Prisha walked out of the corridors breathe heavily; her heart was pounding like a blacksmiths hammer in her chest. Her entire body went numb. Being in one company she had imagined their encounter numerous times but this time it was like she was lathered up like an old stud horse chasing after a filly.
Ethan was befuddled. He was smiling broadly. He looked back when both of them used to spend their time together until that incident happened. After separation for years he used to listen her songs, watched her videos and interviews but didn't had courage to contact her.
"Boy aren't you tired of smiling like an idiot!!", Mansoo watched him.
"Huh", Ethan raised his eyebrows and said "hmm..", putting fingers on his chin.
"I am going to practice my songs. Continue smiling!!" He sarcastically made the comment and got out of the room.
Mansoo was close to both Prisha and Ethan and the evident proof of the incident happened that night. He wanted both of them to clear their misconception but here the solution was near to 'Impossible'. Till the time he wasn't needed to solve the problem ,he didn't wanted to poke his nose.
.....
All 9 girls started to practice hard for their comeback. Olivia and Harui were the main dancers of their group so Prisha took some notes from them for her solo projects too. Prisha was 17 when she joined the group, at that time all 8 of them were 22 or 23. Accordingly they used to treat her like their own sister. Prisha was the only child in her family , so before and after debuting she used to hang with the girls and the boys. During training she was famous for her beauty but was also known for her arrogant behaviour. It was not possible for anyone to bully her.
Days were passing by and Prisha was giving her best by keeping the balance between her solo and group project. She was going to give back to back
performances.
Suddenly one day she got a message on her phone.
"Are you free? Let's have coffee someday", Tian had texted her.
"Busy with my schedules. Can't come , sorry", she replied tucking hair behind her ear.
Prisha didn't saw the text Tian had sent her again.
Ding..Dong..Ding.. Dong... her phone rang, without seeing the number she thought of Tian and answered in grumpy voice "I'm busy Tian!! let's talk afterwards"
"Its me.. Ethan. Wanted to discuss with you about your solo project", he expressions were cold enough to faint a person.
Suddenly the composers who were taking their place quitely turned their face towards Ethan and shivered.
"Oh... hmm, coming in 5 minutes", Prisha sighed keeping hand on her forehead.
Exactly after 5 minutes, their was knock on the door.
"Come in", Ethan kept talking to the composers.
Prisha sat down on the sofa and heard what they were talking about.
After the meeting was over, Ethan stopped Prisha.
"You and Tian contact each other?", without thinking twice or thrice he asked deliberately.
"That's none of your business", Prisha felt annoyed.
"Well, it is. Ofcourse if there would be some dating news about both of you, that would affect your comeback and our company too", he said calmly.
"There wouldn't be and if the news comes around I will handle it by myself!!", she opened the door calmly , and walked out of the door without waiting for his response.
Ethan clenched his fist , took a deep breath and closes his eyes for several minutes.
Walking ahead her hand grasped her phone harder. Without knowing anything how can he pass his judgement!! He really thinks I am like him!! don't be angry Prisha ... it's not good for your health. You need to look fresh and enthusiastic now. He has no value in your life. People tend to think many things and he is one of them.
Prisha thought to herself.
Watching Nia infront of her she thought "Just one day, can't be I all alone!! Is it that difficult god!!??"
"Thanks for that day for helping me", Nia said.
"Hmm.. no problem", Prisha gave her the cold shoulder and walked out.
Nia got pissed but didn't said anything.
..........
"TODAY EVENING AT 6o' CLOCK --- ETHAN'S PLACE"
Prisha read the message and let it go by. She didn't had any intention to drop by Ethan's place.
She was resting in her room when suddenly her door bell rang.
Ting.. ting..Ting.. tong...
She opened the door. Mansoo and Krystal were standing there. Before she could speak anything.
Krystal drag her into the room and told her to get changed.
" Unnie... It's tiresome for me now..", Prisha made puppy face.
