SageSpeak - All Is Never Lost - III

"Now that we are into operation I2, let us get the basics right. What are you planning for this years fiesta", Lamar asked.
"I'm presenting a paper on the implementation of nano-technological object modules in a neural network with ...."
"Stop it man, are you trying to frighten her into liking you or something ??", screamed Lamar.
"But .. but, this is what i do", John was now crestfallen. Technology and Education were the only two things he was and could ever be confident about.
"Now, why dont you sing one of Iris' favorite songs ?? She would come running to you then".
John went on the defensive saying "Song ?? Me ?? Sing ?? She ?? No Lamar, I dont think thats a good idea".
"Aaah, John, you do not know your real talent"
"I don't ??", querulous John.
"You are a wonderful singer, do you know that ??"
"I am ??", squeaky John.
"When you sing in the shower, the whole hostel comes to a stand still"
"They do??", stupidly proud John.
"Now, stop asking smart aleck questions and listen. I will find out Iris's favorite song. All that you have to do is to practise it and go on stage. Simple".
"That's it??", relieved John.
"Yeah, and now am going to my own brand of investigation to find out the song that she likes"
"Lamar .. I .. I .. ", John's voice was getting progressively squeakier by the minute. He thought it was gratitude, Lamar thought he had a bad throat.
"Aww .. Come on John, what else are friends there for .. By the way, did you finish my Component Oject Model Assignment".
"Rightaway Lamar", slightly guilty John.

D-Day and John was sweating profusely. One cannot really blame him. An hour before the show, Lamar managed to get the lyrics and played the song for him once. If it were a mathematical proof, John would've been able to derive it backwards by now. But Rock Music was a whole new ball game.

"Lamar, I cant do it"
"What??", anger got a new dimension with the way Lamar asked the question.
John couldnt face him, he turned to the side and started "No Lamar, The closest ever I got to music was when I watched the church choir practice on sundays. Now, with all the crowd and Iris in the middle of it, I would be glad to become a deaf-mute for the rest of my life than to go and sing on stage. Lamar ?? Lamaaaarrrr ??".
"...and we present you, the one and only, Joooooooooohnnnnnnnnn Anderrrrrrrrrrrtoooonnnn", Lamar had sneaked through to the stage and made an announcement. On the way down, he whispered, "Dont worry John, my friends are in the crowd. They'd whistle and start clapping and the rest of the crowd would catch up".

John's heart couldnt sit in his cavity and was running all over his body. But one look at Iris's face, it got back to its place and started beating normally. John knew it, he just had to look at Iris, and everything would fall in place. His voice would change, the music would be soothing, things would be in slow motion, and if he really did a good job, Iris would come in running to give him a hug. After all, this is the stuff that movies are made of. John made up his mind. He is going to rock today.

"I could stay awake, just to hear you breathinggggggg". A few dozens of the seniors, who were busy talking to their juniors (since they were the only ones who listened to their tales in awe) near the speakers, fell off their chairs. Iris showed visible signs of uneasiness and by the time when he got to "I dont want to miss a thing", the audio managers had run to check if their equipment was allright. If there is no written proof that says John brayed his way through the rest of the song, its because everyone felt that would seriously offend the Donkeys Community.

John wasnt inhuman. He knew he sucked. He had heard himself a million times over in the shower and he knew he hopelessly sucked at this. If a small 6x6 room made him feel his voice was killing, in an auditorium equipped with Surround Sound, he was Genghis Khan. He searched for Lamar, and most importantly the fixed-applause. But the claps promised by Lamar never came. Instead, John felt something that tasted like egg yolk-mixed with tomato sauce on his face. As he wiped off his face and looked to Iris' seat, it was empty. The damage had been done.