we are doing this?’ Anurag questioned again.
‘Please, not now. Can we just watch the movie, please, like the rest of the audience?’ Anamika requested.
‘Of course. Anyway, I don’t mean anything to you, right? I am a loser. Thanks for letting me know.’
&nb
sp; ‘When did I say that?’ Anamika said raising her voice.
To avoid fighting, Anurag kept quiet and did not react further. It would have been embarrassing to fight in front of Yuvi and Kashish, especially when they were having a good time together. Anurag didn’t talk to Anamika for the entire movie. On the other side, Yuvi and Kashish’s romance was picking up heat to which not only left Anurag but even Anamika feeling insecure. But lovers are lovers! They just look for an opportunity. The movie got over and Yuvi decided to drop Anamika and Anurag home.
‘Just stop the car at a nearby restaurant. I want to take a parcel,’ Anurag requested Yuvi on the way.
‘Sure. Buy some booze as well. You can make the most of it,’ Yuvi teased Anamika from the rear-view mirror.
‘Thank you for your suggestion,’ Anamika said dismissively. She kept looking at him through the same rear mirror while driving the car. Yuvi dropped Kashish at her house and gave her a goodbye kiss at the gate. This made both Anamika and Anurag jealous as they had had a bad fight during the movie. Dropping off Kashish, Yuvi took to the wheel again and finally halted at a good roadside restaurant. Anurag got down to take the parcel while Yuvi and Anamika sat in the car. Yuvi turned back to look at Anamika and gave her a smile.
‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.
‘You really love Kashish a lot, right?’ she questioned.
‘Of course. No other girl has brought me the same amount of joy that she has in my life. I know now that if there was ever someone who could love me and take care of me, it is Kashish. You know what, Anamika? I fall deeper and deeper in love with her every day. The passion in our relationship is still alive,’ Yuvi said with a big smile on his face.
Sorry, You're not my Type Page 6