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The best place in the college was the open auditorium. I used to go and sit on the stairs in free lectures and watch the drama club rehearsing for their upcoming zonal competition.

I always wanted to become the member of theatre group in my school but stage fear was bigger than my interest. The idea of facing the audience gives me Goosebumps. But maybe one day if I ever overcome this fear I will surely act.
I was thinking all this when I heard his voice for the first time.

“I think you should give your name.” he said with confidence.

“Excuse me! Give my name? For what?” I asked surprisingly.

“In drama club “. He smiled.

“Why should I give my name? I… I am not interested in drama and plays.” I said hesitantly.

“Oh! Really! But I think you love to act. It’s inside you just waiting for a perfect opportunity. And this is the best opportunity to showcase your talent young lady!” He again smiled.

I looked at him from top to bottom. A tall guy with decent looks and thin body shape. Dressed up in shirt and jeans, wearing a killer smile on his face. A smile for which even seven lives could be sacrificed.

“Hello! Checking me out!” he again smiled.

“Of course not. Why would I check you out? Well….leave that. Why do you want me to join this club? Who are you?”

“I am the president of drama club. Sorry I should have introduced myself earlier. Hi! I am Rohan. Philosophy Honors final year. I think this much introduction is more than enough.”

“Yes, but thanks anyways, I don’t want to join. I am not interested.” I said abruptly.

“You don’t want to join this fine. But you are not interested is not fine. Because I know you are interested”. He said with a shine in his eyes.

“How do you know I am interested or not. Listen! You don’t even know me”. I got irritated now.

“I am seeing you for the past one month daily. You come here and watch our practice. Even a blind person can tell that you are interested.”

“There are so many others sitting here. Why don’t you tell them to join?” I inquired.

“They are not interested. See them properly. They are all sitting in groups. Some are chatting, some exchanging notes, no one is seriously watching the rehearsals.”

I looked around, actually, he was right.

I got up and started to move towards my class. He came running towards me and caught hold of my hand.

“Hello! What do you think you are doing? Leave my hand.” I shouted.

“Ok! I am sorry! I just wanted to stop you. But I don’t know your name so…” He shrugged his shoulders and handed a form to me.

“What is this?”I asked him.

“Form for drama club. I think you should really fill this. I know you have stage fears, but believe me you can overcome it. I will help you out. Just fill this form.” He said softly.

There was something about him which made me believe in him. But I didn’t want to show it on my face. So I snatched the form from him and started filling it. He was repeatedly peeping in the form at what I was writing. I stared at him irately. He stepped back. After filling the form I gave it to him in a manner as if I was doing him a favor. He took it and started reading.

“Hmmm… Ishika Mathur, B.Com Honors 1st year. Isshhikaa…Ishq. Nice name”. He smiled naughtily.

“Shut up! It is not Ishq, it’s… its Ishika. Do you get that?” I was furious.

“Ok! Queen of Jhansi! I got it. But Ishq is also not bad”. He again teased me and then he smiled. Wow! That killer smile! I couldn’t say anything.

“So, see you tomorrow, at 10 a.m. at the rehearsals Ishq…sorry Ishika…”and he went off swinging his bag in the air.

I stood there looking at him and thinking ‘what was that ‘ I have never met such a person in my life before. Was he a fortune reader, who could peep inside my mind and tell what my interests are? How confident this boy was. Can’t I be that confident ever in my life, and of course that smile… it was irresistible. But somewhere there was something in him which he was trying to hide behind his smile. Now I wanted to explore that. Will I be able to do that was hidden in the womb of future?

Today was a different morning. I got up with a smile on my face. Got ready on time and started my journey towards college with positivity in mind. What was so different today? Why was I so enthusiastic and happy today? I think I should have listened to my heart earlier. Doing things of your interest can really change the way we live. Today I was going to do what I really dreamt of joining the theatres.

I was on time for the rehearsals. I was searching for him in the auditorium when I heard a sharp and shriek voice from behind.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here?” She was no less than a Hitler.
I was standing quietly, grasping for words. How dumb I was looking. I couldn’t even speak up for myself.

“Girl, you are wasting my time”. She shouted.

