Chapter 2: Under Pressure
Aditya sighed and prepared himself before opening the door and walking into the studio
"okay guys," he avoided all faces ,"so that wasn't good, and it was my fault"
"no shit dumb-ass"
"look Rudra, I am so-"
"sorry, yeah whatever, I don't care. I told you idiots that we needed an actual manager instead of a 12th dropout!" Rudra glared at the man who was now beginning to frown.
"oh come on ..." Nagma sighed in the corner, "let's talk and end this once for all. And I need to go to an interview in an hour..so wrap this up soon please."
"what interview Nagma? Planning to ditch us soon eh?" Madhav asked , his smile holding a suspicious tint.
"no, its an interview for a job in-case we blow this gig stuff again. And I don't see you campaigning for gigs to help the situation so if you really wanna-'
"Nagma...chill" Darshan spoke up from the corner, "why don't we take a vote?"
"I agree...but Aarav isn't here." Aditya said softly. It was all his fault. He had been the manager of the band for only about a year or so. And he had not been a very great one, even though he had tried. Ah well, it was probably his fault. Now they'd have to find and pay a manager.
"when is Aarav ever here anyway?" Madhav rolled his eyes and zipped his piano bag, "what for him if he doesn't earn money? As if he- "
"Madhav...." Nagma warned making him shrink back.
"okay so all those in favor of a new manager raise your hand?" Rudra asked, raising his hand as he spoke. Always the decision maker, his voice seemed to garner everyone's attention, he was the oldest after all.
Everyone's hand was raised, including Aditya's who stood like a sullen teenager.
" okay its settled we shall all search for a new manager.. starting today. And if we don't get one by the end of the week.. we scrap all tour ideas. Now lets go we only have permission to stay here for an hour"
"yeah I'm out..bye" Nagma walked out with Rudra in tow while Aditya helped Darshan pack his things up. Madhav seemed like he wanted to say something but silenced himself and walked out much to their relief. He wasn't a bad person but his habit of making everything look suspicious was annoying to say the least.
"I'll carry this, you get the pedals." Aditya said "where do you think I'd get a manager from?"
"I'm not sure dude" Darshan seemed less than sympathetic, Aditya could handle criticism almost as well as a fish could walk on land. He attributed it to the age, after all he was only eighteen while everyone else was older.
They walked out and shut the studio old makeshift studio. They had rented it out just for practicing for an hour everyday, from the past four years.
"what do you even need to qualify as a manager?" Darshan laughed, "an MBA?"
"yes" a squeaky voice answered from behind them.
They turned to find a smiling girl standing right behind them.
"Im sorry ...I wasn't talking to you..." Aditya said
"I know ...I heard what you said and I have done an MBA" she crossed her arms with evident pride on her face.
"uhm...Its..bad manners to eavesdrop? Your parents didn't teach you this?" Darshan asked, pulling Aditya away rather protectively.
"well you were talking loud enough to hear, its barely my fault" she scoffed at him.
"not an invitation creepy little girl... go run to your amma. We need adults" he turned away and they began to walk down the road.
she blinked in shock "that rude b... look you said you needed a manager? I am one. I mean I've done an MBA." She Followed the, running to keep up with their strides.
Aditya stopped and turned to look at her and then looked at Darshan who was practically glaring at her.
"we were talking about managing a band...can you do that.?" He asked, looking like he had hit the jackpot.
"she eavesdrops on conversations and called us a rude bitch..yeah I heard you! you sure you want her?" Darshan asked looking at the puny girl in front of him. A head full of curls framed a face that would have been pretty if she wasn't scowling at him.
"I mean...we would need to um..interview you?" Aditya looked at her and then at Darshan who nodded .
The girl rolled her eyes, "fine. How much cash would I get ?"
"depends on how any gigs you get us but we can start you off with a little...we will have to consult everyone else an-"
"yea yea fine. Interview tomorrow at 12. I get sleepy after 1. Here's my number." She pulled Aditya's hand and scribbled on it with a marker while Darshan simply stood dumbfounded.
"wai-"
"don't call before 10am I'll be sleeping. And you can get all your band guys or whoever to interview me"
"okay bu- "
"what's your name again?" She shoved the marker in the large cloth bag she carried.
"uh..Aditya? and this is-"
" yeah I don't care about him. See you tomorrow !" she smiled and walked past them. Aditya blinked at her retreating silhouette before turning to look at a fuming Darshan.
"can you stop being a chew-toy for once in your life? Now gimme my stuff. I don't want any sissy carrying it. Go tell everyone else what you did. And if this girl pisses me off tomorrow I won't allow her here." He said before storming off with his things leaving a very sobered Aditya behind.
"but...no one asked her name" he said to himself before sighing and heading home. He decided to deal with this later and struggled to hail an auto, his arms overflowing with things. He looked down at this arm where her number was scribbled, Was this permanent marker? He cursed himself and got into the auto. Only one person could handle her- Aarav.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone