A New Ray of Hope

Chapter 16

The vocalists - Christopher, Aparna, Nelson and Priya were wearing lavalier microphones, as they had to dance as well as sing. Everyone were eagerly watching. 

The music started very slowly, and so did Christopher.

"I saw the sun begin to dim."

Whistles ran among the audience. Christopher continued, and the josh became even higher when he reached the line 'I drank champagne with kings and queens'. And when he progressed to 'These eyes will not be blinded by the lights!', the audience were enthralled.

He danced with Priya, and Nelson danced with Aparna. The three chorus songsters were doing a great job too. 

The audience clapped and cheered loudly as the performance came to an end. 

There was a sense of tension as the judges were asked to declare the winner. People looked at each other in anxiety. 

"The Suave Charmers' performances were very artificial," said Rajagopalan, who was a very renowned choreographer and musician. "But the Tenterhooks were very natural, and I could see the spark of passion in them." 

The other three judges agreed with him. They knew who deserved it. 

"The winner is Christopher Johnson, and his band, 'The Tenterhooks'!" they declared. 

The principal of the college, Xavier Fernandes, was called on stage to present him with the prize. "Christopher Johnson, please come up and collect the prize!"

The winners hugged each other. "Go Chris!" the others said to him. "Collect the prize!"

With applause thundering around him, Christopher swaggered up to the stage. When he held the trophy, he felt a unending bliss. Never in his life he had felt so happy. 

"Christopher, during the initial days of college, why were you so reserved and introverted? And how did you change now?" asked Xavier. His comical Malayali accent made Christopher laugh inside.

"First of all, I would like to thank my friends - my bandmates for believing in me, and my grandfather for always showering me with his love and affection since day one. And, as for your question, sir, I would have to tell my whole past, which I will now not hesitate to do."

"Please tell us," said Xavier. "What happened?

"My life was meaningless when I was in England. My parents never loved me and never cared about what I said or did. I had very few people who cared about me. Last year, I came here with zero hope. But then came Priya. She's more than a friend. If not for her, then I wouldn't be standing here. After I befriended her, and then Roshan, Nelson, Savitri, Malini, Devi and Aparna, I felt the will to live again."

Many of the students, omitting Sumanika's gang, who called Christopher the 'Frowning Brit', repented their actions. 

After some time, Christopher came down from the stage and joined his friends and his grandfather.

"Chris, we have a surprise for you," said Durrell. 

"What is it, Grandpa?" 

"Come outside and see it!" said his friends.