CLICHÉ

6.3 ICE CREAM

My eyes started scanning, as I snooped in the backstage. She stood at a distance, talking with her crew. She saw me and gestured to wait. Mumbling something to her groupmates, she came up to me.

Before I could react, she hugged me. I avoided paralyzing like last time and hugged her back.

'Thanks a lot for the support.' She said excited.
'Don't mention it. You were great out there.'
'You really think.'
'Yes. I mean you saw the crowd right, not to offend the other groups but the crowd looked bored until you showed up.' I said. 'I mean you and your band.' I corrected myself.
'Aww. Thanks, I am glad, you enjoyed the show.'
'So, any other friend of yours performing next?'
'No. We are done actually.' She said.

'And what do we have here.' A girl's voice startled my thoughts. I turned around. It was the same girl who performed alongside Lilly. She wore the same outfit like Lilly.

'Looks like you got a chick for yourself, Lilly.' She winked. Her sudden comment changed my expression to complete amazement from the initial befuddlement.

What the fuck did she just called me? From what angle do I look like a chick? Which chick has hair on its face. Which chick wears clothes. I mean does chicken wear jeans and T shirt and...... wait jeans! The god damn jeans. I should have thrown them away, I hate... Did Lilly notice my jeans. Why didn't she say anything? My mind went into an overdrive.

'Shut up. Be nice.' Lilly said to her.

Yeah, that's right listen to her or else I will take off my jeans and I will stuff them in your mouth.

'Oh my!! protective and all, ha!' She said and nudged Lilly.
'Excuse her. She acts weird sometimes.' Lilly said to me. I smiled.

'Anyway, this is Debashish.' Lilly said to her. The girl extended her hand for a handshake. I shook it.
'Hi Debashish, I am Charlie.' She said.

What? My internal organs screamed. I was a vortex of emotions. I grit my teeth to suppress a smile.

'Charlie, ha.' I said.
'Yes, I know it's little boyish type.' She said
'No! not at all. It's perfect.' I said controlling my laughter.
'So, you know each other for how long?' She sounded too friendly, like an old friend.
'Just a couple of days.' I replied.
'So, she's the one who invited you. You like the show?'
'Yes, it was pretty good. And you guys performed really well.'
'Thanks, you came alone?'
'No. Came with some of my friends, they are outside, Enjoying.'
'That's great!' she said.

'Anyways, listen I just wanted to ask you something.' Charlie directed her attention towards Lilly. 'In the audience, did you notice a guy, had jeans on with white T shirt, quoting 'I am the best?'. Do you know him by any chance?' She asked Lilly.

It was Rahul. she was talking about Rahul. why she wants him?

'No. not quite sure, what you talking about?' Lilly asked confused.

'I have been asking about him to others as well but nobody seems to know him. You sure you didn't notice? he had short hair, the one on the right side; 5 row, 6th seat from the right. Wait, now I remember, he sat 3 seats away from Debashish.' She said and looked at me.

'There were two girls and a guy in between him and you. Do you know him by any chance?' She asked. I had a little choice. I shook my head. Though now I was certain that it was Rahul.

'Why do you need him?' Lilly asked.
'Because throughout the performance, he was shouting my name. I don't even know, who he is?' she said. 'Never saw him before. I think he might be stalking me!' She continued.