Niharika is a very rational person, she doesn't take rash decisions. But then in her ever uneventful life, there have been very few instances where she had to actively take one. Mostly her grades were deciding factor for her life dynamics. And in matter of heart, her brain consciously never took interest in anyone. No love, no heartbreak. As simple as that.
But secretly, her favourite genre of books are dark romance with a lot of morally grey characters. Characters who risk their lives for silly causes like love, who make very wrong choices about their love interests and who are anything but walking red flag. The idea of doing exactly opposite of what is expected of her, is very delicious. But Niharika knows she cannot. She's trapped, within herself. She has no idea how to break free.
She daydreams being protagonist in one of those adventure books, where she fights with her parents and runs away from home to a far away place, then she'd open a small library/cafe . Then one evening when there are no customers, and she's very much engrossed into a book she started this afternoon, the cafe door opens and a guy, a very villain looking guy with a traumatic childhood, walks in (staggers in) a bloody white shirt with a gunshot wound in his waist, "save me!" He says...
"SO, THIS IS ALL ABOUT IDENTIFICATION OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS, REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENTRY AND EXIT WOUNDS, ALSO HOW TO IDENTIFY IF A RIFLE IS FIRED FROM POINT BLANK RANGE, IN NEXT CLASS WE'LL TALK ABOUT CHARACTERISTICS OF GUNSHOT WOUND IN A POST MORTEM CASE, AND ITS MEDICO-LEGAL IMPORTANCE."
Niharika snaps out of reverie as it is time for attendance again, one afternoon in a very boring forensic medicine lecture. A place where she belongs, in a position which is expected of her.
A few weeks later, after a long tedious day of clinics and lectures, Niharika is thinking of taking a warm shower back in dorm when someone stops her in the track.
"Hey! It's RISING STAR finale today! We're planning to go watch it live and we happen to have an extra ticket...you wanna come?" Mi soo, a batchmate offers.
After that day of her discovery, for unknown reasons Niharika often finds herself in the tv room while the show airs, if she has free time.
Rex made it to the finals. Niharika has no idea what to do with this very irrelevant information, or the weird tingling sensation that settles in the pit of her stomach every time it's his turn to perform.
So when the girl, whose cousin is apparently involved in the entertainment industry, thus got the ticket pass, offers one to her, after a moment of hesitation Niharika finds herself nodding in agreement.
She rarely puts effort in her looks, so while applying red tint over her lips the rational side of her brain tells her, 'why are you going, he didn't even bother calling you'. But the irrational side argues, 'this is not about him, it's just for a good time.' Niharika was hell bent on agreeing with the irrational side today. So she even put on eyeliner and a pair of shiny earrings for the sake of good times.
And before going out, as she was feeling very adventurous today, she also tucks his shirt in a corner of her purse. If there's a chance she can return it and do him a favor. It's not like she's dying to return it or anything, but Niharika doesn't like owing anyone. Or atleast that's what she tells the rational part of her brain that was up for an argument again.
A lot of people have gathered for the finale live, it seems more popular a show than she imagined.
As they approach the venue, Niharika feels antsy and very much on edge. She half considers going back.
They enter the auditorium, already full of fans, lightsticks, banners and posters everywhere. Niharika has never been to an event like this, it almost feels like a concert.
But she's unable to enjoy the show as it starts. She has this restless feeling squirming inside her chest making her want to scream and run away. She cannot come to a rational conclusion about why she is so nervous.
And it doesn't help that Rex's turn comes only after the third one and two special performances in between.
But as he starts singing, his voice ever so soothing like Niharika remembers, she feels the tension ease away gradually. She even closes her eyes instinctively. She cannot help but wonder why he sounds sad, it's not very evident actually, just an overall vibe, something about him makes her want to go and hold him. And Niharika is very far from a 'touch person'.
The event eventually comes to an end. The winner is someone with the highest number of votes, Niharika didn't quite register his name. Not that it matters.
As they exit the venue, her friends still very much engrossed in gossip about the show, Niharika excuses herself saying she has some business to attend.
She waits outside as people gradually scatter off but honestly she has no idea how she's going to do what she has in mind.
'Should I try checking the green rooms? But they won't let me in right?' she considers her options, which are very scarce not to mention.
As she was about to give up on self proclaimed charity, he walks out of the large entrance with an older guy by his side. He's wearing a sort of disguise, with that black cap and hoodie but that's not very much helping to be honest.
'What's with his outfit , does he think he's a celebrity or what!' Niharika rolls her eyes internally.
A very luxury black Sedan pulls out in front of him before Niharika could even move from her position in a corner and a very pretty looking girl peaks out of the window.
She smiles at him. His face pulled into a little surprised expression before he returns the smile with an equally dazzling one and it doesn't help at all that it flashes his dimples.
