Melody's Hub

Aman has to go back to the hotel where he’s staying, but he promises to watch our performances later. I tell him congrats, and Prithvi smiles that easygoing smile of his, except it’s bigger and brighter. After he leaves, Prithvi and I watch the next set of contestants come. From a girl named Arshika whose dadi is her BFF to a boy named Sobhit who does the craziest things on the dance floor (including pulling his pants down to expose, thankfully, a swimsuit and not his underwear), the dancers show their best, and most get their medals. Some don’t, and I feel bad for them.  Then, it’s my turn. I may be lying if I say I’m not quaking with nervousness. Because I actually  am. I run onto the stage, doing a cool pose and everything, but that’s for the camera. Now, I do not know how I am going to face these judges. I remember them. Shipra Ma’am nods and looks at me. “I have seen you before, but I do not know when and where.”  Anshuman Dada looks at her. “We have?” Even Geetika ...

“My, what a way we’ve gone,” says Papa as he stares at the waiting room, decorated in blue and adorned with glitter, balloons, frilly paper, and a hundred other things. Looking at this room is like looking into a party hall, all set for someone’s birthday. There are seating areas, if seating areas look like round tables made of leather.  Papa and I sit around for a while, but strangely, there is nothing to talk about. He’s asking if I remember all of my steps, and I say yes, I remember them all. After a brief silence, he suggests making friends. I nod, then take a look around. There are a few kids my age, and my eye catches a boy wearing a hat, and he’s practising foot movements. I go over to him. “Hey,” I say. “Hi,” he replies. “I’m Aman. What’s your name?” He wanted to break his tension too, I realise, and looks happy seeing someone around. “Sankalp.” I gesture with my head to his legs. “Practising?” “Just doing revision.” He tries a few more steps, then sighs contentedly, like h...

The fifth book of 'The Jr. Pop Diaries: Year 2'! And, big twist at the end that will probably leave mouths gaping. Yup. Not joking. Read below! 1. I Need You… …and you know that. Always have. But how did you make the tough decision? One which you couldn’t reverse? Of moving…away? It’s what I wanted to ask Tana, and you’ll find out eventually why. 2. Tour! (Plus A Party) Mr. Bowers suddenly burst in on us during studio school.  “Kids, I have  great  news! It’s…tour time!” We cheered. For Elijah, Wylie, Tana and I, it was our second tour. Last year, we had performed in concerts around the country, and we  did  have some narrowing experience, but thinking about my birthday bash then brought back good memories.  “And even bigger news.” Mr. B mimicked tears streaming down his face. We screamed in excitement again. We were shooting ‘When The Party’s Over’ later. We weren’t going to cry black tears unlike what Billie Eilish did originally, but we were going to def...