Purple lights flooded the dance floor as waiters brought around drinks to the largest table. Loud music made it hard to talk, but they did anyway- shouted rather...
Jp sat in the corner, biting her thumbnail again. Partly angry that her nail wasn't grown enough to bite and partly worried... Worried if her plan would work out or if she'd have to find another avenue.
The worry had pretty much taken over her in the next hour or so. She hadn't drunk anything except water watching as the rest of the band slowly get drunk and more rowdy.
Noticing the glares from nearby customers she straightened herself up and sighed.
"Guys ... I think we are beginning to create a scene" she said signalling toward other tables.
"Who cares? This is a celebration!" Darshan grinned, he was sadly a lightweight who would get a little giddy even after one drink "loosen up b*tch" he waved her off.
Her cheeks turned red in embarrassment while Aditya placed a hand on his shoulder
"Dude...don't talk to her like that" he slurred.
The others were involved in their own conversation and so didn't pay attention
"It's okay ad-" she began
"Go to hell man. Just because yo…you want to be a goody two shoes...or chappals to this annoying creature... Does not mean I have to be" he pointed at Jp who was simply staring at him, at a loss as to how to manage the situation. If they fought, her plan wouldn't work out.
They got louder and rowdier, disturbing all those who occupied other tables.
"Guys stop...it's okay" she stood up as they were already standing and nearly physical.
Aditya pushed Darshan who pushed him back and then held his collar, shouting a string of slurred words that sounded like a threat.
"Darshan come on" Rudra got up as well and tried getting Aditya to the side safely. Nagma and Madhav sat silently knowing better than to interrupt.
Aarav apologized profusely to the surrounding people and quickly went to pay the tab, knowing they'd be kicked out soon.
Jp got more desperate as their voices grew louder. In a bid to remove Darshan's hand from Aditya she tugged on his arm.
Whack!
The sound silenced the room. Jp blinked in surprise and held her burning cheek before looking up at Darshan who was now being dragged away by Rudra.
"Jayapriya come, lets go home…don't stay here" Nagma wrapped an arm around her and pulled her away. She made her sit in the car and gave the others a rather threatening look before getting in herself and driving away.
----------time skip brought to you by alcohol-----
"Look I said I was sorry the heck do you want me to do" Darshan asked irritably, pressing the cold ice pack to his cheek.
"Its getting late…where are they" Aarav paced through the room, ignoring him completely.
Aditya on the other hand was glaring at Darshan, his right eye purple and bruised. The fight had been bad after the girls had left. Darshan's glasses hid any bruise he got. The hangover was horrid. Why had he even drank that much? It was true he felt a twinge of guilt that he refused to admit.
Rudra handed him a water bottle which he silently accepted.
The door swung open and Nagma walked in with Jp in tow, her face was stern as she looked at Darshan who turned away.
Jp silently went to the table and placed a couple of papers and her bag. Four harsh lines clearly visible on her face. Darshan noticed, his heart sank a bit. He wasn't the type to just hit people ...but he wouldn't accept that it was his fault either. The silence in the room was uncomfortably gripping and made him squirm.
She looked up at them, sullen faced.
"I was supposed to announce this last night but I couldn't" she sighed "we are going to tour"
This was met with a chorus of gasps and remarks.
"Shut up" she snapped "I haven't finished. I got us a great gig. It's in a month and when I say gig I mean a nice paying one. A big band offered to let us play in another city and if we pull crowds they'll advertise us and let us play with them in Delhi."
They stayed silent knowing she had more to talk
"So I talked about this with Nagma. We will play in each city as we go to the main venue like an unannounced tour. We make money on the way and get our name out there. " She leaned on the table, "So it is my job to get you gigs and your job to practice. We need a proper name for the band, and we need a uniform? I don't know some style that everyone can wear... the last show you all were so different I couldn't tell if this was one band or not." She looked at them, her face determined, "So are you okay with this?"
"So it's a ...road trip?" Rudra asked, getting a nod in response.
"nagma said she will get us a travel vehicle...one of her friends is offering. We all pay for petrol. We stay in the bus or guesthouses...no hotels unless we have to. I don't know, lets decide more on that later... "
"Sounds good... I do want to get out of Chennai" Aarav chimed in.
"Great. All in favor?" She looked around.
Aarav and Nagma raised their hands immediately. Rudra and Madhav did as well.
"Aditya? Darshan? " She asked the last word almost sounding like she had forced it out of her. They looked at each other and raised their hand without a word.
She pursed her lips "very well. Practice a 45-minute set. I'll get ready with the arrangements. I won't be attending the practices today. Nagma is in charge" she said and wordlessly took her things, walking away.
She had spent the entire night planning for this. To hell with this band and everyone in it. She bitterly remembered the slap she had received. No one had ever hit her...except her father...that too once!
She had gotten carried away trying to be friends with them. No more. She would get to Mumbai. And that would be it.
"Wait…" Darshan called, making everyone turn "which city do we have to play in for the chance at Delhi?"
She turned toward him, a glint of a victorious smirk on her face
"Mumbai"