Love Me...Once Again

Chapter 9

''I am taking Nirali to a concert. Just try and get Lakshay there.''

''You are asking us'' Naman halted and then moved his finger from his friend to him. ''US to a concert. We are currently ruling the charts. We will be performing in 2 days. Get Nirali there, she won't be able to resist Lakshay's charm.''

Amisha stared at the man opposite to him. ''Who made you a star? And why people dumb like you are famous? How will they both interact if Lakshay is performing on the stage?'' 

Naman made a perfect O releasing his mistake. ''Fine, we will get him. What after that?''

''Reach at the venue and call me. Just do this and rest I will handle.'' With that she walked cursing the brainy band.

Amisha moved towards Nirali's room , making her mind to look excited about the concert. When she stepped in, she found Nirali busy with her laptop. Amisha pulled up a smile jumping next to Nirali. ''I have a surprise.''

Nirali stared at her friend for one good minute. ''What are  you upto?''

''I bought us concert tickets.''

''Since when you started going to concerts?''

''Like now. Hey, we have been working for long. We both are kind of exhausted. It will be good change.''

''Name of the band''

''I don't know but I know we will make it fun. Please, come along.'' Amisha tried looking cute. Nirali nodded her head. Amisha squealed in delight. She crossed her fingers making a small prayer. 

***

''Where is Lakshay?'' Arun asked stepping into the apartment. The cook informed he had gone for a walk. The other three decided to prepare a script which would be doubt proof. They didn't want Lakshay questioning them about attending a concert of some random band, something they never did.

Lakshay boarded the city bus and bought a ticket to last stop. He had pulled a hoody over his head to avoid being recognized. He took the last row window seat and never turned his eyes away from the passing road, his thoughts full of Nirali. She hadn't spoken to him since the day, avoiding even a slightest of encounter. The other day he was in the elevator, holding the door for er but she quickly ran to the stairs. He had noticed her playing with her pet in the balcony and has stepped out for a chance to speak to her; she made a quick exit at his sight.

Leaning against the window he closed his eyes to seek some relief. In turn, his mind took him back to the past.

Past

It was last year for Lakshay in the school, and he had no intention to fight her. He wanted to make unforgettable memories with her. Moreover, Lakshay had made up his mind to speak to Nirali about their colleges. He wanted her close, always.

Nirali had joined a private weekend hobby class for the weekend. She had to take a bus from her school campus to the city and back. Though Lakshay accompanied her every weekend, they had not been talking for almost a week and Nirali decided to let it be. She boarded the bus and paid for her ticket and settled on a window seat. She kept reading on her phone, lifting her eyes only when the bus conductor announced the stop. Her co-passenger got down and another lady took the city pushing Nirali to the corner. Nirali huffed, squeezing her body a little more. She took a breather when the lady left mumbling about Nirali being rude and not giving enough space.

Nirali was still 2 stops away from her stop when a guy quickly took a seat next to her. Her eyes went wide realizing it was Lakshay. She frowned turning her face away. After a minute, she peeped through the corner of her eyes and found him leaned against the front seat, his eyes watching her intently. She couldn't move her eyes way. The way he watched her overpowered the anger she had for him. The fight was long forgotten, and she smiled and then laughed. Lakshay took a breather. ''Thanks!''