Recap: 

Manik: Mukti?
I called out after her just as she was about to walk down the steps.

Mukti: Yeah?

I thought for a second, trying to decide whether to speak up or not, before I finally gave in.
Manik: Almost everyone in this college is either too intimidated, too jealous or even scared of Nandini and her ways, but then it's you who isn't even mildly negative about her. You might not agree with her ways, but you are not even against them. Why?

I noticed a soft smile form onto Mukti's face as she heard my question before she simply wished me Good Bye and walked away without answering.

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Manik: I never knew Space was into Music too... I mean I have been hearing about the college for years from my parents.
I asked Abhi as the two of us settled down.

Abhi: It wasn't before. The Music Club was started just two years back. Mukti has been in the band ever since.

I nodded at him, impressed by this just as we heard an announcement that it was beginning. Everyone settled down immediately, the auditorium turning completely silent as the curtains lifted up slowly to a dark stage. Soft strumming of the guitar was heard before a bright light was turned on from the back of the stage.

Three people were visible on the stage. I recognized Mukti on the right side, her guitar in ready, she looked to be fully in her zone. On the left was some guy, I recognized from some of my classes but didn't really know. He stood in front of the Casio, smiling at the crowd. The person in the center was not visible clearly. I could make out the figure of a girl, sitting on a high rise stool with a guitar. The spot light was right behind her, darkening her entire figure.

It seemed that she was the one playing the guitar, filling up the entire place with soft Music. Until she started singing.

[Samjhwan Unplugged]

Main tenu samjhawan ki
Na tere bina lagda jee
Main tenu samjhawan ki
Na tere bina lagda jee

Mukti started strumming her electric guitar alongside, as did the guy on the Casio, but all my attention was stuck on the beautiful voice singing right now.

Tu ki jaane pyaar mera
Main karoon intezar tera
Tu dil tui-yon jaan meri
Jaan meri, jaan meri...

She started the simple guitar piece, and I was stunned. 
Manik: She is amazing... What a freaking beautiful voice! Who is she?

I asked turning towards Abhi. I saw a weird smile take up his face as he glanced from me to the stage,
Abhi: Wait and watch... This is going to be interesting!

Mere dil ne chun laiyaa ne
Tere dil diyaan raahan...
Mere dil ne chun laiyaa ne
Tere dil diyaan raahan
Tu jo mere naal tu rehta
Turpe meriyaan saaha

Jeena mera... haye
Hun hai tera, ki main karaan
Tu kar aitbaar mera
Main karoon intezar tera
Tu dil tui-yon jaan meri
Jaan meri, jaan meri

Main tenu samjhawan ki
Na tere bina lagda jee

Ve changa nahi o keeta beeba
Ve changa nahi o keeta beeba
Dil mera tod ke
Ve bada pachtaiyaan akhaan
Ve bada pachtaiyaan akhaan
Naal tere jod ke

It took a couple seconds of deafening silence before everyone started clapping. But it seemed like the show was not yet over as I saw a couple more guys walk up the stage. Another girl joined the guy on the Casio. I saw in surprise as Cabir took up the Drums while another guy walked ahead with the mike and stood near Mukti.

Even before the crowd could relax of take in the new additions, the girl in the center started playing her guitar, still darkened by the light. The Casio starting up at the same time.

{Rock Bottom: Hailee Steinfeld]

What are we fighting for?
Seems like we do it just for fun
In this, this stupid war
We play hard with our plastic guns
Breathe deep, bottle it up
So deep until it's all we got
Don't speak, just use your touch
Don't speak before we say too much

The entire contrast between the two songs hit me like a brick. That too knowing at it was the same girl singing both of these. It wouldn't be wrong to say that I was a fan of her already. Mukti's electric guitar joined in to the Music, taking it a level up. But I knew the final effect would be from the drums, where Cabir was still waiting for his beat.

That you hate me now and I feel the same way
You love me now and I feel the same way
Scream and we shout
And make up the same day, the same day

The drum set fired up, as the girl got down from the seat, her guitar now hanging limp to her side as she moved to the drum beats and walked to the forward stage. NANDINI...

I turned towards Abhi in shock, who simply laughed at me and pulled me up on my feet, just as the rest of the audience were. Dressed up in a plain white crop sweatshirt and blue denim skirt, she looked as good as always, but what stood out the most was a small smile playing on her face. Her good mood was clear from her eyes and immediately Mukti's words from the other day came back to my mind about Nandini's clothes depicting her mood. 

Oh, we're on the right side of rock bottom
And I hope that we keep falling
We're on the good side of bad karma
Cause we keep on coming back for more
We're on the right side of rock bottom
And to you, I just keep crawling
You're the best kind of bad something
Cause we keep on coming back for more

The guy who was standing next to Mukti walked up ahead with his mike as he sang,
You get under my skin
More than anyone's ever been
But when we lay in bed
You hold me harder 'til I forget

Nandini spared him a single glance, as she joined him in. Both of them now singing together.

That you hate me now and I feel the same way
You love me now and I feel the same way
Scream and we shout
And make up the same day, the same day

He was no where near her, as her voice clearly outshined him. She was just too good was him to match up and it was clear in their performance.
Oh, we're on the right side of rock bottom
And I hope that we keep falling
We're on the good side of bad karma
'Cause we keep on coming back for more
We're on the right side of rock bottom
And to you, I just keep crawling
You're the best kind of bad something
'Cause we keep on coming back for more

Keep on coming back for more
Cause we keep on coming back for more

The music settled down all at once, with just Mukti's guitar still strumming as Nandini sang softly,

Ohh

What are we fighting for?
(Guy) Seems like we do it just for fun
(Nandini) In this, this stupid war

(Both) We play hard with our plastic guns

(Both)
With the music turning back up again.
Oh, we're on the right side of rock bottom
And I hope that we keep falling
We're on the good side of bad karma
'Cause we keep on coming back for more
We're on the right side of rock bottom
And to you, I just keep crawling
You're the best kind of bad something
'Cause we keep on coming back for more

Everyone was dancing at their seats by now, making it seem like a concert. I knew it was just the presence of the faculties that was stopping everyone from clustering in front of the stage. And Nandini clearly knew how to prolong the effect as she stretched the song further, giving the people a few more moments just as they wanted.

Keep on coming back for more
'Cause we keep on coming back for more moreeeee
Keep on coming back for more
'Cause we keep on coming back for moreeeee

The crowd cheered out loud to them, hands up in the air, guys whistling out loud. While the band on the stage high fived each other as Nandini spoke towards the crowd,
Nandini: Did you all like it?

"YEAH!"

Nandini: Do you want more?

"YEAH!!"

Nandini: I don't have any more for you guys today, but you'll have a lot more throughout the year.

I heard Boo's from the crowd as Nandini motioned for everyone to settle down. Everyone else walked off the stage as Nandini quickly took a sip of water, before taking the mike again.

Nandini: "Okay people, so that was the Official Introduction of the Space Academy's Music Club. As you guys must have noticed we picked out two very different songs for today, But this was just a glimpse, a trailer for the actual show, we have a lot lot more coming up for the year. Today, I stand here with an opportunity for you all... to cover that distance from the audience to up here on this stage with us. 

Get yourself ready everyone, as I, Nandini Moorthy, the Head of Space Academy's Music Club invite you all, on behalf of my entire band, to join us. Anyone of you, who knows how to sing or play any instrument, from Indian to western to classical, anything... If you feel you are good enough to join us up here, then please do come for the Auditions happening after the classes today and tomorrow in the same Auditorium."

The crowd clapped at this as Nandini looked down at everyone, waiting for them to calm down as she continued,
Nandini: The details for the Audition are already up on the Notice Board. Any questions about it, you can contact the band that you just saw on the stage. We'll see you guys later.... Thank you for being an amazing Audience.

The curtains moved back down again as the crowd clapped before starting to disperse. It wasn't even a minute, before I saw Mukti jumped through everyone to make her way towards Abhi. 

Abhi: Hey babe... That was amazing!!

Mukti smiled broadly at him as he wrapped her arms around her, and pulled her closer.
Mukti: I know right! I enjoyed it too today... Manik, Did you like it?

Manik: Like it? Damn I loved it! You guys simply killed it up there.
I replied her honestly watching as Abhi smirked at it before speaking down at Mukti.

Abhi: Oh yes... Manik sure did Love it. I think Nandini just gained herself another fan.

Mukti laughed at it while I rolled my eyes,
Manik: I hate to admit it... But she really is good, not that I'll ever say so in front of her.

Mukti: Don't worry Manik. I will surely let her know, you said that!
Mukti said smirking at me, only for me to roll my eyes at her as we moved out of the auditorium.

The rest of the day passed on quite normally. I went to the football practice after the classes, which surprising didn't go so bad. It was only a couple of the guys who were outright rude, but nothing that I couldn't handle. I decided it was better to ignore them, until their behavior really caused any trouble to me or the team as a whole. The coach, on the other hand, was on my side after hardly 15 minutes of me being on the field.

In total, I would say I enjoyed the game as much as I always did. The team was in the locker room, freshening up after the practice when we heard a loud voice from outside the room.
"Cabir you idiot, why can't you ever fucking answer your phone. Come out here, before I get inside the boys locker room!"

All of us laughed at once as Abhi shook his head,
Abhi: Cabir isn't here baby! You'll have to find him somewhere else to kill him.

We heard the door bang on the wall, as Mukti burst into the room.
"What the fuck!"
One guy from the team cursed as he swiftly wrapped a towel around himself while a few others straightened up.

Abhi: Mukti babe, you know you aren't allowed in here!

Mukti: Where the hell is Cabir?
Mukti asked him, wrapping her arms in front of her, completely ignoring all the other guys in the room.

Abhi: I don't know, he left as soon as the practice got over. He should still be somewhere in college, had something to do with Nandini.

Mukti's eyes widened at this as she snapped again,
Mukti: Nandini is still in College? Why the hell did she not come for the Auditions then?

Abhi: Woah Calm down... I don't know why she didn't make it! What happened?

Mukti: That bloody-
Mukti started speaking up but then stopped looking at everyone who was listening to this conversation. 

Mukti: Nothing, Forget it! We just need to find either Cabir or Nandini. He is not picking up his calls, while Nandini's is switched off. Come on!

Abhi: Could you wait 10 minutes... I really need a shower first.

Mukti groaned at this before looking up as she scanned the locker room, finally stopping her gaze onto me.
Mukti: Manik you are done right? Could you please come with me, Abhi you call us once you are done okay.

Manik: Cool... 
I spoke up as I picked up my bag and the two of us walked out of the locker room. She lead me to the cultural wing when I asked her,
Manik: You alright? You seemed quite angry in there.

Mukti: Yeah I am fine! Just a little irritated because of the auditions.

Manik: Why? Not going good?

Mukti: Going worst! 
She muttered under her breath even though I heard it as we walked into the cultural wing.

Mukti: It's either the terrace or the Music room. I will go check the terrace and a few other rooms while going upstairs, could you please check the Music room for me. If you find them, just give me a call. If you don't, just wait for me there, we'll see what to do.

Manik: Okay! Sure... Where is the Music room?
I said glancing around the building, as I was entering this the first time ever.

Mukti: Oh yes, it's the last room on the right! We have a board outside...
Mukti told me as she took the stairs while I walked towards the right corridor as she told me. 

Walking ahead a saw the walls decorated with quite a few pictures of the band. Mostly the faces I saw this morning, though Nandini seemed the most prominent in all, being the head and the founder of the Music Club. 

I reached the Music room, only to find it empty. I dropped a quick text to Mukti letting her know the same before I looked around. It was an amazing room, no doubt. One side had a make shift stage with all the instruments set up with mike and everything ready for the band, while the other side had spare instruments along with comfortable seating arrangements for around 10 people. They even had a small recording room at a corner, along with a couple of laptops set up on a table next to the room, probably for other technical stuff like editing and all. 

I walked towards the stage as I looked at the lyrics sheet next to the mike, having the same lyrics from the song they performed this morning. I picked up the guitar and strummed a few cords before glancing at the closed door once, making sure no one was coming yet as I turned on the mike. 

It had been years since I last picked up the guitar, and something about being in this room made me want to sing. Strumming a few chords, I thought about what I would like to sing and immediately smiled as the perfect song stuck my head.

Tuning the guitar properly I started without a second thought.

Shaame malang si
Raate surang si
Baaghi udaan pe hi na jaane kyun

Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye

Da da dan dan dung dung dang...

Kal pe sawaal hai, jeena filhaal hai
Khaanabadoshiyon pe hi jaane kyun
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye

brrrooom...

Da da dan dan dung dung dang...

Mera falsafaa kandhe pe mera basta
Chala main jahaan le chala mujhe rasta
Boondon pe nahin
Gehre samandar pe woh oo woh...

Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye ho...

Ho.. na na na....

Shaamein malang si
Raatein surang si
Baaghi udaan pe hi na jaane kyun
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye
Ilahi mera jee aaye aaye

Ilahii.. Ilahi.. Ilahi..!

As soon as I ended the song, I kept the guitar aside before jumping down the stage.
Manik: Why did I ever fucking stop? God, that felt good...
I spoke up to myself as I took a seat at one of the bean bags on the side and took a sip from the water bottle kept there.

Just as I took out my phone to call Mukti, I heard a voice from the door,
"What the hell are you doing in here?"

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Any thoughts about Nandini's character?