I do like her

A calm morning welcomed me as I woke up. The sun is at its brightest. My clock displays the time is 11.30 am. Today is the start of the Fest. Finally, the days to enjoy has arrived. These last few days I have been studying diligently to at least complete my syllabus before enjoying the week without regrets.

With a lot of disagreements Avika and I finally decided our attire for the concert. Here we are requested to have a 100 rupee ticket for entrance. I'm excited about it but my nerves are out of control because of the performance of drama. I hope everything goes well. Right now I'm hurrying up to get dressed as I have lazed enough in the morning. I have already got a call from Vihaan to be on time. We have been in contact with each other on a regular basis.

My elbows have healed up. And I'm at least confident to wear a dress but still, I chose a white lace full sleeved dress. Which ends at my knees. I'm confused as to wear it now or afterwards? But we won't get time for that, I guess. I'm going to go for it. Or not. I'll change later. I get into my blue jeans and a floral top. I don't have time to blow dry my hair. Let it dry naturally, if I am any second late I'll be in serious trouble.

There's a huge commotion backstage. Everybody is rushing around. The stage is set. Seats are aligned. The money we get would be used as a charity for orphanages and old age homes. I can't find him. Ugh, where is he? Someone pushed past me, making me stumble. I was about fall when a hand grabbed mine and steadied me.

I was surprised to find someone else holding my hand other than whom I had thought. It was Daksh. Mr Darcy of the play. I freed my hand and said Thank you to which he replied by "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said taking a step back and then I bumped into someone. Ugh! This is too much, I'm getting out of here, then I'll call him to meet...

A hand on my waist to prevent me to fall further, there was Mr President in all his glory. I turned to face him. He claimed his hands back.

"Where were you?" I asked.

"I can ask the same. Anyway, go to the girls dressing room, help them to get ready. We need to rehearse once." He said.

"There is a girl's dressing room?" I asked.

"Oh, you don't know? Let me guide you." He said.

He went ahead but swarms of busy people came in between us. I couldn't see his back anymore. Oops! lost again. I hate crowded places. A hand grabbed mine and pulled me. I have long known his touch so I knew who it was.

I got past the disarrayed place. He held my hand all the way to the place, even though we walked at a normal pace. Of course, I would notice.

I saw Trisha once I got here. And many other acquaintances.

After helping with makeup along with Trisha we marvelled at our masterpiece. They all looked beautiful.

After the rehearsal ended perfectly. I have been seeing it in parts so that the surprise element isn't lost when I see the real thing all placed together. The stage was empty and the cast went in to rest. Avika came to find me as her dance group is going to perform in the finale and Rita is busy preparing for the concert. People started to fill in. The first two rows were reserved for Directors, Teachers and other officials.

Avika and Trisha bid me goodbye and went to sit in their place when the drama began to start. I was waiting for him to join us but he was nowhere in sight.

"Shall we?" Vihaan said and he was just behind me.

"You have to stop scaring me like that. What are you? A vampire? A ghost?" I asked.

"Good guess. Now let's proceed, so that we don't miss out the play."

The play started and ended. Not even for a second, we were bored. At least I wasn't. I have never sat in a theatre to watch the enactment of plays so this was a huge surprise to me. As I deliberately hid when rehearsals started, never watched the whole thing placed together, It was a beautiful experience. I'm thankful that the actors did pretty well. And did justice to our script. It was a long way to get here.

I was lost in memories when Avika nudged me. I was sitting in between Avika and Vihaan. Him sitting on the right and Avika on the left and Trisha beside her.

I gave my attention to my best friend.

"Don't you have to get ready. The concert will begin in an hour." She said

"Yeah"

She and Trisha stood up and I did the same.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm going to change," I answered.

"Why?" He asked.

"..." I walked away, pretending not to hear.

"Your hair is a mess. What did you do?" Avika said.

"Nothing," I said.

"Okay, let me wave my magic wand and you will be the prettiest girl." She giggled.

"Trisha what are you wearing?" I asked.

"I'm going with a maroon dress." She said.

"Let's go, ladies, hurry up." Avika ushered.

"Yes, Trisha, let's go, she has to dress up quickly to meet her boyfriend." I said

Avika, as promised, did my makeup and hair. Although I hate anyone touching my hair, I tried to suppress the agitation. I told her to go with the minimum hairstyle. She did two side braids in my hair. She got ready quickly and I did her makeup. I did well. She looked beautiful in her black off-shoulder dress And I guess I look good today too. With nice eye makeup, she highlighted the best part of my face and fortunately, all the workouts came handy as the dress fit perfectly at my curves.

We went to Trisha's room and helped her with makeup.

I have been using contact lenses all this time. I'll get my glasses back when I visit the shop. We arrive back to the stage, the place is more crowded than before. The chairs have been pushed to the front. Rest are removed. The place is cleared out and the stage is redecorated. The disco balls and exquisite lights adorn it.

We arrive at the same place. There was Vihaan with his friends, one of them being Tarun, whom I met the other day.

When I saw him glance at me, I felt nervous. I never worn a dress in front of him. I don't know why I felt like that. But this maiden heart of mine beat erratically when he glanced at me. I waved at him. Him looking straight into my eyes. Taking my sight in. Not a word uttered.

*****

Vihaan's P.O.V.

Manya. My mind registered the beautiful girl in front of me. Strangely my heart is flip-flopping on its own. What is happening? She looks... breathtaking gorgeous. I can't seem to look away nor can I respond to her wave. She always wore those neutral clothes which didn't highlight her figure but today....

I know I shouldn't stare but I couldn't help it.

After a good few minutes of gawking shamelessly, I approached her.

"That's what you meant when you said you were going to change!" I said like a complete idiot I am. Nervousness is making me lose confidence. Wait! I'm nervous? Why? And the worst thing that can happen had been done, her face showed that my words affected her. That too badly.

"I mean you look..um..very pretty." I said with a hand on my head. I'm pretty sure I look like a fool now. My so-called friends are standing right behind us but that's my least concern. She is the most important now. And my best day became brighter and happier as she flashed a million-dollar smile at me.

"Thank You." She said.

As the night progressed I took a mission to keep her and her two friends safe from the over-excited crowd. I don't want anything wrong to happen.

After a while, Tarun's long-awaited comments passed in my ears.

"Bro, she looks....." He said and I interrupted.

"Think ten times before you utter anything disrespectful," I said.

"Hey, I was going to say pretty. What are you getting angry for?" He said.

I scoffed at him.

"Listen Vihaan I'm telling you, you don't like her then let me try my luck." He said a lot seriously which irked me.

"You can't be serious!" I said.

"I am." He said.

"She won't like you." I said glancing at her.

"How can you be so sure? Has she confessed to you?" He asked.

"No.. But.." I wasn't sure myself but...

"No buts. I'll pursue her." He said.

"I do like her," I said suddenly and not to mention I was shocked too that I said it.

"What?" He asked, pretending not to hear.

"I said I like her." Now very sure of it.

I, Vihaan, who never had a fluttering heart because of anyone, who is as cold as ice, likes Manya the fiery little bird.

The concert was going to end. The whole time I was concentrated on her. Each time, I was sure I liked her. That too a lot.