Rukhsar Shafi

Drama Fantasy

4.8  

Rukhsar Shafi

Drama Fantasy

Mad Court: Ch. 2 Lucky 16

Mad Court: Ch. 2 Lucky 16

10 mins
297


“I can’t believe you made me ask that… that guy for an autograph, Alisa.” Maira was annoyed. She hated begging. And most importantly to a douche like Kai Scott. His perfect face and bed-ridden hair that could melt a girl’s pants away screamed the word ‘trouble-maker’. Her mother had warned her of such men. Her father was one, before he left her family for a girl younger than her. And Maira was twenty-four.

“What I can’t believe is that I met Kai Scott. He is more amazing than I thought,” August said.

Maira rolled her eyes. “You do remember you have a ‘girlfriend’ right? Or are you fantasizing about Kai Scott replacing her?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Alisa said. “Normally, if he spoke about any other guy like that I would seriously doubt him but it’s Kai Scott. That man is basically sex on legs. I wouldn’t mind being in a three-way with him. Also, I’ve heard that he has had a three-way and an orgy with all the members of his group. That’s why they’re so ‘close-knit’. So, he’s no stranger to it.” Alisa giggled.

Maira’s face turned red in embarrassment. A three-way? She hasn’t even had a two-way yet.

“I’ve heard they are a part of some demonic cult. That’s why they are so good. I mean to win three-years in a row,” Nerita said. She twirled her short black hair around her index finger. “They’re Devil-worshippers,” she whispered.

Maira’s jaw dropped. It kind of made sense. She couldn’t understand how Jade Maniacs managed to win the Festival for three years. She had heard their music. Admittedly, the lyrics were not so bad but their music was so loud. There was no finesse. Almost, no soul.

“That’s absurd, Nerita. And Alisa, don’t be so crude in front of baby Maira. You know how she gets,” A boy from the back of their dressing room said. Maira turned back and saw Brett Link, the band's drummer, smirk at her.

“Thank you for your concern, Brett, but we are still not happening.” Maira rolled her eyes again. She shivered in jitters. She was sick and tired of Brett hitting on her, behaving as though it was the usual casual flirtation they had going on.

“Oh, don’t be like that, sweetheart.” Brett walked over to Maira and dropped his arm around her shoulders. Maira shrugged them away immediately. “One day, you’ll come begging to see my cobra.”

Maira’s brows creased in confusion. “What makes you think I want to see your pet cobra? I don’t even like reptiles. They’re so… disgusting!” Just as the words left her mouth, everyone in the room burst into rumbustious laughter. Maira’s frown deepened. “What? What did I say?”

August messed Maira’s hair before pushing Brett out of the seat. She quickly fixed it and her dress. Brett glared before heading back to his previous spot. “Nothing. You didn’t say anything. But you must know, you’re not the only one who doesn’t want to see Brett’s cobra.”

“Hey!” Brett screamed.

“Guys, the results of Day 1 is being announced,” Leon Sharpe said, their second lead guitarist and second lead singer.

The volume on the LCD TV on the wall was increased and the Emcee of the event, Sienna Rose, came onto the screen. Sienna was known as the World Icon as she was the first singer to become a Rock Goddess as well as a Ballad prima donna. No one knew how she did that but everybody loved her songs.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. This is the moment you were waiting for,” Sienna started. “The last two days have been hectic and I know everyone has been waiting anxiously for the results. We’ve had 32 amazing bands playing for us and showcasing their talents. I am truly amazed by their skills. Were you guys too?” The crowd howled. “In just two days, this year’s Mad Court Festival seems far better than last years. Better music, better bands, and not to forget, some hunky new faces.” She giggled. “So, who’s ready for the announcement?” The noisy crowd hollered in excitement.

A man in a suit walked onto the stage rolling a trolley cart with a glass bowl that had the name slips of all the bands that had gotten through. Sienna beamed eagerly as she swirled the chits before taking out a small piece of paper. “Ah! Who do you think would be the first band to get through?” She looked around, listening to the crowd throwing names, before opening up the paper. “The first band to get through is… Australia’s Pirate of Pride,” she announced.

Time passed and the anticipation in the room got thicker. They watched the unpicked bands crying and looking absolutely devastated. Meanwhile, the bands that did get through were also crying but in utter happiness. It meant that they got a step closer to win the title of Mad Court.

Maira looked at August and the rest of the band. August sat at the edge of the seat holding Alisa’s hand while she tried to pry it out of his grasp. He must have been holding it tight because Alisa glared at him with great fury in her eyes. His face turned red, chuckling sheepishly, when he realized what he had been doing. Leon pretended to be checking his phone but Maira could see his eyes were trained on the TV, watching it carefully through his periphery. Nerita bit her nails in nervousness and her leg shook impatiently. Maira saw Brett looking serious for the first time in her life. He stared at the TV with his fingers entwined in front of his chest, silently praying.

Sienna picked out another chit from the bowl and announced the name written on it, “I’m not surprised by this group making it into the next stage. It’s reigning champions and the Devils of Rock, Jade Maniacs.”

Maira noticed August sigh in relief. A small smile playing at the edges of his lips. She wondered if August's worship towards Jade Maniacs was just purely love for the band and its music or something more. August believed them as Gods. But they were, in fact, literally called the Devils.

Sienna picked up the bowl and shook it gently. Two pieces of paper tumbled around the glass bowl. “Two more names. Who are these lucky bands?” Everyone’s breath was hitched as Sienna declared the band’s name that got through. “It’s Das Verschwunden from Germany!”

Maira could almost feel the heartbeats of the band members pulsate. One more name to go. Nerita had managed to chomp down all her nails and August sprained Alisa’s wrist and was currently trying to ice it but failing miserably. Brett was praying hard and it was quite evident because he was on his knees. Leon had finally kept his phone aside and twisted his body towards the TV.

“Oh, my. I could almost feel the tension churning in here. I am equally nervous to announce the last band that got through. Any guesses which band will take their place in the Lucky 16?” The crowd screamed different names. Sienna smiled toothily. “Some amazing names. Personally, I agree to all. But let’s see who the judges have chosen. And by judges, I mean you! The crowd polling Festival is the reason why the Mad Court lives as the best Rock Festival in the world. Now, shall we unravel the last name on the roster?” She dipped her hand in the crystal clear glass bowl and picked out the last chit. Upon opening, she gasped. “Wow, a name not heard of before. Its’ a debut group.”

By now, everyone was staring at the TV. Nerita was a bite away from eating her hand and Brett was on the verge of crying. Even Leon had shifted his chair to see the TV better.

“Who could that be? We’ve got three debut bands this year. Is it Bitter Renegade? Or The Crimson Era? Or the 16 position winner, Euphonic Cavalry?” Sienna smirked.

Wait a minute. Did she just…?

“Did she just say our name?” Nerita spoke, nursing her bleeding hand.

“Oops, I spilled the beans, didn’t I?” Sienna laughed hysterically. “Congratulations to Euphonic Cavalry for securing their spot in the 16.”

“Oh my God!” August screamed. “We’re through the next round!” He jumped, taking Alisa with him. She hugged him tightly as August spun them around.

Brett began to sob. Everyone stared at him in surprise. “Dude, are you crying?” Leon asked, looking shocked and amused at his best friend.

Wiping the tears, Brett shook his head. “What, no. A man doesn’t cry. Something went into my eyes.” A sob escaped his lips. Everyone chortled in laughter while Nerita flung herself at Brett and gave him the tightest hug ever. Brett tried to push her away but Nerita cooed humorously at him.

“Don’t cry, Baby Brett!” Nerita teased.

“Stay back, flytrap,” Brett said.

Nerita gasped. “I’m shocked you even know what that means!”

Brett tilted his head to the side. “Did you think I was dumb?” Nerita shrugged. “I must let you know that I got through university on a scholarship.” Maira gawked and so did the others. “What the hell are you guys looking at?” Brett continued to get smothered by Nerita. Finally giving up, he hugged her back.

“August, congratulations for getting through to the next round,” Maira said, turning towards him. He had the biggest smile on his face she had ever seen before. “It’s momentous to be selected in the round of 16. Actually, it’s pretty big to be even selected in the 32. So, congratulations for everything you’ve achieved. And all the best for the rest of the festival.”

“Thank you, Maira. That’s big coming from you,” August said. “Will you be attending tomorrow? It would be great if you could. Alisa and you were there for us when no one had heard of us. Even when you were not-so-silently supporting us by making fun of our music right at our faces. But, with your criticism, we got better. Isn’t that right, guys?”

Everyone else murmured words that mostly sounded like ‘no’. Maira chuckled. “Sorry about that but I’ll try if my schedule is free tomorrow. Although, I’ll deliver Alisa on time for you.” She smiled brightly.

August chuckled. “You better. She’s my lucky charm.” Alisa blushed hard and leaned up to kiss August.

“Thank God, you told she’s your lucky charm and not Kai Scott.” Maira rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

“He’s his idol. He probably prays to him before going up on stage,” Leon said sarcastically. “He has a poster of him in his room. Tells him goodnight before he goes to sleep.”

August chuckled embarrassingly. “I told you that in confidence,” he said through his teeth.

“That was a secret?” Leon asked with a straight face. “Well then, you shouldn’t have done that in front of me.”

Alisa burst out laughing. Following her, others did. August hid his face behind his hand while patting Leon’s shoulder with his other hand in defeat.

Leon Sharpe was known for being the most serious one in the group. Jokes would go over his head and seemed to be always indifferent to the things around him. He was socially awkward and most of the time wouldn’t know the right thing to say. But he was kind and compassionate. And loyal. Truth be told, Maira once had a crush on him.

What was not to like? He was the classic brooding boy. His long brown hair that was always tied up in a man-bun, accentuated his crisp-cut jawline and high cheekbones. His steel grey eyes, always watching every move, dissecting it and inspecting it. She felt undone in front of him.

Maira had always been shy around boys. Even in her sixth form, she would dodge and run from any guy who would approach her. But ever since she moved to Greyhill University and met Alisa, Maira had started to loosen herself. It started with being comfortable with August. With Brett, she didn’t know when she relaxed around him. But with Leon, it was different. She felt like she was in school again. She sweated more than usual. Her breath hitches. She seemed to always be at a loss for words.

Overtime, she thought she got used to being around him. She hung out with the band more often. Listening to their tunes, joking with them, spending lunch and sometimes dinner with them, helped Maira be at ease around boys.

Until that unfortunate day.

The memories of which she didn’t want to remember. Her eyes trailed to Leon and his burrowed brows. She noticed the smile slowly etching up from the corner of his lips as a single lock of hair fell upon his face.

Maira exhaled sharply, shaking her head. Just then her phone vibrated from her bag. Fishing it out, she saw her mother’s name on the screen and sighed. She looked up and observed the sight before her. She watched the band tease August for his ardor love for Kai Scott and Brett’s for his ‘teary’ incident.

Saying her goodbyes, she walked out of the room. Standing by her car, she reconnected the call. “Hey Mom, I’m on my way. I’ve just finished practice.”


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