“I…I am Ishika. I …I have filled the form for drama club. He called me here today…for rehearsals”. I was fighting to search words in front of her.

“He? Who he? Who are you talking about?” She inquired.

Before I could name him I heard his voice, “Hey Shruti! This is Ishika Mathur first year student. She wants to join our club. Here is the form, you can have a look.” he answered with the same confidence.

“Rohan just because you are the president of this club, it doesn’t mean you will give entry to anyone and everyone in the club. She is not fit for this club.” Shruti said rudely.

“Not fit?” Rohan look at me from top to bottom and with his signature smile turned back towards Shruti and said “Look at her! She is so fit! Slim, Smart and young. What else is the meaning of being fit in your dictionary, dear Shruti?’

“Rohan, I think she cannot act, she is not confident.” Shruti explained.

“How can you say that? Have you taken her screen test? No. So let’s first take that and then we will decide.” said Rohan.

“But, dear Rohan! Let me tell you that almost all roles are final now. Which role are you going to offer her? Extra’s… standing in the crowd!” Shruti said in a sarcastic manner. I felt like giving a punch right on her face.

“The role of lady police officer. I think that was yet to be finalized? Isn’t it?” asked Rohan.

“She? She will do that role? That role requires so much of drama, anger, lots of dialogue deliveries. No Rohan! She cannot.” Shruti said as if those were her final words.

It was enough for me. I picked up my bag and started heading towards the door. Rohan called me and told me to stop.

“Shruti, Ishika will do that role and that is final. Whether you like it or not. Come Ishika, let’s take a screen test.” his voice was as solid as rock.

I got ready for the screen test but the stage fear gripped me again. I was unable to deliver even a single dialogue. Tears started flowing from my eyes. I started cursing myself ‘what was the need to come here. Just to make a mockery of myself.’ I was feeling embarrassed.

“I told you she is not fit for this role. And not only in this role, she is not fit for any role. But you want to act like a dictator sometimes. She just wasted our time that’s it.” Shruti said angrily.

Rohan came up to me and whispered in my ears, “Hey Ishq! Don’t you want to prove them wrong? You know very well that you can do this, I am confident, aren’t you confident about yourself. Just concentrate on your dialogues and don’t care about the people around you.
When we want to prove something in our life we should never think about others. Just go and prove yourself Ishika Mathur, I know you will not let me down.”

So much confidence, just for me I was shocked.

I closed my eyes and when I opened I could not see anyone around except him. He was looking at me with so much hope and confidence. I delivered my dialogues in one go and closed my eyes again. When I opened my eyes I heard everyone clapping. Shruti was standing still, like a statue, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“That was really good Ishika, welcome to drama club.” said Shruti praising my act “Come on everyone, back to work.”

I sat on the chair grasping for breath. Rohan came up with a bottle of water in his hand, ” Have it, I think you need this.” he said smiling. I took the bottle and almost emptied it.

“See how easy it was. Now you can follow your interest.” said Rohan.

“Hey! Are you a fortune reader? How do you know that I have any interest in acting?” I asked curiously. “Well! Well! That’s what experience teaches you. I am more experienced than you, so I know more.” He laughed.

“But seriously, thanks a lot for boosting my confidence. I owe you this. And sorry I behaved rudely yesterday.” I said, feeling sorry for my behavior.

“That’s alright Ishq! I don’t mind that”. He laughed as he knew he again teased me.

“Don’t spoil my name!” I said feeling irritated.

“Spoil? I think I am giving more meaning to your name. Just think about it.” He said looking straight in my eyes.

I couldn’t take my eyes off from him.

Then he winked at me and took his bag and smiled again, “Just think about it again, Ms. Mathur.” And he went towards his class.

I again stood there looking at him. I thought he would turn back and I will wave him but he didn’t.

As I was going towards my class I kept on thinking about him. I met him yesterday, I don’t even know him properly. But still he induced so much confidence in me which no one could do in these 17 years.

What more will change in coming days is still a mystery, unsolved and unknown.

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Cover Image by Annie Gavin 

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Chapter 2 ‘When We Met‘ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 3 ⬇️⬇️