Breaking Ice

"As the exams drew nearer even the teachers at Oswal's started feeling the pressure. They had to justify the criminal amount they charged as fees. The lectures became more focused, the breaks became shorter and the doubts were treated with greater scorn. 

The only consolation, as ever, was the presence of Tamanna. He spent many a lecture staring at her attentive side profile, like a man holding on to a lifebuoy while drowning at sea. He had tried making contact with her many times since their movie outing, but none of their conversations had lasted longer than thirty-eight seconds. 

A strange gagging reflex kicked in every time he was near her.

It was about a week till the term exams when Rishab had the longest conversation with Tamanna, at the end of which, he had a distinct impression that he had finally broken the proverbial ice.

He walked into Oswal's that day and saw Tamanna sitting at the back of the class with earphones plugged in."

He looked everywhere but at his classmates who were more than interested in the happenings of his life. He was not a popular kid at the same time he was not rebellious too. He was an above-average kid who was friends with people like him. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed some drama and excitement amid the stress-filled exam season.

He could think of only two possibilities either to tap her or pluck her earphones, to gain her attention. Though the latter sounded like a rude interlude, the former was nerve-racking. 

Nonetheless, he chose the first option and boldly extended his hand to tap her shoulder which he reasoned was a sensible way to touch her. His hand shook and grew clammy. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped enough air to burp like a car radiator. Sweat trickled down his spine, and he perspired like a pig. 

Before he could tap her shoulder, he grew cold feet and pulled out one of her earphones. Tamanna was startled momentarily but quickly recovered to find Rishabh give her a sheepish smile. 

"Hi Tamanna, what are you listening to?" 

"Hey Rishabh, hmm...Lady Gaga," she replied as she removed her headphones and put away her cellphone into her bag. She invited him to sit which he gladly did.

Now Rishabh was a football enthusiast and member of the school football squad. Though he could rattle away the goals and other vital stats by any footballer right from Christiano Ronaldo to the lesser-known Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, he was no music connoisseur, especially, pop music which Tamanna seemed to be a fan of. 

Nevertheless, he was obstinate in making a lasting impression on her and nodded knowingly, "Her music is awesome," he pronounced to sound confident.

Her interest was piqued, "I know right. I love how versatile she is. She could do pop music, techno and rock too. A star is born is amazing. So what artists do you listen to?" she asked him enthusiastically. 

It was the most she had ever spoken to him on her own accord and now he kicked himself for not anticipating her next question. He mulled over various subjects that he spoke to his friends in the recent past for any kind of hint on pop music artists and drew a blank. He looked at her expectant face and blurted out the only name he could remember, “Eminem?” 

“Of course you would listen to a rapper. It's as if like a default with all boys." 

Their talk came to an abrupt halt when their teacher arrived, much to Rishabh's relief. He got up in haste, mouthed a quick, “I’ll catch you later,” and moved to his place. 

He then let out a deep sigh of relief at the narrow escape, before he could make a bigger fool of himself. He pulled out his notebook for the lecture. 

He had never noticed when the class had filled with other students. He decided he must make an honest effort and listen to popular music artists if he had to make any kind of headway with Tamanna. However, everything is on hold until the completion of exams.