The great day finally arrived. There were three rounds in the competition. Christopher and his band were confident. Priya gave him abundant encouragement. From the aloof introvert, he became a popular figure at college. But he wasn't a bad boy. He was extremely warm and friendly to everyone.
They had composed a song which was a fusion of Carnatic and pop. Savitri was playing the veena and Roshan the keyboard, Malini and Devi were the guitarists, Nelson was playing a mridangam and Christopher, Priya and Aparna were the vocalists.
"We can do it," said Aparna, before they entered the hall. "We will not fear anyone!"
Priya laughed, for she knew that that sentence was Aparna's catchphrase. She was very supportive of her friend joining the navy as a pilot, and being a role model to many girls.
The MC walked up to the stage and made the announcement. "Firstly, we have 'The Suave Charmers', consisting of Sumanika, Teena, Maya, Ishaan, Jay and Aman!"
The curtains were drawn apart, and in walked the bullies, causing the Tenterhooks to close their eyes in horrific laughter. The girls were wearing small, tight multicoloured feather dresses which completely revealed their legs, and the boys were in suits of the same type, sheathlike and uncomfortable. Their makeup was even more awful. They looked like vampires whose faces had just been re-bleached, with extra mascara, lipstick, and eyebrow accentuation.
'Bongo Cha Cha Cha' started playing, and the six of them were shamelessly shaking their booties in an unsynchronised and ungraceful way. Christopher was laughing his insides out, his friends following suit.
"They should be called 'The Grotesque Charmers' instead of 'The Suave Charmers'. Don't you agree?" asked Nelson.
"Absolutely," said Malini. "Look at them. They're such a disgrace to dance!"
The bullies finished their 'performance', relieving our heroes and many others in that auditorium. After them, three groups performed and finally, it was The Tenterhooks' turn.
It started with the raga Begada, and then blending perfectly with the pop part that Christopher had written the lyrics for, it enticed the audience. The body language of the three singers added more, and after they finished, the place was filled with thunderous applause.
Despite having performed amazingly, Christopher and his band were disappointed to know that along with them, Sumanika's group was one of the four groups to qualify for the next round.
YOU ARE READING
A New Ray of Hope
General FictionChristopher is a charming, intelligent boy who has forgotten how to smile because of his traumatic past. He comes to India to live with his grandfather, as an escape. Due to his reserved and introverted nature, he is initially unpopular at college...
