Lights, Camera and Jealousy

"Yeah, I have been practising," I said

The air was still awkward around us. Unusual silence loomed over until he spoke again.

"Are you still mad?" He asked

"To be honest, I am," I retorted.

"I'm really ashamed to behave like that. I hope you forgive me this last time. Please, Manya" He said.

After he apologized for a lot of time I already forgave him. I couldn't ignore him especially when he said my name so endearingly.

"Tell me how to make up to you?" His voice almost pleading. My eyes shone with mischief. Why not avail of this opportunity?

"Give me some chocolates tomorrow, and I'll forgive you!"

"Okay, done." He chuckled.

"Come down we still have to edit some parts. Let's go to the garden. Don't forget to bring your laptop." He said.

"Okay!" I grabbed my laptop and rushed downstairs.

We went to a serene place and sat down on a bench to continue. Today we were going to watch the movie Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfayden.

Connecting the laptop with earphones, we kept the laptop in between us balanced on our laps each.

I was enthralled so much that I forgot that this was a project of mine. Suddenly, he paused to write something. I scowled at him. He didn't spare me a glance and continued for a few minutes and resumed. He continued to do so at regular intervals. When the movie was approaching its end and Darcy came to propose Elizabeth I was extremely happy. But when they closed the gap between them and kissed I was conscious of my surrounding. Beside me, Mr.President kept staring at the screen. He masked his emotions so well that not even a single emotion peeked out.

After completing the movie I had a satisfied grin on my countenance.

I sat quietly while he was busy with his notes. I glanced at the sunset. It was gorgeous. The sky was painted orange and strokes of pink lingered in the sky. The blushing red sun went down happily.

"I saw you here once, sitting alone." His voice broke my chain of thoughts.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"It scared the hell out of me." He laughed while speaking.

"Why?" I asked, now perplexed.

"I saw you appreciating the sunset and then mumbling some words. Then you started taking deep breaths. I thought you had some seizures. I was going to address you when your roommate arrived." He said.

I remembered it was the day when we discussed books. I had run two laps before and was resting then.

"I was just mumbling a few words on sundown." I laughed.

"Like a poem?" He asked curiously.

"Nope more like a verse, four lines," I admitted.

"Tell me."

"No, you will laugh. It's not any good."

"No, I won't." He said

"I have better ones."

"I want to hear that one, rest you can show me some other day." He said.

"I will, only if you show me your writings." I negotiated.

"I don't write poems often, most are small articles and stories." He answered deep in thought.

"No problem. I would love to read anything." I said merrily.

"Okay, will you tell me now?" He urged.

"Actually, no. I will give you my poems to read and it is included there. Wait till then. And I'm warning you don't dare to judge or berate me." I said seriously.

"Sure sure."

Tomorrow is Saturday. A weekend at last. We walked together to my dorms. And he went off.

It was a fine day today.

Next few days went as usual. We friends watched a horror movie on Saturday night in my room. The movie was The Conjuring. I have already watched it before but it scared me. I pulled an all-nighter that day engaged myself in watching some romantic k-dramas. I binge-watched them till 5 am. And woke up at 11. Avika knew this and didn't disturb me.

Sunday was slow. I had nothing to do. I looked for my phone and saw there a message from Mr.President.

"Script is completed. Wanna see?" He had sent

"Yes," I sent quickly.

"Great meet me in the drama club." He replied swiftly.

I went to the drama club after dressing up. I was looking around for him. I found him talking to a girl. She was my senior Susan. While conversing, her hand was on his forearm while he held the script. I don't know why but I was annoyed and wanted to go back. It was better to go back. He is already showing the script to someone else. It would be better. I was planning to return but unfortunately, he saw me. He called me over and both of them glanced at me. Crap! I had to go over now.

I reached and got to know Susan was Elizabeth and a boy named Daksh was Darcy. Soon Daksh approached us to discuss. I saw the script and felt happy with the finished product. I saw the practice going forth beautifully.

