Destined To Be

Chapter 41

Ayaan's P.O.V.

"What are we going to do now? We need the male voice in the chorus. And how can we find someone in such a short span of time?" Ritu asked coming behind me with the others to my practice spot. Sitting on the stage, I pondered my head to find a solution. "Listen, we can't do anything in such a short span of time. The only thing we can do now is to change things up a bit," I said after much thought. "What do you mean?" Jasmeet asked. I called all of them closer and explained my plan. Shaking his head, Sam said, "No. I can't do this. All by myself? I can't." "Oh come on. You have to! You are our only male chorus singer. You have to do this," Ritu said. Shaking his head, he said, "I'm sorry but I can't. Singing both my parts and Rohit's parts, this is too much." I sighed and dropped my shoulders. "It's ok," I said, "Don't force him. I will think about something else." They all looked at me as I hang my head low. Who can I possibly get? "You guys can go and take some rest. I will arrange something," I said sadly. I jumped off the stage and was walking back to my room when Ankita came and stood in front of me, blocking my way. I sighed and dropped my shoulders at her. "Where you so long? Does it take this much time to drop someone off at a hotel? Or were you really having fun with her?" she asked. "That was only a joke, ok? Now, just leave me alone for some time. I am already tensed," I said. I was about to leave but she held back my hand and looked at me worried. "What's wrong?" She asked. "Nothing. I just want to be alone," I said removing her hand. I went to my room and sat on my bed. Burying my face in my hands, I sighed. Soon, I felt a hand on my shoulder and recognised the touch. Without looking, I said, "I told you, I just want to be alone." "But I am not going to leave you alone," Ankita said sitting besides me. I looked at her and frowned. "I just heard about Rohit. I'm sorry. I know that you are tensed but I think I can help you out," she said. I straightened my back and asked, "How?" "Namit," she said. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Namit is a very good singer. He can help you and replace Rohit for tonight. And besides, after tonight, you won't have to sing with chorus singers anymore. Tonight is the last night," she said.

I looked at her thinking for a while. Standing up, I said, "No. I can't train him in such short time. He won't be able to pick up Rohit's place." "But why?" she asked standing behind me. "Ankita, in all my singers, Rohit had the most parts to sing. Namit won't be able to pick up the variations this quick," I said doubtful. "Ayaan, I think you should hear him sing once. He is an amazing singer," she said. "And when was the last time you heard him singing?" I asked. She frowned and said, "When we were children." I dropped my shoulders and shook my head. "But I'm hundred percent sure that he still has the talent!" she said. "Don't be foolish Ankita. I know nothing about his singing. And everyone thinks that children sings well," I said frustrated. "I don't care. I am calling him," she said dialing his number. Holding it to her ear, she said, "Namit, can you come over to our camp for a while? We have a problem." I stood with my hands in my pockets and waited for her to finish. "Ok, bye," she said with a smile and hang up. Looking at me, she smiled and said, "Done!" "Ankita, I don't think this is going to work," I said. "Well, we will see," she said. Holding my hand, she carried me back to my stage where I met back Jasmeet, Sam and Ritu. "Guys, we have arranged another singer," she said. "What! Really!" Sam exclaimed. "That's a relief," Ritu said sighing. "Wait up guys! I haven't selected him yet. We are only going to test him out first. And only if I think that he is capable of replacing Rohit, then I will consider him," I said putting weight on consider. Ankita frowned at me but was still confident. I only hoped that she was right because without Rohit, my performance will be over. "Hi!" Namit said coming to us. Ankita smiled and went to him. Holding his hand, she said, "Come." I stood and looked at him with a frown. I know that I have no problem with his friendship with Ankita but this wasn't about my feelings only. This was about my competition which I wasn't going to lose for anything. "So, what's the problem," he asked. "One of Ayaan's chorus singers had an accident so he won't be able to perform tonight. I was thinking that since I knew your singing skills, you can perhaps substitute for him," Ankita said.