"Don't want to hear anything else. We are going to have fun. Everyone is waiting for you there. Come on!! Hurry up!!"
Prisha knew all of them adored her alot so she didn't argue with her and got changed.
She was wearing navy blue dress with white pumped heels without any make up. Her hair was straight as a wire.
"Thank god!! You got ready or I was going to help you out", Mansoo winked at Prisha.
"You are such a scoundrel", Prisha gave him a nasty look.
In the car Prisha thought about the incidents occurred between them. She let out deep sigh while closing her eyes.
....
"Atlast Miss.Early. Debutant is here.!!!", Changmin made fun of her.
"Haha...", Prisha laughed mocking at him.
Nia saw Prisha and suddenly sat beside Ethan. Prisha saw her activity but remained expressionless.
Ethan was also agitated about the morning argument, therefore, not making any gestures, he ignored her.
Prisha sat beside Changmin and he patted her head.
All were busy in discussing when suddenly Mark said "Ethan is going to sing a song for us", he handed him his guitar.
"No, come on!! I feel embarrassed singing infront you trained people" , he replied.
"No excuses will be allowed. You have been trained for almost 2 years and we all know you have a good voice", Sunny said.
"Fine, but don't look at me directly. Give me few seconds",he gave his half-signature smile.
Prisha had gone to washroom. After returning back she heard Ethan singing.
"I'm fearless with my heart
I'll take it any place,
I don't care if it breaks
I wanna tell you things
I never tell myself
These secrets hurt like hell oh
Call me crazy , Maybe I'm insanely
Out of my mind , But it'll never phase me
If I have to , I am not afraid to
Save my heart for you"....
"Woohhooooo" There was a big round of applause for Ethan. He got up with guitar. Sunny hugged him and exclaimed "You were awesome."
He hugged her back watching Prisha. Prisha was standing behind Sunny. Prisha saw him watching her and in nervousness she blinked her eyes several times. At one point it became impossible for her to ignore his strong gaze towards her, so for a moment, she controlled her heart beat and walked towards Olivia.
"This song must be for your crush. Ahh!! so lucky! I hope one day some one would sing a song for me too", Olivia said.
"Hmm...", Ethan smiled and murmured "not crush but I realised it's love", he smiled to himself.
Prisha was so anxious at that moment that she wasn't even able to look at Ethan's gaze with cold expression.
The environment there was unbearable for her.
"I'm leaving. I have to go early for practice." Prisha took a step ahead.
"You should. Get some good sleep", One corner of Nia's mouth curled up and made a sarcastic smile.
Prisha ignored her. She waved back at them and headed towards the door.
The way her heart stirs whenever their eyes met had started to terrify her. She had a gut feeling that if she lets herself give in, she would fall for him at an alarming rate.
She was well after his departure and had a strong will of removing him from her mind but as the days were passing it became hard for her not to ignore his steady intent look. She wanted to ask him , why he kissed Nia that night? And even after that business, he could have ignored her not making her heart flutter. She was confused with Ethan's behaviour. The more she distant herself from him ,the more he came close to her.
She got home and changed her clothes.
Around 11o'clock , the steady and soft drops started falling from the sky. They came altogether yet as pioneers. The rain brought a richness to each hue , the Browns deepened in such a way that soothe Ethan's heart, brought a steadiness to his soul.
He saw people ran for cover outside and umbrellas were opened as the cloud spat out their beads of water. He saw the shadow himself and Prisha in the people running over to hide. Prisha's eyes used to glitter whenever she used to see him. She whispered him "Let's be together always", and he replied "Hmm...". During that time Prisha was bold about her feelings and in contrast Ethan was the one who blushed hard.
But now time has changed and Prisha doesn't even want to talk to him. He thought to himself.
He saw the dark sky which was black tranquility married to poetry of stars. It was the softness that called body and brain to rest and let the heart go to its steady and rhythm.