And for the first time in her life Niharika is very consciously reminded that she is indeed 'a girl in the corner' and for the first time the realisation hurts. Because she can never be that girl in the luxury Sedan. And the feeling makes her throat clench and eyes burn, but she blinks rapidly and gulps down whatever emotions were about to surface.
She watches as he gets up in that car and they drive off. She recollects herself and moves but stops when she watches that older guy coming that way.
"Who are you?" He demands once they come face to face.
"Excuse me!" She returns perplexed.
"Are you a fan? Did you take pictures just now?" He sounds a bit sceptical.
"Huh? No why would I take pictures, what are you talking about?"
"Listen miss, it's illegal to take pictures of celebrities without permission, I could sue you for that." He sounds almost threatening.
"What the hell is this about? I came here to watch the show with my friends!" Niharika isn't even sure why she needs to clarify herself.
"Then why are you still here? The show already ended!"
"That's because I had some business-"
"Oh really?" The older man smirks clearly not believing a word. But then it suddenly hits Niharika this guy knows Rex, which means he can probably help her.
"Wait actually, you know Rex right? You were with him just now."
"See just now you were denying of having any shady agenda and now you even know I'm his manager! You're clearly a stalker!"
"What stalker! Are you crazy?" Niharika is at her limits now, but-" wait a sec, did you say manager? You're his manager?"
The older guy raises an eyebrow, "don't even think about autographs!"
Niharika literally rolls her eyes, this man is unbelievable.
"No thanks, I don't need his autographs, you can keep them, but I have something of him which I need to return-" she speaks with purpose as she fishes out the shirt from her purse.
"Here," she hands out the shirt to the man, "since you're his manager I hope you can confirm this is his shirt, with all due respect, please give it to him."
The man shows no signs of taking the shirt but his eyes grow wide as she speaks.
He looks at her and at the shirt in turn.
"Come!" He suddenly beckons her to follow him as he starts walking away.
" I..no...just take it and give it back to him!" Niharika almost screams in frustration.
He stops and says, "no, this is a serious matter, we need to have a talk!"
Niharika considers throwing the shirt on his face and walking away, but he's older and she's been taught to respect. So she takes a deep breath and tries one last time,
"Why can't you just take it?"
At this he comes a bit closer and almost whispers, "please, you have to understand he's about to be a celebrity now, we cannot discuss him in a place like this! It can be harmful for his image. If you care about him, then please follow me to a quieter place." His tone a lot softer but serious this time.
Niharika thinks it is totally unnecessary, but the man seems persistent and won't let her go without causing a scene here. And Niharika hates drawing attention. Besides he said he's the manager, so it's safe going with him right? She also saw him with Rex and they seemed pretty close.
'Are you seriously going to follow a stranger now?' the rational side of her brain provides, but Niharika has set her vibe as 'adventurous' today. So she follows him, in any case she can throw a punch or two, also there sits the pepper spray in her bag, and thanks goodness she's wearing sneakers so running won't be an issue.
But to her disappointment nothing such happens and he takes her to a nearby, very harmless looking cafe.
There are a few people in the cafe. She still keep her guards on.
She watches as the man attends the customers... does he work here? But didn't he say he's Rex's manager?
He puts a drink in front of her, and nods.
Niharika just glares at him. She's definitely not drinking this.
It's almost half an hour, she's growing impatient with every passing minute. As the clock ticks 8:30 pm, Niharika decides it's not worthy of the whole drama, and gets up sneakily to walk out.
'Wait why do I have to sneak out?' but she decides to consider that later.
As she is walking towards the door she keeps looking back to make sure he's busy with the orders, and in the process bumps into someone.
"Ouch!" The words come out instinctively and she looks up to the culprit.
"You alright?" The guy is wearing mask and cap.
"Y.. yeah!" She blurts out.
"You're here!" She hears the cafe guy behind her.
'Gosh! I was about to sneak out.' Niharika feels like cursing the guy in front. 'Wait! Why is he dressed like that- and how come the cafe guy knows him!'
Is she getting kidnapped? Suddenly not feeling very adventurous anymore, the whole scenario becomes clear to her. 'God no! I brought this upon myself. What do I do? Shout for help?' Sadly none of her rational or irrational side provide any input.
"Hey! Are you alright?" His voice brings her back to Earth and she shudders as a warm hand suddenly touches her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Niharika snaps.
"Okay! I'm sorry." He retreats dismissively.
"Rex, you know her?" The older guy now speaks.
What Rex? Where is Rex?
Niharika turns around to face him properly as an alternate and more believable explanation of the whole situation formulates in her brain. Right that voice, that outfit. Everything falls in place.
He takes off his cap and mask now. He is Rex, indeed.
Niharika feels embarrassed for being presumptive. But anyone can misinterpret the situation, right?
"Well yes, kind of" Rex replies slowly not tearing his gaze from her. Niharika feels her skin ablaze under his piercing eyes, the same honey brown eyes she didn't realise she's been missing.