Prologue - Sorry, You're Not My Type

We all have dreams. But if we want those dreams to come true, we have to strive really hard. They too had a dream. They too had strived hard to achieve their dream. But would they see the dream turn into reality? Only time would tell.

It was the evening of the grand finale. The atmosphere was abuzz with activity and the excitement was palpable. Students from Delhi University had gathered in the campus lawns to watch the various bands perform.

This year the event looked bigger, better, and even more promising than the one held the previous year. There was an air of nervous anticipation. As the emcee called the band from Rajhans College on stage, everyone cheered loudly. By then a huge crowd had gathered in the lawns. All of a sudden, the lights went off and silence filled the air.

We have waited for this moment for long. Finally our time has arrived! We need to give our best if we want a shot at winning. I just hope Yuvi hasn’t taken drugs. We can’t afford to take chances today, Vikrant thought to himself and turned to face Yuvi.

Yuvi stood there confidently. He had dreamt of this day since childhood. He planted a kiss on his girlfriend Kashish’s mouth. He considered it a sign of good luck.

As their lips parted, she said, ‘I am sure you will steal everyone’s hearts tonight. I feel so jealous.’

Yuvi gave her a smile, which, like always, sent shivers down her spine. She was his moral support and he always wanted her beside him, cheering on the band. Though she was not involved with the band physically, her mental support always boosted their confidence.

The stage was set. All three of them were ready to take the spotlight. They knew how important this was to kick-start their career. It was more important for them to secure a win for their college’s reputation since the cup had eluded them for the past few years. The competition was stiff but the cultural team of Rajhans had full faith in their band.

‘I am ready guys. I know we can do it. Let’s make the most of it,’ Anamika muttered in her sexy voice while walking towards the stage.

They looked at each other and exchanged nervous smiles. As they took their positions and stood facing the crowd, the spotlights fell on them. The crowd erupted in cheer and applause.

Anamika, the dancer of the band, looked gorgeous in a little black dress. There was not a single guy in the crowd who was not fantasizing about her. Vikrant, the drummer, was a perfectionist. Yuvi was probably the best guitarist and vocalist any college could have. The trio was the perfect combination of looks and talent.

Strumming the guitar, Yuvi started singing the most popular song of the band. Slowly, all the students in the playground swirled to the beats of the music. Yuvi had the potential to mesmerize everyone and he poured his heart out in the performance. Anamika and Vikrant encouraged the crowd to sway their hands in the air. Everything seemed picture perfect and the confidence with which the band was performing, it seemed like Rajhans had almost won the trophy.

But none had anticipated the disaster that was awaiting them. Just when everything seemed perfect, the mic stopped working and a cord of the electric guitar came apart! Yuvi kept blaming the sound technician for the bizarre set up. No matter how hard the trio tried, things never came back on track. The performance was called off by the judges and the crowd started booing them off. All their hopes were shattered as Yuvi and the other group members walked off the stage with their heads hung in shame.

A feeling of hopelessness engulfed them. They had waited for this day for so long and had practiced for hours after college. Neither of them had imagined this to be the end result. They couldn’t believe what was happening to them.

‘How could they do this? This is not fair. We should be given another chance. It was the grand finale and the judges can’t be so biased. What’s our bloody fault?’ Anamika shouted in frustration.

‘The technician was an asshole! How the fuck did he not check our equipment before the performance? I sense something fishy,’ said Vikrant.

And the blame game continued. Yuvi hadn’t said a word till then. He still couldn’t believe what had happened a few minutes back. A tear came rolling down his cheek. Though he had taken drugs that evening, he was well in control of the situation and had given one of the finest performances of his life before everything went haywire. Both Anamika and Vikrant were voicing their frustration loudly and Yuvi’s silence was killing them.

‘Will you speak up, for God’s sake?’ Anamika screamed.

Yuvi was still quiet and didn’t look up until Anamika shook him by his shoulders.

‘Can you just leave me alone, you bitch? It’s all because of you. Who told you to fuck it up? You and your boyfriend messed everything up. It’s all because of him. Oops sorry, it’s all because of you. Just get lost.’

Yuvi walked off in anger. Vikrant ran after him and tried to stop him from leaving. Vikrant was confused and upset with what was happening around him. He wanted to calm down the two and resolve the issue.

‘Yuvi, at least listen to me. How are you so sure it was because of him?’ Vikrant screamed.

Yuvi stopped and looked back in anger. ‘Do you think I am a fucking fool? I saw him talking with the technicians a few seconds before our show. He obviously messed everything up. He had told her he will screw it all up and he did.’ Saying this he walked away. Vikrant gave up. He realized the situation was out of his hand and there was nothing he could do to pacify Yuvi.

Anamika’s sour relationship with her boyfriend had cost them big time! It was probably going to be the last performance of their lives.

The hopes that they had shared, the dreams that they had seen—all of it was suddenly swept out of their lives like dust on the floor. Anamika was heartbroken by Yuvi’s words. She tried to regain composure and, collecting her thoughts, messaged her ex-boyfriend.

I have given up on my dream because I don’t want my group to suffer. You envied me, but why my group? Why my band? You think you have achieved all that you wanted and can now stop me from achieving mine? I am not a girl who will sit back and cry. Do whatever you want. I give a damn. You have no balls. Fuck you bastard.

Rajhans College had lost the competition and the trophy too. Yuvi didn’t bother to wait for the results and left with his girlfriend. Vikrant was speechless and didn’t know how to react while Anamika sat alone trying to understand what had just happened. She felt like she was trapped in a cage. She sensed the end was near—the end of their band VAYU!