It was good and soon I was interested in their costumes and props. Trisha was joining the costume team. I was interested and looked at the designs.

I was chatting with Trisha when somebody called her over. I gazed at the designs with great interest.

Daksh stopped before me and asked. Daksh was handsome. Tall with light brown eyes and hair chestnut brown coloured.

"You are the one assisting Vihaan?"

"Yeah, I am. How can I help you?"

"Nice to meet you I'm Daksh. I'm playing the role of Fitzwilliam Darcy. I wanted a little help from you." He said.

"Yes sure, where?" I said and looked over his script.

"Any problem? Daksh?" His voice hovered behind me.

"Oh yeah, had some issues so I asked Manya. I heard she is your assistant." He said.

"Yeah, why didn't you look for me, she is not well." He said.

Why was he lying blatantly? I wasn't well on Thursday but today I was okay. He was busy that's why Daksh came to me.

He discussed some things with Daksh and I continued to look through the catalogue. Trisha came and we sat aside to talk.

"Have you met Avika and Riya today?" I asked.

"No. They must be here somewhere. Riya said that the college band would be performing. She is performing with a boy named Kabir." I find that name familiar.

"You know so much. Why didn't you tell me?" I pouted.

"No, I didn't know as well. She told me yesterday when she stayed with me. We kept talking all night so that we weren't frightened." She laughed embarrassed.

"Yeah, I was scared as well. Slept at dawn." We laughed together.

"Let's go check on their practice," I exclaimed.

She agreed and we walked ahead. I wanted to inform him of my departure but I saw he was busy with Susan and three other girls. Better to go from here.

We arrived at the other classroom soon.

Avika and Riya were sitting on the floor laughing hard on something. When we were near we saw a boy dancing rather awkwardly in front of them.

"Hey, guys!" Riya caught us before Avika.

"Hey!" Trisha and I said together.

"What are you doing?" I said glancing at the boy. He stopped his awkward dance. He was that boy! The annoying one. Kabir.Mr.President told me that he joined Drama Club.

"He is Kabir. He.. he..." Riya laughed hard.

"Would someone tell me?" I asked again. Now glancing at Avika.

"Wait let me. Kabir is a singer. We are performing a duet at the concert. Here Avika and Kabir made a bet whether Avika could sing the song better than him or not. If she won Kabir will copy the dance Avika was going to perform and if she loses she will treat to him. Avika won fair and square. Our seniors voted for her and asked her to perform at the upcoming concert." Riya recited the whole incident. Leading to his funny dance.

"Come on, I didn't know she sang this well." He complained.

"Kabir meet Manya and Trisha." Avika introduced.

"Yeah, I know them. Earlier I was in the book club." He said

"Literary Club." Trisha, Avika and I spoke. And Riya broke into laughter.

"Okay okay cool down girls."

Kabir went away. We four sat down to talk.

"Do you know Kabir has hots for Avika," Riya said

"Quick, spill the details." I was excited.

"You tell me about your progress." Avika scowled.

"Me? Nothing is going on, Riya continue." I said sweetly.

"Yeah, so the other day Kabir saw me with Avika and asked about her. I didn't tell him but he approached her and said that she dances very well and blah blah but Avika ignored him totally. But he is persistent and that led to today's challenge."

Riya explained.

"Wow Avika well done, give him a chance, he looks good." I encouraged.

"Trisha only you are sharing pains of singlehood with me. They both found one each." Riya said dramatically.

"Actually..... I wanted to tell you, girls, something." Trisha said

"No, I don't want to hear that you have a boyfriend." Riya being the drama queen she is, shut her ears and closed her eyes.

"Haha, I wanted to see these reactions. Don't worry Riya I'm there with you. I'm happy with my celebrity crushes." Trisha laughed.

"Nasty girl you were playing me!" We all laughed except Riya who was pouting.

It was getting late so all of us took off to return. I heard my phone ringing and picked up before glancing who called

"Hello?" I said