“Kabir, I…I..Ahem…finally confessed to her.”

Maan hesitantly utters. Kabir very much can guess the name Maan mentioned but sometimes it’s fun to beat around the bushes. He chuckles in his mind but maintains a poker face and counters innocently,

“Her? Who? Your Nerdy Nandika?”

Maan grunts under his breath and flares his nostrils in annoyance,

“No, Dude. Nutty M. I told her everything. My stalking, my intention to befriend her, my love for her and…and my love for some other girl. I told her that I don’t love her the way I love that girl. It’s a great relief, Man…uff… At last.”

He explains and exhales in relaxation while Kabir squints his eyes in a query,

“Wait…wait…you told her about Nandika and you told her that you don’t love her anymore. Bravo!... Then what was her reaction? She must be taken aback. Her ego must have been hurt. After all, you were her greatest fan and secret lover so far.”

Maan gives a lopsided smile to Kabir’s statement.

“Even I thought exactly like this. I know she never indicated that she likes me or not, but this kind of revelation makes a person jealous. I am her fan. More of that I was her secret admirer. It is natural for a person to get disappointed and hurt. But guess what she said!”

Maan sounds excited and kiddish. Kabir replies quizzically,

“What?”

Maan reclines in the binbag and states in a relaxed tone,

“She said, she is not hurt nor shocked as she loves someone else. It was a great relief, Dude…Uffff… I was unnecessarily making mountains out of molehills.”

Kabir mouths enthusiastically,

“For the first time, I saw someone being so happy even after getting rejected by his muse…Ha…ha. But good. I am glad that you finally faced the truth and are back to reality. But tell me one thing; did she reveal whom she loves? I mean did you ask her?”

Kabir narrows his eyes in curiosity. Maan keeps quiet for a moment and replies,

“Yes, I asked because she said that she is sceptic to accept her love for him. You know, Nutty M and Nandika have some uncanny resemblance in their nature. Both are insecure about their appearance and characteristics. Both are nerds and average looking so they think that no good-looking boy can love them. I even tried to convince Nutty M that it is her preconceived notion. She shouldn’t predict a rejection and shy away from her destiny. But she has her strong beliefs. No, she didn’t reveal who that guy is but I know he must have been some unfortunate handsome boy like me. Dude our story is almost the same.”

He scowls. Kabir thinks deeply for a moment and asks,

“Hmmmm…kind of and it is uncanny. Anyway, now that you are sure about Nandika, have you planned anything to make her realise your love? It’s necessary, Bro. She needs you to overcome her fear.”

Maan’s eyes beam with mischief. He states,

“Yes, but for that, I need your help. Tonight, I have a concert. I want Nandika to come over there. But I know if I invite her, she will never come. So, you have to convince her. I know you are dating her best friend, Navya. So, use that source. Make sure she comes to my concert tonight. The rest will be my work. I will make her realise that true love is truly unconditional and unreasonable.”

Kabir rolls his eyes in surprise and retorts,

“Dude, I thought love makes people idiots, but on the contrary, it made you intelligent, Boss. Kudos. Fight for your love. Don’t worry I will manage Navya. After all who can ignore my charm?”

Kabir pulls up his collar and flaunts. Maan sighs in disbelief. This man never misses a chance to brag. But right now, he needs this charm. Kabir leaves after some time. Maan puts a huge responsibility on his shoulders and he has to live up to his expectations. Maan grabs his guitar and tunes the chords. He unmindfully mumbles,

“You are my secret Cinderella, Nandika and I will make you believe it…come what may..!”

...........................................

“What’s wrong with you, Navya? Why are you forcing me so desperately? You know I don’t like Rock music and you are pushing me to attend a whole concert. Impossible! I am not going. Never.”

Nandika makes a face and announces her decision. Navya makes a puppy face. Kabir’s pleading expression is running in her mind.

“Please, Nandu. I have never asked you for anything. My boyfriend somehow has managed three tickets. I already promised him to get you. Please, Nandu. Just for one hour. I promise if you don’t like the concert you can leave. But please don’t let me down in front of my boyfriend…Please, please…pretty please…”

She keeps on pleading while entangling her fingers and joins her palms in a prayer gesture. Nandika frowns at her silly antics and admonishingly replies,

“Okay, now stop your drama. By the way, who is the singer? And your boyfriend…Kabir, right? Why is he so interested to get me over there? I will be playing gooseberry between two love birds. Are you sure?”

Navya wobbles in denial and counters,

“No…no…nothing like that. Actually, I told him that you often ask about him. So, he wants to meet you. It could be a good musical excuse to meet your future brother-in-law…he…he…”

She laughs idiotically to suppress Nandika’s doubts. Nandika smiles and shrugs.

“Okay, okay, I will be going. Just for you. But what’s the time and where will I go?”

Nandika enquires and Navya immediately narrates,

“You don’t have to worry about that. I and Kabir will come to pick you up. You just get ready by 8 pm. Now, I am going. Bye…there are lots of preparation to do…Byeeee…”

She almost bails out of the room. Nandika frowns at her dispersing frame.

“Idiot, crazy…But who is the singer? She forgot to tell. No worry, Ms Nandika. You will see. Another boring evening with some deafening shouts. God…I just hate Rocks and I hate my best friend even more.”

She hides her face in the pillow.