The Great Indian College Romance

7. Aftermath

Monday morning had me dressing with extra care. I was in no mood to talk about Friday night with anybody at any point. So I was focusing on my upcoming audition. I all but had it in the bag but I still needed to give it my best. 

I thought of the morning after the party. Vahni had been ecstatic at how the evening had turned out to be. Not only had she met Red Wagon but the lead singer had driven her home and had helped her when she was alone outside throwing up. My lecture had fallen on deaf ears because she had zero remorse for how she had handled her drinks. 

I refrained from mentioning how my last conversation with Angad had turned out and I meant to keep it that way. The last thing I needed was more drama. It wasn't like I was into him or anything, it was a drunken mistake and I would apologize to him the first chance I get. I am sure he did not find my drunken self kissing him attractive at all. Or, on second thought, maybe he did. In that case, I had to make it clear that I hadn't meant for that to happen. 

Either way, I was anxious for the audition because I had to sing and sort this mess out with Angad. 

When we were finished with our classes Smriti left because she had someplace to be. Vahni had her fashion society audition so I was left to walk to the stage area alone. I could see the Red Wagon members already seated on chairs right in front of the open stage. A group of nervous freshers like myself stood in a group awaiting their turns. I recognized some from the fresher's party competition. 

Siddharth and Angad sat side by side and Yug was slumped over his chair dejectedly. Shreyas was nowhere to be found. I debated on whether I should go and say hi or maintain a senior-junior hierarchy.

The thought of talking to Angad in front of a crowd did not appeal to me so I sat back and watched a few auditions go by. There were some good singers among the crowd while the others were abysmally bad. Some needed a little polishing. Finally, when the crowd thinned I walked up to the stage. 

Siddharth smiled at me and waved. He nudged Yug who looked up and saw me. 

"Hey! Elvis! Didn't think you were coming. We thought we had scared you off," he said. 

"It's gonna take a lot more to scare me," I said cheerfully, purposely not meeting Angad's eyes. That would have to wait. 

"Well, we would love to hear you sing something but you don't strictly have to. You are in." Siddharth said. 

"I think she should sing," Angad said and I finally looked at him. 

He smiled mischievously and turned to the rest of the juniors,

"I mean it's only fair. Everybody else did too. I think I speak for everyone when I say we would like to hear her sing " he continued. 

"Angad, c'mon. We all heard her sing on Friday." Siddharth said but I intervened.

"It's okay Siddharth. I actually insist. It's only fair." I quoted Angad pointedly and gave him a tight smile. He just winked at me. I narrowed my eyes, he was toying with me. I should have expected nothing less from a Grade A player. 

"I think I am going to sing 'I knew you were trouble' by Taylor Swift," I said and took a deep breath and started singing. 

"I knew you were trouble when you walked in 

So shame on me now

Flew me to places I'd never been'

Till you put me down, oh

I knew you were trouble when you walked in

So shame on me now

Flew me to places I'd never been, yeah