Stubborn Love

And it was called "Yellow"

Raghav stretched his legs out and relaxed against a broad pillar of the topmost step of the empty stadium. It was their hidden hangout spot for the last three years, to have some drinks and chill in the fresh air.

The bright yellow lights of the nearby fest-ground reached the spot to provide faint illumination. The rear end of the ground was fairly visible. The stage fell on the farther end. The loudspeakers, however, were loud enough to reach the stadium.

Krishna opened a fresh bottle of beer from the crate and handed over to Raghav.

'Man, this is the right way to endure these boring cultural nights. The beer actually makes me enjoy these idiots sing awkwardly. I feel so good, just the right amount of high.'

'True. The beer seems to have found the right amount of space too in your hanging belly.'

'Oh, this!' Krishna exclaimed, jingling his stomach, 'This is just for insulation, man.'

Raghav grinned, seeing his friend unwind. Two beers down and the hot-headed Krishna turned into most mellowed personalities of all times.

After a few minutes, a sleek mobile kept beside the empty bottles vibrated. Krishna looked at the name flashing on the screen, 'It's your dad.'

'I know. Let it ring. It's his third call today.'

After the phone stopped vibrating, Krishna asked quietly, 'When is the wedding?'

'After Diwali. He wants me to fly there over the weekend for the engagement party.'

Krishna nodded and then advised cautiously, 'Maybe you could give it a fair chance. It might work out well.'

'For the gold-mining parasite? Of course.'

'So you're not going?'

'Over my dead body.'

Krishna pressed his lips. He couldn't imagine himself to be in a situation like this. His was a very stable home in comparison. A stern father, a mother and four sisters who fussed over his well-being day and night. He could not imagine growing up without affection and support. He wished his friend too had some genuine people to connect too. Not those pleasing wannabes he is consistently surrounded by.

'Forget it, brother. Let's plan a vacation in Goa for the winter holidays. There are beautiful ladies in bikinis working very hard to make the world a better place. What do you say?' Krishna asked excitedly as he sat up straight.

'As lucrative as the offer sounds, you know you will have to go home for the festival.' Raghav replied, taking a handful of peanuts from a packet.

'Then come with me to my hometown. But no funny business with my sisters, all right?' Krishna warned in mock seriousness.

Raghav chuckled, looking down as he nodded. Thank God for friends...

************************

Sia waited backstage for her turn. She kept tapping her feet to ward off the acute numbness in her toes. She hated this feeling. The feeling of the blood in her veins slowly turning cold and the world around her collapsing upside down. Couldn't she perform from back of the stage? Aghhh, she would kill Silvi for putting her up to this torture. She had practically dragged her out of the hostel, down the roads, to the stage.

Sia took a little peek at the vast crowd. She should have not conceded to this suicide. She was so sure she wouldn't perform after the audition hall episode; she didn't bother to prepare at all. And now here she was, about to perform in another five minutes with a blank slate of a mind.