Musical Notes (The Last Page Series-2)

Hot Chocolate and Mistletoes

Maybe it was the way her eyes sparkled as she talked about the things she loved or her magical voice, Abhik did not know, but she had definitely made a place in his heart. The heart he had decided to build walls around....

She had come into his life like a tornado, one that he was getting more fond of as the days passed. He just wished that this one had not come just to go away one day. But then again, tornadoes weren't known to be the most stable occurrences. 

Least to say, months had past since the day he had decided to agree to Pragyaparamita Banerjee's proposal...

Of friendship. Got you! You thought something else, right? Hehehe...

Anyways, currently Abhik was getting dressed up for a Christmas party Alex was hosting, which he knew was actually in the honour of his debut. Alex would never admit that, not that Abhik was complaining.

That's right people, the one and only Abhik Sen had finally debuted with his first mini-album, (not) available only on Spotify. Not to mention, it was quite a hit. I mean, who doesn't love an album full of sad and depressing songs sung most beautifully by a man with a magnificently deep voice. Who?!

 Giving his tie a knot, Abhik picked up his mug of hot chocolate and emptied the last of its contents in his mouth. Cleaning of his chocolate moustache, he couldn't help but sigh at how delicious it was. After being introduced to it he could hardly imagine the cold winter nights without the chocolatey goodness.

Keeping the mug in the sink, he took his his apartment keys, locked the front door and finally decided to leave for the destination.

"AJ, as late as ever I see", Alex gave him a side hug as he entered through the doors into the beautifully decorated room, people in every corner of it.

Abhik scoffed, "Handsome you mean?"

"I meant exactly what I said.", sassed Alex, "Now come, we have got many people to meet."

Abhik obliged. The next thirty minutes was spent on talking and being congratulated by different music composers, directors and singers. His cheek muscles felt numb after continuously smiling and thanking everyone.

"How many more..", Abhik massaged his face.

"Just one", came the reply as Alex tapped on the shoulder on a woman, who had her back turned towards them and was engaged in a conversation with the bartender. 

When her face finally came into view through the curtain of her, Abhik froze, his hand still on his jaw as though stuck with glue.

"This is-"

"Mia?!", he interuppted.

Alex nodded, looking proud of himself.

"Wha...ho-how...why?!", Abhik stuttered.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed, AJ. And you were in in need of company, my friend. So, I will leave you two be then"

"Thanks, Alexander", said Mia.

Abhik sent her an incredulous look.

"How come she gets to call you by your full name?!"

"How can anyone be mad at a pretty lady like her?", Alex winked and walked away before he could say anything.

He now turned his attention towards Mia.

"You have an almost stalkerish knack of turning up wherever I am, you know that?" 

She couldn't help but giggle. Handing him a glass of champagne, they started to walk around the room.

"How do you know Alex though?", Abhik was determined to get an answer.

"Who do you think gave me your Instagram handle?", she replied with a question.

Raising his eyebrows, he clanked his glass with hers and said,

"Cheers to that", while taking a sip of the drink. 

"By the way, congratulation on the success of your album. It was really good!", exclaimed Pragyaparamita 

He gave her a tired look.

She shook her head tight-lipped,

"I really mean it. Honestly, you are probably better a lot in this industry.", she tried to convince him as she leaned on the wall of the corner of the room.

Leaning on the adjacent wall, with a crooked smile he asked,

"Still looking for a duet with me?"

Blushing, Mia looked around everywhere but at him. Playfully, he decided to follow her where her eyes went when both their visions stuck on the ceiling. Hanging from it was,

"Mistletoe", both of them said together, looking into each others eyes.

Now no longer against the walls, the thread of words had brought them closer to each other. Abhik could almost feel her breath as he closed his eyes and leaned in...

His eyes snapped open, chest heaving up and down as he breathed heavily. Everything invisible in the darkness of the room. All that he could make out was the neon light coming from his alarm clock which read 6:30 am.

Sitting up with a jolt he took his phone and dialed Alex's number.

"Hello?", came a sleepy voice from the other side.

"Did you give a girl named Mia, my Instagram handle?" Abhik asked in a hurry.

"A little random question to asking so early, ain't it?"

"Oh come on, just say it.", he pleaded.

"I don't even know a girl named Mia, forget about giving her your Instagram handle. Now let me sleep. I have lost enough of it over your debut"

"Merry Christmas to you too!", Abhik replied cheerfully. No reply....the call was already cut.

Relieved at it only being a dream, he thought there was no point in going back to bed again. Putting on a robe, he moved the curtains and open his windows, letting sunlight and cold brisk morning air into his room.

Going to the kitchen, he put some milk on the stove, mixing in a spoonful of cocoa powder and four cubes of dark chocolate. Pouring some sugar in his mug, he stirred the hot chocolate as he sat down on the bean bag in his small living room. 

Abhik took up the previous day's newspaper but could not focus on what was written on him. All he could think about was why he had, had such a dream and why it just felt....right.