'Why is everyone so silent? Did someone die? For goodness sake, people should not forget the basic rule of inhaling and exhaling.'

I was so bored standing in a queue of 40-50 people or maybe more that I started counting bricks of The Theatrical Alley and couldn't reach further than ten. It was an ancient Roman style building in the city of Dramaturgy that was famous for bringing the expressions of art to life and giving Red Bull wings to their artists.

I was trying to listen to music that was being sung by a girl on the other side of the road. Countless scenarios were going on inside my head.

When I first heard the name of the city, I was like orgy? Why on earth someone would keep the city name like that? To be honest, I got a little bit excited but then Brayden reminded me that I needed to clean my ears.

And for Brayden to be the part of The Theatrical Alley and to work under the guidance of its legends was his utmost desire though I had no clue about his other desires but seeing his passion towards the drama and art, I thought he might consider giving celibacy a chance.

But I had so many conflicts regarding "that thought" that I screamed in the shower last night and chanted Oh My God!!! like a mantra and also wondered could he be the lost brother of Channing Tatum as he awakened my senses in that erotic dance battle and since I knew no one was watching me, I mindlessly started copying the moves but even my deepest senses rolled her eyes at me and reminded me "to be seductive was not my forte".

So, here we were standing in a queue in scorching heat waiting for our turns. I could have taken a seat in an audience's row but I thought to support him by being with him before he became a nervous wreck since the entire journey he didn't stop babbling about how thrilled and nervous he was.

'Because everyone is working on their part. Now hush!! I need to get into the role.' Brayden turned and whispered in a hushed tone as I was standing behind him.

'Okay, I have got a plan.'

'Not now Scarlett. Now is not the time to unleash your beast.'

His eyes were glued to his mobile screen and apparently he was going through the script like the other countless times before.

'Oh please!!! Just listen to me once. It's for your own sake.' I tugged at his back and he looked over his shoulder and saw my pretty smile that could have melted his heart.

I doubt that happened.

'So, I was thinking in order to prep you up, I should splash some water on your face like in those boxing matches to make you look more lively or maybe massage your shoulders.'

'Relax Scarlett; I am not going in some MMA fights.' He spoke to me like I was a child.

'How about this that once you get on stage and start doing your act, I will go at the back and shout, "You got baby. ROCK IT-IT HARD" you know to boost your enthusiasm.'

'That's very kind of you Scarlett but I want you to sit silently on the seat and no movement and especially don't say that word.'

'But this is....'

'Are you also here for auditions?'

I was interrupted and I turned and found a blond hair guy behind me with sparkly blue eyes having a copy of Othello in his hand and wearing an old styled maroon colour robe.

That is so dope. Has he already time travelled?

'No, but do I look like an actress to you?' My hopes were suddenly reaching to the seventh heavens.

'You look like a queen to me.'

Awww isn't he sweet?

Suddenly Brayden turned and I was afraid that his head might have gotten a jerk with turning intensity. He looked behind me and examined the guy from top to bottom. 'Bro, does your script say you have to exaggerate everything?'

'Ignore him. He doesn't know what real beauty looks like.' He nodded and responded with 'yes, milady.'

'EXCUSE ME????' And I was pretty sure Brayden was shooting daggers at me at this point.

'I wish you all the best. I wanted to hug you and give all my good luck but I don't want to mess up your attire.' This lad was working so hard.

'Hold on.' Brayden kept on meddling in our conversation and finally I looked at him.

'What?'

'You didn't even wish me good luck and why are you wishing only him? Give your good luck to everyone and seriously who is this guy?'

'He is my die-hard fan and wait a minute you just gave me a fantastic idea.' I moved away from the line.

'Hey, where are you going?'

'Just keep my spot, don't let anyone else take that.'

I crossed the road and requested for the mic from that nightingale and after I told her what I was about to do she gave me without question.

'Mic check, 1-2, 1-2.'

Brayden turned rigid and his eyes came out of his socket but I didn't care. I went near to the queue.

'Hello everyone. I am Scarlett and I am sending this message to people standing in this queue.' Now I got everyone's attention. Good. 'I wish you ALL the very best and...'

I thought about what to say next since I wasn't prepared.

'I am with Brayden, that brooding man who is hiding his face behind his Samsung Galaxy S20+ and he can be one hell sexy beast in this competition,' Awwww his face. It was priceless when a few people started whistling. 'So, I will tell you all to game up and ROCK IT-IT HARD.'

And I joined the line after I ignited the passion among the citizens with my fiery speech.

'Had fun after ripping my dignity apart?' He didn't seem that much angry but sure his sarcasm didn't go down.

'I just complimented you and I did what you told me.' I was innocent from the start. 'And moreover, I was hell bored.'

After a few more hours waiting in line, we finally got our turn. The stage was lit and was decorated with cardboard tree that was lying carelessly at one side, a made-up balcony and a table that had an old dusty typewriter, an hourglass and even a gramophone. I sat down in one of the rows and very few people were scattered here and there and Brayden went on the stage.

