Billboard Lovers

Chapter 2: How I met your Father

Why would you want me to leave now when you were the one who insisted on this?
Why do you believe I would do anything as you say?

Ten minutes. Ten minutes and Vanya was nowhere to be seen. If it's taking this long to search for a Tupperware she should consider it stolen.

The mid-October heat melted away the crowd before the school gate faster than the guards whistle. It's probably the worst month of the year- dry, dusty and dead.

However, there was one who did not seem to find the weather so disdainful as he regularly stood across the gate, dressed entirely in formals with hands tucked away in his pant pockets. The dedication to be so well dressed in the most unsuitable fabric for this weather was commendable although borderline psychopathic.

Aashna had been noticing him since a week now, always present during school departure hours, at the exact same place. Perhaps he is the father of a student and is here to pick them up.

But why does he always keep looking in her direction?

Maybe because she was staring at him.

Someone slaps her back. Vanya.
" I'm so sorry. I checked every class on the fourth floor only to remember -"

"-you left it in the assembly hall,"Aashna finishes for her.Vanya giggles in reply.

"Should have just asked me."

" You could have caught a rickshaw while waiting.Now sweat for another five minutes"

"Excuse me, miss?"
The man from across the gate. Aashna regrets staring at him.

"I'm Vikrant Iyer from DOE Entertainment-"
"Not interested," the girls state in unison but he continues to walk with them
"I'm the casting director.You can look up our site online. I'm not a scammer," he chuckles at his last sentence."Anyways -"
"Sir we are not interested. Please find someone else to talk to."

He walks ahead of them stopping them in their path, eyes twitching as if he was angry. Aashna involuntarily grips at Vanya's hand and she interlaces their fingers in reply. They both sensed the same from the situation.

" First of all, child, don't interrupt me while I'm talking. Hear me out rather than jumping to your conclusions. Here," he hands them his iPad," our company portfolio is diverse, experimental and chooses quality over quantity. We have successful artists such as Mary Anne Varghese, Parul Patil and Shaurya Tiwari "

Aashna was barely listening to any of it, distracted by the man's unhindered gaze at her. His eyes were locked on her, hardly acknowledging Vanya beside her.He kept referring to them as singular. It made her nervous.

"We believe you have amazing potential and would like you on board with us."

You. Aashna. He's talking about you.

"Not interested," she says loud and clear for the last time.

And they walk past him.

"We believe you have amazing potential," Aashna mumbles to herself,"Huh, based on what? Face value? Stupid scamsters. And who the hell is 'We'?"

She stops.
"Let's walk a little far, Aashu. We'll stop for a rickshaw -"

"The auditions are on next Friday," the man was right behind them.
"Today is Friday. You'll have a whole week to prepare. Don't worry. I'll personally train you."

"I've been seeing you around here since a week. You've probably been coming before that too. Why did you take so long to talk to me?"

Vikrant bites his tongue, eyes dodging over to Vanya and then the bus stop beside them.