Cordially, Yours!

-33-

-Dehradun-

It was seven in the morning. The sun rays danced in the hotel room and peeped through the windows waking up Nandini first. She yawned and stretched her arms and was about to get up when her gaze fell on the two best-friends sleeping together as if they were in some kind of relation. Well, she didn't knew their backstory but, in the few days she had spent with them, she had figured they are special and important to each other. Friendship? Eh, that was a good place to begin the day with. It had brought her a lot and take a lot. Before, her thoughts could further swirl her down and tingle her messed up heart, her phone's alarm went off. She shut it down as soon as possible and went to take a shower before the boys were up and messing with her.

She was out in no time and was stumbled on the fact that Abhimanyu and Aryaman had very conveniently shifted themselves from the rugs on the floor to her bed.

"Guys, wake up! It's the 21st. Aaj shift bhi karna hi and then, Abhi you have a flight and I have work. Get up, lazy bugs!" she called for the sleepy heads hoping that their list of things to achieve would frighten them to wakefulness. Well, as expected, it kind of worked for the more responsible one and Abhi was up on his feet.

"Yes ladybug! There is a long day ahead- lets get rolling!" he shouted and smirked at Nandini. Knowing what his brain had cooked up with the sentence, Nandini nodded her head in amusement while Abhimanyu literally "rolled" Aryaman off the bed.

"Kya yaar? Who does that?" he grumbled rubbing his arm that was squished under his weight.

"Me". Abhi replied conveniently.

"Not funny, dude!"Aryaman said while getting to his feet and moved towards the bathroom.

"Can't help it if you have a bad sense of humor. Also, brother, where do you think you are going?" Abhi narrowed his eyes.

"To a pub!" Aryaman said sarcastically.

"Bro, you definitely go there for an after-party from the pub. But, that pub that you are moving is mine."

"And may I ask why?" Aryaman questioned with attitude.

"Cause..."

"Cut it off, boys! Subha-subha mat shuru ho, for heaven's sake. Abhi you use this bathroom and without a fuss, Aryaman use the other room's. We have a lot lined up and then, I have to go to school also and ..." a worried Nandini cut-off Abhi's reasoning.

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-Mumbai: Space College-

Fab 5 and Navya had made it back to college particularly early in the morning. Knowing that they had an official meeting with Stardust today and an important part of them was missing, they wanted to be the best they could.

They practiced till eight in the morning and warmed themselves up. The principal came in to brief them about Stardust and their contract. After the details were cleared out, they took to the canteen for a break and discussed how they wanted to cover up Manik' s absence.

So in, it was time for the meeting and all they braced themselves for one of their biggest turning pints in life. This could be a heart taker or a heart breaker. They knocked on the Principal's room and were welcomed to a group of five people chattering among themselves.

"Ah! Fab 5, I believe." A lively, excited male voice brought them in. The seriousness set in their hearts and there chest beat fast. A girl, which they assumed to be one of the group members, came up to them and shook hands with all of them. She was lean, smelled of Gucci, and definitely had an aura of her own. Aliya like it and definitely, if the deal was locked, she had found a companion.

"How are you all?" She chirped. 

"Good. How are you?" Cabir responded to the pleasantry.

"Very well. Very well. But, I am disappointed already." She scrunched up her nose.
Their faces flooded with distress and worry, Stardust took note of their consciousness.

"We are sorry!" Cabir backed up the complaint quickly.

"Oh come on! Loosen up guys. It's not a business deal. It's music and there is no upper-hand in music. So, relax!" The girl said and spun around on her heels lightening the rooms intensity.

Holding a smug smile on their face, Fab 5 looked towards the Principal for guidance and took a seat on the sofa as indicated by him.

"Adhira's complaint is right guys," a manly voice came from the group of strangers. He was well built, wore a black jacket with shoes and looked a dapper. "You guys seem so cool and chilled out on stage then what's holding you all back. Here, drink it up!" He said in a cool voice and the water bottles towards each. They caught all and smiled back.

Still seeing some apprehension in their eyes, the guy continued, "Okay fine you guys wanna be formal. Then let's start cliche. Introduce yourself. "

They nodded and Mukti started the trail of introductions.

"Nice! Now, do you all still want to play cliche-cliche?"

Fab 5 looked at each other and gave a hearty smile back and nodded in negative.

"Thank God! Dude that felt so old! So, let me introduce us to you guys. To begin with myself- I am Joe, the guitarist of Stardust. The chatterbox that welcomed you guys was Adhira, the pianist. Oh and by the way, also a huge fan of Aliya's chords! Here, this suited booted stud is Samar. He is the male vocalist and has no other business with us if you ever wanna be annoyed, you're welcome to spend time with him." He laughed and earned a small on his shoulder by Samar. Joe spun on his chair and winked at a beautiful girl with rosy pink cheeks and long want hair. "And she, my people, is Nikhat. The love of the band, the amazing girl who ties all of us together and thus, plays the flute and violin." Joe then introduce Sid, the drummer of the band. "There are a few other hidden members of the gang, but, as you might know the mysterious aura they like-they aren't here and you'll guys may meet them layer on. Anyways, so guys tells us about your plans and how interested you all are in this opportunity?" Joe steered the talk from a light-hearted chat to a discussion. Fab 5 skillfully answered back explaining their love and passion for music and how they wanted to make it big with it and spread their love in the country.

"Quite interesting! So Fab 5, we are impressed and though you had caught our eyes and ears in your recordings, we still would like to hear you all out" Samar requested.

"Sure! How about an instrumental?" Dhruv took upon to the task.

"We will be perfectly happy with that seeing your situation!" Star dust agreed and backed up a bit for them to adjust their instruments.

"Umm, if you all don't mind, could the vocals be performed by Navya from NH4?" Aliya suggested out of the blue and caught everyone's eye.

"What do you mean, Aliya? Fab 5 ke saath.. it's always.. " Multi said a bit apprehensive.

"Mukti I know but we can try this once.. right?" Aliya looked at her with hope and gazed at the others. They contemplated in heart for a few seconds and then agreed. Navya tried to eye Cabir to not let this happen but he settled her down by blinking his eyes in assurance.

Fab 5's instruments strum together and Navy's voice hummed in the air. The rhythm was flowing well in the few notes they had played till now and the melody was taking over their fears. Slowly, each of them lost themselves and Navya's voiced the lyrics of "Bulleya" to the rock that played behind.

After Fab 5's performance, talks were history, the deal was signed and they were called to come up to Dehradun for a follow up "gang-up". Their dismissal was celebrated by a mob of students who had gathered outside the office enjoying the new adventure of classical voice and rock background. The cheer about the famous band in college with Fab 5 had spread like forest fire and ecstasy filled the air. For the authorities and Stardust, all had ended well but, for Fab 5 life's game had just begun. Nandini was missing. Manik hadn't reached back or responded to any of their messages. They were stuck in Mumbai and had to be in Dehradun with the whole band by tomorrow. A lot was to prioritize and a lot was on stake and neither of the five had any idea how they would balance all of this.

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Hey,

Happy reading! 

HF