I was confident that Brayden would pull off the character really well in the script that was provided to him but tables turned when theatre masters who were judging the candidates threw the script off and asked him to act on the spot on the given situation.

It was obvious to get nervous in such unpredictable situations but when he spotted me sitting in one corner, I mouthed at him "Rock it-it hard" with my raised fist. For the next thirty minutes, I saw a whirlpool of emotions. Was he acting? It was hard to tell because he cried as if his soul got ripped apart, he laughed and I got overwhelmed by feelings and his eyes were full-blown rage when anger consumed him. He just didn't act; it felt to me like he lived in all those moments. In the last scene, he was told to pour out something that lay deep in his heart.

And very casually embracing a warm tone, he said, 'you just waltz into my life and left no stone unturned to turn it upside down. I still ask this question to myself since when did I start craving for your smile? I know time is playing against us but what I wouldn't give to cherish those moments again that you imprinted on my heart.'

I came out after that because my heart kept on tugging. He stayed because he needed to finish his other interview rounds but when he stepped out of that great theatre; he was silent for some reason.

'Brayden.' Very slowly he looked at me. 'You did an amazing job. I am so proud of you.'

'You think?' Why was he even doubtful?

'If you want, I can get a loudspeaker and shout out to the whole world what a remarkable artist you are. Just give me a word and I will do that.'

I smiled but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

We took refuge in the peaceful pilgrimage of the city. It's calming wind and luscious greenery was celebrating the cherry blossom and it acted like a healing balm to my soul. I decided to video call, Angel. So, I sat down in a veranda but to my surprise, Nancy picked up the call.

'Hey Hippo. How are you doing? Where's Angel?' She looked as if she had run million errands and she seemed so out of breath.

'Hi, Scarlett. I am doing good actually we all are but don't get panicked. I am going upstairs to Angel's room.' She was handling a soup bowl in one hand and phone in other.

For a few seconds, I could only see wooden stairs leading to Angel's room and heard the tapping of her feet. 'What's there to panic about?'

But my breath hitched when she entered the room and I saw IV drip attached to Angel's hand. He looked so pale. Nancy gently shook him and showed him the camera and he smiled once he saw my face.

'Angel. What happened to you? Why did no one tell me anything? Is something wrong? I swear, if anybody lies to me now.' My eyes were brimming with tears.

'Hello to you to my daughter and so many questions? I am fine Scarlett just little dehydrated. You know it happens in old age.'

'I am not getting fooled, you wise old man. I swear...' Brayden came from behind and sat down next to me. 'I will take the next train and come home.'

'Who's this man next to you?'

He ignored everything to what I just said and with no option left I turned the camera to Brayden's side.

'Angel, meet Brayden, he is my friend.' I hope we are. 'Like a travel partner.' This is better.

I had already told Brayden about Angel so; he immediately smiled and composed himself. 'Hello sir, it's good to meet you. I am Brayden Luke. I hope you are in good health.'

'Mr. Luke, it's good to meet you too. I hope Scarlett is not troubling you.' Angel started coughing and Hippo gave him water and my worries reached on another level.

'No not at all sir. She is nice. We are having a smooth journey.' The connection was going on and off so, Brayden had to shout a few times.

'You are a terrible liar Mr Luke.' He had a slight smirk on his face but his voice seemed so tired and before he could butcher Brayden more, I intervened in the middle.

'Angel you can get my bio-data from Brayden later, right now you need proper rest and please hand over the phone to Nancy. I love you the most and take care.'

'Scarlett, is HE the one that you told me about?' My eyes widened and I subtly tried to shush her but thank goodness, Brayden left after few seconds.

'I don't have my earphones on you idiot and leave that; you didn't tell me anything about Angel's health. Why you kept me in the dark?' I was so infuriated.

'We didn't want to worry you and moreover Drew and I are here with him so, you please....'

And I lost the network because I kept on saying hello to her paused face but it only said poor connection and later I ended the call in defeat.

I kept sitting there, lost in thoughts and I didn't know when my tears started rolling down my cheeks. I started sobbing silently because mere thought that when Angel needed me, I wasn't there with him hurt me the most. I felt so cruel at the moment.

'Are you crying?'

I quickly wiped my tears but salty traitors kept on coming. 'No, my eyes are sweating.'

And then it became harder for me to control.

'Oh my! Scarlett.' Brayden sat down beside me and engulfed me in a hug. I hid my messy face in his chest. 'There's nothing to worry about. Your friends are there for him.'

'I have only him Brayden. He took me when I had no one. My heart aches whenever it thinks of losing him.' My words came out brokenly and I fisted his shirt more.

'Don't say it like that. He will be alright and you have such amazing friends. You aren't alone.'

He was patting my head and was consoling me in the best way possible but I was too lost in my crying that I couldn't respond when he muttered, 'you have even me.'

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A very calm hello to everyone

I won't say much because my emotions are in full turmoil after writing this chapter.

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Happy Reading and Stay Healthy.