Based on real life incidents: Vibinn Noothan and Anjali are two introverted souls and college classmates who grapple with anxiety and overthinking. They aren't the admired prodigies or born talents, but they always strive to give their best. In a wo...
Aryarjun noticed Anjali while leaving the canteen with his crew and he stopped by. Anjali's heart erupted just as the crowd did during his performance. "Hi Arya..." Anjali spoke pounding her legs to the ground with anxiety. "I really hope you are doing well!" Aryarjun asked Anjali out of concern. Anjali went blank. She doesn't know how to talk to boys.
"She is doing fine right now! Well I'm Bhoomika! And Aryarjun, from now on consider me your biggest fan! I guess you guys are practicing for your next performance?" Bhoomika asked looking at his guitar.
"Hi Bhoomika! It's my great pleasure. Well we guys were preparing for our music club auditions which is on this Saturday. We are gonna promote it shortly on all the platforms, and Bhoomi, if you know musicians and singers, do let them know about it!" Aryarjun said with a charming smile.
"Anjali knows to sing..." Anupama told with instant regret to find Anjali staring at her like any girl would stare at her crush's crush. Anupama had overheard her sing during her showers.
"That's great Anjali! You have to come and audition yourself, I'm now registering you then!" Aryarjun told with excitement. "NO NO!" Anjali reacted anxiously. "I'm just a bathroom singer, I'm not at your level"
"There is nothing like levels Anjali, even I wasn't a good singer back then. Everyone starts from zero, the only difficult thing is you have to start which many people fail to do" Aryarjun explained.
"I'll see" Anjali responded looking down. "Give us your number Arjun, if we need any help we will contact you and also we have to let you know about Anjali's participation right!" asked Bhoomika showing her dominance.
"Sure here you go Bhoomi!" Aryarjun gave his number. Anjali was staring at Bhoomika realizing the fact that Bhoomi has done something which would've taken at least a century for Anjali to achieve.
"Fine girls it's getting late! We'll leave then! Anjali! I hope you will be my first registration!" Aryarjun left with a cheerful smile.
"What was that Anu!? You know I have stage fear right? Why did you tell him that I sing?" Anjali exclaimed. "Look Anjali! Anu did a great job! To interact with him, to know him better, you have to stay close to him. Joining the music club is the quickest way you could achieve that! Don't worry, we will prepare you to be stage ready!" consoled Bhoomika.
"The hype is real. Aryarjun's aura is magnificient" told Abhishek looking at Aryarjun leaving the canteen. "Aryarjun, who?" replied Noothan.
"What!? You don't know who's Aryarjun? Weren't you there for the fresher's day?" asked a surprised Abhishek.
"You really think I attend those events? It's not my cup of tea. I prefer staying at home and watching T.V!" responded Noothan taking his last sip of the delicious milkshake.
"You missed a lot! It was a crazy show! Aryarjun is a rockstar! The guy who was seated next to our table, he's Aryarjun, girls go crazy for him" said Abhishek.
"I don't care if girls go crazy for him. At the end of the day, he breathes the same air. I only care about people who are there for me!" told Noothan as he got up from the chair.
"I'm in that list right?" asked Abhishek with curiosity.
"You're currently in the waiting list. See I don't accept anyone as a friend in my first encounter. But when I do, they'll stay forever in that list. But I'm pretty sure you'll definitely make that list" replied Noothan. Both smiled and left.
Noothan was switching between football and cricket on T.V at home. It was around 10pm past supper time. Then during the ads he thought to look at his mobile. He was scrolling before his eyes fell on Muskan's profile pic. She had uploaded a status.
"Oh! Vaish! I mean Muskan... What have you got, let's see!" Noothan told to himself as he opened to view her status.
"Cheers to adulthood! Excited to turn 18!" read the caption with Muskan's cute pic in the background.
"What!? Was today her birthday? Oh gosh! What should I do now? Should I wish her?"
"Will she feel that I'm stalking her? Will she feel that I'm flirting with her? Does she even care if I wish? Why should I be the one to start the conversation? But, I've viewed her status, now if I don't wish her, won't I be rude?" a million thoughts busted Vibinn Noothan and he went blank as usual.
"Shut up and wish her! She won't feel you are irritating her or flirting with her. It's a birthday wish man! Don't complicate it! She will actually feel good if you wish her. Don't let your ego win!" replied Abhishek to the text that Noothan sent regarding the birthday.
"Happy birthday Muskan! Keep smiling as always!" Noothan neatly copy-pasted Abhishek's message and also followed his instructions: "Copy paste this message, and don't forward it like an idiot, she could see that! And tomorrow you have to give her a gift!"
Noothan felt like being in the fire after sending that text. He was not able to sit quietly, he was anxious as she was the first girl he has texted in his entire life.
"Thank you so much V! But for me to smile you have to smile!" Muskan replied within minutes. Noothan was excited. First time a girl has shown kindness to him. He didn't know what to reply. "Should I send a heart emoji? Won't it be risky? Doesn't it mean love?" Noothan struggled even to find a reply as the overthinking reached its peak.
Finally he didn't reply and left it in seen.
"Have you brought her a gift?" Abhishek enquired Noothan like a strict father the next morning. "No" said the frightened son. "This is the damn reason you don't have any female friends. You don't know how to build relationships, in this case, you don't even know how to continue it, she made the first move right?" scolded Abhishek. "She ain't for me" replied Noothan with a sad tone. Abhishek looked helpless. The class started.
Bells rang to indicate the beginning of the short break. Everyone left the class, but Muskan was seated alone. "At least go talk to her!" begged Abhishek. Noothan looked at Muskan, his hands on his pockets, he looked down and whispered, "You have to do it!" and he straight up went to Muskan. She saw him and gave him a wide smile, Noothan got butterflies.
"Give me your hand!" demanded Noothan. "Why?" Muskan responded. "Just gimme!" Noothan insisted. Muskan lent her hand to find herself been given elegant jhumkas. "Belated Happy Birthday!" wished Noothan.
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Muskan brought the jhumkas close to her heart. "Oh! I love jhumkas! Thank you V! The only present I got this birthday apart from my parents!" Muskan continued smiling.
Abhishek stood there as shocked as he would be if he witnessed a man giving birth.
Noothan's charged up extrovert battery seemed to bottom up. His legs decided to run away. As he was about to start, Muskan turned towards him and told, "V! I wanted to tell you something..."
