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Life could be so excited and happening I never thought. Suddenly I was so busy. Early morning lectures, then rehearsals, then again lectures. I was enjoying it. I started spending more time with the group of drama club. Rohan introduced me to new friends. Some of them were seniors and some from first year. We all use to gossip, play pranks on each other, go to library and sit there for hours making notes. The best part of the day was lunch time in the cafeteria. Eating each other’s lunch and then ordering dosa from canteen was a daily routine. But I always saw Rohan eating his own lunch. He never used to eat our lunch or order from cafeteria.

“Health conscious! Is it?” I said one day while sitting next to him.

“Yes, we all should be health-conscious.” he said eating his parantha. Then suddenly he whispered,” There is a secret. I have not told anybody.” He winked, while laughing.

“What secret?” I asked excitedly.

“I want to make six pack abs. For that I need a good diet. That’s why I don’t eat canteen food, you see.” he said.

I nodded in agreement but then I asked him “But I have never seen you exercise or go to gym?”

“Woh! So you follow me after college as well.” he said in a naughty tone.

“Why would I follow you?” I said.

“Then how do you know I don’t exercise or go to gym.” he asked raising his eyebrows.

“I mean. ….I never heard it from you” I said blushing.

“I daily get up at 5 a.m. and do my exercise and gym. I always feel jealous of boys who have a strong body built. Look at Vivek and Chetan, don’t you think they look muscular and stout.” he said looking at them.

“Aha! I figured it out. I never knew you are interested in them.” I said in a teasing tone.

“Stop bugging me Ishika. I never meant that. I mean I also want a body like them, so that girls hover like honeybees around me as well” he said smiling.

“Oh! Gosh! So it’s all about girls! Can’t believe. You men are all same.” I said with displeasure in my tone.

Rohan started laughing. I was looking at him with a frown.

“I was just teasing. It’s all about staying healthy and fit. When our body is healthy our brain will automatically become healthy and happy. And I love to stay healthy. And I….. I love those who stay happy.” He smiled looking at me. I ignored him and tried to change the topic but in vain.

“It’s ok Ishika! You were pulling my leg, now I am doing the same. Just joking. Come! Let’s go for rehearsals. Only one month left for the zonal.” He got up and started walking towards the auditorium without even noticing whether I am coming or not. I started following him, smiling from inside and thinking, he never turns back.

“It was a Sunny winter morning and the sun was giving a soothing warmth. I was slowly going towards the auditorium, there was no one around today. It was a bit weird. I opened the door of the rehearsal room and found no one there. I turned to leave, when I heard someone playing guitar. I chased the sound and found myself standing behind Rohan. I sat there quietly without making any sound.

He was playing an old Hindi song ‘lag ja gale’. Coincidentally, this was one of my favorite song. His guitar tune took me to another world. It was as if I could see a story in his music. I closed my eyes and felt as if I found peace after years of sadness. It blew my mind.

Suddenly the music stopped. I opened my eyes and found Rohan standing in front of me.

“Awesome, mind-blowing, outstanding, and impressive…..” I was going on and on.

“Whoa! Hold on! At least take some breath. Thanks for such great words but I think it was not that good. The best I guess I haven’t played yet.” He said.

“Hmmmm….all musicians say this. But seriously it took me to a different world. And this is one of my favorite songs as well.” I said.

“Mine too!” he gave that killer smile again.

“By the way, where is every one today?” I asked surprisingly.

“Ah! Yes, they all are in the Library. Natasha ma’am is giving her birthday party today. So they all have gone to eat free food and fill their empty stomach.” He laughed.

“Then why didn’t you go?” I asked

“Six pack abs …..Don’t you remember.” He laughed. “Just joking. I was not interested. I think birthdays should be celebrated in a different way.” Said Rohan.

“And what’s that way ….?” I smiled.

“Will surely tell you some day. So, you have lectures today? Or you are free today?” he inquired.

“No. No more lectures today. Swati ma’am and Sudha ma’am are both on leave today. So, I am free today. Okay then, bye! I will reach home early today.” I said picking up my bag.

“Hey! Ishika! Do you want to explore Udaipur?” asked Rohan suddenly.

“Yes….I mean I haven’t seen Udaipur yet. Mom and Dad are still busy with other commitments. So, I couldn’t explore much except the main bazar’s of Udaipur.” I answered back shrugging my shoulders.

“So let’s go today!” he jumped off from the chair.

“Let’s go? Where? And who all with come with us? They all are busy in party.” I answered in surprise.

‘I know they all are busy. Would you like to come and explore the city with me Ishika?” He inquired.

“But….Okay… let me ask my mother.” I answer immediately. I called my mother. “Mom, actually we have some free lectures today, so all my friends are going out to spend some time. Can I also go?” I asked keeping my fingers crossed. “Ok fine Ishu. But come back on time.” Mom said sweetly.

“Yes sure. I will”. I kept my mobile back in my bag and look that Rohan showing him a thumbs up.

“Let’s go!” I said excitedly. But Rohan was looking here and there as if he was searching for someone.

“What? Who are you looking for? Is someone else going to join us?” I inquired.

“I am looking for all your friends, who are supposedly going to accompany us, as you said to your mom!” he answered back smiling.

“Oh! That! Actually, I could not say directly to my mom that I am going out with you. There is nothing fishy, but I don’t know what she will start thinking. And whatever she will think, that is obviously not true. So I said that I am going in group.” I tried to explain.

“When you know there is nothing, then why do you want to hide? I openly asked you to come with me, as we both are friends and I wanted to spend time with you. There is nothing wrong in it ….” he was explaining me when I interrupted in between “Of course I know there is nothing wrong, but maybe mom will start thinking something else. That’s why…” I answered in a low tone.

“When we are right, what other’s think should not bother us? This is my mantra. Make this your mantra as well. You will feel more confident in life.” Said Rohan.

“You are right. Let me call back and tell her that I am going with you.” I said while searching for my mobile in the bag.

“No! No. Leave it. Now if you will tell her, then this behavior of yours will surely make her imagination go wild.” He laughed. “But from next time, keep my words in mind.” He said in a preaching tone.

“Yes guru Dev! I will. Now will you bless me by telling me where we are going?” I answered sarcastically. “That’s a surprise. Just follow me.”

And we both started to move towards the bus stand.

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Cover Image by Nathan Dumlao 

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Chapter 3 ‘Music In the Air’ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 4 ⬇️⬇️