As Fate Would Have It - Part 2 (Completed)

Chapter 7 : Ohhh Emmm Geee!

Lilly's P.O.V :

"How could you do this dad", I said pretty annoyed with him. 

I had dropped Sandeep to his hotel and drove back home. He seemed like a nice guy but I was too pissed with my dad to have a normal conversation with him. I had called my dad as soon as I had reached home.

"Lilly, I know you are angry and all that. But I am not telling you to marry him off right now. Just talk to him, know him well, may be you will find him interesting. You will never know unless you give a chance", he said which irked me more.

"That's the whole point dad. I don't want to take a chance", I said. I can never like anyone. My heart was not ready. I was not ready.

"He is a nice man Lilly", he tried again. "May be he is dad, but...", I was trying to get the words out, I just couldn't. I was not sure what to say. Deep down inside I knew that I have never moved on from Aman. I still loved him. Though i knew he would never love me back after what I had done to him I still couldn't bring myself to have feelings for another man.

"But what Lilly? Please do this for me, for you dad. Try to be nice to him. May be you will change your mind. Give it a shot once. Later on if your decision  still remains the same, I will not bother you again", he said. His voice sounding so emotional. Gaaah! He always has that effect on me, where he gets emotional and I cant refuse.

"Okay dad, but I assure you my decision is going to remain the same", I said and I could sense him smile through the phone when he said good night before he hung up.

I sat down on my bed thinking about our conversation again. I looked around the empty home, and then at my vision board, in which I had accomplished all my visions. Though I had reached all the milestones I had set for myself and gone beyond it in some areas, I still didn't feel accomplished. I still felt empty. Unhappy. May be dad is right. 

May be I should give it a shot.

I met Sandeep again several times. We hung out together a couple of times. Turns out he is a doctor. He seemed interesting. But I somehow didn't ever really enjoy his company as much. No matter what he did, my mind silently compared him to Aman, and always, Aman seemed so much better.

A few weeks later, I finally packed my stuff and left for New York for the campaign. I had been regular on my videos now and had been trying to write new rap songs. I wrote a few scripts for the skits in the campaign hoping they would allow me to perform there.

When I reached New York my cab was late as always. Somehow, I don't have the best of my experiences in New York. But I still tried to keep up a positive attitude. I finally reached the hotel the company had arranged for us. All the artists we were supposed to work with were staying here and the company had arranged a small get together dinner tonight for everyone, after which the event organizer would brief us about the campaign's themes and schedules.

I got ready wearing a grey long top, a leather jacket and black leggings with my hair let loose and a super snap-back. I didn't put much makeup on, just a little, as it was just an informal dinner and meeting.

When I entered the venue everyone gave me a stare which made me very uncomfortable. Everyone around were very young people of whom I recognized literally no one. They were all dressed a little too much for this simple meeting and were giving me disapproving looks and I could sense them snicker and talk behind my back as I walked by. I tried to smile at a few people and join in their conversations but they were rude and didn't want me there. 

I went to the washroom, a stood there looking at the mirror. I felt really uneasy. Like I didn't belong here. I took off my snap back and jacket. I looked into the mirror again, I brushed my hair with my fingers and pulled it out into a ponytail.

"Need a hair tie?", I head someone say behind me. I looked around to see this girl, with a thin frame, shoulder length ginger hair with perfect little waves, flawless fair skin, minimal make up and the most perfect pair of crystal blue eyes. There was something about her eyes, it showed sincerity and innocence. I nodded at her and  she smiled. A genuine smile before digging into her purse and fetching out a black hair tie. "You should never leave home without a hair tie! Especially when you have such gorgeous long hair", she said and touched my hair.

I smiled and said "thanks". 

"No problem. I am Anna by the way, I am a youtuber-singer combo. I used to sing covers before but now l do my own songs", she said, a cute smile stuck forever on her face. "I am Lilly, a youtuber too, I basically do comedy content. Skits and rants", I said returning her smile.

Anna gave me company for the rest of the night. She turned out to be a real sweet girl. Constantly chattering her way, talking to everyone around. I was glad there was someone who didn't hate me there.

The next day was supposed to be a little video shoot  where all of us had to give our intros. We needed to say a few lines about BMB and ourselves. But we had to record it in front of everyone. Though I had done this a hundred times before, somehow I was really nervous to do it this time. May be because the  other young youtubers weren't exactly the most friendliest people.

"Lilly Singh", the director called my name and I walked in front of the camera. "whaddup everyone its your girrrrrll superwoman", I said making the 'S' sign with my hands. I then paused and looked around. I somehow felt very conscious. Like everyone was judging me. The director gave me a questioning look. I took a deep breath and did my intro again.

 After a few takes I finally finished my segment. I was not happy at all with myself. Even the director seemed unhappy with it. I walked away from the area and sat down on a bench outside. When did I become this person? Why was I not able to be my normal funny self?

"You did great out there", I turned around to see it was Anna. I laughed. "Don't try to be sweet, I know how bad I was", I said as she sat beside me.

"You got a little stuck that's all. Happens to the best of us", she smiled. I smiled back. This girl was really sweet.

Over next two days we shot many adds and videos. I was always given the least important shots and background roles. I did feel bad but I didn't complain. Anna would always have my back and try cheering me up. She was a nice girl.

One day we were talking at lunch time when she got a text in her phone and she seemed like she was blushing. I looked at her inquisitively. "whats that?", I asked. She blushed some more.

"you know.... Boys and stuff", she said and I laughed at how cute and innocent she was. 

"ohhh...", I winked at her. She was red like a ripe tomato right now. "No no, the thing is... I like this guy, but I am not really sure he likes me back", she smiled.

"Oh why don't you ask him that? I am sure he likes you, who wont? you are so adorable", I said.

"Aww, thanks boo. May be I will ask him. He may or may not be coming here", she said and covered her face with her hands blushing some more. This was the girliest little girl I had ever seen!

"Oh my God", I said and we laughed.

....

The next day I was instructing people to set up the things for a skit that was to be performed. I had written the script which the director had loved. But I was not given the main lead role for the skit. I was a little bummed at that but I went along with it. I had no choice. 

I was talking with my director when I felt my event manager tap my shoulder. I turned around and I was shocked. 

"Lilly, I would like you to meet Mr. Amandeep Singh, he is a very famous artist, he will be performing for the main event and I -....", he went on speaking which fell to deaf ears as I stood there too shocked to speak or breath or move a limb. Standing there right in front of me.. was Aman...

My Aman...